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EP 309: Frizz

Danise Keilitz Season 5 Episode 309

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Frustrated by that halo of fuzz that appears the moment you step outside? You're not alone! This episode dives deep into the science of frizz—that pesky, unpredictable phenomenon that affects all hair types, from pin-straight to tightly curled.

Drawing from over 30 years of professional experience, I break down exactly what frizz is at the microscopic level: a reaction between your hair's cuticle layer and the environment around it. Think of your hair cuticle like roof shingles—when they lay flat, everything's smooth, but when moisture disrupts them, chaos ensues! We explore why humidity makes some hair types expand while others barely react, and why even desert climates can trigger unexpected frizz problems.

Through personal stories (including a wedding hair disaster), practical science, and salon-tested solutions, you'll learn why your hair isn't misbehaving—it's just thirsty. Discover why your zip code actually matters for your hair routine, which ingredients to seek out (and which to avoid) depending on your climate, and simple hacks like using dryer sheets that can save your style in a pinch. Plus, I share my professional product recommendations for every budget, from drugstore favorites to salon staples that deliver serious results.

Whether you're looking to embrace your natural texture or achieve smoother styles, this episode gives you the knowledge to work with your hair instead of fighting against it. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs to make peace with their frizz! 

Products mentioned in Podcast:

ColorWow Dreamcoat

Bumble & Bumble Hair Dresser's Invisible Oil

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum

Eufora Smooth'n Frizz Control


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Speaker 1:

Today we're going to get into something every single one of us has dealt with frizz. You know the feeling. You spend time styling your hair, it's looking all cute and then you walk outside and poof, hello, halo of fuzz. It's frustrating, it's unpredictable and, let's be honest, sometimes it feels like your hair has a mind of its own. But here's the thing Frizz isn't your enemy, it's just your hair reacting to the environment and when you understand the why, you could take back control. So in today's episode, we're talking about what Frizz really is, what causes it, why it shows up the worst times and, most importantly, how to tame it without fighting your natural texture. I'll be sharing some science, some product tips and, yes, a few funny personal stories from behind the chair and from my own frizz-filled moments. Whether your hair is curly, straight, wavy or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

Speaker 1:

Welcome to All About Hair, where we talk shop, share stories and spill the secrets behind great hair and a great career. I'm your host, denise Keilitz, a former salon owner, educator and a lifelong hair crusader. Whether you're a new stylist building your book or just someone who loves learning about all things hair, you're in the right place. Each week, we dive into real techniques, honest career advice and inspiration to help you grow behind the chair or just fall even more in love with the world of hair, because around here it's not just about looking good, it's about learning, evolving and having a little fun along the way. So grab your coffee, your shears or your dry shampoo and welcome back to All About Hair. I'm your host, denise, and today we're talking about something I know we've all battled at some point Frizz, that pesky puffiness that shows up uninvited, especially on the days we want our hair to behave. Now I've got over 30 years behind the chair and let me tell you frizz does not discriminate. I've seen it show up on sleek bobs, natural curls, color treated strands and even my own head when the humidity decides to party.

Speaker 1:

But what actually causes frizz and what can we really do about it? So here's the deal. Frizz is a science thing. It all comes down to your hair's cuticle, basically the outer layer of each strand. Think of it like roof shingles. When they lay flat, your hair is smooth and shiny, but when moisture sneaks in or the cuticle gets roughed up, that's when things start popping out in all directions. Humidity is one of the biggest culprits, and you know, it is springtime in Virginia and the humidity has already started. And, funny enough, the more dry your hair is, the more it tries to grab moisture from the air. It's like your hair is thirsty and reaching for a glass of water in the sky. So what is frizz?

Speaker 1:

Frizz is when hair strands are misaligned and no longer lay smoothly together. This often gives hair a puffy, fuzzy or a static look, and it's not just a hair type issue. Everyone can experience frizz, though some hair types, especially curly or textured hair, are more prone to it. So why does frizz even happen in the first place? Well, it's a moisture imbalance. Hair is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the environment, kind of like a sponge. When your hair is dry and the air is humid, it swells as it soaks in moisture, causing the cuticle to lift and frizz to form. Could also be, though, from a damaged cuticle layer. The cuticle is the hair's protective outer layer. When it's rough or raised due to damage from heat, coloring, brushing, hair strands can no longer lie flat or lock in moisture, leading to frizz.

Speaker 1:

Another thing that causes frizz is high humidity or even super dry air. You probably didn't even think about that. In humid weather, moisture in the air enters the hair shaft and it disrupts your style. We've all experienced that at some time. But did you know that in dry climates, humectants in your hair products like glycerin may actually pull moisture out of your hair into the air, making your frizz even worse. So yeah, if you're used to living in a humid climate and then you're visiting, say, las Vegas or Arizona, you're going to have to change up your styling routine just a little bit. So keep that in mind. And then also porosity plays a role. High porosity hair absorbs moisture really, really quickly and it loses it just as fast. This makes it more reactive to weather changes and prone to frizz.

Speaker 1:

Quick story One time I was doing this wedding here in Virginia, which you know, the humidity can be thick, and I had curled the bride's hair into these soft, elegant waves and 15 minutes later her hair looked like it wanted to join the gospel choir. We laughed, we learned and thank goodness for emergency serum. Moral of the story frizz is not failure. It's your hair reacting to the world around it, and when you understand why it's happening, you can actually do something about it. Take, for instance, me. I have curly hair, so if I have like in Virginia.

Speaker 1:

In the summertime, there is no way I am going to wear my hair smooth, straight, unless, of course, I have a Brazilian blowout. But in the summertime it is going to be humid. So, guess what? I am going to probably be wearing my hair curly, whether I like it or not. And just you know, if you have curl in your hair and you live in a humid climate, it's okay to go with the flow, it's all right. Actually Say you don't want to go with the flow and you don't want to wear your hair curly.

Speaker 1:

What can you do? Well, you can do a Brazilian blowout, which is a whole other conversation, but a Brazilian blowout does have. Um, it blocks the humidity out of your hair. It's almost like you're actually putting a protective wrap around each strand of your hair and it's heat sealed onto your hair and then it actually keeps the humidity out of your hair. So it's not a straightener, it is a defrizzer treatment and it and it does exactly what we're talking about it just blocks that humidity from entering into the cuticle of your hair. But let's talk some other solutions because, yeah, we can win the war on frizz, at least most days, okay.

Speaker 1:

So first, conditioner is queen. You have to use a good pH balance conditioner. Ph balance conditioner Lower the pH helps lay the cuticle flat. The right conditioner literally magnetizes to your hair, smoothing things down. Use a conditioner that will help smooth your hair.

Speaker 1:

Here's another tip. Have you ever used a dryer sheet? Believe it or not? Yes, laundry dryer sheets. You can rub one of those gently over your hair or tuck it like into your brush. You know how dryer sheets are kind of like. They're permeable, so you can actually push it onto your hairbrush and the bristles of your brush can stick through it and you can then brush your hair with it. And it actually helps to reduce static and smooth flyaways. I've tried it before at photo shoot and I was really shocked how well it worked in a pinch. You can also seal it in After you apply.

Speaker 1:

Your styling products always finish with a light oil or a silicone serum. Styling products always finish with a light oil or a silicone serum. This locks in moisture and it helps keep humidity out. Think of it like a raincoat for your hair. And silicones believe it or not, I know the curly hair community has mixed feelings, but some silicones, especially the lighter ones, are amazing for frizz control and shine. It's all about knowing your hair and using the right ones sparingly. And if you want a little bit more information, go back a couple of episodes and listen to my episode on silicones. It talks all about it, why they're good, why they are not good. All those, yeah, okay, answers all the questions.

Speaker 1:

Another thing you want to consider is you want to make sure that you are trimming your hair, because your frayed ends if you've got split ends, they don't play well with others. That's right. Regular trims keeps your strands aligned and easier to smooth. And then also the environment, like we were talking about it, actually matters. If you live in the desert, avoid humectants like glycerin. The desert avoid humectants like glycerin. Do not use something that has glycerin in it, because they can actually pull moisture out of your hair. Total opposite if you live somewhere humid. Yes, so, yes, yes, your zip code affects your hair routine, even if you're traveling for business or vacation.

Speaker 1:

Okay, here's a couple of products that I swear by. Um, because I know somebody is going to ask, so here's a few of my go-tos. There is a product called Color Wow Dream Coat. The thing is it's heat activated, so if you don't blow dry your hair, it's probably not going to work for you. So you actually have to blow dry it into your hair and this lasts for a few days and it really does protect your hair in humidity, but if you don't blow dry your hair, it's not going to work at all. Then there is Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil. That's a really lightweight oil with silicone Smells amazing and it really does smooth beautifully. Then there's the tried and true drugstore favorite John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum. This is a classic for a reason, and then one of my favorites you know me, I love Euphora, the Smooth and Frizz Control. It blends science and botanicals for long lasting results Actually their whole smoothen line. They've got a shampoo, a conditioner and then the styling products to go with it. I love it and of course, I'll leave links in my show notes.

Speaker 1:

Remember how Beyonce said get information. That's what we're asking our hair to do, each strand working in sync. When they don't, we get frizz. But now you've got the knowledge and the tools to keep your hair in line. Whether you embrace the poof or prefer sleek and shiny. The poof or prefer sleek and shiny, the goal is to understand your hair, not to fight it.

Speaker 1:

I want to thank you for spending time with me today and if this episode has helped you, share it with a friend, leave me a review, love that and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a chance to learn something new about your hair and yourself. So until next time, stay confident, stay curious and remember when you know better, you do better. Thanks for tuning in to All About Hair. If you loved this episode, hit, subscribe, leave us a review and share it with a fellow stylist or hair loving friend. You want more tips, tools and behind the scenes goodness. Follow me on YouTube or head to my website at denisekeilitzcom. Yes, I know it's hard to spell, so don't worry, the link is in the show notes. Until next time, keep learning, keep creating and keep loving what you do.

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