I've Tried Tonnes of Products for My Hair Frizz, But Only These 9 Get My Approval
Our take
The pursuit of smooth, frizz-free hair is a perennial quest, a battle waged daily by countless individuals navigating the complexities of texture and climate. This recent piece, "I've Tried Tonnes of Products for My Hair Frizz, But Only These 9 Get My Approval," taps directly into that shared experience, offering a curated selection of solutions for a problem many find deeply frustrating. It’s a reassuring read for those who, like the author, have invested considerable time and resources in the search for the “holy grail” of frizz control. The piece’s strength lies in its relatability – the acknowledgement of a worsening condition, the exasperation with persistent flyaways, and the ultimately hopeful discovery of effective products. This resonates strongly with the current cultural conversation surrounding hair care, which has shifted away from simply achieving a desired style and towards embracing and understanding individual hair textures. It’s a welcome shift from the historically dominant, often damaging, pursuit of straight, “sleek” hair. Relatedly, our readers might appreciate seeing how broader fashion trends are also evolving to embrace individuality, as explored in My 66-Year-Old Mom Asked for Fall Fashion Advice—I Told Her to Start With These Elevated Basics at Nordstrom, which showcases a move toward versatile and personalized style choices.
The article’s focused approach—highlighting a small number of proven products—feels particularly valuable in today's saturated beauty market. Consumers are increasingly overwhelmed by endless options and conflicting reviews. This curated list provides a sense of clarity and trust, particularly when coming from a source perceived as discerning. The implicit understanding is that the author has done the legwork, filtering through the noise to identify genuinely effective solutions. This is aligned with the broader trend of “quiet luxury” and the rejection of overt consumerism; the focus isn’t on accumulating a vast collection of products, but on investing in a few high-quality items that deliver results. It’s also worth noting the subtle shift in beauty advertising we’ve been observing – moving away from aspirational, often unrealistic imagery towards more authentic portrayals of diverse hair types and textures. Dior's recent foray into liquid lipsticks, as detailed in Dior's Rouge Dior On Stage Ink Blur Matte Will Make You Believe In Liquid Lipsticks Again, exemplifies this, demonstrating a renewed focus on performance and delivering tangible benefits, rather than solely relying on aspirational branding.
Beyond the specific product recommendations, the article speaks to a larger cultural understanding of self-acceptance and embracing natural textures. The author's candidness about her evolving hair type—coarser and wavier with age—is relatable and encouraging. It acknowledges that hair care isn't a static process, but an ongoing journey of adaptation and experimentation. This sentiment aligns with a growing movement towards celebrating individuality and challenging conventional beauty standards. There's a quiet power in accepting and working *with* your natural hair, rather than constantly striving to transform it into something it's not. This shift in perspective is particularly poignant given the increasing awareness of the long-term damage caused by harsh chemical treatments and heat styling. It underscores the importance of prioritizing hair health and finding products that nourish and protect, rather than simply masking imperfections. The piece also implicitly acknowledges the emotional toll that struggling with hair can take, suggesting that finding effective solutions can contribute to a greater sense of confidence and well-being.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe how the conversation around frizz control continues to evolve. Will we see a greater emphasis on preventative measures, such as scalp health and protective styling techniques? Will personalized hair care solutions, tailored to individual genetic profiles and environmental factors, become more prevalent? The article's success highlights the demand for practical, trustworthy advice in a crowded marketplace, and it suggests that the brands who prioritize authenticity and genuine results will be the ones who resonate most deeply with consumers. Perhaps the next frontier isn't simply eliminating frizz, but redefining what "healthy" and "beautiful" hair truly means – a shift that moves beyond fleeting trends and embraces the unique beauty of every texture.
I've always had frizz-prone hair. But as my hair texture has become coarser and wavier in my adult years, I've been even more susceptible to a halo of frizz and flyaways around my crown. I have coarse, wiry hairs in places which, much to my annoyance, often stick out the top of my hair as soon as there is a hint of moisture in the air. And so I've had to rely more on the best hair products for frizz to keep my hair looking smooth from root to ends.
Frizz can be the result of multiple factors. If you have a wave or curl to your natural hair texture, your hair genetics may make you more prone to unwanted frizz due to the structure of the hair; however, it can also be the result of hair breakage, as heated hair tools can cause the hair shaft to be more porous (that's why a heat protector is an essential!) Even fine hair types can experience frizz or flyaways, and it can be hard to find smoothing products that don't weigh the hair down. And, of course, the great British weather can also cause unwanted frizz, whether it's from an autumnal downpour or hot summer humidity.
With over two decades of rigorously testing products for my frizzy hair first-hand, and a decade working closely with hairdressers and celebrity hairstylists, I've picked up some great recommendations from experts alongside my personal picks of the best products for frizzy hair. Ahead, I've listed the very top ones that are deserving of a spot in your hair care routine, for all hair types.
Best Products for Frizzy Hair
- Best Overall: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
- Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste and Fondant Fluidealiste
- Best Styling Cream: Ouai Anti-Frizz Crème
- Best Hair Serum: John Frieda Frizz Ease The Controller Extra Strength Serum
- Best Hair Oil: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
1. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Best Overall
The very first product that had to make the very top of this list is Color Wow Dream Coat. This protective mist is basically like a waterproof raincoat for your hair. You generously mist your damp hair with it before blow-drying, and it forms a waterproof coating around your hair, helping to defy frizz and prevent humidity and rain from interfering with your style. It also lasts for a few washes, so you don't have to use it each time, and it also comes in an extra-strength and curly version to suit all hair textures. It results in silky smooth, frizz-free hair with a mirror-like shine that lasts between shampoos. I'll never be without a bottle of this.
Pros
- Smooths and de-frizzes
- Boosts shine
- Defies humidity
- Comes in a version for curly hair, as well as an extra strength version
- Lasts through multiple hair washes
- Provides heat protection
Cons
- You have to really saturate your hair in it for it to work, so a lot of product needs to be used
- Needs to be activated with heat to work
2. Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste and Fondant Fluidealiste
Best Shampoo and Conditioner
To be truthful, I've tried almost all of Kérastase's shampoos and conditioners, and they all do a brilliant job of leaving my hair looking smoother. But this particular range was recommended to me by my hairdresser to help keep my frizz-prone hair smoother, and I now recommend this shampoo and conditioner to almost everyone. Very thick or curly hair may need something heavier, but this shampoo and conditioner help to achieve a really smooth finish on fine-to-medium hair textures.
Pros
- Helps to reduce frizz from root to tip
- Leaves hair looking and feeling smoother
Cons
- Very thick hair may require a more nourishing formula
3. Ouai Anti-Frizz Crème
Best Styling Cream
This is a brilliant styling cream that you use before blow-drying (or air-drying, too), and it always delivers a sleek finish. I get a lot of frizz and flyaways around the crown of my head, and I find that this really helps to smooth them as I blow-dry without weighing down my hair. It leaves my lengths looking smoother, bouncier and glossier, and it's one of the few hair products that I know I'll be repurchasing when my bottle runs out. It also has the added benefit of heat protection, so it helps to streamline your styling routine, and it can also be used on dry hair in between washes to help smooth your lengths.
Pros
- Weightlessly minimises frizz
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
- Has a fresh, rosy scent
Cons
- Has a noticeable fragrance, which might not be for everyone
4. John Frieda Frizz Ease The Controller Extra Strength Serum
Best Hair Serum
This is an OG classic that I recently rediscovered and was reminded why it's one of the best hair serums for frizz-prone hair. It's quite thick, so you only need one pump for very thick hair (there are two lighter versions for finer hair types), and it smooths over your lengths to leave your hair noticeably smoother and flyaway-free after blow-drying. You can also use it on dry hair, but go easy, as it can be easy to overload hair if you use too much.
Pros
- One of the most effective serums for frizz
- Affordable
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
Cons
- Use sparingly, as it's very thick (those with finer hair types should try The Rescuer or The Hydro Sealer in the range)
5. Color Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss Finish
Best Styling Serum
Color Wow is one of my favourite hair brands for my frizzy hair, and this is another recommendation from it that I'll never be without in my haircare routine. This gel-like hair serum can be used in multiple ways, either on wet hair pre-styling or as a finishing product on dry hair. The latter is my favourite way to use it, and it does a great job of smoothing my coarse flyaways. It's also my holy grail for a slicked-back bun, delivering a shiny finish and a sleek finish.
Pros
- Can be used on wet or dry hair to smooth
- Leaves hair with a glossy shine
- Ideal for slicked-back styles
Cons
- Very thick texture, so may be too heavy for fine hair
6. Tresemmé Lamellar Gloss Hairspray
Best Heat Protector
This is my recommendation for those with fine hair who find styling creams or hair serums too heavy for their hair. This lightweight styling mist delicately coats your lengths with a controllable amount of product, helping to prep and smooth your hair prior to blow-drying. It has heat protection in the formula alongside lamellar technology, which also delivers a glossy shine on my dull, lacklustre lengths.
Pros
- Lightweight blowdry mist
- Ideal for fine hair
Cons
- Thicker hair types may need a heavier formula
7. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Best Hair Oil
This is another product that's been recommended to me by many hairstylists, and I love it. If you prefer a hair oil to top up in between shampoos, or prefer the heavier texture when blow-drying, then this is a fantastic option. It has a lightweight consistency that never weighs hair down, but can be layered up for those who require more on their hair. It contains heat protection along with Olaplex's bond-repairing technology, making it a great choice if you have heat- or colour-damaged hair. A few drops leave my hair looking smooth and shiny.
Pros
- Helps to hydrate and nourish hair
- Repairs hair bonds for stronger lengths
- Buildable hydration
Cons
- On the more expensive side
8. GHD Shiny Ever After Final Shine Spray
Best Shine Spray
IMO, shine sprays are totally overlooked as a solution for frizz, particularly when you're in a pinch and need something to quickly smooth dry hair. GHD's Shiny Ever After Final Shine Spray is one of my favourites to not only give my hair a glassy shine, but also to take down rogue flyaways. It might not be enough to de-frizz very thick or coarse hair, but it's ideal if you have fine or flat hair and want to give it a quick once-over without weighing your lengths down.
Pros
- Smoothes flyaways
- Adds a glossy shine
Cons
- Might not be enough for thicker hair types
9. Slip Silk Pillowcase
Best Silk Pillowcase
Now, this might not be a total essential in your haircare routine, but I do have to say that since switching to a silk pillowcase, I've seen less frizz and breakage compared to sleeping on my cotton pillowcase. Silk pillowcases reduce friction on your hair as you sleep, helping to prevent your hair from frizzing come morning whilst reducing breakage over time.
Pros
- Helps to reduce hair friction and breakage
Cons
- An investment purchase
How We Tested
As a beauty editor with self-confessed frizzy hair, I've spent decades testing the best hair products for frizz. In my job as a beauty editor, I've not only tested hundreds of products, but I've also received several recommendations from hairdressers and celebrity hairstylists over the years to help identify the best hair products for frizz-prone hair types.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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