FREE NZ DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER $75

How to Effectively Moisturise Dry, Frizzy Hair

Frizzy hair - especially when it’s dry - can feel like an uphill battle. And as the weather warms up here in New Zealand, you might notice your frizz getting even worse. The good news? It doesn’t have to stay that way!

Whether your frizz is caused by heat styling, colour damage, or even the sun, the right products and techniques can help you lock in moisture and keep your hair smooth and healthy. And who doesn't want frizz- and fuss-free hair?

In this guide, we’ll share our top tips for moisturising dry, frizzy hair and highlight some of our favourite products that can make all the difference.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

The question on everyone's mind! Unfortunately, there's no simple answer.

Frizz happens when your hair is dry or damaged, but there are several different factors that can contribute to this. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common causes of frizz:

Mechanical Damage

We often don’t realise it - and maybe don't want to admit it - but the way we handle our hair can lead to frizz.

Brushing too roughly, using the wrong brush type, or even drying your hair with a regular cotton towel can cause the hair cuticle to lift, leading to breakage and frizz. It’s best to use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush on wet hair and switch to a microfibre towel or (and we know how weird this sounds) an old T-shirt for gentle drying.

The key is to be gentle on your hair - plus, using a good conditioner can help reduce how knotty your hair gets after a shower, or even when you wake up in the morning.

Colour Damage (Especially Bleaching)

This is a tough one for those of us that like changing up our hair colour or experimenting, but... Bleaching and lightening your hair can cause serious damage to your hair’s structure.

Bleach lifts the outer cuticle of your hair, making it weaker and more porous. This means your hair loses moisture faster and becomes more vulnerable to frizz, especially in humid conditions. You might also notice that blow drying your hair leaves it looking fluffy and stiff, instead of bouncy and full of life, even when you use heat protection.

If your hair has been coloured or bleached, using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner is key to restoring its health and managing frizz. It won't reverse the effects of colouring or bleaching, but will help breathe life back into your locks.

UV & Chlorine Damage

Beach bum, anyone? We've got bad news. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can dry out your hair and cause frizz. UV rays break down the hair’s protein structure, making it weaker and more brittle. If you enjoy swimming, you've got your work cut out for you, too. Chlorine strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, rough, and prone to frizz.

Protecting your hair with UV-protectant products and rinsing your hair after swimming can help prevent these environmental factors from wreaking havoc on your hair. A clarifying shampoo works great to get rid of the chlorine from your hair, too!

Heat Styling Damage

Reaching for your hair straighteners or curling irons on a regular basis? Excessive heat styling is one of the biggest culprits of frizzy hair.

Heat strips away your hair’s natural moisture, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. And when your hair is dehydrated, it’s much more likely to frizz. Overusing blow dryers can also have the same effect. To minimise damage, always use a heat protectant when using your dryer or curler, and give your hair some downtime from heat styling whenever possible. Air-drying your hair isn't the most attractive look, but your hair will thank you!

Young woman with blonde hair using a hair curler

Naturally Dry Hair (Curly Hair)

If you have curly or wavy hair, frizz is probably a regular battle. Curly hair is naturally drier because the oils from your scalp have a harder time traveling down the twists and turns of your strands. This lack of moisture makes curly hair more prone to frizz, especially in humid weather - which means just about every summer in New Zealand! Hydration is key for curly hair, so using moisture-rich products designed for curls is a must to keep your hair smooth and defined.

This list may seem like staying indoors and never touching your hair again is the only way to fix frizz, but worry not! Understanding what’s causing your frizz helps you pick the right approach to treatment, so you can hydrate and tame your hair effectively. Just like your body, your hair requires the right nutrients and care to thrive - and we're gonna help you do just that.

How to Treat Frizzy Hair

If your hair is frizzy, it’s basically screaming for moisture. The good news is, with the right routine, you can give your hair exactly what it needs to stay hydrated, smooth, and frizz-free. Here’s how to keep your hair looking and feeling its best:

Start with a Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

Your hair’s hydration routine begins in the shower. To keep frizz at bay, choose a shampoo and conditioner that’s specifically formulated to nourish and hydrate. Frizzy hair often lacks moisture because its outer layer (the cuticle) lifts, allowing moisture to escape.

Shampoos like Matrix’s Food for Soft Hydrating Shampoo and Joico’s Moisture Recovery Conditioner are packed with ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil that help seal the hair cuticle, locking in moisture where it’s needed most.

Pro tip: Massage your scalp gently while shampooing to stimulate blood flow and ensure even distribution of moisture, but avoid rubbing your hair vigorously to prevent tangling or damaging the cuticle. Gently does it!

👉🏼 Shop our range of anti-frizz shampoo and conditioners.

Joico Moisture Recovery shampoo, conditioner and treatment

Deep Condition Weekly for Intense Hydration

Conditioner is great for daily use, but your hair deserves a little extra love now and then - especially if it’s prone to frizz. Deep conditioners are super concentrated treatments designed to target dryness and damage.

Using a product like Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment or Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner once or twice a week can make a world of difference. These products help restore lost moisture and repair damage caused by styling, colouring, and everyday wear and tear.

You can also try a moisturising treatment once a week for more intense care. Wella's Ultimate Repair Mask and Leave-In Treatment are fast becoming go-to options, while Moroccanoil's Smooth Frizz Control Lotion and Original Treatment are the OGs of hair moisture and repair. But we've got heaps of options across great brands, so take your pick. The key is to listen to your hair and find what works best for you.

Pro tip: After applying your deep conditioner, wrap your hair in a warm towel or cap and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. The heat opens up your hair’s cuticle, allowing the conditioner to penetrate deeply and give you even better results. You get some me-time, and your hair gets some much-needed moisture. Win win!

Young woman with blonde hair holding Olaplex No.4 and No.5

Avoid Over-washing Your Hair

While clean hair feels great, over-washing, or washing too frequently, can do more harm than good - especially for dry or frizzy hair. Washing too often strips your hair of its natural oils, which are essential for keeping your strands hydrated - and as we now know, frizzy hair is hair that's dying for moisture!

There is no "right" amount or frequency to washing your hair. We've covered this topic in another blog you can read here, but essentially, how often you should wash your hair depends on your hair itself. You'll need to consider things like your hair type (is it fine, curly, or coarse?) your lifestyle (when is most practical to wash your hair?) and your personal preferences (washing every day can be time-consuming!).

Your hair knows how much it needs - pay attention to when it gets oily or starts looking a bit lifeless, as these are usually tell-tale signs of needing a wash.

Pro tip: In between washes, use a lightweight, leave-in conditioner or hydrating mist to keep your hair refreshed and moisturised without needing a full wash. Dry shampoos are also a great option!

Rinse with Cold Water

It might sound a little uncomfortable - especially on those still-chilly Spring mornings - but rinsing your hair with cold water at the end of your shower can really help with frizz. Cold water helps to close the hair cuticle, sealing in moisture and leaving your hair smoother. You don’t have to freeze yourself - just a quick, cool rinse will do the trick!

Young woman washing her hair in the shower

Treat & Style Your Hair with Care

Frizzy hair isn’t just about moisture - it’s also about how you treat and style your hair on a daily basis. From brushing to drying and styling, the way you handle your hair can either help keep frizz under control or make it worse.

Here are some easy tips for treating your hair with care:

Be Gentle When Brushing: Always detangle your hair with care, especially when it’s wet. Wet hair is more fragile, so using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush will help prevent breakage and frizz. Start from the ends of your hair and work your way up to the roots to avoid tugging and snapping strands.
Use Heat Tools Sparingly: Heat styling can dry out your hair and lead to frizz, so it’s best to limit your use of hot tools like straighteners and curling irons. When you do reach for the heat, always apply a heat protectant like Joico Heat Hero Thermal Protector or Davroe Thermaprotect to shield your hair from damage and lock in moisture.
Switch to Microfibre Towels: They might feel good on your skin, but regular cotton towels can rough up the hair cuticle and cause frizz. Instead, opt for a microfibre towel to gently dry your hair without creating friction. Pat your hair dry - don’t rub it - so you don’t disturb the cuticle and cause unnecessary damage. Alternatively, air drying is a great option and requires no effort!
Blow-Dry on a Low or Cool Setting: If you need to blow-dry your hair, try to keep the heat setting low, or better yet, switch to a cool air setting. High heat can dehydrate your hair, leading to frizz and flyaways. A cooler setting helps to smooth the hair without stripping it of its natural moisture.

Treating your hair with a little extra care during styling can go a long way in keeping it smooth, shiny, and frizz-free!

Keep the Frizz at Bay!

Frizzy hair might seem like a challenge, but with the right care and the right products, you can transform your locks into smooth, hydrated, and healthy hair. Whether you’re dealing with damage from heat styling, UV exposure, or just naturally dry hair, the key is to focus on moisture and protection.

By incorporating hydrating shampoos, deep conditioners, and leave-in treatments into your routine - and being mindful of how you treat your hair - you’ll be well on your way to frizz-free results!

At Holy Grail Haircare, we offer a wide range of professional-grade products designed to keep your hair smooth, soft, and nourished. Explore our anti-frizz range today and find the perfect solution for your hair type!