Get Rid of Frizz Without Losing Body
Written by, Colortrak Artistic and Technical Director, Gregory Alan
 
The curling iron is an amazing tool that can be used for more than just curling. For clients who complaint of having frizzy hair even after styling, give them this tip. Take a sea salt spray or any light texture spray, lightly saturate the hair, then pinching the strand at the bottom, work the closed barrel of the iron down the shaft in a stroking manner from roots to ends. This will smooth the surface of the hair without eliminating the body.

Men's Hair Styles: Dealing with Thick, Wavy, Unruly Hair
By Dion Padan

The majority of the comments left on my previous two articles have been from readers wanting to know the best way to deal with thick, long, wavy or unruly hair, so I thought I would tackle this dilemma with a specific article on what to do if you fall into this category. This type of hair can be difficult to manage but I hope that by following some of my simple guidelines you will be able to get the most from your cut. There will be a lot to consider, but all of these tips are guaranteed to make life so much easier for you in the long run.

1. Look After Your Hair Firstly, thick hair needs to be looked after properly. A large percentage of guys still don’t invest in a decent shampoo or conditioner, but it’s vital to use high quality products in order to keep your specific hair type in its very best condition.

Using (read: stealing) your girlfriend’s shampoo might seem like a good idea, but if you don’t have fine/coloured hair and that’s the shampoo she uses, it just isn’t going to be beneficial to you.

The majority of shampoos on the market aren’t specific to a single hair type, they simply cleanse and moisturise the scalp whilst promoting healthier hair growth. However, if you are still struggling to find one that meets your requirements, you will find a list of my recommended shampoos and conditioners at the end of this article.

With thick hair it’s important to use conditioner as well as shampoo, even if it’s not used every time. This will help moisturise the hair and scalp and smooth the hair cuticles, giving your hair a healthy appearance and making it all the more manageable.

2. The Right Cut Secondly, choosing the right haircut is extremely important. Be realistic with your choice of hairstyle and think about the amount of time you have to spend styling it every day. The biggest issue guys with thick, wavy hair have is that they expect it to simply fall into place without any work or effort.

When getting your hair cut ask your stylist for tips and advice on how to recreate your style at home. They may suggest using a hairdryer and/or straighteners and they should also go through what products to use. I know some clients just think they are getting a sales pitch off their stylist but you should actually listen to what they have to say – I am certain you will see the results and benefits of using salon quality products on your hair. Going to a supermarket and picking products randomly isn’t going to help you get that pristine salon look at home.

Time is a major factor to consider with thick or wavy hair. Opting for a shorter style will seriously reduce the amount of time you need to spend getting ready in the morning – if this is what you are looking for, or you just feel like a change, the current trend in wavy hair is to keep the back and sides aggressively short, leaving length through the top (see lookbook examples).

I would always suggest paying a bit more for a decent haircut, especially when dealing with thick or unruly hair. This is because you’re not looking for a basic style here – you need someone who really understands how to remove bulk and weight from the hair. You also need a stylist who will give you the confidence and information you need in order to style the cut at home.

Texture & Hair Colouring Texture is key with this type of hair, so a barber who uses clippers for the whole haircut is not going to provide you with what your hair needs to look good.

Other ways of creating texture within a haircut is through colouring. Now, many guys won’t even entertain the thought of having their hair coloured but I’m sure that is because when I mention colour to my male clients they instantly think of having bleach in their hair. I have colour in my hair to create texture – it’s not about being bold, it’s about adding different tones to avoid the hair looking like one solid block colour. This is especially true for dark brown or black hair, which is very difficult to create any form of texture or definition.

There are several ways of applying colour: it can be painted free-hand or placed in foils. I wouldn’t advise going for the old fashioned highlighting cap as this can make the colouring appear slightly chunky and, depending on the length, can sometimes look quite spotty around the hairline as well.

Recommended Products The products you use on thick hair can make or break the style. If your hair is frizzy, try applying a smoothing/straightening balm onto the hair before drying as this will make a huge difference when it comes to styling your hair. If your hair doesn’t need smoothing, I would still recommend applying a product through the hair before drying to stop the hair from becoming too soft and unruly.

Your styling product is your most important consideration. ALWAYS make sure you apply the product onto completely dry hair. If there is any moisture in the hair the product won’t work to its full potential – it will sit on top of the hair instead of in the hair, resulting in a greasier finish.

As your hair is thick, you will need to be prepared to use a decent amount of product. However, start by applying a small amount and work it through the hair, making sure you get right down to the root area – if you still feel you need more, you can re-apply.

Building up your styling product gradually is the best advice I can give you, because there’s nothing worse than spending time on blowdrying your hair and then overloading it with too much product – we have all been in that situation where the only option is to wash it and start again!

With all this in mind, below you will find my recommended products for thick, wavy or unruly hair in a variety of categories. These products are designed to help make your hair more manageable and should hopefully allow you recreate your hairstyle with consistency and ease each and every day.

Here's the link to product recommendations

Final Word

So there you have my guide to dealing with thick, wavy or unruly hair. If there is anything you’re still unsure of, please leave a comment below and don’t be afraid to ask your stylist – they are professionals after all!

Top 10 Blow Dry Techniques, you can’t live without!
You might think you know, but you have no idea… 
from FROMM

1. Use your Attachments!!  The nozzle is one of the most underrated attachments, and ironically is the most useful! 

Using the nozzle allows you to direct air in a more concentrated area which will ultimately give you more volume where you want it, styling enhancement whether curly or straight, and a smoother finish. 
 
2. Use the Cool Shot! Ever wondered why your hair falls limp 30 minutes after your blowout? Using a cool shot will ensure your style stays put. This can be especially helpful when adding curl or volume. After desired section is fully dry, use a cool shot as your last pass over said section to allow the desired style to cool the way you really want it to. 
 
3. Know when to use your ions - Ion’s… what are those? Many of us buy a blowdryer and never know all the functions and when to use them. Lucky for you, here's a little cheat sheet :)
 
 + Ions: Will open the cuticle, great for adding volume or before conditioning treatments to ensure maximum penetration of product. 
 
 - Ions: Are used for faster, smoother styles. They break down water content so your strands dry faster, seal the cuticle for shine,eliminate frizz, and are perfect for finishing. 
 
4. Go for a professional blow dryer - just because you’re not a professional stylist doesn't mean should shy away from a professional blow dryer. They are lighter, save energy, and give you faster more polished results. 
 
5. Clean the filter! Even though our dryer may look pristine from the outside, you often forget that you need to take care of the insides as well. For better performance and ensuring your tool lasts its full lifetime, don't forget to clean the filter, making sure it is free of dust, debris, and rogue hairs. 
 
6. Care for your cord! Never tightly wind your cord around your tools. You’ll notice when you first get your dryer that the cord is packed in a loose loop, you should always keep the cord in this condition to extend the life of your dryer and prevent electrical shorts. 
 
7. Make clean sections - Hair drying fiascos can be eliminated by being organized during your session. Cleanly section out your hair for drying, making sure to also secure the rest of your hair separately so that it does not interfere with the section you are working on. 
 
8. Finish each section before moving on to the next - You will get much better results if you completely dry each section before moving on to other areas of your head. If sections are not completely dry, they will tend to frizz or fall flat. 
 
9. Avoid contact with wet hair once it is dry! Another way to avoid frizz and limp hair is to make sure once a section is dry that it does not come in contact with wet hair - whether it is placing wet hair on top of dry hair or vice versa. To avoid this start at the bottom sections and work your way up. 
 
10. Make sure your hair is actually dry! Many times you finish a blowout and feel accomplished, until a few moments later your blowout begins to fade - this is usually because your hair is not completely dry. If your hair feels “cool” after finishing this is often an indicator that it is in fact, not dry.