Battle of the Frizz

UNOVE's Frizz-Calming Sleek Hydrating Conditioner

If you are like me, you step outside on a humid day and immediately feel the transformation into one of those troll dolls that were all the rage during the 1990s, with their wild, frizzy hair standing on end. This phenomenon, known as frizz, occurs primarily due to a lack of moisture in the hair. When hair lacks adequate hydration, the cuticle—the outer layer of the hair strand—lifts up, creating an opportunity for moisture from the air to be absorbed. This results in the hair swelling and becoming frizzy, leading to an unkempt appearance. Several factors contribute to this issue, including dry hair, heat damage from styling tools, the use of harsh sulfates found in many hair products, washing hair with hot water, and friction caused by regular towels that can further disrupt the hair's natural texture.

Preventing frizzy hair effectively starts right in the shower. While traditional shampoos available at supermarkets may do a decent job of cleansing your hair, they often come with a hefty cost to your hair's health. If you take a closer look at their ingredient lists, you will find that many shampoos contain harsh chemicals designed to strip away dirt and oil, but in the process, they also strip your hair of its natural oils. Some red flags to watch out for include parabens and sulfates, which are common culprits linked to hair frizz, dry or itchy scalp, and even excessive oil production due to the scalp overcompensating for lost moisture.

While steamy showers can be incredibly relaxing and soothing for the mind and body, they can also wreak havoc on your hair. The hot water used during these showers melts away your hair's natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to frizz. Additionally, the excess heat can cause the hair cuticles to lift. When this occurs, the cells that make up the cuticle layer separate, preventing it from sealing properly. This separation is another significant contributor to frizzy hair, as it allows moisture in the air to penetrate the hair shaft and cause swelling.

To effectively combat frizz, it is essential to lock in moisture and seal the hair cuticle to create a barrier against humidity. Key strategies for achieving this include using moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoos that are gentle on the hair, applying nourishing serums or oils to damp hair to help retain moisture. One of my go-to products for managing frizz is UNOVE's Frizz-Calming Sleek Hydrating Conditioner. This conditioner is free from parabens and utilizes hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, plant-derived proteins to smooth the hair, and a unique blend of seven oils to help calm frizz and restore shine.

The complete list of ingredients includes: Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Aspartic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance/Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, Coumarin.

After you shampoo your hair, it is important to gently squeeze out any excess water before applying the conditioner. Make sure to distribute the conditioner evenly throughout the lengths and ends of your hair, while avoiding the scalp area to prevent greasiness. Leave the conditioner on for a duration of one to three minutes for an intense conditioning effect, and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. This product not only leaves your hair feeling smooth and hydrated but also imparts an instant glossy shine, providing up to 72 hours of frizz control, which is particularly beneficial for those living in humid climates. The subtle scent is also very relaxing.

The 9.8 oz/290 mL bottle of UNOVE's Frizz-Calming Sleek Hydrating Conditioner is available for purchase at Sephora for $22. For more information or to buy the product, you can visit their website at https://www.sephora.com/product/frizz-calming-sleek-hydrating-condtioner-P521518?skuId=2965614.