How to Tame Frizz and Flyaways: Your Complete Smoothing Guide

You've done everything right. You washed your hair, spent real time on your blowout, and for one brief, shining moment, your hair looked exactly the way you wanted it to. Then you stepped outside, or just into a slightly steamy bathroom, and suddenly you're dealing with a puffy, expanded halo around your head, or a few rogue strands pointing in every direction that no amount of smoothing seems to fix.

Welcome to the club. Frizz and flyaways are two of the most universally frustrating hair concerns out there, and the tricky part is that most people treat them like the same problem. They're not. Frizz and flyaways have different causes, different behaviors, and different solutions. Using the wrong fix on the wrong problem is a key reason so many of us feel like we're fighting a losing battle.

We're here to help, breaking down exactly what frizz and flyaways are, what's causing them in your hair, and walking you through a complete routine-based approach to taming both — from the shower to the finishing touches that hold everything in place. Whether you've been battling a full-on frizz halo or just a stubborn crown of flyaways, this one's for you.

Frizz vs. Flyaways: What's the Difference?

Before you can fix frizz and flyaways, it helps to understand what you're actually dealing with. Spoiler: they look similar, but they are not the same thing.

What Is Frizz?

Frizz happens when your hair cuticles (the outermost layer of each strand) get disrupted and lift up. When those raised cuticles encounter moisture in the air, the hair shaft absorbs it and swells, causing strands to expand, puff, and lose whatever definition or smoothness they had. The result is hair that looks bushy, dry, and rough-textured rather than a sleek and defined look.

Frizz is fundamentally a moisture issue. It affects the overall texture of your hair, not just a strand here or there. It's especially common in wavy, curly, dry, or chemically processed hair types, all of which tend to have more naturally porous cuticles that are quicker to lift.

What Are Flyaways?

Flyaways are something else entirely. Rather than a whole-hair texture issue, flyaways are individual strands (short, fine, and wispy) that separate from the main body of your hair and stick straight up or out. They have a mind of their own, and they seem to appear no matter how freshly styled you are.

The main culprits behind flyaways are static electricity, hair breakage, and new growth. Static builds up when hair is rubbed or brushed, generating electrical charges that cause individual lightweight strands to repel each other and stand on end. Breakage from heat styling, tight hairstyles, aggressive brushing, or chemical processing creates short, snapped-off strands that don't have the length or weight to lie flat. And sometimes, those little hairs poking up aren't damaged at all: they're just new growth, which is actually a healthy sign.

Why It Matters to Know the Difference

Here's the practical takeaway: frizz is primarily addressed with moisture-rich products like conditioners, creams, and oils that smooth and seal the cuticle. Flyaways, on the other hand, respond better to anti-static formulas and light-hold products that add just enough weight or grip to keep individual strands in place. Using a heavy moisturizing mask to fix flyaways caused by static won't do much. And using a stiff-hold gel on frizzy curls won't tame frizz, it'll just add crunch. Knowing which problem you're treating makes all the difference.

What Causes Frizz and Flyaways?

Common Causes of Frizz

Humidity is the most well-known frizz trigger, but it's far from the only one. Dry or damaged hair cuticles are more porous and prone to lifting in the first place, which is why over-processed, heat-damaged, or color-treated hair tends to frizz more easily. Rough towel-drying creates friction that ruffles the cuticle before it has a chance to settle. Sulfate-heavy shampoos strip the hair of natural oils, leaving strands thirsty and reactive to the environment. And skipping conditioner or using one that isn't quite right for your hair type leaves hair unprotected against whatever humidity, wind, or dry air it encounters next.

Common Causes of Flyaways

Breakage is the most common reason for persistent flyaways. Heat tools used on high settings without a protectant, tight ponytails and buns that snap hair along the elastic line, aggressive brushing of wet hair, and chemical services like bleaching or relaxing can all cause strands to snap at various points along the shaft, leaving short pieces behind that refuse to lay flat. Static is the other major factor, especially in winter or in dry climates where low humidity in the air builds up electrical charge in hair.

Product buildup can also contribute – when the scalp is coated with residue, new growth has a harder time emerging smoothly and those baby hairs end up wiry and upright. Try clarifying your scalp with apple cider vinegar if you feel this is the case.

How to Tame Frizz and Flyaways: A Routine-Based Approach

Most hair guides throw a list of tips at you and call it a day. The problem is that hair care is a sequence, so what you do in step two affects how step five performs. Here's how to approach your haircare routine with frizz and flyaways specifically in mind, from the shower to the final finishing touch.

Step 1: Start in the Shower

Your anti-frizz and flyaway work starts before you ever reach for a styling product. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo, which cleanses without stripping your hair's natural moisture barrier. Follow with a moisturizing or smoothing conditioner (one formulated for your hair type) and leave it on for at least a couple of minutes before rinsing. For hair that's prone to frizz, a once-a-week deep conditioning mask or treatment makes a noticeable difference over time, helping to keep cuticles sealed and strands resilient.

One easy habit that pays off: brush your hair thoroughly before you get in the shower. Hair is at its most fragile when wet, so removing tangles beforehand means less breakage, and less breakage means fewer flyaways.

Step 2: Dry Smarter, Not Harder

The way you dry your hair might be creating more frizz and flyaways than anything else in your routine. Swap your regular terrycloth bath towel for a microfiber towel or even a soft cotton T-shirt. Terry cloth's loopy fibers are surprisingly abrasive on wet strands, roughing up the cuticle and causing friction that leads directly to frizz and breakage. A microfiber towel or T-shirt blots gently instead of scrubbing.

When you're ready to detangle, reach for a wide-tooth comb rather than a brush, and work from ends to roots. Avoid pulling a brush through soaking-wet hair, as it stretches and snaps strands. And if you can, let your hair air dry at least halfway before applying heat. Partial air drying means less total heat exposure, which means fewer future flyaways from breakage.

Step 3: Apply the Right Styling Products

This is where the frizz-vs.-flyaways distinction really earns its keep. For frizz, you want a product that seals the cuticle and creates a barrier against humidity — a smoothing serum, a lightweight hair oil, or a cream-based styler worked through damp hair before heat. For flyaways specifically, look for something with a little more grip or anti-static properties: a light-hold serum, a smoothing pomade, or a flyaway-taming finishing mist.

For wavy and curly hair types, a leave-in conditioner or a curl cream applied to damp hair helps define texture while keeping frizz at bay. For straight and fine hair, a lighter touch is key — too heavy a product will weigh strands down and may make flyaways worse by attracting dust and debris. And regardless of hair type, a heat protectant spray is non-negotiable before any blow dryer or hot tool. Heat damage is one of the most direct paths to the flyaways you'll be fighting next wash day.

Step 4: Style With Care

How you use your tools matters as much as which tools you use. When blow drying, keep the nozzle pointed downward along the hair shaft. This directs air in the same direction the cuticles naturally lie, which smooths rather than ruffles them. Chasing your sections with a round brush or flat boar bristle brush as you dry helps seal each section as you go. For curly and wavy hair, consider diffusing on a low heat setting or simply scrunching as you air dry rather than brushing – brushing dry curls is a reliable shortcut to frizz.

Flat irons and curling wands can temporarily smooth frizzy cuticles, but they need to be used on a low-to-medium heat setting with a protectant in place. Using them too frequently at high heat is a cycle that creates the very flyaways you're trying to eliminate.

Step 5: Finish and Set

The finishing step is where you address any remaining frizz or flyaways and lock your style in place without it feeling stiff. A flexible-hold hairspray applied to your palms (not sprayed directly onto hair) and then lightly smoothed over the surface of your style is the gentlest way to settle any remaining puff. For individual flyaways that are still going rogue, a tiny amount of light pomade, a smoothing balm, or even a single drop of hair oil on your fingertips pressed along the flyaway strands will do the job without weighing hair down.

At night, swapping your cotton pillowcase for a silk or satin version is one of those low-effort, high-reward habits. Cotton creates friction as you sleep, which disrupts cuticles and generates the static that leads to both frizz and flyaways by morning. Silk eliminates that friction entirely.

Quick Fixes for Frizz and Flyaways on the Go

Sometimes your hair is fine — and then it isn't. These are the fastest, most reliable in-the-moment tricks for when frizz and flyaways ambush you mid-day.

• The toothbrush trick: Spray a clean toothbrush or spoolie wand lightly with flexible-hold hairspray, then gently brush it over hairline flyaways. The fine bristles tame individual strands with precision — no product overload, no crunch, no helmet hair.
• Clear mascara or brow gel wand: Run a clean clear mascara wand or brow gel brush through flyaways to smooth them flat. Works especially well around the hairline and part.
• Dryer sheet press: A single dryer sheet pressed over the surface of dry hair neutralizes static almost instantly. Keep one tucked in your bag for winter emergencies.
• Lip balm or hand lotion: A micro-amount rubbed between your fingertips, then pressed lightly over the frizzy or flyaway sections, works remarkably well in a pinch. The key word is micro – a little is everything, a lot is an oily disaster.
• Travel hair oil: One or two drops of a lightweight hair oil smoothed over dry hair calms frizz and tames second-day flyaways without making hair look greasy. It's one of the most useful things you can keep in a bag or desk drawer.

Long-Term Habits That Actually Help

Quick fixes handle the day-of situation. These habits handle the bigger picture, reducing frizz and flyaways over time rather than just managing them in the moment.

• Get regular trims. Every six to eight weeks is the standard recommendation, and it exists for good reason. Split ends travel up the hair shaft, creating breakage higher and higher, which means more flyaways. Keeping ends healthy stops that cycle before it starts.
• Sleep on silk or satin. We mentioned it in the styling section because it's genuinely that effective. A silk pillowcase or a satin hair wrap at night preserves your style, prevents friction-related frizz, and reduces the static that causes flyaways.
• Cut back on heat tools. You don't have to go cold turkey, but reducing flat iron and curling wand use, even by one or two sessions a week, makes a visible difference in breakage over time. On off days, embrace air drying, braids, or low-manipulation styles.
• Protect your hair in high-frizz conditions. On humid days, braids, twists, buns, and other low-manipulation styles keep your hair's surface area protected from the moisture in the air. On dry or windy days, a lightweight leave-in spray adds a humidity barrier and keeps static at bay.
• Be consistent with deep conditioning. Once a week for dry, damaged, color-treated, or curly hair, and once every two weeks for hair in better condition. A hydrating mask keeps cuticles sealed and reduces porosity over time, which directly translates to less frizz.

What to Look for in Frizz and Flyaway Products

With so many options out there, knowing what to look for on the ingredient list makes shopping a lot easier.

For frizz, prioritize glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which attract and retain moisture within the hair shaft, and natural oils like argan, jojoba, or marula, which seal the cuticle and create a protective barrier against humidity. Silicones (like dimethicone) provide a smooth coating that resists humidity, which is useful for straight or fine hair, though heavier for very porous or curly types.

For flyaways specifically, look for lightweight anti-static formulas, silicone-based serums, or natural oils that coat individual strands and reduce the friction and electrical charge that makes them stand up. Keratin and protein ingredients help rebuild the hair structure over time, reducing breakage-related flyaways at the source.

One important note on hair type: fine hair needs lighter formulas. A heavy cream that works beautifully on thick, curly hair will make fine hair limp and greasy. When in doubt, go lighter and layer up rather than starting heavy.

FAQs About Frizz and Flyaways

Does humidity cause frizz or flyaways?

Primarily frizz. High humidity provides the moisture that lifts hair cuticles and causes strands to swell and expand. Flyaways, on the other hand, are more often triggered by the lack of humidity – dry winter air is peak static season. That said, both can happen in high humidity if hair is damaged or very dry to begin with.

Why do I suddenly have so many flyaways?

A sudden increase in flyaways is usually a sign of recent breakage – from a new heat tool, a tight hairstyle habit, a chemical service, or even a period of stress (which can cause shedding that, as it grows back, creates lots of short new hairs). If breakage is the cause, you'll often notice the flyaways are distributed throughout the hair rather than just at the roots.

Can I get rid of flyaways without hairspray?

Absolutely. A light hair oil or serum, a clear mascara wand, a tiny bit of balm, or even a dryer sheet pressed over dry hair all work well without the stiffness or alcohol content of hairspray.

Does a microfiber towel really make a difference?

Yes, and it's one of the easiest single swaps you can make. Terry cloth towels create significant friction on wet hair, which directly contributes to cuticle damage, frizz, and the breakage that causes flyaways. Microfiber towels blot rather than scrub, and many people notice a difference within the first few uses.

Is it okay to cut or pull out flyaways?

Resist the urge. Cutting a flyaway just creates a slightly shorter flyaway that will continue to stick up. Pulling it out removes the hair entirely but doesn't address the underlying cause — and repeatedly plucking hairs can actually damage follicles over time.

Where to Find the Best Deals on Frizz and Flyaway Products

The right products make a real difference when it comes to taming frizz and flyaways, but building out a smoothing routine doesn't have to cost a fortune. Rank & Style tracks the best promotions, coupons, and savings across top beauty retailers so you can shop smarter. Check out the latest deals at Target, Amazon promotions, and Ulta coupons for anti-frizz shampoos, conditioning treatments, serums, and finishing products.

Your Smoothest Hair Days Start Here

Frizz and flyaways can feel relentless, but now that you know they're two distinct problems with two distinct sets of solutions, you're already ahead of the game. You don't have to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Start with one change, like swapping your towel, adding a serum to your styling step, or reaching for a microfiber towel, and build from there. Small shifts compound quickly when it comes to hair health.

Every hair type is different, and the approach that works for a fine, straight-haired person is going to look different from what works for someone with thick, color-treated curls. The best routine is the one you'll actually stick with, and the best products are the ones that work for your hair. Take what resonates here, leave what doesn't, and know that smoother, calmer hair days are genuinely within reach.