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There’s something about having smooth, sleek hair that’s just so satisfying, so why leave it to a lone flyaway hair to throw off the vibe? Whether you’re creating a snatched, slicked-back bun or giving yourself a bouncy blowout, chances are you’ve encountered flyaway hairs at some point—a seemingly small but hardly trivial source of frustration when trying to perfect a look.
Flyaways, which cofounder of IGK Hair Care Aaron Grenia describes as “hairs that are shorter than the rest of the hair and don’t lay uniformly” are common across all hair types; they’re most often a result of damaged, overly-washed hair, as well as a lack of product pre-styling that causes damage when hot tools come into play, says Glenn Ellis, a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles.
It's not impossible keep pesky flyaways in check. Whether it’s a frizz-fighting shampoo, a conditioning hair mask, or a combination of both, it is possible to smooth rogue hairs and get the look you desire. Below, experts reveal the essential tips and tricks for a soft and silky hair journey.
Vogue’s Must-Have Products for Taming Flyaway Hairs:
- The Frizz-Fighting Shampoo: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Smoothing Shampoo, $28
- The Softening Conditioner: Kérastase Première Repairing Conditioner, $48
- The Gentle Detangler: La Bonne Brosse The Miracle Detangling Brush, $168
- The Nourishing Hair Mask: Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask, $36
- The Essential Heat Protectant: Morrocanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant, $30
- The Ultimate Styling Tool: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler, $600
- The Styling: Roz Milk Hair Serum, $52
In This Article
Use a Frizz-Fighting Shampoo and Conditioner
Smoothing flyaways begins in the shower. Consider the products and techniques you currently have in your arsenal. Ellis, for one, recommends shampooing your hair in two rounds—otherwise known as a double shampoo—to thoroughly remove product build-up. Next, Ellis recommends following up with a heavy, hydrating mask, “to tame unruly frizz caused by over-processed, damaged hair, or humidity.” New York-based celebrity hairstylist Valerie Vanessa agrees, and recommends Ouai’s Thick Hair Shampoo, which she says “has a lightweight formula that cleanses the hair gently without weighing it down, leaving it soft, silky, and easy to style.”
It’s also important to ensure that any shampoo you do use is sulfate-free to avoid stripping the hair of its natural oils, explains Vanessa. And to ensure a proper wash, she suggests to “focus on the roots and use a gentle, massaging motion [while shampooing]. Follow with a hydrating conditioner, concentrating on the mid-lengths to ends.”
Incorporate a Reparative Treatment
Because flyaway hair is typically the result of some form of breakage, using a restorative treatment or conditioning mask once or twice a week is a good way to strengthen the cuticle and revive dullness. “Hair masks can help treat flyaway hair by providing deep hydration and nourishment to the hair strands, reducing static and smoothing the cuticle,” Vanessa explains.
Ceremonia
Mascarilla De Babassu Hair Mask
Latina-owned brand Ceremonia never fails to deliver highly effective products made from natural ingredients. This hair mask, in particular, repairs damage in-between trims to strengthen hair over time, thanks to a blend of babassu and cupuaçu butter from Peru.
Detangle With Care
“Using a wide-tooth comb or wet brush when detangling helps prevent breakage and makes it easier to detangle,” says Los Angeles–based hairstylist Brian Christopher. If you prefer a brush, both prestige and budget-friendly options are available in La Bonne Brosse and Tangle Teezer's detanglers—their brush bristles are specifically designed to prevent damage, split ends, and breakage. If your hair needs a little extra help to remove stubborn knots, consider applying a dedicated product before styling, to help protect hair follicles and gently brush through.
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Rahua Hydration Detangler UV Barrier
Rahua’s plant-based hair detangler works overtime as a leave-in conditioner, softening hair, smoothing out frizz, and preventing breakage. Best of all, the star ingredient, morete oil (naturally rich in antioxidants), does more than just deeply nourish hair follicles: it creates a natural barrier between UV rays, protecting color-treated hair from premature fading.
Always Apply a Heat Protectant
Co-founder of IGK, Aaron Grenia, strongly recommends using a heat protectant before blow-drying or going in with a heated hair tool to prevent further breakage when styling wet or dry hair. When using hot tools to style your hair, it’s critical to have a heat protectant on hand, no matter your hair type or the temperature you’re using—opt for a spray, cream, or leave-in serum.
Perfect Your Drying Technique
Though hot tool usage can be tricky, with proper technique it can help you get your desired hairstyle—especially when used in tandem with a heat protectant. To start, use a microfiber towel to remove any excess water from your hair; Crown Affair’s towel is an editor-favorite. And if your routine involves blow drying, the Dyson Airwrap is beloved for its optimal drying capabilities, without overheating and burning the hair.
Crown Affair
The Hair Towel
A microfiber towel will absorb water from your hair fast—preventing additional frizz and breakage before using hot tools.
Drybar
The Double Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush
Creating a bouncy blowout at home is no small feat when you’re not a trained professional. Drybar’s round brush dryer takes the dexterity challenges out of operating a round brush and classic blowdryer at once with its two-in-one styler. Wrap your hair in sections around the oval-shaped barrel to smooth and volumize them in one pass.
Select the Right Post-Styler
Once the hair is dry, stylers like hair oils, creams, and sprays are your best bet to lock strands into place. If you’re looking for a glossy look, an oil is preferable. Vanessa’s go-to is the Bumble and bumble Invisible oil, as it “helps to hydrate, smooth, and add shine to the hair without weighing it down.” Plus, it can be used on damp or dry hair.
If a styling cream is more your speed, then Sisley-Paris’s La Creme 230 is for you. Vanessa notes that “this cream helps to smooth flyaways and frizz, leaving the hair soft, shiny, and beautifully styled.” For a stronger hold, consider using a hairspray to keep flyaways way down; the Göt2b Glued Spray Wax is guaranteed to get the job done. If you’re looking to tame just a few errant strands tamed here and there, Oribe’s Anti-Humidity Hair Spray will do the trick.
What causes flyaway hair?
It’s a combination of things, but flyaways are most often a result of “damaged, broken hair or new baby hair growing,” says Simon. The climate you live in can also play a role (hello, humidity!), alongside “static, dryness, split ends, and product build-up.”
What causes frizzy hair?
Similar to flyaways, frizzy hair can be caused by a number of things, says Simon, including “moisture, using hot tools too frequently and/or without heat protection, washing hair with extremely hot water, brushing your hair too roughly, and genetics.” Warmer weather—especially the humidity—can do a number on hair, too, as it’ll be more bent out of shape (literally). Vanessa also adds that “curly or coarse hair types are prone to frizz due to their natural texture.”
How to wash damaged hair?
“Your hair is most vulnerable when wet,” says Simon, who recommends using a mild shampoo and conditioning your hair regularly with the same bonding conditioner as the shampoo. “Having a healthy hair care routine will help restore your hair.”
Meet the Experts
- Glenn Ellis is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.
- Valerie Vanessa is a celebrity hairstylist from Los Angeles, but based in New York City.
- Tai Simon is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.
- Aaron Grenia is the cofounder of IGK Hair Care.
- Brian Christopher is a Los Angeles–based hairstylist.