Hair Care - Beating the Frizzies

By hair guru Gabrielle McCarthy, editor of Australia's free hair care information website, Virtual Haircare

Want to beat the frizzies? Your quick fix is silicone. This is now added to specialist products from shampoos and conditioners to gels and "drops" and simply coats your frizz prone hair, smoothing the surface. These products can even be used on fine hair prone to frizziness as the silicone oils are very light and will not weigh it down. Often marketed as "non-chemical relaxers" they are not permanent and will not damage your hair. The drops and finishing oils in this group of products are extremely concentrated so only small amounts are needed, normally only a "drop".

If you are only prone to an attack of the frizzes during humid or damp weather, try a finishing product designed to make your style last longer as it will protect your hair from climate changes e.g. hairspray. Our favourites are:

Magic this really is what its name suggests. Use the smallest amount to prevent frizzy flyaway hair and define curl. You also get an incredibly shiny finish to your hair as well. The push down type applicator means you can get as much as you need without 'over doing it' which are the big watch words. Less is more.

Osis Freeze a super hold spray that really makes your blow-dry last and protects it from the frizzes. Use with heat appliances for a really long lasting effect. Lots of options with this spray as you can also use it on wet hair as a styling aid as you blow-dry.

Over the long term keep these points in mind:

· Keeping your hair in good condition is the only real long-term fix for the frizzes. Try a once a week treatment to put back what your hair needs internally and special conditioner for curly hair.

· Eat a diet rich in protein (fish and nuts) and essential fatty acids (vegetable oil).

· Use little or no heat on your hair. There are hairdryers with cool settings specifically for your type of hair.

· If you do blow-dry, use a thermal protector. Also when blow-drying angle the flow of air from roots to ends to keep the surface of your hair smooth.

· Go for non-permanent colour rather than highlights and permanent colour.

· Perms will generally exaggerate the problem rather than help it.

· Danielle Vassey of Sessions salon in Blues Point Rd North Sydney says, "the best thing to de-frizz your hair is a Sebastian 2+1 treatment that has been baked into individual sections using flat/straightening irons".

This in salon treatment would take about an hour all up and just image the great massage that comes with it!

VirtualHairCare.com is the only place to find out everything you would ever need to know about your hair. From the latest looks and styles and how to maintain them, through to practical stuff like how to get the best out of your next salon visit, what products are best for you and medical conditions of the hair and scalp. For all the latest about hair, check out on Virtual Haircare