Frizz-Free Hair.

Byline: Jill Schuck Taylor

Six easy steps to keep hair smooth in the humidity.

Pricey serums, scorchingly hot tools, noxious straightening chemicals like formaldehydewomen aren't afraid to bring out the big guns in the war on frizz. But many of these methods can actually cause frizz. "When the cuticle is damagedwhich can occur from chemical processing, UV exposure, or excessive heat stylingit becomes porous, allowing water to enter the hair shaft and swell it open," says Joseph Cincotta, a cosmetic chemist. In civilian terms, that's frizzand you don't have to have curly hair to get it. Thankfully, there are safe solutions, including breakthrough products that seal the cuticle to keep out moisture and simple but effective styling techniques.

Choose a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type with smoothing ingredients such as silicones. Wash hair, then leave conditioner on for a full five minutes. Once out of the shower, blotdon't rubhair with a towel.

Rub a dime-size drop of anti-frizz serum or cream between your hands; rake your fingers through the length of hair, concentrating on the outer layer. If hair is particularly damaged, spritz on a heat-protecting spray.

If you are wearing your hair straight, blow-dry it using the dryer's nozzle attachment and a big round brush. The technique is up to you, as long as you aim the air down the hair shaft and keep at it until hair is completely dry.

Or, if you are wearing your hair curly, dry from underneath, using a diffuser attachment on the blow-dryer; cup the ends of your hair with your hand and gently lift them up a few inches as you go to help keep curls intact.