Beauty SPOT

From roots to tip, Missy's guide to taming the frizz this summer.

The word 'summer' can conjure up all sorts of appealing images. Lunch by the beach, long summer nights on the dance floor, cool mornings in the swimming pool, bring on the sun! Unfortunately for many of us, summer also heralds the dreaded frizzy hair season, when we all struggle to tame our locks into smooth, sexy styles for all those Christmas and new years' parties.

After many summers of sufferance, we decided to check out some of the best hair lotions and potions hoping to save your style this season.
With a variety of aerosols, serums, shine mists and gels on the market, we aim to demystify de-frizzers and help you find the right product for your hair.

10 Tips for achieving A Good Hair Summer.

1. Steer clear of the blow dryer and hair straightener when you can. Let your hair dry naturally on the days you don't need to have super stylin' hair and treat it to a deep moisturizing mask or hot oil treatment.

2. Use Protection: When you do use the heat styling tools, remember to use a protection product to save your dehydrated tresses from dying of thirst altogether -GHD makes a great thermal spray for use in conjunction with their cult range of straighteners. .

3.. Use a nozzle attachment so the blow dryer is not blowing direct heat on your distressed hair, and when you can, use the cool air option on your dryer. Good tools are essential use a blow-dryer with a strong air flow, not just a very hot one. If blow-drying hair straight regularly, use a treatment, weekly, to prevent your hair from drying out and frazzled ends.

4. Wear a hat: The combination of sun, salt water and chlorine will suck moisture out of the healthiest head of hair coloured hair is especially susceptible. A hat is still your best option for protecting your locks (and face) from the drying effects of summer.

5. Add protein: Look after your hair and avoid frizzies from the inside. Try eating a diet rich in protein (fish and nuts) and essential fatty acids (vegetable oil).

6. Deep conditioning: Use the sun to your advantage comb a dollop of deep conditioning treatment through your hair after rinsing out the salt or chlorinated water, let the heat of the sun help the treatment penetrate.

7. Don't over wash your hair: Squeakily clean hair is more likely to frizz, resist the temptation to wash you hair daily.

8. Take care of your scalp: If you have fine hair or a centre part don't forget to protect your scalp. Not only does a sunburnt scalp hurt, it can lead to flaking which could be mistaken for dandruff.

9. Trim it Be religious about trimming your hair. Summer humidity can make porous hair extremely frizzy, have your hair trimmed every 68 weeks during summer to remove split ends.

10 . Less is more: Finally, when using the following product, there can be a trial and error period when you figure out the correct amount to use on your hair. As most of these products contain silicone, it doesn't take much for your hair to get a good coating. Too much product, and instead of showing off your frizzies, you will be presenting your lank greasy hair to the world. So don't over do it.

Want to select the right product? Missy's reviews will help:

Phytodèfrisant Relaxing Sèrum
$30.00 for 30ml
Perfect for sleek styles without added weight

This formula is specially designed to discipline unwanted curls and rebellious frizzy hair without harsh chemicals. The serum is great for protecting long hair from split ends, and perfect for style touch ups during the day. Suitable for all hair types and an ideal styling product, this will restore hair to a shiny and sleek state.

Result after application: this light serum was perfect for sleeking the frizz on my end frizz. Just a little on the tips smoothed out the fuzz, with out adding grease. On my friend super fuzzy hair, we need a bit more, but again, results were good.
Speed Factor: De-frizzes faster than you can say 'pytodefrisant'
De-frizz Factor: 8/10.
Shine Factor: Glisteningly good.
Overall Rating:8/10

Available on www.adorebeauty.com.au

Kusco Murphy Lavender Crème
$19.95for 220ml
Perfect for relieving big frizz.

This light pomade is perfect for both wet and dry hair, promoting your natural curl when you apply it to your freshly washed hair. The setting properties give a light, flexible hold, with no stiffness or stickiness, and it rinses out so easily.

Result after application: Applied to a big head of fuzz when wet, Kusco revealed delightful head of curls. The lavender scent is addictive.
Speed Factor: Fast, apply and go.
De-frizz Factor: 9/10.
Shine Factor: Two thumbs up!
Overall Rating:8/10

Available on www.adorebeauty.com.au

Tresemme Silk Shine Straightener
150mls $8.95
Perfect for super style locks

An easy product to use, this non greasy gel is best applied after you wash and towel dry your hair and before you blow dry and style. It can be a little heavy on fine hair, be careful to not use too much of the product - a 10c piece dollop for medium length hair is adequate. Ensure you work it through evenly, and after a blow dry, you are left with shiny hair ready to be styled and straightened however your heart desires.

Result after application: I used too much for my hair, so ended up a little greasy - be aware to use the right amount with this product.
Speed Factor: 8/10 - Applied really easily
De-frizz Factor: 6/10 Fairly good, although needs the help of heat tools to fully calm frizzy hair, which can lead to more frizzies later on.
Shine Factor:- 7/10 - When I tried again with the correct amount, my hair appeared really healthy and had a nice shine.
Overall Rating:7/10

Available at pharmacies and supermarkets nation wide

De Lorenzo Shine Myst
$19.00 per 125mls
Great for instant shine

My personal favourite, this is the first product I tried and the one I will continue to use. Too simple to apply, this mist floats onto the hair either before you style or after. Fantastic for eliminating the need to scrub the product off your hands. Spritz onto damp, towel dried hair before you style to achieve silky, glossy and completely de frizzed locks. Spray onto dry hair that hasn't been styled to calm fly-away hair, and add shine during the day. I found this product really versatile, with so many great ways to use. The clincher for me with this product was when I sprayed it on before locking my hair away in a tight ponytail. Hours later, when I undid my pony, brushed my hair and gave it a little spray of mist, it was poker straight again, not tell-tale signs of an up-do at all. Great hair from day to night!

Result after application: Perfect! Completely straight and silky, and perfect for defining curls, eliminating the dreaded frizz that has the potential to ruin a great style.
Speed Factor: Sprayed on in a blink of an eye, no need to work it in at all, all the while giving great coverage of product.
De-frizz Factor: This product is so efficient at removing the frizzies, you'll think you were born with naturally straight and smooth hair, and for those with curly hair, defined ringlets have never been easier.
Shine Factor: Shine, shine, shine!
Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Stockists 1800 800 347

De Lorenzo Shine serum
$17.00 per 30mls
Beach Babe to Dance Floor Diva

This highly concentrated refined serum is perfect for giving hair a polished look without adding the weight that other serums and gels can tend to leave. The formula shampoos out very easily, eliminating product build up. This product is a perfect beachside companion as it contains UV protection while calming the frizzies that sun, surf and sand can create so easily. Take it with you when you go from beach to dance floor.

Result after application: I applied this after I had freshly washed my hair, just before I styled it. After a short blow-dry my hair was swingy, shiny and really fresh smelling - and frizz free!
Speed Factor: Only a couple drops of this serum is required, and it was very easy to run through damp hair.
De-frizz Factor: One thing is for sure, the people at De Lorenzo know how to make a good De-frizz product!
Shine Factor: Not quite as effective as the myst, but I was still left with a healthy shine.
Overall Rating: 8/10

Stockists 1800 800 347

Redken Outshine 01 anti frizz polishing milk
$25.50 for 100ml
De-frizzand De Stress

This light cream is perfect for all hair types, ready to deliver vibrant shine and the ultimate in frizz control. This milk contains moisturising Shea Butter, which will nurture your dehydrated locks back to life and protect them from further damage. I preferred to use this on dry hair to tame frizzies in between washes for a quick on the go style.

Result after application: A little heavy, but great for quick application before you head out the door.
Speed Factor: Great, application time is nothing to worry about.
De-frizz Factor: Good De-frizzability, work it in to areas that need a little more help
Shine Factor: A nice healthy shine
Overall Rating: 6/10

Available at selected salons. For stockists call 1300 650 170

Redken Workforce 09 Flexible Volumising Spray
$22.50 for 365 ml
The perfect way to achieve a just out of the salon style

Styling your hair into a gravity defying style for that Christmas party, and don't want to have to deal with the issue of frizzies during the night? Workforce 09 is perfect for you, providing 24 hr humidity resistance. Apply for really flexible hold, and a great addition of volume to a curly style. Spray onto your special style, and party the night away, the threat of frizzies the last thing on your mind.

Result after application: A really good flexible hold - none of the stiffasaboard styles that don't move when you do.
Speed Factor: Quick as a flash
De-frizz Factor: Frizz is a distant memory with the application of this hair spray.
Shine Factor: Look forward to a great shine with your fantastic style
Overall Rating: 8/10

Available at selected salons. For stockists call 1300 650 170

Garnier Smoothing Milk
$7.98 for 200ml
Great for adding smoothness without weight.

This smoothing milk is fabulous. I applied to damp hair, the blow dried for a sleek finish. Without adding any grease. Day two, hair is still looking sleek and tidy, without looking oily or grease. Tested on curly hair without blow drying, the Smoothing Milk tamed the frizz, and took out some of the curl for a straighter style.

Result after application: Fantastic, creates a sleek head of hair without adding grease.
Speed Factor: Results are instant.
De-frizz Factor: 10/10
Shine Factor: Medium shine
Overall Rating: 10/10

Available at leading pharmacies and supermarkets.