Between central heating, static sweaters and general windy mischief that undoes a blowout in seconds, frizzy hair is inevitable this time of year. But prevention is possible. Below, find the best products for frizzy hair–the serums, sprays and creams our editors actually use to stay smooth through Nordic weather and worse
It’s a universal truth that Scandinavian winters humble even the most disciplined hair routines. All it takes is a brisk walk to the office or five minutes next to a radiator for smooth lengths to morph into a halo of frizz. According to experts, the culprit is almost always the result of a misbehaving cuticle and a lack of moisture. Add to that a steady diet of heat styling and dry shampoo, and most of us are fighting a frizzy, uphill battle.
The fix, however, is refreshingly simple. With the right habits (and the right products) smooth, glossy hair is actually possible. Here’s how our editors keep frizz in check, plus the best products for frizzy hair to use now.
What causes frizzy hair?
Frizz is most commonly caused by a lack of moisture, and our Scandinavian winter climate is notorious for draining hydration from hair: Wipe-out winds, relentless drizzle and drying indoor heat strip away shine, leaving once-sleek strands limp, brittle and prone to fluff. Typical culprits like heat styling, chemical treatments, harsh shampoos and skipped conditioning only add to the damage.
“Curly, coily, wavy and coarse hair types tend to be drier and therefore more prone to frizz,” explains Swedish hair care brand Maria Nila's educator Klara Strandell. That doesn’t necessarily mean your hair is unhealthy. “Frizz can happen to healthy hair as well,” she notes. “It’s often just a sign that your hair needs more moisture.”
But, hydration is only half the story. “You need to seal it in,” Strandell adds. Without that final step, the lifted cuticle stays open and humidity does the rest. Frequent heat styling, over-washing and a casual approach to colour all make matters worse. In short: the more we ask of our hair, the more likely it is to misbehave.
How to get rid of frizzy hair
There’s no single cure-all for frizz, but there is one quick fix. A few drops of hair oil or shine cream as the final step in your styling routine can smooth flyaways in seconds. “Using a hair oil or shine cream as the last step tames frizz quickly,” says Strandell. “It helps seal the cuticle and keep moisture where it belongs.”
Beyond that, it’s all about prevention. Below, Strandell’s best strategies for keeping frizz at bay:
Use protection Hot tools may offer a temporary reprieve, but without heat protection they do more harm than good. “Heat dries out the hair and worsens frizz,” notes Strandell. Always apply a heat protectant before styling to lock in moisture and safeguard the cuticle. One solid option is Maria Nila's Gloss Coat. Dubbed the perfect product for lazy girls longing for high shine hair by our beauty editor, it delivers long-lasting smoothness and protection up to 230°C.
Consider coverage: “Humidity, wind and sun exposure can all contribute to frizz,” Strandell explains. Shield hair when you can – a hat, scarf or simple updo keeps moisture levels balanced and cuticles calm.
Check the label: Sulfates and drying surfactants strip hair of natural oils, leaving it rough and reactive. Look instead for hydrating formulas rich in oils, amino acids and moisture-locking ingredients to help the cuticle lie flat.
Layer wisely: “Applying your products in the right order helps moisture, oils and proteins work together,” says Strandell. Always finish with conditioner. "It closes the cuticle and restores the hair’s natural pH, reducing dryness and damage."
Revisit your beauty sleep: How you sleep matters almost as much as how you wash. “A silk or satin pillowcase minimises friction and helps retain moisture,” Strandell says. “I recommend applying a leave-in conditioner before bed and loosely braiding the hair to prevent tangling and breakage overnight.”
The best product for curly frizzy hair
What it is: A nitty-gritty light-weight styling cream built for curl types that is formulated with organic shea butter, rice-bran oil and oat-kernel extract to hydrate, relieve frizz and define coils.
Why we love it: Most curl creams make big promises, then leave hair stiff or greasy. This one manages to hydrate and coax definition while keeping the texture soft (no crunch in sight) and works both when you’re air-drying for loose, beach-y bends or heat-styling for full-bodied curls. The subtle floral scent (orange blossom and frangipani) is a bonus as well.
The best product for dry frizzy hair
What it i: A fast-absorbing blend powered by Living Proof's patented “healthy hair” molecule and a biomimetic five‑oil complex, created to hydrate, smooth and block humidity.
Why we love it: With hair oils, there is always the fear of overzealous application leaving you with hair greasier than a fish and chip shop. With this particular product, a single drop is all you need. Applied to ends or mid-lengths, it tames frizz without flattening volume or leaving residue. What really stood out for us, however, was how it handles that awkward stretch between washes: hair still looks sleek, not greasy, after day two or three.
The best leave-in-cream for frizzy hair
What it is: This brand-new (but already cult) multitasking styling cream enriched with Mirsalehi honey and hydrolysed milk protein promises up to 230 °C heat protection, frizz control, hydration, glazed shine and flexible hold.
Why we love it: If you're not only frizz-prone but deal with a plethora of hair problems, this new-on-the-block cream is a smart investment. It tames surface frizz without weighing down the hair, leaving hair looking polished but without the dreaded helmet head or heavy cast. The soft scent (peach, vanilla, sandalwood) is sublime, leaving if whiffing out tresses throughout the day.
The best budget-friendly product for frizzy hair
What it does: A lightweight treatment built on smoothing polymers and heat-activated acidic bonding. It seals the hair shaft and delivers hydration that lasts through several washes.
Why we love it: For €12, we didn’t expect much. And yet, this formula holds up against humidity and dry Scandinavian air without the need for constant reapplication. It smooths mid-lengths and softens puffiness around the crown, performing as well post-blowdry as it does when scrunched into damp hair. A rare budget buy that doesn’t feel like one.
The best product for fine frizzy hair
What it does: A soft anti-frizz crème infused with antioxidants and minerals to reduce puffiness, add moisture and boost strength, all without weighing fine hair down.
Why we love it: Thin hair suffers frizz too, but most formulas that smooth also smother. This one walks the line. It calms frizz at the surface while giving a bit of grip and density to finer textures. In testing, it left hair feeling noticeably stronger, a little more substantial, and easier to style with zero limpness.
The best product for thick frizzy hair
What it does: A rich leave-in styling cream specifically formulated for thick or coarse hair, packed with argan oil, keratin and the brand’s own antioxidant complex to soften, strengthen and protect.
Why we love it: Thick hair rarely wants to play nice in winter, but this cream takes the edge off. It works best when applied to towel-dried lengths, helping heavy strands fall more evenly and look less frazzled by the time you make it to the door. There's a weight to the formula, yes – but the payoff is hair that feels sleeker, more controlled and less reactive to the weather.
The best anti-frizz spray
What it does: A lightweight glossing spray that smooths, adds shine and shields the hair against heat up to 230 °C.
Why we love it: This is the product we reach for when there’s no time to fuss but frizz is a given. The spray forms a light-reflecting layer that helps seal the cuticle and calm static in seconds. Used as the final step, it gives hair a polished, mirror-like finish that somehow still feels weightless. The fact that the results last for up to four days doesn’t hurt either.
The best luxury anti-frizz treatment
What it does: A featherlight finishing spray formulated to shield hair from humidity while locking in style, designed to be used after styling on dry hair.
Why we love it: On humid days or in unpredictable weather, this formula keeps hair from expanding by sealing out moisture before it has the chance to sink in. The texture is weightless with a touch of grip, which makes it ideal for setting polished styles in place without stiffness or visible residue.
The best anti-frizz serum
What it does: A leave-in serum that works to seal and fill porous strands, protecting against both heat and humidity while reinforcing the hair fibre from within.
Why we love it: This is the kind of product you want to invest in, and we're not talking about money but time. With every use, it rebuilds the surface of the strand so frizz shows up less often, even on the days you skip styling, leaving hair less brittle through the mid-lengths and ends.
The best nourishing anti-frizz treatment
What it does: A soft balm formulated with shea butter and micro-encapsulated vegabeads to smooth frizz, add shine and boost manageability.
Why we love it: This magic formula formula reactivates with brushing, meaning shine and softness carry on well beyond application. It works especially well for dry ends or mid-lengths that frizz throughout the day, bringing everything back into line without adding weight.