A Cheater's Guide to the Best Frizz-Fighting Products By Hair Type

Hair hath no fury like a soaring humidity index—blow-drying is useless, flat-ironing is a hopeless pursuit. Fortunately, there are always French women to show us how effortless should be done. At the Cannes Film Festival this week, model Aymeline Valade wore fresh, easy waves that looked like they’d dried in the Mediterranean sun, while models at Valentino’s resort show walked the runway with smooth, unfussy strands Which got us thinking: Maybe it’s time to relinquish our control-freak tendencies in favor of something simpler—like the power of one perfect weather-proofing styling cream and a hair-tousling warm summer breeze. With that in mind, we’ve put together a user’s guide to the best frizz-controlling serums, creams, and sprays worth investing in this month, according to your hair type.

The heavier the humidity in the air, the higher gravity-defying baby hairs tend to rise. For the finest, most oil-prone strands, Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer softens, conditions, and protects from UV rays with a combination of six weightless oils when sprayed from roots to ends; Living Proof’s No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream smooths without making hair greasy thanks to a patented molecule that creates an invisible shield around each little strand—a dime-size amount of the faintly citrus-scented serum has the effect of taking a virtual pencil eraser to your crown of frizz.

For second-day, slightly beachy texture with a bit of grip, Herbivore Botanicals Sea Mist can be sprayed from mid-lengths to ends for separation, weight, and movement (think Lou Doillon’s rumpled look) or blasted at the roots (Alexandra Richards’s signature swoop). For thicker strands, Captain Blankenship's Mermaid Sea Salt Spray has more impact, adding a dry finish when scrunched or twisted into the hair and a convincing rose and sea kelp scent.

Actresses like Julia Garner and Logan Browning, not to mention Beyoncé-approved model Jordun Love, have acquired cult sub-followings based entirely on their selfie-worthy levels of bounce and shine. To impart a similar effect to angel-fine spirals, Kérastase's new Aura Botanica and Oribe's Featherbalm provide hydration—minus the weight. DevaCurl's Touchable Curl Definer is a favorite for more substantial spirals that err on the side of slightly dry. And one pump of Mixed Chicks' leave-in conditioner after showering lends sheen, definition, and control to hair with extra volume and texture.