Fixing Dry, Frizzy Hair (Without Overcomplicating It)

By Ryan Poole

“My hair just won’t do what I want it to do” must be one of the most common problems my clients will bring up with me in the chair.

It might be puffing out, feeling coarse, or becoming impossible to style once the client leaves the salon. Often, the problem isn’t the haircut. It’s the overall health of the hair. As barbers, we spend a lot of time talking about fades, texture and styling products, but healthy hair starts long before any of that. If the hair itself is lacking moisture, my clients are fighting a losing battle. I see it every day. A client sits down and tells me their hair feels rough or frizzy in dryness that we have in winter. Usually, after running my hands through the hair, the issue becomes obvious. The hair is dry.

Why Hair Gets Dry and Frizzy

Frizz isn’t just something that happens to long hair. In fact, some of the most stubborn frizz I see is in shorter men’s styles. Textured crops, medium-length curtains or was and wear curls. When hair becomes dehydrated, the outer layer of the hair shaft becomes rougher and less compact. Instead of lying neatly together, individual hairs begin moving in different directions. That’s what creates that fluffy, unruly appearance that so many guys struggle to control. The frustrating part is that many men unknowingly make the problem worse.

Starting With the Right Shampoo

One of the first questions I’ll ask every client in their consultation is what they’re using at home. A surprising number of guys are still using harsh supermarket shampoos. Some guys are using the right products, but their routine is off; washing their hair far more often than necessary. The problem is that cheap supermarket shampoos strip away the natural oils that help keep hair hydrated. The hair feels clean for a few hours, but over time it becomes drier and more difficult to control. Many of my clients are also surprised when I tell them not to shampoo every day. Your hair and your scalp still need those natural oils. Establishing a better routine with shampooing your hair is just as essential as using a high-quality shampoo.

That’s why I often recommend to my clients the Vitaman Moisturising Shampoo. It cleans the hair properly without stripping away everything that keeps it healthy. Using the shampoo two/three times a week, dependant on each client's hair type and buildup of oils. For many clients, this change alone makes a noticeable difference within a few weeks.

Conditioner is non-negotiable

Let’s talk conditioner. One of the biggest misconceptions that my clients have about this product is “I don’t use conditioner because it makes my hair fluffy” or “I don’t have long hair, so I don’t need it” and they end up skipping it completely. I make it clear to my clients that I conditioner is not optional. Conditioner is what brings moisture back into your hair after washing. Whilst shampoo opens your hair cuticles, conditioner closes the cuticles to smooth the outer layers, reduces frizz, making your hair easier to manage. This is what guys are looking for to sort out their hair’s unpredictable nature.

Vitaman Moisturising Conditioner is designed to do exactly that without weighing your hair down. It helps soften the hair, improve texture and reduce that rough, dry feeling that leads to frizz. The biggest surprise my clients have is when I tell them to use it daily. My clients know that conditioner is necessary when using shampoo but there is absolutely no harm in using conditioner on its own daily. Leave it in for a minute or two, then rinse. It is a simple step that makes a substantial difference.

Lock In Moisture with Leave in Moisturiser

If your hair still feels dry after washing, this is the step that changes everything. Leave-in conditioners are an excellent product that you could use daily. Hair that is naturally coarser or have tighter curl patterns will benefit from using an all-day leave in. Vitaman Leave-In Moisturiser works throughout the day to keep your hair hydrated and under control. A lot of my clients aren’t aware of leave in products and their benefits. Unlike heavier products, it doesn’t make your hair greasy or flat. Instead, it keeps it soft, smooth and easier to style. The instructions for my clients are simple: apply a small amount to damp hair after they towel dry and let it dry in naturally. Clients with longer hair, I’d let them know that focusing on the mid-lengths and ends is essential. It’s also an awesome styling product for my curly haired clients to help bind their curls and control wave patterns in their hair. This helps prevent frizz throughout the day before it even starts and is also a fantastic pre-styler to protect hair from against heat from blow dryers.

Style Without Making It Worse

A lot of styling products can make dry hair feel worse if they are too heavy or too stiff. With my clients, oil-based hair products are a no-go. Oil-based products will create a buildup in the hair, clog hair pores and weigh down your hair. Constant use of harsh hairsprays will dry out your hair adding to your frizz problem whilst potentially damaging it further. If you are dealing with frizz, you want something that gives control without drying your hair out further.

That is where Vitaman Styling Crème comes in. A water-soluble product, it provides light hold and natural control while keeping the hair soft and flexible. Instead of locking your hair into place, it works with your natural texture. That makes it perfect for relaxed, everyday styles where you want your hair to look effortless, not overworked. Use a small amount on dry or slightly damp hair and shape it with your hands. It’s a product that’s soft, loose, looks lived in and easy to rinse out that I’d recommend to my clients in the shop.

Keep It Simple and Stay Consistent

One of the biggest misconceptions I find as a barber is that styling products are the solution to every hair problem. The best styles start with healthy hair. When the hair is properly hydrated, it responds better to cutting, styling and everyday wear. It sits better, feels softer and becomes much easier to manage. So, if your hair feels dry, frizzy, or impossible to control, don’t blame the haircut just yet. Start with a healthy routine with hydrating your hair.