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Home » Natural Hairstyles

How to Get Rid of Flyaways in Your Hair and on Top of Head

Kenneth ByrdBy Kenneth ByrdMBA · 15+ years in hair care · Co-founder of Curl CentricUpdated Oct 24, 20266 min read · Reviewed by Kira Byrd

Evidence-basedPublishing since 2008May contain affiliate links
Woman with a dark curly bob and glasses smiling on a street, fine loose strands catching the light at her crownPin

Nothing's worse than spending hours on your hair only to find out that flyaways and frizz have taken over your locks.

Wondering how you can take charge of those unruly strands?

Well, keep on reading because we've got the answer to that and so much more! Today, we'll give you a few pointers on how to get rid of flyaways. We'll also share some of our favorite flyaway-busting products, so make sure you stick around until the end! 

Table of Contents

  • 1. What Causes Flyaway Hair?
  • 2. Here's How to Get Rid of Flyaways
  • 3. Should I Cut Off Flyaway Hairs?
  • 4. What Is the Difference Between Flyaways and Frizz?
  • 5. Best Products for Getting Rid of Flyaways

What Causes Flyaway Hair?

Flyaways are those little, wispy strands of hair that stick up and away from the rest of your hair. They seem to defy gravity and are noticeable because they're much shorter than the rest of your hair.

There are two major sources of flyaways. 

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  1. The first is when your hair breaks off partway down the strand. The broken strand doesn't weigh much as a full-length strand of hair. And as a result, they defy gravity and stick straight out.
  2. The second most common source of flyaways is new hair growth. Newer strands haven't had enough time to catch up to the rest of your hair. 
A woman looking off to one side and smiling outdoors, with fine strands lifting away from her crownPin

Here's How to Get Rid of Flyaways

Now that you know what flyaways are, it's time to learn how to eliminate them. We're happy to tell you that there are a variety of different ways you can go about it. We'll break down some of our favorite methods below. 

Deep Condition Your Hair

In many cases, flyaways are caused by breakage. And when it comes to fighting and preventing damage, deep conditioners are unmatched.

Deep conditioners keep your strands strong and resilient, so they're able to grow out. They are packed with nourishing ingredients that smooth, strengthen, and repair damaged hair.

As a bonus, the deep conditioner will help weigh down your hair slightly. That'll lessen your flyaways and help them blend in with the rest of your strands. 

A woman in three-quarter profile beside a teal wall, her curly bob falling to her jawPin

Get a Haircut

Flyaways are usually a sign of breakage, split ends, or heat and chemical damage. No one wants to hang onto unhealthy strands, so it might be time to schedule that brand-new haircut you've been wanting.

Taking a few inches off helps you eliminate some of the damage.

In addition to making your hair look better, a haircut can be a preventative measure. That's because the healthier your hair is, the less likely you are to develop flyaways in the future. 

Pump bottle of Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Frizz Serum on a wood tablePin
An anti-frizz serum like this Garnier Fructis one helps flyaways lie flat. Check the label for silicones, since those can build up between washes.

Smooth on Some Serum

One of the quickest ways to tame flyaways is to smooth on a little anti-frizz serum. Anti-frizz serums are thick and help your strands cling together. Just be careful with how often you use them.

Many anti-frizz serums contain buildup-causing silicones that regular shampoo isn't able to cut through. So if you use anti-frizz serums regularly, add a monthly clarifying treatment into your routine. 

Rub a Few Dryer Sheets on Your Hair

Although static electricity doesn't cause flyaways, it can make them more noticeable. Luckily, there's an easy fix you probably already have lying around!

Dryer sheets contain softening agents that prevent and reverse static cling.

Most dryer sheet brands are scented, so they'll leave your strands smelling fresh all day long. Don't like the idea of using laundry products on your hair?

You can use these super convenient anti-frizz sheets instead!

A woman smiling at the camera in a lilac sweater, her curly bob lifting slightly at the crownPin

Cut Down on the Heat Styling

No matter how carefully you go about using them, hot tools, like flat irons and blow dryers, suck the life out of your strands. They make your hair more fragile and increase damage.

If you can't avoid heat entirely, focus on damage prevention.

Don't use hot tools more than two or three times a week, and always start by applying a heat protectant. You should also use a high-quality hot tool and keep the temperature low so you don't expose your strands to excessive heat. 

Should I Cut Off Flyaway Hairs?

We get it - flyaways are annoying and can ruin an otherwise flawless hairstyle. But while you might be tempted to trim them, doing so won't help in the long run.

Flyaways are essentially super short strands of hair. When you cut them shorter, they'll temporarily blend into the rest of your hair. But as soon as your hair grows out a bit, your flyaways will return.  

A woman grinning with a hand at her glasses, loose curls and stray strands standing out against the backgroundPin

Do Flyaways Grow Out?

As your flyaways grow longer, the weight of the strand will weigh them down. Then, they'll fall straight down like the rest of your hair. The most important thing is to reduce the amount of heat, chemical, and styling damage you expose your hair to.

Otherwise, new strands will continually get broken. That will put you in a perpetual cycle of fixing your flyaways and creating new ones.

What Is the Difference Between Flyaways and Frizz?

Even though frizz and flyaways look similar, they are two different things. Flyaways occur when your strands lack weight and substance. They're essentially so light that they fly upwards.

Flyaways are almost exclusively short pieces of hair. Alternatively, frizzy strands are usually the same length as the rest of your hair. Frizz is typically due to damage, genetics, or humidity.  

A woman smiling in front of dark glass, with a halo of fine strands visible around her curly bobPin

Best Products for Getting Rid of Flyaways

The right product can tame your current flyaways and prevent more from developing in the future. Ready to find out more? Here are some of our favorite products for getting rid of flyaways. 

The Good Stuff Leave-in Frizz Control Hair Oil

There's a reason why this brand is called The Good Stuff. It contains lightweight silicones that tame frizz and flyaways without leaving a greasy residue on your strands.

THE GOOD STUFF Leave-in Frizz Control Hair OilPin
THE GOOD STUFF Leave-in Frizz Control Hair Oil
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10/27/2026 12:27 am GMT

It also locks in moisture, so your hair stays moisturized for hours. Want to know the best part? It's super easy to use. Just smooth on a few drops, and your locks will be smooth and flyaway-free! 

Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Pomade

If you have coarse or naturally dry hair, this all-in-one hairdress can be a literal game-changer! It seals in moisture and adds a lustrous shine to dry hair.

Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine PomadePin
Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade
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10/27/2026 01:29 am GMT

It contains a wholesome blend of beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea butter that helps weigh your hair down and tame those pesky flyaways. Just remember: a little goes a long way with this potent pomade. 

A close-up of the woman holding the arm of her glasses, her curly bob framing her facePin

Maria Nila True Soft Conditioner

Looking for a way to mend your hair and keep it ultra-resilient? Then look no further!

Maria Nila True Soft Conditioner for Dry HairPin
Maria Nila True Soft Conditioner for Dry Hair
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Curl Centric may receive compensation if you make a purchase using this link, at no additional cost to you.
10/27/2026 01:22 am GMT

Maria Nila's frizz and static electricity-busting conditioner has an intensely hydrating formula that's packed with nourishing ingredients like moringa oil, shea butter, and argan oil. What's more?

The signature fragrance contains a blend of lilies, rose, and jasmine scents that will leave your strands smelling heavenly all day! 

BIOLAGE Smooth Proof Shampoo

Want to get a head start on fighting frizz? This frizz-fighting shampoo goes to work before you even step out of the shower. BIOLAGE's gentle shampoo encapsulates your hair in a protective barrier that controls frizz, even in up to 80% humidity!

BIOLAGE Smooth Proof ShampooPin
BIOLAGE Smooth Proof Shampoo
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Curl Centric may receive compensation if you make a purchase using this link, at no additional cost to you.
10/28/2026 01:38 am GMT

Its paraben-free formula is powered by powerful botanicals, including Camellia Kissi seed oil, castor oil, and coconut oil. And unlike most frizz-fighting products, this one is silicone-free. 

Related Articles

  • White Girl Edges
  • Sticking Up Hair
  • Wet Frizz

Nothing ruins a perfectly sleek hairdo quite like an invasion of flyaways and frizz. Luckily, taming flyaways is super simple! And you have a ton of different ways to go about it!

While all the methods we've gone over today work great on their own, try combining a few for even more flyaway-fighting power. We hope this article has answered all your questions and shown you how to get rid of those pesky flyaways.

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Kenneth Byrd

About the author

Kenneth Byrd

Co-founder and Managing Partner

Publishing on textured hair since 2008MBA, University of Alabama at BirminghamExecutive education, WhartonTop 40 Under 40, Birmingham Business Journal

Kenneth does the research behind the guides here: reading the studies and checking whether a claim holds up before it gets published, under our editorial guidelines. Outside Curl Centric he leads an operations organization of more than 1,000 people, and he serves on the board of Oasis Counseling for Women and Children. Curl Centric's hair typing system is the first listed reference in a peer-reviewed paper in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, and it is cited by Wikipedia.

More about KennethAbout Curl Centric

Kira Byrd

Hey, I’m Kira

Curl Centric is run by me and my husband Kenneth. We’ve been publishing evidence-based hair care since 2008 to help you care for your curls with confidence.

More about us →
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Why Your Hair Isn't Growing - free guide from Curl Centric

Free 50-page guide

Your hair is already growing. The problem is keeping it.

Hair grows about a third to half an inch a month, and the tightest curls grow slowest. If your length looks stuck, that's your hair breaking off about as fast as it grows in. We'll send you the seven causes of breakage and the weekly routine that stops them.

Free. One email a week after that. Unsubscribe anytime.

Written and reviewed by Kenneth and Kira Byrd Independently owned, publishing since 2008 950+ guides, fact-checked before publishing Editorial and advertising teams kept separate

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