10 Quick Tips and Tricks To Tame Flyaway Hair

Flyaway hair has a way of showing up right when you want a smooth finish. Those little wisps of hair can float up around your part, your hairline, or the crown, making even a polished style feel unfinished. Most flyaways stem from a few common causes: dryness, friction, static, breakage, or new growth. Sometimes, even product buildup keeps hair from lying flat. Thankfully, with the right routine and a few smart styling tricks, learning how to tame flyaways gets a lot easier.

Ahead, we’ll break down exactly what flyaway hairs are, why they happen, and the best ways to smooth them down fast. We’ll also share tips for preventing flyaways and introduce you to a few of our favorite flyaway hair products for sleeker, smoother-looking strands.

What Are Flyaways?

The term “flyaways” refers to shorter strands of hair that stick out rather than lying flat with the rest of your tresses. These little strands can be new hairs growing in, remnants of a piece that broke off, or simply a piece of hair that’s dry and staticky. You’ll usually notice flyaways most around the hairline, top of the head, and where you part your hair.

These strands aren’t “bad” hair—they’re often just strands doing normal things, but they’re more visible when the rest of your hair is smooth or pulled back. With that being said, flyaways can be frustrating to deal with, especially if you’re after a smooth or sleek style.

What Causes Flyaway Hair?

Several factors can cause or contribute to flyaway hair. Breakage is a big one, especially if you brush aggressively, use high heat often, or frequently bleach or color your mane. New growth can also look like flyaway hair, especially along the hairline, where baby hairs are naturally shorter.

Dryness is another major trigger. When hair lacks moisture, it’s more likely to puff up and react to humidity. Static can also lift strands, especially in dry weather or when you wear certain fabrics that build friction.

Buildup can play a role, too. If product residue coats your strands, you can get scraggly hair, and uneven, shorter pieces may stand out more. That’s why balanced cleansing and conditioning matter just as much as styling.

How To Tame Flyaways

If you’re wondering how to get rid of flyaway hair, the good news is that adjusting your haircare routine often does the trick. Ahead, we’re sharing 10 tips for taming flyaways, plus details on some of our favorite products to add to your lineup.

1. Use a frizz-fighting shampoo and conditioner

Getting rid of flyaways starts in the shower. A smoothing wash routine helps reduce frizz before you even start styling. That matters because flyaway hair often gets worse when hair is dry or rough.

To start, swap in a shampoo designed for humidity protection and frizz control, like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Iron Sleek Smoothing Shampoo. Gently lather up (rinse with warm water to avoid stripping your strands) and follow up with a conditioner that adds luminous shine, like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Iron Sleek Smoothing Conditioner. This duo helps smooth the hair fiber, so strands lie flatter and feel softer. If you’re dealing with flyaway hair daily, this is the kind of foundational change that makes everything easier.

2. Try a hydrating hair system

Dry hair is a magnet for flyaways. When strands are dehydrated, they lift more easily, especially in humidity or after heat styling. Hydration helps add weight and softness without making the hair feel greasy.

If your ends feel dry or you notice a bit of scraggly hair, bring moisture back with a hydrating duo like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner. When used together, this hyaluronic acid-infused duo helps plump the hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and manageable.

3. Reach for a deep conditioning treatment

Deep conditioning can help with dryness, split ends, and breakage, which are common culprits behind flyaway hair. Thick, rich conditioners smooth the outer layer of hair so shorter pieces blend in better. This is especially helpful if your flyaways are from damage rather than new growth.

Use a mask once a week, or more often if your hair is bleached or heat-styled regularly. We suggest the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask, which smooths hair fibers. Keep the focus on the mid-lengths and ends, where dryness tends to be more visible. With one use, you’ll enjoy noticeably smoother, shinier strands, with results lasting for up to five days.

4. Rethink your hair towel

Hair is more fragile when it’s wet, and rough drying with a towel can create breakage that turns into hair flyaways later. Terrycloth towels can snag strands because the fibers are thicker and textured. A microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt is gentler and helps reduce friction.

Instead of rubbing your hair dry, squeeze and press. That simple change can help prevent new flyaways over time. It also helps reduce frizz, allowing the shorter strands to blend in more naturally.

5. Apply a smoothing treatment

A targeted smoothing product can make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels. For a sleek finish, work a small amount of a smoothing treatment, such as the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Iron Sleek Coat, through your damp hair after showering. Then, blow-dry under tension to activate the product. The unique treatment coats the hair fibers, locking out humidity to help keep your hair smooth, sleek, and shiny for up to five washes.

6. Use an edge brush with hairspray for flyaways

When you’re wearing a ponytail, bun, or slicked-back style, flyaways show up fast. A clean toothbrush or edge brush makes taming them easy. Lightly spritz the brush with hairspray for flyaways, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Classic Hairspray, then gently brush down the top layer and around your hairline.

For a soft hold that doesn’t feel crunchy, try a styling cream like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream (pictured below). It gives control and smoothness with a clean finish, especially for updos and sleek looks. This hair cream for flyaways is great for when you want control and smoothness without any stiffness.

7. Take a break from heat styling

Heat can dry out hair and contribute to breakage, which means more flyaway hair strands that won’t behave. If you use hot tools daily, scaling back can help reduce new flyaways. Heatless styles like braids, twists, or buns can give you texture without extra damage.

If you do use heat, keep it controlled and avoid multiple passes. Try to focus styling on the lengths rather than repeatedly hitting the crown. That’s where flyaway hair tends to be most visible.

8. Comb, rather than brush

Brushing dry hair aggressively can lift strands, making flyaway hair look more prominent. On the other hand, brushing wet hair can cause breakage. The solution? Try combing your hair while it’s wet with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles without damaging your strands.

Start at the ends, work upward, and go section by section. Add a leave-in conditioner that provides slip, like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, to help it slip apart instead of forcing it. Over time, gentler detangling is one of the best ways to support smoother hair with fewer flyaways.

9. Smooth flyaways with dryer sheets

This one may sound unusual, but it works when static is the main issue. Dryer sheets reduce static, and static is a common reason hair flyaways lift. Use an unscented sheet and lightly glide it over your hair.

Keep it gentle and stick to the top layer. You’re not trying to flatten your whole style, just calm the floating strands. It’s a good emergency trick for getting rid of flyaway hair when you don’t have time to re-style your strands.

10. Wear a headband

Some days, you just want a fast fix. A headband can hold the top layer in place and hide short wisps of hair at the hairline. It’s simple, it works, and it can look really good with a messy bun or low ponytail.

How To Prevent Flyaway Hair

Taming flyaways is great, but prevention makes daily styling so much easier. Most prevention comes down to two things: keeping your hair healthy and using the right products consistently. Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent flyaways before they happen.

1. Strengthen your hair

If breakage is driving your flyaway hair, shift your routine toward strengthening. That means gentler detangling, less heat, and more conditioning. Stronger hair tends to snap less, which means fewer short strands sticking up.

Consider swapping out your go-to products for a bond-repairing system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ system. When used together, the system’s sulfate-free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, and strengthening pre-shampoo treatment help reinforce damaged strands from within, leaving your hair stronger and more resilient to stressors like heat and chemical processing.

2. Try a weekly clarifying shampoo

Product buildup can make hair feel coated and uneven, and it can make flyaways stand out more. Using a clarifying shampoo like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants, once a week, can help reset the hair and scalp. We suggest following with a nurturing conditioner, such as the coordinating L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Restoring Conditioner with Antioxidants, to help restore moisture and rebalance your strands.

3. Use humidity-resistant styling products

Humidity can make frizz and flyaways more noticable. If you anticipate a high-humidity day—or frequently experience frizz and flyaways—using a smoothing leave-in can be a great way to help prevent your hair from puffing up throughout the day.

Try using a lightweight cream, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream, to keep your style smooth and sleek. Apply a small amount along your hairline, crown, and anywhere you typically get flyaways to help tame your strands without making your hair look greasy or slick.

4. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

Switch out your cotton pillowcase for one made with silk or satin, and watch what it does for your hair. Sleeping on a slippery-smooth surface helps reduce the friction that can contribute to breakage and flyaway hair (even on those nights when you’re tossing and turning). Both materials work equally as well, so choose one that best fits your budget. Generally, satin is less expensive than its silk counterpart.

Taming Flyaways by Hair Type

The exact approach you take to tame your flyaways may depend on your hair type and texture. Below, we break down the best approaches for managing flyaways in fine, curly, coarse, and chemically-treated strands.

Fine hair

Fine hair tends to get flyaways easily, since the hair is light and can lift more easily. To help keep your strands smooth, use lightweight leave-ins and avoid heavy oils that can flatten your roots. A small amount of a no-crunch, no-residue product, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Classic Hairspray, can help smooth the surface without weighing hair down.

Curly hair

Curly hair often gets flyaways when curls lose moisture, which can make your ringlets look frizzy and undefined rather than sleek and bouncy. Prioritize hydration and use styling products, like a leave-in serum, to tame frizz and static and add hold and smoothness. We love the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In, which helps reduce frizz and static while boosting shine for silky-looking strands.

Thick or coarse hair

Thick hair can handle (and often benefits from) slightly heavier styling products than fine or thin hair. Layering products can also be beneficial, particularly if your strands are especially unruly. Consider prepping your hair with the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In before drying, then touching up any frizz-prone areas with a styling cream, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Anti-Frizz Slick Back Hair Styling Cream.

Chemically-treated hair

Bleached or colored hair is more prone to breakage, which can lead to more flyaway strands. Keep your routine consistent with smoothing and conditioning to keep your hair polished, not stressed. If needed, use a leave-in treatment like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Hair Oil-in-Serum to help boost moisture, repair damaged strands, and lock in a smooth, sleek-looking finish.

Next Up: Our Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Your Hair Type or Concern

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris