Source: Pixland/Jupiter

To most of us, frizz is known as an evil spirit that moves in and out of our tresses without warning (and at the worst possible time), bringing with it volume fit for an Einstein convention. But what's actually happening is that when we change environments with different levels of humidity (like going outside), the water vapor disrupts the hydrogen bonds in our hair (a.k.a. the smooth, sleek finish we spent so long creating) and it returns to its natural state ... which is actually frizzy for many people.

So, to find out how we can manipulate our tresses to be smooth through rain or shine (humidity or heat), I turned to Lesley Bride, a hair care expert and senior scientist at Pantene. Her five ways to effectively fight frizz:

1) Start with healthy hair. The healthier the hair, the less susceptible it is to frizz. Tips for healthy hair: frequent cuts and conditioning. Also, let your hair air-dry when possible, and minimize the time you spend brushing and combing.

2) Wash with a frizz-fighting shampoo and conditioner such as Pantene Restoratives Frizz Control Collection. After gentle cleansing, the conditioning agents in the formulas fight frizz by reducing the flow of moisture into the hair, thus minimizing the “Gets Frizzy” effect.

3) Don’t skip a wash. Some will say that washing dries out the hair and makes it look frizzy, only the contrary is true. The sebum (natural oils) can only condition the hair right near your scalp. They are not effective conditioners for your mid-shaft and ends, where you get the frizz. Proper daily shampooing and conditioning can leave your hair in better condition.

4) Leave-in treatments: These are key for friends with big frizz issues. Frizz-control balms not only make hair soft and silky, but some even have gentle stylers to hold the hair in its smooth place.

5) Hairspray at the end of your styling, and don’t mess with it. A good (medium to strong hold) hairspray will help protect against humidity for the day. The secret is to let the hairspray set up for several minutes without touching your hair or the bonds will be disrupted.

Have any of your own frizz-fighting tips or techniques? Do share!