You finally got out the door on time, and then you catch your reflection in the car mirror: frizzy hair, flyaways and a cowlick that wasn't there ten minutes ago. If you're a busy mom, you don't have 30 minutes for a blowout. These quick hair hacks for busy moms fix frizz on the go in under five minutes, and most of them use what's already in your bag.
Why does hair get frizzy during the day?
Frizz happens when dry hair pulls moisture from the air and the outer layer (the cuticle) lifts. Humidity, wind, hats, seatbelts and touching your hair all make it worse. The fix is simple: add a little moisture, smooth the cuticle back down, and protect it.
1. Use a little hair oil or leave-in cream, not more heat
Rub a pea-size drop of hair oil or leave-in conditioner between your palms and smooth it over the top layer of your hair, focusing on the ends. Less is more. Too much product looks greasy by lunchtime. This is the easiest way to tame frizzy hair without a straightener.
2. Keep a travel-size anti-frizz product in your purse
A mini anti-frizz serum, a hair balm stick or even a small tube of hand cream (in a pinch) can tame flyaways along your part and hairline. Dab a tiny amount on your fingertips and press it down; don't rub.
3. Smooth flyaways with a clean toothbrush or spoolie
A clean spare toothbrush or mascara spoolie with a bit of hairspray or balm smooths baby hairs and flyaways around the face better than your fingers can. It takes 30 seconds and fits in any makeup pouch or diaper bag.
4. Switch to a silk or satin scrunchie
Regular elastics rough up the hair cuticle and leave dents. Silk or satin scrunchies are gentler, so your hair stays smoother when you take it down after school drop-off or a workout.
5. Try an easy sleek hairstyle for bad hair days
A low bun or a sleek ponytail with a little product along the top hides humidity frizz completely. Smooth the crown with a damp hand before you tie it. It's one of the fastest easy hairstyles for moms on rushed mornings.
6. Do a 2-minute touch-up with a cordless mini hair straightener
For the days you want your hair down, a cordless hair straightener brush lets you smooth the sections that matter most (the front, the ends and the crown) without an outlet. Brush slowly through one section at a time and let it cool for a few seconds before touching it. A portable mini straightener won't replace a full flat-iron session, but it's made for exactly this kind of quick touch-up in the car, at the office, at the gym or before pickup. It's also a handy travel hair straightener for weekend trips.
7. Always use heat protectant first
Any time you use heat, even a quick touch-up, spray a heat protectant first and keep the tool moving. Start on the lowest heat setting and only go up if you need to, especially if your hair is fine, colored or damaged.
The mini hair straightener we keep in our bag
We made the Haurra Cordless Mini Straightener for moms who do their hair everywhere except the bathroom. It's a cordless, rechargeable straightening comb small enough for a purse or diaper bag (about 88 × 83 mm closed), with 3 heat settings and a protective cap that keeps the bristles covered in your bag. It's best for smoothing frizz and flyaways on the go, not for pin-straight results like a full-size flat iron.
It comes in pink and black: $39 for one, or 2 for $69 if you want one for yourself and one to gift. It also makes a practical gift for moms and stocking stuffer. Free US shipping with tracking.
Quick recap: how to fix frizz on the go
- Add a drop of hair oil or leave-in cream to the ends.
- Press down flyaways with a spoolie and a little balm.
- Go sleek with a low bun or ponytail on humid days.
- Touch up the front and ends with a cordless mini straightener.
- Use heat protectant and the lowest heat that works.