Featured Brands
Meet the brands behind your favourite beauty routines. Explore bestselling names, rising stars, and expert-approved collections all in one place.
New & Now
Bounce Curl Detangle Define EdgeLift Brush - Lavender
Choose your option
NAK Hair Curl Condition 350ml
Choose your option
NAK Hair Curl Shampoo 350ml
Choose your option
NAK Hair Curls Crème 150ml
Choose your option
Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Bounty Balm 150ml
Choose your option
Insight Daily Use Leave-in Detangler Spray 150ml
Choose your option
Kitsch Spa Headband and Wristlets 3pc Set - Terracotta
Choose your option
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase Standard - Gingham Blue
Choose your option
Choose your option
Choose your option
Medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum 30ml
Choose your option
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream 75ml
Choose your option
AXIS-Y Sunday Morning Refreshing Cleansing Foam 120ml
Choose your option
Choose your option
Torriden Dive-in Low Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Toner 300ml
Choose your option
Kitsch Spa Headband and Wristlets 3pc Set - Terracotta
Choose your option
Kitsch Lymphatic Contour Face Brush - Black
Choose your option
Kitsch Lymphatic Contour Face Brush - Terracotta
Choose your option
Centellian24 360º Shot PDRN Lifting Eye Cream 30ml
Choose your option
Centellian24 Expert Madeca Cream Active Renew PDRN 50ml
Choose your option
Trending This Week
Spotted on your feed. Added to everyone's basket. Discover what's worth the hype before it's gone.
Design Essentials Classic Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo
Choose your option
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Flash Freeze Gel 6oz
Choose your option
Kitsch Set & Flow Heatless Curling Headband - Chocolate Brown
Choose your option
Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner 8oz
Choose your option
The Doux BLOCK PARTY Anti-Humidity Defining Gel 16oz
Choose your option
PureO Natural Neatbraid Conditioning Shining Gel
Choose your option
K18 Future IQ Biomimetic Hair Longevity Serum 90ml
Choose your option
Alfaparf Milano Keratin Therapy Lisse Design Liquid Glass Lamellar Water 250ml
Choose your option
Lola From Rio Meu Cacho Minha Vida My Curls My Life Jelly Gel 500ml
Choose your option
EOS Shea Better 24H Moisture Body Lotion Vanilla Cashmere 473ml
Choose your option
EOS Shea Better Cashmere Body Wash Vanilla Cashmere 473ml
Choose your option
Bounce Curl Detangle Define EdgeLift Brush - Shortbread
Choose your option
Medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum 30ml
Choose your option
AXIS-Y Sunday Morning Refreshing Cleansing Foam 120ml
Choose your option
Dr. Althea Pure Retinol 0.15 Cream 20g
Choose your option
Arencia Vitamin C Booster Shot 30ml
Choose your option
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean PDRN Pore Elasticity Serum 30ml
Choose your option
Centellian24 Cream Time Reverse Zero 80ml
Choose your option
Choose your option
Choose your option
Choose your option
Choose your option
Choose your option
Torriden Cellmazing Firming Eye Cream 30ml
Choose your option
Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum 30ml
Choose your option
Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment 100ml
Choose your option
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ 50ml
Choose your option
Choose your option
Design Essentials Classic Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo
Choose your option
Curl Bites Mega Definition Strong Hold Gel 200ml
Choose your option
Trepadora Gojiberry Mint Reviving Hair Rinse
Choose your option
Loved by You
You're in the right place.
Beauty is personal. Every routine tells a different story, and every discovery shapes the next. For over 20 years, we've helped customers explore, experiment and find products that become part of their everyday. Wherever your journey takes you, we're glad you're here.
Join the Beauty-Obsessed
Kiyo Journal
What's My Curl Type?
Learn how to identify your curl type using the 1A–4C curl chart, understand what it can tell you about your hair, and discover why texture, porosity, density and hair health matter just as much when choosing the right products.
Read more
How to Control Frizz in Curly Hair: Products & Tips
For years, frizz has been treated as the enemy, something to be defeated with enough product, enough serum, enough anything. The moment the focus shifts from trying to smother it to asking why it is happening, everything changes. That shift is often the most transformative advice passed on to people with curly hair. Not a new product. Not a different curl cream. Just the decision to treat frizz as a signal rather than something to plaster over. This article explains what may be causing your frizz, which techniques make the biggest difference, and which products are genuinely worth the money, versus the ones that only create the appearance of smooth, defined curls while quietly making the underlying issue worse. Why Frizz Is a Symptom, Not the Problem The most common mistake people make when trying to control frizz in curly hair is treating it as a problem rather than a signal. Frizz is the hair communicating: dehydration, damage, product buildup or environmental stress. Piling on oils, serums and heavy creams to smooth it down may create a sleeker result for a day or two. But if the underlying cause remains unaddressed, those layers of product compound over time, leaving curls weighed down and even more prone to frizzing. Another common habit is reaching for straighteners when frizz becomes frustrating. Repeated high heat gradually chips away at the cuticle, making the hair increasingly porous. The more porous the hair becomes, the more it absorbs moisture from humid air and loses it in dry conditions causing more frizz, more heat styling and more damage. It is a cycle that gradually worsens the very thing being addressed. Before reaching for anything, identify the trigger. Dehydration, buildup, heat damage, humidity, hard water minerals and protein overload all produce frizz — but for completely different reasons. What Actually Causes Frizz in Curly Hair? Understanding frizz starts with the hair cuticle. Your hair cuticle is the outermost layer of each strand, made up of overlapping scales. When those scales lie flat, the hair reflects light, repels excess moisture and stays defined. When they are raised or damaged, moisture moves in and out unpredictably, causing the strand to swell unevenly. That swelling is frizz. The five main culprits are: Dehydration — the cuticle opens in search of moisture, causing strands to puff up Product or mineral buildup — a coating on the hair blocks moisture from penetrating and disrupts curl formation Heat damage — permanently lifts or chips the cuticle, increasing porosity Humidity — raised cuticles absorb environmental moisture unevenly Protein overload — too much protein stiffens the hair, making it brittle and frizzy The biggest misconception is that frizz automatically means dry hair. In reality, frizz can also be caused by product buildup, hard water, humidity or damage. Adding more moisture when the underlying cause is something else is unlikely to solve the problem. Curly hair is also structurally more prone to frizz than straight hair. The curved shape of each strand makes it harder for natural oils to travel from root to tip, so curls tend towards dryness and cuticle disruption by default. The One Change That Can Transform Curls One of the biggest transformations can come from something as simple as adding a clarifying shampoo. Sometimes the answer is not a new mask or a different gel, but a cleanser that actually removes what has been building up on the hair. If product residue, hard water minerals or excess oils are coating the strands, even the best conditioner cannot penetrate properly. The moisture sits on top of the buildup and washes away. Once that layer is cleared, curls often become softer, more defined and noticeably easier to manage and all without changing anything else in the routine. How often clarifying is needed depends on product use, water hardness and curl density. For most people, every two to four weeks works well. The common instinct when curls feel dull and heavy is to reach for another conditioning mask, but in many cases that only adds to the buildup. Clarifying first is almost always the more effective move. The Application Technique That Costs Nothing One of the most effective techniques for controlling frizz in curly hair on a limited budget is applying all styling products to soaking wet hair. Not damp. Not towel-dried. Dripping wet. When hair is fully saturated, it is already in its most expanded state. Applying product at this point means it distributes evenly and helps curls clump together from the very start of the drying process. As the hair dries, the product seals in moisture rather than sitting on the surface. Here is how to do it practically: Step out of the shower and lean over the bath or sink — do not towel-dry Apply leave-in conditioner and styling product section by section while the hair is still dripping Scrunch upward to encourage curl clumps to form Diffuse on low heat or air dry completely without touching the hair The difference in definition and frizz reduction is often immediate, and it requires no new products whatsoever. How to Tailor Your Routine to Your Hair Type and Climate Frizz routines should not begin with curl pattern alone. The starting point should be what the hair is currently experiencing. Fine curls need lightweight hydration. Heavy creams and butters will weigh them down and flatten the curl, which often makes frizz worse by disrupting the clump. Thicker or coarser curls can handle (and often need) richer formulas to adequately smooth the cuticle. Dense hair requires products to be applied in sections rather than all at once. Otherwise, the inner layers receive no coverage and frizz from the inside out. Climate matters just as much as hair type. In the UK, there are essentially two different environments to manage throughout the year: Humid UK summers: Focus on anti-humidity gels or serums that seal the cuticle against external moisture. Look for film-forming ingredients or humidity blockers. Cold, dry UK winters: Shift the priority to moisture retention. Central heating dramatically dries indoor air, and that moisture loss will show up as frizz without active compensation. Separately, hard water is its own frizz trigger and requires its own solution. No amount of conditioner corrects mineral buildup. Address it with a chelating shampoo first, then layer hydration and styling products on top. Products That Actually Work vs. Products That Just Look Like They Do Many frizz-control products rely on silicones or heavy oils to coat the hair and create the appearance of smooth strands for a day or two. That is not the same as addressing the frizz. The products that consistently deliver better long-term results are the ones matched to the cause: Dry or dehydrated hair: A hydrating leave-in conditioner — Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In or Kinky-Curly Knot Today replenish moisture rather than masking dryness Damaged hair: Bond-building treatments like K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask or Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector improve structural integrity, which naturally reduces frizz over time Product or mineral buildup: A clarifying shampoo like Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo, or a chelating formula for hard water areas, will often do more for curl definition than any serum Humidity: Anti-humidity products like Color Wow Dream Coat create a barrier that prevents environmental moisture from lifting the cuticle When investing in just one product, choose a good leave-in conditioner. It locks in moisture, smooths the cuticle and reduces friction, making it the foundation for everything else in your routine. The Frizz Myths That Need Busting Myth 1: Frizz always means the hair needs more moisture. This is one of the most damaging myths in the curly hair space. While dehydration can cause frizz, it's far from the only reason. Product buildup, hard water and damage can all play a part. Adding more conditioning treatments when the real issue is buildup may actually make the problem worse by preventing moisture from reaching the hair. Myth 2: All silicones are bad for curly hair. Modern silicones can be genuinely useful. When used correctly, they protect against humidity and reduce friction, both direct causes of frizz. The issue was never silicones themselves; it was using them without cleansing regularly enough to prevent buildup. Myth 3: Smooth equals healthy. Daily heat gradually chips away at the cuticle, increasing porosity and creating a cycle of worsening frizz that becomes harder and harder to break without addressing the underlying damage first. A Simple Frizz-Control Routine You Can Start Today On wash day: Clarify every two to four weeks, or more frequently in hard water areas or with heavy product use Condition thoroughly and use the squish-to-condish method by squeezing conditioner into the hair with a scrunching motion to encourage curl clumping before rinsing Do not towel-dry. Apply leave-in conditioner and styling product immediately to soaking wet hair, working in sections Diffuse on low heat or air dry without touching the hair until fully dry Between wash days: Refresh with a small amount of water and leave-in conditioner rather than restyling from scratch Avoid touching dry hair as breaking curl clumps is one of the fastest routes to frizz Ongoing: Reassess every few weeks whether the routine is targeting the actual cause of the frizz or simply layering product on top of it Adjust your routine for the season e.g. prioritise humidity protection in summer and moisture retention in winter Apply products in sections if the hair is dense to ensure even coverage throughout The Takeaway Frizz is a symptom with a specific cause, and the right product or technique depends entirely on identifying what that cause actually is. No smoothing serum will fix dehydration at the root level, and no conditioning mask will undo mineral buildup from hard water. Two quick and easy places to start are 1) clarifying to reset the hair and 2) applying products to soaking wet strands. Together, these changes address some of the most common frizz triggers and unlock the effectiveness of everything else in the routine. FAQs Can I still use a hair serum for frizz? Yes. A serum can help smooth the hair and protect against humidity, but it works best as the final step in your routine. If frizz is caused by dehydration, buildup or damage, a serum will only mask the symptoms rather than solve the underlying problem. Should I use oil before or after styling? For most curly hair routines, oils work best after styling or once the hair is dry to help reduce frizz and add shine. Applying oil before your leave-in products can make it harder for water-based moisturisers to penetrate the hair. Can I use a leave-in conditioner and a serum together? Absolutely. They do different jobs. A leave-in conditioner hydrates and conditions the hair, while a serum helps seal the cuticle, add shine and protect against humidity. Using them together often delivers better results than using either one alone. I've clarified my hair, so why is it still frizzy? Clarifying removes product buildup and mineral deposits, but it isn't a cure for every type of frizz. If your hair is still frizzy after clarifying, the cause is likely something else. Dehydration, heat damage, humidity, protein overload or an application technique that isn't locking in enough moisture can all contribute. Start by assessing how your hair feels. If it feels rough or dry, focus on hydration. If it feels brittle or breaks easily, damage or protein overload may be the issue. If frizz only appears in humid weather, an anti-humidity styling product may make the biggest difference. Does it matter if my hair is frizzy? Not always. Frizz is a natural part of textured hair and doesn't automatically mean your hair is unhealthy. A little frizz is normal, particularly in humid weather or after several days between washes. If frizz is excessive, persistent or accompanied by dryness, breakage or dullness, it may be worth looking at the underlying cause rather than simply trying to smooth it away.
Read more
How Often Should Curly Hair Be Washed?
How often should you wash curly hair? The answer depends on your curl type, scalp, products, lifestyle and even your water. Learn how to recognise when your curls actually need cleansing, avoid the over-washing cycle and build a balanced wash routine that works for your hair.
Read more
The Glass Hair Secret: How to Get Mirror Shine Without Damaging Your Hair
Glass hair is achieved by creating a perfectly smooth hair cuticle that reflects light like a mirror, requiring precise temperature control, proper moisture preparation, and professional techniques that most people get wrong. I used to think smoke coming off the flat iron meant the product was working. It actually meant I was boiling the hair. That sizzle is moisture trapped inside the hair shaft reaching boiling point and bursting through the cuticle, creating micro-fissures that permanently damage your hair's ability to shine. After months of perfecting this technique, I've discovered that glass hair isn't about using the hottest iron or expensive products. It's about understanding light reflection and working with your hair's natural structure. What Is Glass Hair? The Science Behind the Mirror Effect Glass hair is the visual effect achieved when hair cuticles lie completely flat and parallel, creating an uninterrupted surface that reflects light uniformly. Think of the difference between frosted glass and a clear mirror—the smoother the surface, the better the reflection. When hair cuticles are raised or damaged, light scatters in multiple directions, creating dullness. But when cuticles are sealed flat through proper heat application, light bounces off in a single direction, creating that coveted mirror-like shine. Some hair naturally reflects light better due to genetic factors like cuticle thickness and natural oil production. Asian hair often has a rounder cross-section and naturally flat cuticles that reflect light more efficiently. However, any hair type can achieve glass hair with the right approach. The Biggest Mistakes That Prevent Glass Hair Success The biggest trap I see people fall into is cranking their flat iron to maximum temperature and sliding it down ten times. This approach destroys your hair's reflective potential. High heat boils residual moisture inside the hair shaft, causing it to burst through the cuticle and create micro-bubbles. This permanently roughs up the hair surface, ensuring it will never properly reflect light again. Product buildup is equally destructive. Layers of styling products, especially heavy oils and serums, create an uneven surface that scatters light instead of reflecting it cleanly. Your hair might feel soft, but it won't have that mirror finish. The multiple-pass myth is particularly damaging. Each additional pass with the iron increases your chances of overheating and damaging the cuticle. My technique focuses on getting it right in one controlled pass. Why Some Hair Types Struggle More With Glass Hair High-porosity hair has cuticles that don't lay flat naturally, making it harder to achieve that smooth, reflective surface. These hair types require more intensive moisture preparation and lower heat settings to avoid further cuticle damage. Type 4 coily and kinky hair presents unique challenges because the natural curl pattern means the hair surface is constantly changing direction, making uniform light reflection more difficult. However, this doesn't mean glass hair is impossible—it just requires adapting the technique. For coarse or textured hair, I focus on thorough detangling, intensive moisture treatments, and patience with the process. The goal isn't to change your hair's fundamental structure, but to temporarily smooth the cuticle layer for maximum light reflection. The Professional Comb-Chase Technique (Step-by-Step) The comb-chase technique is one of the best ways to achieve smooth, reflective glass hair with fewer passes of the flat iron. By guiding a fine-tooth carbon comb directly in front of the plates, each strand is detangled, aligned and smoothed before heat is applied. Set your flat iron to the right temperature for your hair type and condition. Fine, damaged or colour-treated hair should stay around 160°C–180°C, medium hair can usually tolerate 180°C–190°C, while thick, coarse or textured hair may need 190°C–200°C. The goal is to use the lowest effective heat that smooths the hair in one slow, controlled pass. The Technique: Section hair into 1-inch horizontal sections Hold a fine-tooth carbon comb directly in front of your flat iron plates Run the comb down the hair section first, ensuring every fiber is perfectly parallel Follow immediately behind with the flat iron in one slow, controlled motion The entire process should take 8-10 seconds per section The carbon comb is crucial because it conducts heat without melting, and the fine teeth catch every hair fiber. This precision ensures that each strand lies perfectly flat before the iron seals it. Never go back over a section once it's cooled. If you missed a piece, wait for the hair to completely cool, then repeat the entire comb-chase process on that section. Essential Products for Glass Hair Foundation Glass hair is impossible on a damaged or dirty foundation. My product selection focuses on repair and weightless hydration that doesn't interfere with heat styling. Start with a clarifying shampoo to remove all buildup, followed by a protein treatment if your hair shows signs of damage. The goal is to create the cleanest possible canvas for styling. Thermal protection is non-negotiable. I look for products containing specialised thermal-defense polymers that form a protective barrier without weighing hair down. Avoid heavy oils or serums that will interfere with the flat iron's ability to seal the cuticle. Weightless hydration products are essential, especially for porous hair types. These should provide moisture without leaving residue. Apply these products to damp hair, then ensure hair is 100% dry before any heat styling. The foundation phase often determines 80% of your final result. Rushing through preparation will sabotage even perfect technique. Can You Put Glass Hair on Dry Hair? The Moisture Rule Hair must be 100% dry before attempting glass hair—this rule has no exceptions. Any residual moisture will create steam when it contacts the hot iron. That steam has nowhere to go except through the hair cuticle, creating microscopic holes and permanent texture changes. Preparation sequence: Wash and condition hair thoroughly Apply thermal protection to damp hair Blow-dry completely using a paddle brush Let hair cool to room temperature (5-10 minutes) Check for any damp sections, especially at the nape Only then begin the glass hair process Even if you're working on day-old hair, I check for any moisture from humidity or overnight treatments. When in doubt, do a quick blow-dry to ensure complete dryness. Adapting Glass Hair for Different Seasons and Occasions Summer humidity requires extra protection and setting techniques. I recommend using anti-humidity sealants after styling and avoiding glass hair on days with over 70% humidity unless you're staying indoors. Winter brings static electricity challenges. Lower iron temperatures work better in dry conditions, and incorporating lightweight oils after styling (not before) helps prevent flyaways without compromising the mirror finish. Professional vs. everyday adaptation: For special events, you can push for maximum drama with slightly higher temperatures and longer-lasting products. For daily wear, I focus on gentler techniques that maintain hair health while still achieving noticeable shine. Maintaining Glass Hair: The Insider Tips Most Tutorials Skip Daily maintenance determines how long your glass hair lasts, and most people destroy the effect within hours without realising it. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase and tie hair loosely at the very top of your head—never at the nape. The goal is to prevent friction and maintain the parallel alignment of hair strands while you sleep. Refresh vs. restyle decision: If 70% of the shine remains, you can refresh with a cool blow-dryer and smoothing serum. If the effect is mostly gone, attempting to refresh often makes it worse—start over with the full process. Avoid touching your hair throughout the day. Natural oils from your hands disrupt the smooth surface and attract environmental particles that dull the shine. Think of glass hair as a temporary architectural change to your hair structure. The more you understand and respect that structure, the longer your results will last.
Read more
Beauty with Benefits
Earn points as you shop and unlock rewards, perks and more with Kiyo Rewards.
