Curls

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the term frizz comes from the French word 'friser' — originally meaning 'to curl'. The word was coined in the 1660's and was first used only as a verb whose strict definition is given as "to form a mass of tight curls." Now when we talk about frizz it has negative connotations. Super dry, fried frizzy hair is often the result of genes and over styling. Weather conditions can also exacerbate the problem.

Hair frizzes when it is lacking in moisture or when the outer hair cuticle breaks and becomes weak. A lack of protein in the cortical layers of the hair either due to inherited factors or because of diet can contribute. Stress and illness coupled with a lack of vitamins, minerals and amino acids can also lead to hair damage, split ends, frizz and hair loss.

Annoyingly, frizz isn't only derived from humidity and rain, too little moisture can also make your locks static and split. My girl BellaSugar US suggests that one way to ward off frizz is by using a hydrating shampoo. Also, just going easy on your hair (don't towel dry vigorously and be careful of over blow drying) should help.

For more expert tricks to combat frizz, read more

There's been a recent vogue for tight, undulating curls recently, with everyone from High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens to Lindsay Lohan and Madonna sporting the trend. The word undulating itself means "moving up and down like waves" and "forming a series of regular curves". Undulating also implies that the movements are smooth and undulating curls tend to increase in size and thickness as you move down the hair.

This hairstyle is also sometimes termed 'cascading curls' as there is that same sense of long, flowing locks. However unlike with loose waves (think Gisele's hair) these twists are slightly tighter and have a more structured appearance. Madonna and Lindsay paired their kinky tresses with a flat middle parting, for a sweet, almost girlie effect. Alternatively, graceful waves and coils of hair combined with a side parting, as America Ferrera recently wore, make for classic Old Hollywood glamour.

Source and Source

At Madonna's directorial debut in New York this week, it seems that her recent hair style is becoming something of a trend. Despite the bad news that her marriage may be over, she sure looked beautiful. Both she and Lindsay Lohan showed off tight curls with middle parts. The shape of the hair was somewhat triangular, with lots of volume at the ends and little at the crown.

Meanwhile at the recent Milan premiere of her new film, Carmen Electra was working a similar style. This is a tough look to pull off, but all three blondes look gorgeous (although I love Lindsay Lohan's dark sun-kissed colour the best). What do you think of this tightly wound hair trend?

Bauer Griffin/BigPicturesPhoto.com and BigPicturesPhoto.com