In the lexicon of hair, the F word is "frizz". Nothing is harder on a hairstyle, except, perhaps, a red-eye flight or a typhoon.
Here's how to avoid an uprising:

1. Shampoo and Condition

Wash hair, concentrating on the scalp, using a low-detergent shampoo (the tip-off is that it doesn't lather very much, but when in doubt, buy formula for fine hair). Rinse and apply conditioner, leave it in for a few minutes, and rinse with cool water. Then press - don't rub - wet hair with a towel. Comb your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb.

2. Apply Styling Products

While hair is still soaking wet, rub a blob of silicone gel, cream, or serum between your palms and run hands down the length of hair to seal the cuticles shut. The coarser the hair, the heavier and richer the product should be. To make sure every strand is coated from the roots to the ends, pin up the top layers of hair and smooth gel or serum on the bottom layers first.

3. Dry

If you have curly hair and want to wear it natural, let it air-dry, or blow-dry it using a diffuser. Hold the dryer so that the diffuser cradles hair from below. To wear hair straight, divide it into two-inch-wide sections. Blow-dry each one on high from roots to ends, using a metal barrel or boar-bristle brush and pointing the nozzle down. To reseal cuticles, use just serum or pomade on dry hair.

Tricks Of The Trade

Shampoo only every other day - since detergent inflates the hair shaft and roughs up cuticles. On alternative days, rinse hair and condition only the ends.
To clean hair without fluffing frizz-prone ends, New York hairstylist River Lloyd recommends applying shampoo only at the crown.
After blowing hair straight, switch the dryer to a cool setting for a few seconds, and blow each section again.