TL;DR:
- Frizz is a moisture problem — dry, porous hair absorbs humidity from the air and swells, which causes the cuticle to lift
- Cape Town's coastal humidity makes frizz significantly harder to manage than in drier climates
- The fix is two-part: put moisture in, then seal the cuticle so humidity can't get back in
- How you handle wet hair matters as much as product choice
- For frizz that products alone can't tame, professional smoothing and keratin treatments go further
Your hair looks perfect leaving the bathroom. By mid-afternoon it's twice the size. If that's your situation — particularly in Cape Town, where coastal humidity works against you year-round — this guide is for you. Our stylists see frizz more than any other concern, and the solution is almost never a new product. It's understanding what causes frizz and treating that.
Meet the experts:
Royston and Warren at Cavendish Square — Judy, head trainer — Lewis, owner — Jackie at Gardens Centre — Debbie and Nikí at V&A Waterfront — Danny and Charlene at Canal Walk — Lynette, Samantha and Dominique at Constantia Village
01 — What Frizz Actually Is
Hair has an outer protective layer called the cuticle — overlapping scales, like roof tiles. When the hair is healthy and hydrated, those scales lie flat. They reflect light (that's shine) and keep moisture locked inside. When the cuticle lifts — from dryness, damage, humidity or rough handling — the scales open up and the hair becomes porous.
Porous hair is thirsty hair. It pulls moisture from the air around it, swells, and lifts out of place. That's frizz.
"At its core, frizz is a moisture-balance problem," says Lewis. "The hair is dry underneath and grabbing moisture from the environment in an uncontrolled way. The goal isn't to block all moisture — it's to keep the hair's own moisture stable so it doesn't need to pull from the air. That's the difference between a good anti-frizz routine and one that just masks the problem."
02 — The Main Causes of Frizz in South Africa
Lack of moisture. Dry hair pulls water from humid air — which is what causes frizz. Hydration, not anti-frizz products, is the real foundation of frizz control.
Damage and porosity. Colour, heat styling and chemical services lift and erode the cuticle. Damaged, porous hair can't hold moisture evenly, so it frizzes far more easily.
Humidity. Cape Town and South Africa's coastal cities carry high atmospheric moisture year-round. This is why a smooth blow-dry in the morning doesn't always survive a walk along the promenade.
Hair type. Curly, wavy and coarse hair is naturally more prone to frizz — the cuticle sits more openly, and natural oils from the scalp struggle to travel the full length of the strand.
Hard water and over-washing. Mineral-heavy water strips natural oils, leaving hair drier and more frizz-prone over time.
03 — The Two-Step Fix: Hydrate, Then Seal
Frizz control is a two-part strategy: put moisture into the hair, then seal the cuticle so humidity can't get back in. Skip either step and the frizz returns.
"A lot of clients focus only on sealing — they use oils and serums but the hair is still dry underneath," says Royston at Cavendish. "The seal holds for a few hours and then the frizz comes back because there's no moisture to stabilise. You have to hydrate first, then seal on top. Both steps matter."
- Step 1: Sulphate-free hydrating or smoothing shampoo — cleanse without stripping
- Step 2: Conditioner every wash — non-negotiable for frizzy hair
- Step 3: Weekly mask — deeper moisture to address the underlying dryness
- Step 4: Leave-in cream or smoothing primer on damp hair — this is where frizz is won or lost
- Step 5: Finishing oil or serum on dry hair — seals the surface and smooths flyaways
- Step 6: Heat protection before any heat styling
04 — How You Handle Wet Hair Matters
Your technique with wet hair contributes to frizz before a single product is applied.
"Swap your regular towel for a microfibre towel," says Charlene at Canal Walk. "Standard terry towelling roughs up the cuticle and creates frizz before you've even started styling. Scrunch gently — don't rub. And resist touching your hair while it air-dries. Every time you touch it, you create friction, which creates frizz."
When blow-drying: point the nozzle downward from root to tip — this smooths the cuticle rather than roughing it up. Finish with a cool shot to set the style. For curly hair: detangle when wet and conditioned, not when dry. Brushing dry curls shatters the curl pattern into frizz.
05 — The Products Our Stylists Recommend
"The leave-in step is where most people drop the ball," says Judy, head trainer. "A leave-in cream or anti-frizz primer on damp hair coats the cuticle and creates a humidity barrier before you dry. Without this step, the other products work harder and the frizz returns faster."
For smoothing and frizz control: Kérastase Discipline (premium smoothing range) — Kérastase Gloss Absolu (shine + humidity-proof smoothness) — Redken Frizz Dismiss — Moroccanoil Hydrating range — Matrix Mega Sleek.
06 — When You Need a Professional Treatment
For frizz that products alone can't fully control — especially very curly, coarse or highly porous hair — professional treatments go further. Keratin treatments and smoothing services work inside the hair to relax frizz for weeks at a time. Gloss and glaze treatments seal the cuticle for lasting shine and smoothness.
"The right option depends on your hair type, its condition and how much frizz control you want," says Debbie at the Waterfront. "We always start with a consultation because one service doesn't suit everyone. Some clients need smoothing. Some need repair first. Some just need the right home routine. We figure that out before recommending anything."
Find your nearest Partners Hair salon to book a frizz consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my hair so frizzy all of a sudden?
A sudden increase in frizz usually points to a change in moisture or condition — a new colour or chemical service, more heat styling, a shift to more humid weather, or hair that has gradually become more porous and damaged over time.
Can you get rid of frizzy hair permanently?
Not permanently with products alone — frizz is partly determined by your hair's natural structure. Professional smoothing or keratin treatments can relax frizz for several weeks to months. A good daily routine keeps it controlled between treatments.
What's the difference between dry hair and frizzy hair?
They overlap — dryness is one of the main causes of frizz. But hair can frizz from humidity or damage even when it isn't very dry. Treating the underlying dryness is usually the first step either way.
Does frizz mean my hair is damaged?
Not necessarily. Healthy curly and coarse hair frizzes too. But if your frizz comes with breakage, dullness or rough texture, damage is likely a factor worth addressing with a stylist.
What are the best products for frizzy hair in South Africa?
A complete frizz routine needs: hydrating sulphate-free shampoo, conditioner, weekly mask, leave-in smoothing cream on damp hair, finishing oil or serum, and heat protection. Kérastase Discipline and Gloss Absolu are both formulated specifically for smoothing and humidity-proof frizz control.
Shop professional anti-frizz products at Partners Hair, or find your nearest salon to book a consultation. Free delivery on orders over R390.
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How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide