How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide

TL;DR:

• Frizz is fixable with the right routine — most people are missing one or two key steps
• The leave-in on damp hair is the most important step — it creates the humidity barrier before you dry
• Microfibre towel, downward blow-dry, cool shot — technique matters as much as product
• For a quick fix: oil or serum on dry hair, flat iron the top layer with heat protectant
• For long-lasting results: professional smoothing or keratin treatment

Frizzy hair is one of the most common things our stylists hear about across our Cape Town salons. The good news: it's very fixable once you understand what's causing it. This is the step-by-step routine our team uses to take hair from frizzy to smooth — and honest answers on what lasts and what doesn't.

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 — Switch to a Hydrating Sulphate-Free Shampoo

Harsh shampoos strip the natural oils that keep hair smooth, leaving the cuticle rough and frizz-prone. A hydrating or smoothing sulphate-free shampoo cleanses without stripping. Wash two to three times a week — not daily. Apply shampoo to the scalp, not the lengths.

"Over-washing is one of the most common frizz triggers," says Jackie at Gardens Centre. "Every extra wash strips oil and moisture. The hair gets drier, the cuticle lifts more, and the frizz gets worse. Stretch your washes and use dry shampoo in between."

02 — Condition Every Wash — Never Skip It

Conditioner reseals the cuticle after shampooing. For frizzy hair this step is never optional. Work it through the mid-lengths and ends, detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while it's in, then rinse well.

Once a week, replace your conditioner with a mask. "A mask gives the hair deeper moisture than conditioner," says Charlene at Canal Walk. "Frizzy hair that's dry underneath needs that deeper step weekly — not just the surface-level conditioning you get after every wash."

03 — The Leave-In Step Is Where Frizz Is Won or Lost

On towel-dried damp hair, apply a leave-in cream or anti-frizz primer through the lengths. This coats the cuticle and creates a humidity barrier before you dry. Without this step, the frizz returns as soon as you're outside.

"This is the step most people skip," says Debbie at the Waterfront. "They condition in the shower, rinse it out, and go straight to the hairdryer. The leave-in is what holds the moisture in and keeps humidity out. It's where frizz is controlled, not the serum at the end."

Fine frizzy hair: lightweight spray or milk. Thick, coarse or curly frizzy hair: cream or richer formula. Kérastase Discipline Oleo-Curl, Redken Frizz Dismiss Leave-In and Moroccanoil All-In-One Leave-In are all excellent options.

04 — Dry With Technique, Not Just Products

How you handle wet hair creates or prevents frizz before a single product is applied.

• Use a microfibre towel or soft cotton T-shirt — terry towelling roughs up the cuticle
• Squeeze gently — never rub
• When blow-drying, aim the nozzle downward from root to tip to flatten the cuticle
• Finish with a cool shot to set the style
• Air-drying? Don't touch the hair while it dries — friction is frizz

"The cool shot is underrated," says Nikí at the Waterfront. "It seals the cuticle and locks the style in place. Clients who finish with cool air consistently get a smoother result than those who don't. Takes five extra seconds and makes a visible difference."

05 — Seal With Oil or Serum on Dry Hair

Once hair is dry, a small amount of finishing oil or serum smooths flyaways and locks in shine. One to two drops of oil, rubbed between palms, then worked through the ends. For a serum: pea-sized amount through the mid-lengths.

"Less is more — always," says Royston at Cavendish. "The goal is smooth and shiny, not greasy. If your hair looks oily after applying a finishing product, you used too much. Start with less than you think and build from there."

Top picks: Moroccanoil Treatment — Kérastase Elixir Ultime — Redken Frizz Dismiss Smooth Force.

06 — For Frizz That Products Can't Fix: Professional Treatments

For severe, persistent frizz — especially on very curly, coarse or highly porous hair — professional treatments go much further than daily products. Keratin and smoothing treatments work inside the hair shaft, relaxing frizz for weeks to months at a time.

"The difference between a daily routine and a keratin treatment is significant," says Lewis. "Products manage frizz on the surface. A treatment changes the hair's relationship with moisture and humidity at a deeper level. It's not for everyone, but for clients with severe frizz it's genuinely life-changing."

Find your nearest Partners Hair salon to ask about smoothing and keratin treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of frizzy hair fast?

Apply one to two drops of hair oil or a pea-sized amount of anti-frizz serum over dry hair, focusing on the surface and flyaways. A quick flat-iron pass over just the top layer (with heat protectant) smooths visible frizz in minutes. It's a temporary fix — but it works when you need it.

How do I stop frizz in Cape Town's humidity?

The leave-in step is critical. Apply a leave-in cream or anti-frizz primer to damp hair before drying to create a humidity barrier. Ranges like Kérastase Gloss Absolu are specifically formulated for shine and humidity-proof smoothness.

Why does my hair frizz even when it's not dry?

Damage and high porosity let moisture move freely in and out — so even hair that isn't obviously dry can frizz badly in humidity. Cuticle-sealing products and professional smoothing treatments address this directly.

Is frizz a sign of damage?

Sometimes. Naturally curly and coarse hair frizzes even when healthy. But frizz alongside breakage, dullness or rough texture usually indicates damage that's worth treating with a stylist.

Can you permanently get rid of frizzy hair?

Not with home products alone — your hair's natural structure always returns. Professional smoothing and keratin treatments can keep frizz controlled for weeks to months. A consistent home routine manages it in between.

Shop professional anti-frizz products at Partners Hair, or book with one of our stylists. Free delivery on orders over R390.