Reviewed by Chelsea, Curly Hair Specialist, Partners Hair Groot Phesantekraal · September 2026
Frizz is not a sign that curly hair is bad or unmanageable. It's a response to something: a moisture imbalance, damage, the weather, friction, or a routine built for a different curl pattern. Find the cause and the fix is usually simple, and it rarely involves flattening the natural movement. These are the five causes we see most in the salon, and the routine that handles all of them.
Key takeaways
- Curly hair is naturally drier because scalp oil can't travel along bends and coils; most frizz starts as dryness.
- Over-washing, high heat and rough handling all roughen the surface and add to it.
- Humidity makes porous hair swell and lose its curl grouping.
- A consistent routine of gentle cleanse, moisture, hold and careful drying beats any single anti-frizz product.
- Matrix A Curl Can Dream is a complete curl routine in one range: shampoo, mask, leave-in cream and a lightweight oil.
What causes frizzy curly hair?
1. Not enough moisture
Curls and coils dry out because natural oils don't move through textured lengths the way they do through straight hair. When the strand lacks moisture the surface feels rough and the curl pattern loses definition. This is the root cause behind most of the others.
2. Washing too often
There's no universal wash schedule for curls, but cleansing more often than your scalp and texture need leaves the lengths dry. Your frequency depends on oil production, product use, exercise, density and scalp health; for most curls it's once or twice a week.
3. Too much heat
Regular high-temperature drying, straightening or curling damages the surface and weakens the fibre. Curls feel rough, break more and never quite settle into a smooth finish.
4. Humidity and changing weather
Porous hair absorbs moisture from humid air. The fibre swells, the curl groups separate and a halo forms. You can't control a Cape Town summer, but product and technique change how the hair responds to it.
5. Products or technique built for a different curl
Heavy products flatten fine waves; light routines leave dense coils thirsty and unsupported. Brushing dry curls, rubbing with a towel and touching the hair while it dries all break the curl groups apart.
How do I prevent and manage curl frizz?
Cleanse the scalp, not the lengths
Apply shampoo mainly to the scalp and let the lather move through the lengths as you rinse. A Curl Can Dream Shampoo is the sulphate-free foundation, designed for curls and coils.
Condition every wash, mask when the curls feel dry
Conditioner gives slip for detangling; the Rich Mask steps in when curls feel particularly dry. Apply through mid-lengths and ends and follow the recommended time rather than leaving it on indefinitely.
Apply the leave-in to wet hair
Wet application lets the curl groups form before the hair dries. Work in sections, distribute the leave-in evenly and use your preferred scrunching, smoothing or brush-styling technique.
Dry with less heat and less friction
Blot or scrunch excess water with a microfibre towel or a soft T-shirt. If diffusing, use controlled airflow and moderate heat, and don't touch the curls until they're completely dry.
Finish with a lightweight oil
A few drops improve softness and shine and smooth dry ends. Start with less than you think and add only where needed.
Protect curls overnight
Gather long curls loosely at the top of the head (the pineapple) to reduce friction and crushing, and sleep on satin or silk, or in a bonnet. Our overnight routine for curly hair covers this step by step.
What does a simple Matrix routine for frizzy curls look like?
- Cleanse the scalp with A Curl Can Dream Shampoo.
- Condition and detangle gently, ends upward.
- Use the Rich Mask when the curls need deeper conditioning.
- Apply the Leave-In Cream to wet hair in sections.
- Air-dry or diffuse on moderate heat with minimal handling.
- Finish dry ends with a few drops of the Nourishing Oil.
Adjust for density, porosity and curl pattern: fine waves need less product, thick coils need more moisture and stronger hold. Shop the full range in the Matrix A Curl Can Dream collection.
'When a client tells me her curls are frizzy, I ask how she dries them before I ask what she uses. Nine times out of ten it's a towel and a lot of touching. We fix the drying, we get the leave-in on while the hair is dripping, and the frizz halves before we've changed a single product.' — Chelsea, Curly Hair Specialist, Partners Hair Groot Phesantekraal
Personal consultations with Chelsea. If frizz keeps winning, book a one-on-one with Chelsea at our Groot Phesantekraal salon. She'll work out which of the five causes is yours and build the routine, and the cut, around your natural curl.
Book a curl consultation · Shop Matrix A Curl Can Dream
Frequently asked questions
Why is my curly hair frizzy even after conditioning?
Conditioner isn't the only step. Frizz also comes from heat damage, humidity, rough drying, not enough hold, or touching the curls while they set. Review the whole routine rather than adding more conditioner.
How often should curly hair be washed?
Often enough to keep the scalp clean without leaving the lengths dry; for most curls that's once or twice a week. Product build-up, exercise and an oily scalp may need more.
Should I brush curly hair when it's dry?
No. Dry brushing separates the curl groups into frizz. Detangle while the hair is wet and full of conditioner.
Does humidity cause curly hair to frizz?
Yes, especially porous hair, which absorbs moisture from humid air and swells. Consistent conditioning, the right styling products and drying the curls fully all improve humidity resistance.
Can hair oil remove curl frizz?
Oil smooths the surface and adds shine, but it can't replace water-based moisture, conditioning or hold. Use a little, as the last step.
Is Matrix A Curl Can Dream suitable for coils?
Yes. The range is designed for curls and coils; adjust the amount and combination to your texture and density.
Part of our complete curly hair care guide. Related: the best products for curly hair in South Africa and our frizzy hair guide. Browse everything from Matrix at Partners Hair.
Product descriptions follow Matrix Professional's own range guidance; availability may vary in South Africa.
Advice from salon-trained curl specialists. Partners Hair — 24 salons across Cape Town, serving curly clients since 1984.
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