Top Tips and Tricks for Taming Frizzy Hair Today!

TL;DR:

• Frizz is almost always a moisture problem — the hair is dry and pulling moisture from the air. Treat the dryness, and the frizz reduces
• The leave-in on damp hair is the most important step — it creates the humidity barrier before you dry. Most people skip it
• Cape Town's coastal humidity makes frizz worse here than most cities — you need products specifically formulated to seal against it
• Technique matters as much as product: microfibre towel, downward blow-dry, cool shot. Each step reduces frizz before you touch a product
• For persistent frizz on curly or coarse hair, a professional smoothing or keratin treatment goes much further than home products alone

Frizzy hair is one of the most common concerns our stylists hear across our Cape Town salons — and one of the most fixable once you understand what's behind it. Here are the real fixes, not the hype.

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 Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Wash Less

Harsh shampoos strip the natural oils that keep hair smooth, leaving the cuticle rough and frizz-prone after every wash. Switch to a sulphate-free hydrating or smoothing formula and wash two to three times a week rather than daily. Most frizz clients are over-washing — the reduction alone makes a noticeable difference within a week.

"Over-washing is one of the most common frizz triggers I see," says Jackie at Gardens Centre. "Every extra wash strips oil and moisture. Switching to sulphate-free and stretching washes is often more impactful than any styling product."

02 — Condition Every Wash — Never Skip It

Conditioner reseals the cuticle after shampooing and is never optional for frizzy hair. Work it through mid-lengths and ends, leave for two to three minutes, detangle gently with fingers or a wide-tooth comb while it's in, then rinse well with cool water. Once a week, use a mask instead — it goes deeper than conditioner and addresses the underlying dryness driving the frizz.

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 — especially in Cape Town's coastal humidity.

"This is the step most clients skip," says Debbie at the Waterfront. "They condition in the shower, rinse it out, and go straight to the hairdryer. The leave-in is where frizz is controlled, not the serum at the end."

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

04 — Get Your Technique Right — Technique Controls Frizz Before Products Do

How you handle wet hair creates or prevents frizz before a single product is applied. Use a microfibre towel or soft T-shirt instead of terry towelling — which roughs up the cuticle. Squeeze gently, never rub. When blow-drying, aim the nozzle downward from root to tip to flatten the cuticle, not roughen it. Finish with a cool shot to lock the style.

"The cool shot is the most underrated step," says Nikí at the Waterfront. "It seals the cuticle and holds the style in place. Takes five extra seconds and visibly changes the result."

05 — Seal With Oil or Serum on Dry Hair

Once hair is dry, one to two drops of finishing oil or a pea-sized serum smooths flyaways and locks in shine. Warm between palms before applying — never directly from the bottle. Mid-lengths and ends only. Less is more: the goal is smooth and shiny, not greasy.

Top picks: Moroccanoil Treatment — Kérastase Elixir Ultime — Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops (specifically formulated for humidity-proof smoothness in coastal cities like Cape Town).

06 — Protect From Heat — Heat Damage Is Cumulative Frizz

Heat styling without protection damages the cuticle a little each session. Over months, the cuticle becomes increasingly rough and the hair becomes increasingly frizz-prone — and clients wonder why their routine stopped working. Heat protectant before every session is non-negotiable for frizzy hair.

"Heat damage is cumulative," says Lewis. "Each session without protection leaves the cuticle slightly rougher. Over time the frizz gets worse and worse. The protection step is as important as any other part of the routine."

07 — When Products Aren't Enough: Professional Smoothing Treatments

For severe, persistent frizz on curly, coarse or high-porosity hair, professional keratin and smoothing treatments go much further than daily home products. They work inside the hair shaft, relaxing the relationship between the hair and humidity for weeks at a time. Our stylists offer smoothing treatments across all Cape Town salons — find your nearest to book a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of frizzy hair?

One to two drops of oil or a pea-sized serum over dry hair smooths visible frizz immediately. For longer-lasting results, the leave-in step on damp hair before drying is the most impactful change.

Why is my hair so frizzy in Cape Town?

Coastal humidity. Cape Town's Atlantic proximity means consistently high atmospheric moisture that causes even well-conditioned hair to frizz in certain weather. Products specifically formulated to seal against humidity — like Kérastase Gloss Absolu — are particularly useful here.

What's the most important product for frizzy hair?

A leave-in cream or anti-frizz primer applied to damp hair before drying. It's the step that creates the humidity barrier. Most people have the serum; most people skip the leave-in.

Is frizz caused by damage?

Sometimes. Naturally curly and coarse hair frizzes even when healthy. But frizz that comes with breakage, dullness or rough texture usually indicates damage worth addressing with a stylist or a bond-building treatment.

Can I permanently get rid of frizzy hair?

Not with home products alone. Professional smoothing and keratin treatments control frizz for weeks to months. A consistent home routine manages it in between.

Shop professional anti-frizz products in our frizzy hair range, or book with one of our stylists for a frizz consultation. Free delivery on orders over R390.