If you’ve ever struggled with frizz, dryness, or finding the perfect routine for your hair, you’re not alone. After years of trial and error, I’ve finally found a winning combination of products and techniques that leave my hair looking and feeling its best.

My Hair type

My hair and I have walked a long road together. I’ve had some not so great times (fire engine red that faded into pink) and then some moments that I really loved, but others (mom!) weren’t so keen on, like when I went a very dark brown.

My hair has been long like a mermaid, but for the past few months, I’ve really enjoyed keeping it shoulder length, a bit longer than a lob (long bob).

I’m very lucky to have a lot of hair. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Every single hairdresser comments on that, and I can see that look in their eyes when I say I want a full head of highlights – they know that they’re going to be busy with me aaalllll day.

I also have quite wavy hair. And you know what that means – frizz! There’s even more frizz because of course, highlights aren’t the most gentle on your hair. The dry JHB weather doesn’t do me any favors either. The odds really are stacked against me!

I have long been on the search for the perfect combination of products that would tame my crazy mane – I dreamt of a nourishing, repairing dream team that also helped to control the frizz.

I don’t mind the waves or curls, I just can’t stand looking like I’ve just rubbed a balloon against my hair. I’m not too sure exactly, how all of these products ended up being used together but they did, and I thank the hair gods for it!

My Haircare Routine for shiny, Frizz-Free Hair

1. Shampoo

My shampoo of choice at the moment is the LUSH Daddy-O (from LUSH stores or online). This is a purple shampoo which is very beneficial to blondes because of its color balancing ability. Fear not though, because anyone can use this shampoo!

Its main purpose is actually to add volume and shine to the hair –who’s going to say no to that?!

Lemon and organic lime juice make the hair cuticle lie flat, which means that it reflects more light, making your hair shine bright like a diamond (song lyrics just happen, I can’t help it).

I really feel like this is the magic product that is handling the frizz situation, and I think that the extra virgin coconut oil has something to do with that. It smells fruity but it’s not overkill which is great, no one wants to walk around smelling like a bowl of KOO fruit salad.

Be warned, Daddy-O doesn’t do a hell of a lot of foaming up and you have to do a double cleanse with it, which, let’s be honest is the proper way to do things.

>Youmight also enjoy: Everything you need to know about Sulphate Free Shampoo

2. The Secret Step: Towel Drying Before Conditioner

After I’ve done the shampoo-ing thing, I towel dry my hair. Now I know what you’re thinking: what a flipping mission! And I won’t lie, it is.

If youre anything like me, washing your hair is literally the worst part of your week and you just want to get in and out of the shower as fast as you can. I hear you, but after towel-drying my hair before conditioning a few times, I definitely noticed a difference, so give it a whirl.

3. Conditioner

Now I add my conditioner but only from the mid-lengths to the ends of my hair. You’ll want to make sure of this, especially if you have more oily hair.

I have been using the Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrating Balm (price differs, available at professional hair salons).

I like this conditioner because it isn’t too heavy but still leaves my hair in good condition. The aloe extract and apricot kernel oil nourish my damaged hair and also smooth, which is great for frizz control.

Because I have so much hair, it tends to get pretty knotty if I don’t give it a comb-through while the conditioner is doing its magic. I just give it a once over with a wide-toothed comb. I also find that this helps to distribute the conditioner a bit more.

Pro Tip: Apply conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends to avoid weighing down the roots.

4. Hair Oil Treatment

Once I’ve hopped out of the shower, I give my hair another really good towel dry and comb through.

I was using Moroccan Oil, but a few months ago my mom bought me the Aragan Secret Argan Moroccan Oil Treatment and I have to say, I can’t really tell the difference between the two brands. It could just be my ignorance but I really think that I get the same results.

I use two pumps and apply it from my mid-lengths to the tips. Make sure to flip your head over to get the hair at the back and at the bottom. What this magic potion does is just give that extra TLC that damaged or dry hair needs. And again, aids the elimination of frizz!

>You might also enjoy: Inoar Kálice Oil: 5 ways to use it

5. Styling: Enhancing Natural Texture

And that’s it! That’s my fail-proof frizz-free haircare routine at the moment.

If I want to be a little bit more fancy, I whip out the curling tongs, now that I finally got the trick of doing soft curls. I used to be green with envy when I saw other girls getting it right like it ain’t no thang.

After watching about a thousand YouTube tutorials, I finally got it right. I found this one and this one by Essie Button the most helpful. Don’t you just love her fun personality?

After seeing Chicara from Lipgloss Kisses post a picture of the OGX Coconut Water Shampoo and Conditioner on Instagram, I can’t stop thinking about them! Those are definitely next on my list!

The one thing I am still on the hunt for is a good thermal defense spray so if you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments.

The Key to a Perfect Hair Routine

Finding the right routine takes patience, but once you do, it makes all the difference. If you’re struggling with frizz, dryness, or hair that never seems to cooperate, start with a sulphate-free shampoo and build your haircare regimen from there.

For more tips and product recommendations, don’t forget to check out my other posts Sulphate Free Shampoo: Should You Be Using One?, Inoar Kálice Oil: 5 ways to use it, and Current haircare favourites