The Frizz Funnel: 7 Unexpected Reasons Your Conditioner Isn’t Working

June 18, 2025

We’ve all been there. You step out of the shower expecting soft, defined curls, but instead, you're met with dryness, frizz, and a little curl chaos. And the real kicker? You did condition. You did everything right—or so you thought.

Here’s the truth: even if you're using some of the best hair products for curly frizzy hair, your conditioner might still be underperforming for reasons you haven't even considered.

Let’s uncover seven unexpected reasons why your conditioner isn’t giving your curls the love they deserve—and what you can do to flip the script.

1. You’re Using the Wrong Type of Conditioner for Your Hair Porosity

Not all conditioners are created equal, and not all curls soak up moisture the same way. Your hair's porosity plays a huge role in how well your strands absorb and retain hydration.

What to look for

Low porosity hair often needs lightweight, protein-rich conditioners that don’t just sit on the surface.
High porosity hair benefits from rich, creamy formulas packed with oils and butters that help seal the cuticle and lock in moisture.

Fix it: Find a conditioner suited to your porosity. If you’re not sure what yours is, do a quick strand float test at home. Knowing this one thing can change your entire hair game.

Extra Insight: Try applying conditioner with heat using a shower cap or steamer. Warmth helps lift the cuticle, especially for low porosity hair, allowing nutrients to really soak in.

2. You're Rinsing It Out Too Soon (or Not at All)

Timing is everything. A quick rinse might be leaving your curls thirsty, while leaving it on too long (especially without rinsing at all) could lead to buildup.

What to do instead

Let your conditioner sit for 5–10 minutes to give it a chance to penetrate.
Want to leave it in? Choose a formula designed for that. Otherwise, rinse lightly, especially if your curls tend to feel weighed down.

It’s all about balance—hydrated, not heavy.

Bonus tip: After rinsing, finish with a cool water rinse. This helps to close the cuticle and reduce frizz, keeping your curls defined and shiny.

3. You’re Skipping the Deep Conditioning Routine

A regular conditioner is great for maintenance, but sometimes your curls need a little extra TLC. That’s where deep conditioning comes in.

Why it matters

Weekly or biweekly deep conditioning treatments help restore moisture, elasticity, and strength.
They combat frizz at a deeper level, nourishing curls from within.

Pro tip: Choose a deep conditioner with ingredients like hydrolyzed proteins, shea butter, and nourishing oils—just like the ones you’ll find in Fix My Curls' Hydrating Deep Conditioner.

Go further: Wrap your hair in a warm towel after applying deep conditioner. This traps heat and boosts absorption, giving your curls maximum benefit.

4. You’re Applying It Incorrectly

This might sound basic, but how you apply your conditioner can make or break your results.

Mistakes to watch for

Slapping on the product without sectioning your hair
Applying it only on the top layer and ignoring the ends
Combing it through after rinsing (ouch)

How to fix it

Apply to soaking wet hair, section by section.
Focus on mid-length to ends.
Detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in. That’s when your hair has the most slip.

Need help sectioning? Use clips or hair ties to part your curls into 4–6 sections. It adds a few extra minutes but yields noticeably better results.

5. Hard Water Might Be Sabotaging You

Yep, your shower water could be the hidden villain. Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can build up on your hair, preventing conditioner from doing its job.

How to tell

Your hair feels dry, no matter how much you moisturize
Conditioner doesn’t seem to "soak in"
You notice a film or residue even after washing

Quick solutions

Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove buildup
Install a shower filter to cut down mineral deposits
Always follow up with a hydrating deep conditioner

Pro care: Consider a chelating shampoo if you swim often or have extremely hard water. It’s a powerful reset for overwhelmed curls.

6. You're Not Sealing In the Moisture

Conditioner is just one part of the moisture puzzle. If you’re not sealing that moisture in, you’re basically letting it all escape.

What to try

After rinsing out your conditioner, apply a leave-in or lightweight oil to help lock in hydration
Layer your products: conditioner, leave-in, curl cream or gel

Look for products that hydrate and protect, like Fix My Curls' leave-in stylers, which work perfectly after deep conditioning.

Game-changer: Try the LOC or LCO method (Liquid-Oil-Cream or Liquid-Cream-Oil) to find what layering sequence works best for your curls.

7. Your Conditioner Just Isn’t Up to the Task

Let’s be honest. Sometimes the real issue is the product itself. If your conditioner lacks the ingredients curly hair needs, it’s just not going to cut it.

Red flags

Contains sulfates or heavy silicones
Has a watery texture and provides no slip
Doesn’t list oils, butters, or proteins in the top half of the ingredient list

What to look for instead

Rich conditioners with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, hydrolyzed soy or milk protein, shea butter, and plant-based moisturizers
Formulas specifically designed for curls, like those made by Fix My Curls

Ingredient intelligence: Natural oils mimic the scalp's sebum and restore elasticity. Hydrolyzed proteins help repair damage and reduce frizz over time.

How to Maximise Results After Conditioning

Even the best conditioner benefits from a thoughtful follow-up. Here are a few post-conditioner rituals that keep curls thriving:

Blot, don’t rub, your hair with a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt to reduce frizz.
Apply stylers while hair is still damp for best product distribution.
Use your fingers or a curl-friendly brush to define sections while styling.
Air dry or diffuse on low heat to preserve curl pattern and prevent frizz.

Consistency is queen. Keep nourishing your curls and listen to what they need. With time (and the right products), that crown of curls will shine brighter than ever.

The Fix That Actually Works

If you've been ticking all the boxes but still not seeing results, it might be time to level up your routine with products made for curls, not just "curly-friendly".

The Hydrating Deep Conditioner by Fix My Curls is formulated to work with your curls, not against them. With a blend of 8 oils, 2 butters, and protein-rich ingredients, it strengthens, hydrates, and softens without weighing hair down.

Pair it with the best shampoo and conditioner for curly frizzy hair from the same line, and your curls will thank you. Every. Single. Wash.

Because sometimes, the difference between meh and magic isn’t how you use your conditioner—it’s which one you use.

Final Thoughts

Frizz isn’t always about humidity or the weather. Sometimes it’s about what’s happening inside your routine. If your conditioner hasn’t been working the way you hoped, now you know why.

Make these small shifts. Stay consistent. Use the best hair products for curly, frizzy hair. And trust that your curls are capable of so much more.

The right conditioner won’t just sit on your strands—it'll sink in, soften, and transform them.

Ready to give your curls what they’ve been missing?

Start with Fix My Curls. Your frizz doesn’t stand a chance.

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