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Stop Making These 10 Common Curly Hair Mistakes

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Curly hair has a reputation for being a little high maintenance so, if you’re struggling with your curls, don’t panic!

In this guide, I’ll round up the most common mistakes people make with curly, coily, and wavy hair types. I see these mistakes all the time, and I used to make some myself when I was starting my curly hair journey.

Just a little change to your curly hair routine can make a big difference to the health and appearance of your hair. From over-washing to using the wrong styling products, fixing these 10 simple curly hair mistakes will help you achieve beautiful curly hair. 

And keep reading for one bonus tip that will have the biggest impact on your wavy, curly, or coily hair!

Not Using A Product With Hold

The most common curly hair mistake I see is that people use products that don’t give enough hold. This is a big mistake for curly girls because without enough hold, your curls will get frizzy, and your style won’t last. 

This could be a big reason why you’re not getting the results you want from your curly hair styling products.

So, if you’re currently only using leave-in conditioner and a curl cream or even a styling foam, that’s just not going to cut it. Very occasionally, you’ll find a curl cream that has enough hold, but most cream products don’t give your hair any hold. 

If you’re looking for products with hold, you want to choose products like gels, mousses, and jellies. That jelly consistency is the key to good hold for curly hair. 

Over-washing And Using The Wrong Shampoo

The second curly hair mistake I see is washing curly hair too often and using the wrong shampoo or cleanser.

Many people think you need to wash hair daily to keep it clean and shiny, but this can actually have the opposite effect. 

Shampooing every day can strip away your hair’s natural oils, especially if you’re using a shampoo containing harsh chemicals like sulfates. This has a drying effect on your hair, which then makes your scalp increase sebum production to try and compensate for the dryness. The result is oily roots and dry split ends. 

So, if you see your hair getting dryer, you probably need to wash it less often.

However, some people then go the opposite way and switch to cowashing to try and give their hair more moisture. A cowash or cleansing conditioner isn’t really cleansing enough for regular use, so your hair gets weighed down, and your curls end up looking flat and limp.

The best choice is to switch regularly between a sulfate-free shampoo and a co-wash to give your hair the benefits of each. Remember, you don’t just need to shampoo your scalp. For the best results, squeeze the rich lather down the full length of your hair shaft without rubbing so that all of your hair is thoroughly cleansed. 

If you use a lot of hair products, you should also add a clarifying shampoo into the mix once or twice a month to clear any product buildup. However, the cleansing agents in clarifying shampoo will also strip your hair of its natural oils, so remember to follow up with a conditioning treatment or hair mask afterward.

Focusing Too Much On Curl Pattern

Things are getting a little better in the curly world, but this is still a very common mistake when people are early on in their curly hair journey.

People tend to focus too much on their curl pattern, and by that, I mean curl types like type 2A, type 3C, and so on. 

They spend a lot of time working out whether they have 3A hair or 3B hair when the natural texture doesn’t really make that much difference to their curly hair care routine. At the same time, they forget other essential factors like hair density, hair porosity, and hair texture

So, you should definitely check out our Curly Hair Type quiz, but don’t forget about the other factors. They’ll also have a big effect on your hair’s needs. 

Too Many Moisturizing Products

Another common mistake is people using too many moisture-based products. 

I see people piling on a bunch of deep conditioning treatments, leave-in conditioners, and curl creams, then using co-washes to cleanse their hair. This ends up overwhelming their strands with too much moisture, resulting in greasy strands and stretched-out curls. 

You don’t need to apply ALL the moisturizing products every time you step in the shower. However, you do need to clear product buildup with regular clarifying shampoo sessions. 

Of course, if your hair is damaged or dehydrated, it will benefit from some regular treatments. 

You could consider using a leave-in conditioner or a curl cream on wash days and a deep conditioner weekly, but leave-in conditioner and curl cream are very similar products. Not all hair types will need them, and you don’t usually need to use both at the same time. 

Styling Hair That Isn’t Wet Enough

People often think that a styling product will work better on damp hair instead of wet hair, so they apply their product to hair that isn’t wet enough. 

They might towel dry their hair after their shower or even leave it to air dry part way before they start styling. In between wash days, they just spritz it with a little water and add some more product to refresh their style. 

When you apply styling products, you want your hair to be nearly dripping wet. By that, I don’t mean so wet that the product drips straight out of your hair, but you want to squeeze out the excess water and then apply your styling products right away. Don’t give your hair time to dry out first.

This crucial step helps lock in moisture and gives you a more even application, resulting in better curl clumping, less frizz, and better styling results. 

applying product to curly hair

Incorrect Product Application

This mistake tends to go hand-in-hand with applying products to dry hair. Just scrunching your product into your hair won’t distribute it evenly through your strands, so you’ll have some areas that don’t get any product and some areas that have too much. 

For even coverage, divide your hair into sections and apply the product to each section in turn. Try raking your product through your locks with your fingers or brushing it through with a detangling brush or Denman brush

brushing product through curly hair

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you always need to apply more product for better results. If you have fine hair or low density hair, you’ll need a smaller amount of product than someone with coarse hair or high density hair

Most people will also get great results by using just one or two styling products, like a cream and a gel or a gel and a hairspray. However, if you have thick, dry hair, you might want to check out the LOC method of layering leave-in conditioner, oil, and curl cream.

Using Hair Oil Instead Of Conditioner

Curly, coily, or kinky hair tends to be drier than straight hair types because the natural sebum from your scalp finds it hard to reach the ends of your hair. This makes it essential to keep your tresses well-hydrated.

Hair oils are a great way to add and retain moisture in your strands. You can use penetrating hair oils to deliver hydration deep inside your strands or use sealing hair oils to add a protective barrier that seals in the moisture. 

But nothing beats a hydrating conditioner when it comes to giving your strands a hefty dose of long-lasting moisture. Look out for rinse-out conditioners, leave-in conditioners, and deep conditioner treatments containing moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, or aloe vera. 

Getting The Wrong Haircut

Regular trims every 12ish weeks are essential to avoid split ends and refresh the shape and texture of your hair style.

Not every hair stylist is experienced in cutting curly hair types and, unfortunately, I see a lot of curly-haired girls getting the wrong haircut for their hair type. This can make it hard for your curls to clump together, so they can easily turn to frizz. 

Visiting an experienced stylist can make a big difference to your hair; the curlier your hair, the more benefit you’ll see. A dry curly cut can help you get the shape you want and avoid the risk of hair shrinkage spoiling your style. Not everyone likes the results, but it’s worth trying at least once. 

Not Protecting Your Hair At Night

Did you know your curls can get damaged while you sleep? 

Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair strands and cause friction that leaves your hair dehydrated, tangled, and knotted in the morning.

Curly girls can protect their hair by wearing a silk bonnet overnight, which reduces the amount of friction it’s exposed to. Trying your hair in a loose bun or pineapple on top of your hair can also help, especially if you use a satin tie and wrap your hair in a silk scarf or satin wrap. 

Another option is sleeping on a silk pillowcase or satin pillowcase. That creates less friction than cotton fabric, so your curls won’t get so tangled, and as a bonus, you’ll cut down on styling time in the morning!

Using The Wrong Blow-Drying Techniques

Rubbing your hair with a cotton towel and blasting it with your blow dryer is guaranteed to turn your curls into dry, brittle strands.

After shampooing your hair, start the drying process by using a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to blot your hair. Next, detangle carefully with plenty of detangler or lightweight leave-in conditioner and a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.

Leaving your hair to air dry is the best way to dry curly hair, helping to reduce the risk of heat damage and frizz. You can also use techniques like the plopping method to boost curl definition. 

If you want to use your blow dryer, always apply a good heat protectant first and use a diffuser attachment to reduce the amount of direct heat that hits your strands. Scrunching your curls up towards your scalp as you diffuse dry your curls will help to add root volume and curl definition. 

Once your hair is dry, avoid touching it too much, as this can quickly result in frizzy hair.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Set Unrealistic Expectations

Setting realistic goals is essential for healthy curly hair because fighting against your natural curl type will just result in unhealthy strands. 

If you have low density hair, you’ll find it difficult to achieve the volume that comes naturally to high density hair. And if you have loose 2a waves, you’ll struggle to get the striking spirals of 4b hair

It’s better to set realistic, curl-approved hair goals like reducing frizz or improving your overall hair health.

Don’t try to make your hair look just like someone else’s, even if it’s a curly girl blessed with juicy, vibrant curls. Your curls are unique, so embrace their uniqueness and express your individuality. 

FAQs

Now you know all about the common curly hair mistakes to avoid, here are some of our most frequently asked questions about curly hair health.

How Do I Tell If My Curly Hair Is Healthy?

Healthy curls are shiny, soft and springy. Your mane should have bouncy curls with plenty of movement and elasticity, and be easy to style without tangling. 

What Does Unhealthy Curly Hair Look Like?

Common symptoms of unhealthy curls can include:

  • Dull, dry, or brittle strands
  • Frequent tangles, knots, or hair matting
  • Split ends and breakage
  • Rough texture
  • Changes in your curl pattern

How Often Should You Wash Curly Hair?

You don’t generally need to wash hair every day, and curly hair doesn’t usually need to be washed as often as straight hair types. Our hair texture guides will help you work out your optimum curly hair routine, which could mean washing it as little as once per week. 

The Bottom Line

Most curly-haired girls have made one or more of these common curly hair mistakes, especially when we’re just learning how to care for natural curls.

Taking care of curly hair needs some extra effort, but it isn’t as difficult as you might think, and the results are totally worth it. 

With a little knowledge, simple techniques, and the right products, you’ll soon have healthy, beautiful curls that look and feel amazing!

woman with beautiful ringlets smiling and pointing at text that says: stop making these ten curly hair mistakes

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