12 Curly Hair Mistakes to Avoid -You Didn’t Know You Were Making

Curly hair is a gorgeous, bouncy blessing – when you treat it right. But make some common curly hair mistakes, and you’ll be stuck with a frizzy, dry, unruly mane that has you saying “bad hair day” more often than not.

As someone with naturally curly hair myself, I know the struggles all too well. I’ve made just about every curly hair faux pas in the book – from brushing my hair bone-dry to sleeping on a cotton pillowcase (curly hair nightmare!). But I’ve learned from my mistakes, and now I’m spilling the tea on the biggest curly hair don’ts that are criminally undermining your curl game.

Trust me, once you ditch these bad habits, your ringlets will be thanking you. You’ll be able to rock those gorgeous spirals with enviable definition, moisture, and shine. Get ready to fall in love with your curls all over again!

But first, a little science about curls- Curly hair is drier and more prone to frizz because the curved hair shaft causes natural oils to have a harder time traveling down the hair strand. Using the wrong products and techniques can further strip moisture and disrupt the curl pattern. That’s why avoiding these pitfalls is so crucial.

Curly Hair Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-washing–

I used to be a shampoo-aholic, lathering up every single day. But here’s the cold, hard truth – over-washing strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving curls dry, brittle, and frizzy. Curly hair expert and celebrity stylist Orin Harding recommends “washing just once or twice a week with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to maintain moisture.”

2. Skipping Conditioner–

Skipping conditioner is a curly hair cardinal sin! Curls are thirsty little things that need all the hydration they can get. Always use a rich, creamy conditioner with oils and butters like coconut, shea, or argan to quench that curl thirst.

3. Brushing Dry Hair–

via: giphy

Nooo, put down that brush! Using a brush or fine-tooth comb on dry curly hair is the fastest way to create a frizzy, tangled mess. Detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb when your hair is wet and slathered in conditioner. This will keep your pretty curl pattern intact.

4. Using Regular Towels–

Fun fact: Rubbing a regular terry cloth towel on your wet curls is like giving them a frizz-inducing massage. Not so fun, right? Always use an old cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to gently blot and scrunch away moisture instead.

5. Excessive Heat Styling –

I know the allure of a good blowout, but hear me out: Excessive heat from blow dryers and hot tools can suck the life right out of your curls. The high temps cause curly hair to become dry, brittle, and damaged over time. Air drying is ideal, but if you must use heat, always use a diffuser attachment and a lower setting.

6. Not Going for Trims–

Raise your hand if you’ve ever skipped a trim or two…or five? I’m guilty as charged! But skipping regular trims is a big no-no because it allows split ends to travel up the hair shaft, causing breakage and those dreaded stringy, unraveled curls. Get a trimming every 8-12 weeks to keep your ends fresh.

7. Harsh Detangling–

I know those curly knots can be brutal, but being too rough when detangling is a recipe for frizz and breakage. Always handle your curls with love and detangle gently from the bottom up when hair is coated in a good slip conditioner or detangler.

8. Not Protecting Hair at Night–

How you treat your curls while you sleep is just as important! If you don’t protect them properly, you’ll wake up to a frizzy, tangled mess. Always secure your curls in a loose pineapple or wear a satin bonnet or pillowcase to cut down on friction and preserve your style.

(Image of someone wearing a satin bonnet)

9. Improper Blow Drying–

If you must blow dry, the key is keeping the nozzle at least 6 inches away from your hair and using a diffuser to disperse the airflow. Aiming the hot air directly at your curls is a major moisture-zapper that can leave them looking dull and lifeless.

10. Using Regular Hair Ties–

Ditch those tight elastics, ladies! They can cause major creasing, dents, and breakage on delicate curly hair. Instead, opt for gentle fabric-covered hair ties or soft, seamless scrunchies made from silk or satin instead.

11. Using Harsh Shampoos–

Many mainstream shampoos are loaded with sulfates, silicones, and other harsh ingredients that can strip curly hair of its much-needed moisture. Always go for gentle, hydrating sulfate-free formulas to keep those curls soft, shiny, and defined.

12. Not Using Leave-In Conditioner–

Leave-in conditioners are a curly girl’s best friend! They provide an extra hit of hydration and help lock in moisture after you’ve cleansed and conditioned. Always rake or scrunch in a good leave-in on soaking wet hair to keep curls soft, defined, and frizz-free as they dry.

Bonus Tip: Eat a Balanced Diet

What you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your hair! Eating a balanced diet full of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals can promote strong, healthy curls from the inside out. So be good to your body, and your curls will thank you.

How to Wash your Curls properly?

In the above section, you have seen mistakes to avoid to keep your hair healthy. Now, if you are wondering how to wash your curls properly, keep reading-

• Wet your hair properly with water.
• Take a small amount of hydrating shampoo and mix some water in it.
• Apply it on your hair strands and scalp.
• Massage the shampoo on your curls.
• Make sure to apply the shampoo only on the scalp.
• Keep it for a minute and then wash it with lukewarm water.
• While washing the curls, shampoo runs down through your hair strands making the hair ends clean.
• Now, take the conditioner and apply it on your hair strands, not on your scalp.
• Keep it for 2-3 minutes.
• Detangle your curls with the help of your fingers gently.
• Wash off the conditioner with cold water.

There you have it – the 12 biggest curly hair mistakes to avoid, straight from a reformed curl criminal! I’ve made just about every faux pas on this list at some point, but learning from my mistakes has helped me finally unlock my curls’ full potential.

Now it’s your turn! Which of these were you guilty of? Let me know in the comments. And if you have any other curly hair tips or questions, drop them below. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned on my journey to curly hair nirvana!

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