Top 5 Curly Hair Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

1. Over-Washing Your Curls

Curly hair naturally produces fewer oils than straight hair, which makes it more prone to dryness. When you wash too frequently — especially with sulfate shampoos — you strip your hair of essential moisture. This leads to frizz, brittle ends, and curls that simply won’t define.

Fix it: Wash 1–3 times per week depending on your curl type. Wavy hair may need more frequent washing, while coily hair thrives with weekly or biweekly washes. Always follow with conditioner.

2. Skipping Conditioner (Or Not Using Enough)

Curly hair needs hydration. Without conditioner, curls become rough, undefined, and hard to manage. Many people underestimate how much moisture their curls really require.

Fix it: Use a rich conditioner every wash and deep condition weekly. Apply generously — curls love water and hydration.

3. Brushing Dry Curls

This is one of the most damaging curly hair habits. Brushing dry curls disrupts the curl pattern, creates massive frizz, and causes breakage.

Fix it: Always detangle on soaking wet hair using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Add conditioner for slip to make detangling effortless.

4. Using the Wrong Products for Your Curl Type

Your products should match your curl pattern, porosity, and density. Using heavy creams on fine curls can weigh them down, while lighter gels may not hydrate thicker curls enough.

Fix it: Determine your curl type and porosity. Lightweight mousses and gels work best for waves. Creams and butters nourish coily hair. Curly hair sits in the middle and often benefits from a balanced routine.

5. Neglecting Regular Trims

Split ends travel upward and ruin curl definition. Skipping trims makes curls look frizzy, uneven, and shapeless — even with the best products.

Fix it: Schedule trims every 8–12 weeks. Even removing just a quarter inch can revive your shape and improve definition instantly.

Bonus Mistake: Not Protecting Curls at Night

Your nighttime routine is just as important as your wash routine. Cotton pillowcases pull moisture from curls and create friction that causes breakage and frizz.

Fix it: Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase, or use a bonnet. Pineappling your curls helps maintain definition overnight.

Bonus Mistake: Applying Products on Dry Hair

Curly hair absorbs products best when it's wet. Applying styling products to dry hair can lead to uneven definition and crunchy texture.

Fix it: Apply products on wet — ideally soaking wet — hair. Use the "praying hands" method or scrunch them in for best results.