Stop These 5 Bad Habits Immediately If You Have Curly Hair
Do you find yourself in awe of Beyoncé or Shakira’s curls? If so, it’s time to revamp your hair care routine. Avoid common mistakes and bad habits that can hinder your curly hair.
Curly hair requires high-maintenance and caring for it can be tiring. But taking the time to care for your curls yields noticeable changes in their quality, making all the extra effort worthwhile.
From making our own natural DIY hair masks to choosing the right hairstyle to rock this spring, we want to treat our curls right and get the most out of our natural crown. To do so, avoid these five curly hair bad habits like the plague!
Healthy, bouncy, shiny curls, here we come!
5. Blindly Choosing Random Shampoos From The Aisle
Elevate your hair game by scrutinizing hair care labels for this telltale sign: sulfates and silicones have no business being present.
Mainstream cleaning agents, like sodium lauryl sulfate, are high-functioning, but cripplingly harsh, and ill-suited for natural-looking, bouncy, or curly tresses. In fact, if you have a sensitivity to sulfates, it could lead to eczema.
Meanwhile, silicones prop up the illustrious, silky texture we all chase. But, it’s a one-sided affair. They act as barriers, stunting moisture and oil absorption, and ultimately promoting breakage and loss.
So, reject sulfates and silicones, and try co-washing (condition-washing). Yes, it’s a thing. Instead of using shampoo, use conditioner.
Ultimately, jettisoning sulfates and silicones from your routine is one of the easy fixes for wondrous curls. Don’t wait, get started. Your luscious locks will thank you tenfold!
4. Frying Your Curly Hair with Heat Styling Tools
Put down that straightener for a sec! Are you positive it’s on the correct temp setting?
We’re all guilty of choosing the highest setting to cut time or achieve faster results, but this can really damage hair.
The texture and thickness of your hair should determine your heat styling tool’s temperature. For thin and fine hair, a lower heat is required to avert singeing it. For dense hair, a higher temp is tolerable. Nonetheless, it’s wise to start with a lower heat and work your way up to determine the best temperature for your hair.
Remember, no matter how busy you are, never use a flatiron or straightener on wet hair! Wait until it’s completely dry to style, or else you may cause irreversible harm.
And if you notice your curls are missing their usual oomph, it’s best to press pause on the heat styling tools and give your hair a break with a nourishing mask.
3. The Sin of Brushing Curly Hair
Do you suffer from curly hair turning to frizzy puffballs after one brush? I can relate! But don’t fret, there are simple tricks to avoid this catastrophe. Firstly, toss aside your brush and grab a wide-toothed comb. Many beauty experts swear by brushing before shower time. Start by finger-combing your hair, sectioning it into as many parts as necessary, and working it from the ends one section at a time. When you encounter a knot, resist the urge to spray your hair with water. This creates a tighter knot that needs to be yanked aggressively – ouch! Lastly, consider opting for natural animal bristles for best results.
2. Drying Your Hair with a Towel
Sur are not ideal for your curls! They generate a great deal of friction, resulting in frizz, as per the laws of curl physics. Instead, opt for a 100% cotton fabric, like a t-shirt, to dry your hair.
Ensure you don’t leave the fabric on too long, particularly when sleeping. Beware if you have a cotton pillowcase, which can soak up moisture and break your hair’s strands by tugging on them. The remedy? A silk pillowcase, creating less friction and frizz and more beautiful curls by morning!
I believe that many of these commandments are actually part of a bigger movement started by Lorraine Massey in her book Curly Girl: The Handbook. According to the feedback of many curlies across the internet, this book has improved the quality of many curls out there, and after reading a bit about it, it is now No. 1 on my reading list!
1. Switching Hair Care Routines Frequently
Confession: I’ve tried so many hair care routines that I can’t even remember buying the same shampoo twice! Needless to say, this was a poor decision. Consistency is key. If you want to see a change in the quality and health of your hair, you must stick with a good, curls-appropriate hair care routine.
To start, identify your specific hair type, and then choose the right shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and hairstyles tailored to it. “Curly” is a catch-all term, but let’s get more precise. For example, you may have slightly S-shaped waves that are fine and close to your head – that’s Type 2A! By categorizing your hair into Wavy (Type 2), Curly (Type 3), or Coily (Type 4), and further into A, B, or C subcategories, you can recognize and treat your hair more effectively.
You can learn more about yours here!
Understanding the science behind our hair, curls, and scalp is crucial. Thin and thick curls have different needs, and a dry scalp requires separate treatment from an oily scalp. Therefore, choosing hair products according to your hair type and scalp condition is essential; stick to a consistent routine for healthy and bouncy curls. Remember: consistency is key to success.
Do you have curly hair? Share your hair care routine in the comments below and let us know if there are any bad habits you’ve had to break. Don’t forget to click ‘Next Story’ to discover five amazing curly hairstyles to rock this spring!
