Curly Hair Tips: 8 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

If you've got curls you know it can be a struggle. They're delicate and require more love than other hair patterns. You can't predict what they're going to look like when they dry and especially not on day 3. But by avoiding these common curly hair mistakes you'll be on the right path to feeling more in control of your natural hair.

Growing up with type 3A and 3B curls I didn't know much about them. It actually pains me to even think about how I used to treat my curls. I would pull my hair back really tight, tie it up when wet, not apply enough product, and then be annoyed that it was frizzy so I'd put it up in a bun. It was a dark dark time for my curls. But no one ever taught me the basic dos and don'ts of curly hair, so I had to figure it out for myself. And after fumbling my way around, making many (many!) mistakes, I learned all the don'ts.

Curls require extra love, but they thank you for taking care of them by rewarding you with bouncy, defined, showstopper spirals.

Never brush your curls when they're dry

Brushing your hair when dry is like a death sentence for your curls. You'll be overrun by frizz and if your hair is anything like mine you'll look like a lioness in no time. You should always brush your curls when wet - otherwise you're letting yourself in for a world of frizz. I recommend brushing your hair in the shower with a wide tooth comb when your conditioner is in. Section your hair, start from the bottom, and work your way upwards to help detangle with ease. This will prevent frizz and ensure your conditioner is evenly spread throughout your hair.

Don't use a brush, use a wide-tooth comb or Denman

It's important to use a wide-tooth comb when detangling curly hair. It promotes the formation of curls, by allowing individual strands of hair to clump together and minimizes breakage. Brushes, on the other hand, break up curl units by separating strands and will leave your curls undefined and frizzy. It's good to experiment with comb width depending on your curly type. I recommend starting with a basic wide-tooth comb and experimenting from there. While wide-tooth combs are best for detangling, the classic Denman brush should be your go-to for styling. Use the Denman on small sections of your hair once you've applied all your styling products to maximize definition.

Stop touching your hair so much

Keep your hands off the curls! I'm guilty of this, unconsciously flicking my hair when it's airdrying and twirling the curls when they're dry. But running your hands through your hair creates friction - the ultimate curl killer. So once you've finished styling in the morning try and resist the urge to touch your curls throughout the day to keep them fresh.

Overusing towels straight out of the shower

The urge to wrap your wet hair up in a towel twist straight out of the shower is real. But that old method creates frizz, breaks curl bonds, and drys out your hair. Instead, use a microfiber towel to plop dry the ends slightly so that your hair isn't dripping wet, but still wet to the touch. This will help curls stay smooth and prevent frizz created by the friction of a towel.

Waiting too long to apply product

If you wait too long to apply product and your curls start to dry they will become frizzy and undefined. You want your hair to be wet to the touch, but not dripping when you apply product. I find it's best to style your hair as quickly as possible after getting out of the shower. But you can also dampen curls with a spray bottle of water before styling if they're drying too fast. My go-to is a leave-in conditioner after plopping my hair with a microfiber towel to help retain moisture before styling.

Using too little product

If you're doing everything right, but your curls still aren't completely even - defined in some places and frizzy in others - you probably need to apply more product. Try sectioning your hair, applying your styling cream or gel, and brushing it through to ensure each curl is coated. You want your hair to make a horrible wet squelching noise when you crunch it after styling. This noise is a strange confirmation that you've applied enough - hooray! Well styled curls will look more defined, bouncy and last for much longer.

Not doing proper summer hair care

When it's time to get summer ready think moisture, moisture, moisture. Most things we love about summer - the sun, the sea, swimming pools - can dry out and damage your curls. When you go for a dip in the swimming pool or the sea rinse your hair after, apply a deep conditioner, and brush it through to keep your curls moisturized. Avoid the urge to tie your hair back tight after swimming as it can cause split ends along the line. Instead, let it dry loose. During the summer it's good to opt for a co-wash more often as your hair may feel sweaty, but it doesn't mean it's dirty. And when styling at home apply a creamy gel on top of your leave-in conditioner to seal in moisture and prevent humidity from creating frizz.

Not speaking up at the hairdressers

Every curly girl has a hairdresser horror story in their history. Mine was when I was 14 and through some miscommunication, the hairdresser cut my hair short at the back and long at the front. Not realising that when the curls dried they would bounce up almost half their length and make me look ridiculous. It took me almost 5 years to grow those stark layers out. It's important to find out your curl patterns (most curly girls have at least two), ask the hairdresser to cut your hair when it's dry and styled so they can see how it falls, and don't be afraid to be vocal during the appointment. Remember, curls are unique to cut and no one knows your hair better than you.

- xo