You wash your curls, put in your favourite product and hope for a good hair day. Then the frizz appears, the ends feel dry or your curls don’t sit the way you imagined. It can be frustrating, especially when you’ve spent time trying to get everything right.
Curly hair doesn’t need a complicated routine to look beautiful. Often, a few small changes make it easier to detangle, style and enjoy the texture you already have. Here are ten common mistakes worth checking, and what to try instead.
1. Choosing shampoo for your curls but ignoring your scalp
It’s easy to buy a shampoo because the bottle says “for curly hair”. But your scalp has its own needs. It might become oily quickly, feel dry or collect build-up from creams and gels.
Choose a cleanser that leaves your scalp comfortable and removes the products you use without leaving your hair feeling overly stripped. A richer shampoo isn’t always better, and a very gentle cleanser may not remove enough build-up for everyone.
Try this: Pay attention to how your scalp feels between washes as well as how your curls look. Adjust your cleanser when your needs change.
2. Assuming you must shampoo twice every time
The original guide recommended two rounds of shampoo for every wash, but that isn’t necessary for everyone. Double cleansing can be useful when you’ve used a lot of styling product or your scalp needs a more thorough clean. It can also leave some hair feeling too dry if done unnecessarily.
Start by washing your scalp gently and rinsing thoroughly. If it still feels coated with product or oil, a second light cleanse may help.
Try this: Let your scalp and the amount of build-up guide you, rather than following a fixed number of shampoo rounds.
3. Detangling roughly or starting at the roots
Curly and coily strands can wrap around each other, especially after a few days of styling. Pulling a brush straight from the roots through a knot can make wash day uncomfortable and increase breakage.
Work in sections, gently separate bigger tangles with your fingers and start near the ends. Move upwards as each section becomes easier to comb. Many people find detangling simpler when conditioner provides slip, though the best approach depends on the hair and tool.
Try this: Use a suitable wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and allow yourself enough time. You don’t have to fight through a knot to get it out.
4. Rubbing your curls hard with a towel
After a shower, vigorously rubbing your hair with a rough towel can disturb the curl pattern and create tangles. You might find yourself adding more product just to bring the curls back into shape.
Try this: Gently squeeze out extra water with a soft cotton T-shirt or microfibre towel. If you wrap your hair, keep it comfortable and avoid twisting or pulling tightly.
The aim isn’t to follow a perfect drying technique. It’s simply to reduce unnecessary friction.
5. Touching and separating curls constantly while they dry
It’s tempting to keep checking your curls while they’re drying. But repeatedly pulling sections apart can disturb the shape you’ve just created and make the finished style look frizzier.
Try this: After applying your styling product, shape your curls gently and give them time to set. If you use a gel that dries with a firm cast, you can carefully scrunch it once the hair is dry if you want a softer finish.
Frizz isn’t a sign you’ve done something wrong. Some is natural, especially in humid weather.
6. Following a washing or styling schedule that doesn’t suit you
Some people refresh their curls each morning, while others prefer leaving the style alone for several days. Neither approach is automatically wrong.
Washing too often with a harsh cleanser can leave some hair feeling dry. But avoiding washing when your scalp is oily, sweaty or coated in product isn’t helpful either. Similarly, you don’t need to repeat a full wash-and-style routine just to fix a few flat curls.
Try this: Build a flexible routine around your scalp, your activity level and how your hair responds. A little water or a suitable refresh product may be enough between washes.
7. Going to bed without protecting your curls
Have you ever gone to sleep with lovely curls and woken up with tangles at the back of your head? Rubbing against bedding can disturb the style overnight.
Try this: A satin bonnet, scarf or smooth pillowcase may reduce friction. If your hair is long enough, you could gather it loosely in a high ponytail, sometimes called a pineapple.
Keep ties soft and loose. A night-time routine should make mornings easier, not pull painfully at your roots.
8. Using too much styling product, or layering it without a reason
Creams, gels, mousses and leave-ins can all have a place in a curly-hair routine. But using several products together doesn’t guarantee more defined curls. Too much can leave fine hair weighed down or create build-up that makes wash day harder.
Try this: Start with a small amount of a product that matches your goal. You might want a light mousse for movement, a gel for definition or a leave-in for hair that needs extra conditioning.
Some products work best on wet hair and others on damp hair. Follow their directions and see how your curls respond. There’s no single cream-then-gel order that suits everyone.
9. Pulling curls back with tight or snagging hair ties
A tight band can leave a dent in your curls and tug at the same sections of hair each time you use it. Bands that catch and pull strands can also make removing your ponytail frustrating.
Try this: Use a soft, snag-free scrunchie or another tie that holds without excessive pressure. Avoid repeatedly pulling hair into very tight styles, particularly if the edges feel fragile.
If your hairline is thinning or breaking, discuss styling changes with a professional and seek health advice if the cause is unclear.
10. Changing hair colour or using strong treatments without a care plan
Colour can be a lovely way to change your look. But bleaching, colouring and chemical straightening can affect how hair feels and behaves, especially when several treatments are used close together.
The original article suggested that plant-based colour is automatically the safer choice. That’s not always true. Natural-sounding ingredients can still irritate the skin, and product safety depends on the actual formula and how it’s used.
Try this: Ask a qualified colour specialist about the condition of your hair, product ingredients, patch-testing guidance and how to look after it afterwards. Check which treatments the salon actually provides before booking.
What does a simple curly-hair routine look like?
Rather than buying ten new products, start with the basics and adjust them to your hair:
- Cleanse: Wash your scalp with a suitable shampoo when it needs it.
- Condition: Use a conditioner that helps your hair feel manageable.
- Detangle: Work gently in sections from the ends upwards.
- Style: Apply a suitable product and shape your curls with minimal pulling.
- Dry: Air-dry or use a diffuser at a comfortable heat setting, with suitable heat protection when needed.
- Protect: Reduce friction overnight and refresh only what needs attention.
Pay attention to how your hair looks and feels over time. Your curl shape, strand thickness, scalp and climate can all affect what works.
Do you need homemade masks for moisturised curls?
Ingredients such as honey, yoghurt, banana and aloe vera appear in many home hair recipes. But putting food on your hair isn’t guaranteed to improve its condition, and homemade mixtures can be messy, difficult to rinse out or irritating to some people.
For most people, a well-formulated conditioner or hair mask with clear directions is a simpler place to start. Test products carefully if your skin is sensitive, and don’t assume an ingredient is safe just because it’s natural.
What if you want a different look without daily curl styling?
Sometimes you love your curls but want a change that means less daily detangling or a new shape for a special occasion. Braids and twists may be worth considering when the style suits your hair and scalp.
They aren’t automatically damage-free. Tight sections and heavy added hair can strain the roots, so discuss comfort and maintenance before booking. You can explore our guide to braid styles and care or see more curly hairstyle ideas.
Frequently asked questions about curly hair care
Should I shampoo curly hair twice?
Not necessarily. A second cleanse may help remove heavy build-up, but one thorough wash can be enough for many people. Choose based on your scalp and products.
Is it bad to refresh curls every day?
No. A gentle refresh with a little water or suitable product may work well. You don’t need to shampoo and restyle from scratch every day unless your hair or scalp needs it.
How can I reduce frizz without straightening?
Try gentle detangling, less rubbing with towels, suitable styling products and fewer interruptions while your hair dries. Some frizz is a normal part of curly hair.
Should I use oils every day to moisturise curly hair?
Not automatically. Oils may help some routines but can weigh hair down or build up. Choose products according to how your hair and scalp respond.
Can braids help me manage curly hair?
They can reduce some daily styling for certain people. But they still need washing and care, and tight or heavy braids can cause breakage. Ask about a style that fits your own hair.
Explore braids and textured hairstyles at Kayisi Hair in Brisbane
Kayisi Hair welcomes clients to Connie’s salon in Bracken Ridge. If you’d like to try braids, twists or another available style for your curls or coils, bring a few inspiration photos and talk about how you want your hair to look and feel.
Explore Kayisi Hair’s braiding and textured-hair styling services, or contact Connie to discuss your options. Specialist curly haircuts and chemical treatments should be confirmed with the salon offering them rather than assumed to be Kayisi services.