I’ve been a curly gal for ten years, and I’m still learning about my hair. When it comes to our hair type, there’s no one size fits all, which means there’s room for error. If you’ve been wondering why you’re dealing with frizz, breakage, dullness and/or lack of definition, chances are you need to stop certain habits. I’m not one to gatekeep, so I chatted with two hairstylists to learn about six things you should stop doing if you have curly hair. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
6 Things I’m Begging You to Stop Doing to Your Curly Hair
It’s for your own good
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Published May 26, 2025
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Meet the Experts
- Daijiah B. is a curl specialist at Bounce Curl’s Hair and Skin Spa and a licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in curly cuts, coloring/highlighting and building routines for her clients.
- Sarah Sango is an international hair expert, global educator and Afro haircare specialist for Lush. She has 20 years of experience, specializing in hair styling and cutting, protective styles, extensions and product development. She has been working with Lush since 2017 and teaching aspiring stylists.
How Do I Know If I Have Curly Hair?
Curly hair comes in different forms and can be defined by how your strands form spirals, waves or coils. As Daijiah explains, “Unlike straight hair, it has a curved follicle shape that gives it its texture but also makes it more prone to dryness, breakage and frizz. Natural oils also struggle to travel down the twists and turns of the hair shaft, which means curly hair often requires extra moisture, gentle detangling and specialized styling techniques to maintain its health and definition.”
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1. Using Harsh Sulfates
It’s been an ongoing debate around sulfates being bad for your hair and the experts are doubling down on those claims. “Sulfates strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness, dullness and frizz. Curls inherently need to stay hydrated and defined,” explains Daijiah. The easy solution is to look for sulfate-free shampoos or co-washes that cleanses the scalp and strands without stripping away moisture.
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2. Rough Drying Your Hair
There’s always talk about diffusers versus air-drying, but there’s one tool that is not great for your curls: terry cloth towels. “This fabric can cause friction, leading to frizz, breakage and curl disruption. It can also absorb too much moisture, which could overly dry hair,” explains Daijiah. Instead, consider using a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt and gently scrunching out any excess water without roughing up the follicles. You can also wrap your hair up into a towel turban after styling to keep curls protected.
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3. Brushing Through Dry Curls
If you want more definition and tangle-free curls, this technique is not the way to go. “Brushing curly hair when it’s dry can disrupt the curl pattern, creating frizz and leading to breakage,” says Daijiah. “Curly strands are naturally more fragile and dry brushing stretches them past their natural elasticity.” The secret is to detangle curls when they’re wet or damp and the best time to do it is while you’re deep conditioning (or styling your hair). Thankfully, there are a ton of brushes specifically designed to detangle curls and it’s honestly been a go-to tool in my routine.
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4. Skipping the LOC Method
Whether you prefer the LOC method (aka leave-in, hair oil, cream) or not, a styling routine is a must for retaining moisture. “Curly hair loses moisture quickly, which can lead to dryness, dullness and undefined curls,” explains Sango. “Without a proper routine, your curls may not hold shape or stay hydrated.” The expert recommends the method to hydrate and protect curls. It starts with a water-based leave-in conditioner to open the hair shaft and add moisture, before adding a lightweight oil to seal in moisture and finishing with a cream (or gel depending on texture/porosity) to lock in moisture and define curls.
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5. Applying High Heat On Strands
If you’re going to use a diffuser or looking to straighten/stretch your hair, using high heat is a big no-no. Sango tells me, “High temperatures can damage the hair cuticle, causing it to lift, which leads to split ends, dryness and long-term brittleness. It can also disrupt your curl pattern, making it difficult to revert back to your natural texture.” Just use the lowest heat setting (if possible) to protect strands and maintain your pattern.
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6. Avoiding Monthly Trims
I’m terrible at this tip and I’m not afraid to admit it, but missing out on monthly trims can lead to split ends and breakage. For us curly girlies, we should be getting trims every six to 12 weeks to maintain the shape and health of our mane. Here’s your sign to finally book your appointment (take it from me, I just scheduled my next curly cut).
