Intro: The world of curly hair care comes with no shortage of advice some of it great, and some of it... not so much. Through the years, certain myths about curly hair have taken hold, leading people to follow routines that might not actually be helping (and could even be hurting). At the same time, caring for curls is a learning process, and it's easy to make mistakes along the way, especially if you're new to embracing your natural texture. In this article, we’re going to play myth-buster and also highlight some common curly hair mistakes. By understanding what's fact vs. fiction and learning what habits to avoid, you'll be better equipped to give your curls the love and care they deserve.
Myth #1: "You Shouldn't Shampoo Curly Hair" (or the idea that co-washing is the only way). The Reality: Curly hair is indeed prone to dryness, and shampoos with harsh sulfates can exacerbate that dryness. This is why the Curly Girl Method popularized co-washing (washing with conditioner only) or using sulfate-free cleansers. However, it’s a myth that curly hair should never be shampooed at all. Your scalp needs to be clean for healthy hair growth, and product buildup on your hair can actually prevent moisture from penetrating. The truth is, you should shampoo curly hair just not with harsh products and not necessarily every day. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo or a cleansing conditioner. Some people alternate co-washing with occasional shampooing. Find a balance that keeps your scalp fresh but hair hydrated. If you never shampoo, you might end up with itchiness, flakiness, or limp curls due to buildup. So, don’t throw out shampoo entirely; just choose the right one and the right frequency.
Myth #2: "Curly Hair Grows Slower (or Not at All)." The Reality: Curly hair often seems like it’s not growing, especially when you’re trying to grow it longer. But in fact, curly hair grows from the scalp at the same rate as any other hair (on average about half an inch per month). The difference is in retention and appearance. Curls coil up, so even as the length increases, it may not look much longer because of shrinkage. Also, if curly hair is dry or handled roughly, it can break off, giving the impression that it's not growing. The truth is your curly hair is growing you can see that in your roots if you color your hair, or by straightening a strand to check the length. To “see” the growth, you have to keep it healthy (so you don't lose length to breakage) and sometimes you have to stretch it (via styling or just wetting it and combing it out) to realize how long it truly is. So, don’t despair thinking your curls are stunted; focus on good care and you'll eventually notice the length.
Myth #3: "You must brush your curls 100 strokes a day" / or "Brushing makes hair shiny." The Reality: This old advice may have applied to someone with straight, fine hair (and even then, 100 strokes is overkill), but for curly hair it's a disaster. Brushing curly hair when it's dry will separate the curl clumps and turn your hair into a frizzy puff. Curly hair does not get shinier from brushing; in fact, it usually gets duller because the cuticle gets roughed up and you’re essentially undoing all the natural curl definition. Instead of brushing, curly hair should typically be combed or detangled only when wet (and ideally with conditioner). If you need to distribute oils or products, you can gently finger-comb when hair is damp. Many curlies simply don't brush at all; they rely on wide-tooth combs or fingers for detangling, and then leave the curls be. The myth of needing to brush for hair health or shine just doesn’t hold for curls. You get shine from good hydration and a smooth cuticle (which comes from conditioner, gentle handling, maybe a little serum) not from excessive brushing.
Myth #4: "Cutting Curly Hair Super Short Will Make It Easier/Better." The Reality: This is a half-truth. It's a common misconception that the only way to 'manage' curly hair is to shear it off. True, a short haircut can eliminate tangles and sometimes make washing quicker, but short doesn't automatically equal no maintenance. In fact, some people find very short curls (like pixie cut) still require styling and can stick up in weird ways, needing gel or pomade to lay right. Meanwhile, others rock short curls easily. The point is: you don't have to go short to have good curls. With the right care and cut, long curls can be manageable too. The key is finding a length and style you’re comfortable maintaining. If you love long hair, don't feel pressured to chop it all off because someone told you curly hair is “too much work." And if you do prefer short, that’s fine just do it because you like the style, not because you think curls can’t be long.
Myth #5: "Oils Moisturize Hair." The Reality: This one causes a lot of confusion. Natural oils (like coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, etc.) are fantastic for curly hair but not because they moisturize. They don't contain water, which is the true moisturizer for hair. What oils actually do is seal in moisture and add softness/shine. They create a barrier that prevents water from escaping the hair shaft, and some can penetrate a bit to strengthen the hair. But if you put oils on bone-dry hair hoping to hydrate it, you'll likely just end up with greasy-feeling yet still dry hair. The correct approach is: hydrate first (with water, a water-based leave-in, or conditioner), then use a bit of oil to lock that in. Another mistake is using too much oil which can make hair limp or attract dirt. So myth busted: oils are a part of curly care, but they are not the same as moisture. Always pair oils with water-based hydration for the best results.
Myth #6: "You Shouldn't Cut Curly Hair Often (because you're 'growing it out')" OR the flipside "Frequent trims make it grow faster." The Reality: Hair grows from the roots, so cutting the ends doesn't change the rate of growth. However, if you never trim curly hair, you might end up with a lot of split ends and breakage which means you'll actually lose length over time. A common mistake is avoiding haircuts for years to grow long hair, but your ends keep breaking and tangling, sabotaging your goal. So, you do need periodic trims think of it as pruning a plant so it can grow healthier. On the other hand, trimming every 4 weeks "to make it grow faster" is unnecessary and will just keep your hair at the same length (unless you have a short style that needs maintenance). A balanced approach: trim curly hair every 3-4 months or when needed (if you see ends splitting or styles getting unruly). And when you do trim, seek someone experienced with curls so they don't take off more than necessary (remember curls shrink). So, haircuts are friends, not foes, but neither extreme of over-cutting or never cutting is ideal.
Now that we've tackled some myths, let's look at common mistakes people (especially those new to curly hair care) often make, and how to fix them:
Mistake 1: Rubbing Hair Dry with a Towel Why it's a problem: The rough texture of terrycloth towels creates friction on hair, which disrupts curl clumps and leads to frizz and even breakage. Vigorously rubbing in addition is just asking for fluffy, tangled hair. The fix: Switch to a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt to gently squeeze excess water out of your hair. Instead of rubbing, use a scrunching motion with the towel to soak up water. Many curlies also "plop" their hair (wrapping it in a t-shirt or microfiber towel) for 10-20 minutes to absorb water without friction. This preserves your curl pattern and minimizes frizz. It's a simple change that makes a big difference.
Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Products (Heavy Silicones, Sulfates, Alcohols) Why it's a problem: Not all hair products are created equal for curls. Sulfate shampoos can strip the natural oils and leave curls dry and frizzy. Products with high amounts of non-water-soluble silicones can build up and actually prevent moisture from reaching your hair (plus they often need sulfates to wash out, which puts you in a vicious cycle). Alcohol-based gels or sprays can be overly drying. The fix: Read ingredient labels and opt for curly-friendly products. Generally, sulfate-free shampoos, silicone-free (or at least low-silicone) conditioners and stylers, and products free of high amounts of drying alcohol (fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl are fine; we mean the bad short-chain alcohols like SD alcohol or propanol). If you're not into reading ingredients, look for products that specifically say they're for curly hair or moisture, and avoid those that say "for squeaky clean hair" or intense hold hairsprays (they likely have drying agents). A common myth is "all silicones are bad" they aren't evil in moderation, but many curly folks find avoiding them yields better results. If you do use them, just remember to clarify occasionally. The biggest thing is to ensure your products are adding moisture or hold without causing build-up or dryness.
Mistake 3: Applying Products Incorrectly Why it's a problem: Even with great products, if you apply them haphazardly, you might not get the best results. Common errors include: putting styling products on soaking wet hair vs. damp hair (or vice versa) without considering what works best for that product, not distributing product evenly (leading to some frizzy spots and some overly producty spots), or scrunching in a way that causes tangles. The fix: Take a bit of time to learn techniques. For instance, many leave-ins and creams absorb best on wet hair (so apply when hair is still quite wet). Gels often can be applied after that while wet, then scrunched. Some prefer to scrunch excess water out first and apply to damp hair you can try both. Raking or praying-hands methods help spread product evenly before scrunching to form curls. The key is consistency ensure all sections of hair get some love. Also, use an appropriate amount: too little product can leave you frizzy, too much can make hair stiff or greasy. It may take some trial and error to find the sweet spot for your hair density and length. When in doubt, start with a small amount, you can always add a bit more to areas that need it.
Mistake 4: Over-Touching and Fussing with Curls Why it's a problem: Curls like to be left alone once they're set. If you constantly run your fingers through your hair or keep scrunching it while it's drying, you're introducing frizz and breaking up clumps. Similarly, combing or playing with dry curls will mess up the style. The fix: Style your hair, then hands off! At least until it's fully dry. Once dry, if you used gel and have a crunch, you can gently scrunch or fluff at the roots to soften and get the volume you want. But then, again, resist the urge to keep playing with it. If you need to refresh curls later, lightly mist with water or a refresher spray and twirl or scrunch specific curls, but don't just finger-comb through everything. Telling a curly not to touch their hair is like telling a kid not to touch candy it's tough, but your hair will seriously thank you.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Hair Porosity and Protein/Moisture Balance Why it's a problem: Not understanding what your hair needs can lead to using the wrong products. Two key concepts: porosity (how well your hair absorbs moisture) and protein/moisture balance. Some curly hair is low porosity (tight cuticle, moisture sits on it) and some is high porosity (open cuticle, loses moisture fast). Also, hair needs a balance of moisture and protein; too much moisture can make it mushy and limp, too much protein can make it straw-like and stiff. The fix: Pay attention to your hair's behavior. If your hair is often dry but products seem to sit on top (beads of water hang on strands, products feel like buildup quickly), you may have low porosity try using heat (like warm towel or hood dryer) when deep conditioning to open the cuticle, and lighter products that don't just sit heavy. If your hair soaks up everything and still looks frizzy or feels rough, you might be high porosity focus on richer products, seal with oils, and consider protein treatments to strengthen and fill gaps in the cuticle. As for protein vs moisture: if curls are limp, overly stretchy, or breaking easily, they might need protein (try a protein-rich deep conditioner or treatment). If they're snapping easily, feeling dry and rough, they need moisture (deep conditioning, leave-ins). Rotate products accordingly. A big mistake is sticking to one holy-grail routine forever; hair's needs can change with weather, damage, etc. Being flexible and observant prevents the mistake of overloading one way or the other.
Mistake 6: Sleeping on Curls Without Protection Why it's a problem: Tossing and turning on a regular cotton pillowcase can rough up the hair cuticle and create tangles and frizz by morning. You might wake up with flattened or matted curls that are hard to revive. The fix: Use a satin or silk pillowcase, or wear a satin bonnet or scarf over your hair at night (or do both if you're an active sleeper). This significantly reduces friction. Another tip: put your hair up in a loose "pineapple" ponytail on top of your head (if it's long enough) this keeps you from laying directly on your curls. In the morning, you can let it down and either lightly mist and scrunch to reshape, or sometimes just the gravity will refresh them. Protecting your hair at night is an easy way to preserve your style and prevent unnecessary breakage don't skip it, especially if you have longer hair prone to knotting.
Mistake 7: Expecting One Routine to Work for Everyone (or even for yourself forever) Why it's a problem: There’s a tendency to read about someone’s miracle routine or the "one right way" (like a strict method) and then feel frustrated if it doesn't work for you. Curls are very individual. Factors like hair type, climate, water hardness, and personal preference play huge roles. Also, your hair can change over time, so what worked last year might not work as well now. The fix: Use others' routines as inspiration, not gospel. Don't be afraid to experiment. Maybe the Curly Girl Method of no shampoo works great for you or maybe your scalp says nope and you adapt it with occasional washes. Maybe your friend swears by diffusing but your hair frizzes with a blowdryer so you air dry. The point is, be willing to tweak things. The only "mistake" here is feeling like you failed if a popular routine doesn't give you perfect hair. The real success is finding your own curly rhythm.
Conclusion: There are plenty of myths out there about curly hair and we've debunked some big ones but the overarching theme is that curls thrive on gentle, informed care rather than one-size-fits-all rules or old wives' tales. By avoiding common mistakes like rough handling, using harsh products, or falling for false advice, you'll set your curls up for success. And when you do slip up (maybe you gave in and brushed it out, or tried a product that turned out wrong), don't worry hair is forgiving and you can always get it back on track with a bit of TLC. Curly hair often requires relearning what we thought we knew about hair care, but once you replace myths with facts and bad habits with good ones, you'll see your curls flourish. So embrace the learning curve even lifelong curlies discover new tricks as they go. With the right knowledge and approach, you'll avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the journey to healthy, gorgeous curls. Remember: every curl is unique, but they all benefit from patience, moisture, and a little myth-busting now and then. Happy curling!