If you’ve got curly hair, you don’t need us to tell you that it’s h-a-r-d work to maintain it, but when all is said and done, our curls bring us so much joy and there’s no other hair type we’d rather be. Although, don’t get us wrong, if we could make things easier for ourselves, we would. In a heartbeat. Speaking of which (you might want to sit down for this one), it’s very possible that you’re unintentionally making it more difficult for yourself. Here are 6 common curly hair mistakes and how to avoid them. Don’t work harder, work smarter.

Mistake 1: Overwashing

We can spend less time washing our curls? Consider it done! Overwashing any hair type can strip the hairs of the natural oils that help to keep them moisturised, but this is especially true with curly hair types. Natural oils already struggle to completely coat the hair from top to bottom as the curls make it more difficult for them to move down from the scalp, so by washing your hair less, you can give them more time to reach the finish line and prevent dryness.

Mistake 2: Not Using a Microfiber Towel

Curly hair is the most fragile when it’s wet, so using a regular towel is a sure way to fluff up your hair cuticles, leading to breakage, frizz, and dryness. Microfiber towels are incredibly soft to keep your cuticles intact and preserve your curls.

Microfiber Towel – €9.00

If you’re looking to do right by your hair, try Curls ‘N Clouds Microfiber Towel for some serious softness. Specially designed to hug your hair with 100% microfiber, it’s a rite of passage for all curly-haired gals. 

Mistake 3: Waiting Too Long to Apply Styling Products

Ever wondered where your defined curls went? One day they were oh-so-defined, and then poof! You’ve gotta act quickly straight out of the shower as it’s a race against time before the frizz sets in. Curly hair types are more prone to frizz as they lack moisture, so they have even less time before the curls get frizzy and undefined. To maintain frizz-free, defined curls, apply styling products as soon as you’ve soaked up excess moisture in half the time with our Microfiber Towel.

Mistake 4: Sleeping on Cotton Pillowcases

Cotton pillowcases absorb the natural oils in your hair, stealing precious moisture whilst you sleep. This means you could go to sleep with happy, hydrated hair, only to wake up to the opposite. To maintain your curls, it’s recommended that you wrap your hair in a satin scarf or sleep on a silk pillowcase. Not only will this preserve moisture overnight, but it’ll also prevent tangling, breakage, and frizz – tick, tick, and tick!

Mistake 5: Detangling with The Wrong Hair Tool

Any kind of hairbrush or fine-tooth comb should be kept well away from curly hair types. Throw. Them. Out. Or give them to a girlfriend who doesn’t have curly hair, we’re not about wastage. Both of these hair tools break up your curls and cause frizz, and over time, they can ruin your natural curl pattern, making it almost impossible to maintain your beloved curls. A wide-tooth comb/afro pick is the best hair tool to remove knots from curly hair types. 

Bamboo Afro Pick – €12.00

Curls ‘N Clouds Bamboo Afro Pick is a 2-in-1 hair tool that allows you to safely untangle knots and create volume with long, wide teeth. Made from 100% premium bamboo, it won’t tug or pull at your curls as they slip right through with ease.

Mistake 6: Blow Drying Your Hair Without a Diffuser Attachment

Diffuser attachments evenly and gently disperse the air to dry your hair without disturbing your natural curl pattern and reduce heat damage, so if you plan to blow dry your hair, always attach a diffuser.