Mistakes you are making with your curls
Naturally curly hair is not an easy journey, but when you learn some tricks, it becomes a lot less stressful.
- Using normal towel to dry your hair
This was one of the first lessons i learnt on my journey. Those towels that we use on our bodies after the shower, are not friends with our curls. The material of these can disrupt the hair cuticle which will lead to breakage. The friction of the material dries out our hair before we get the moisture back in.
What can i do instead?
Get yourself a micro fibre towel, or the bamboo hair towel i use by @thehappyhairco. If you don't have any of these, that use a 100% cotton t-shirt instead. These will all dry your hair without the frizz.
2. Comparing your hair journey to someone else 
Everyone's hair is different. Which means that their hair reacts differently to products, methods etc. Don't get disheartened and lose hope, just because your hair didn't turn out like someone else. It doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with your hair, just that maybe that method/product just didn't work for you.
What shall i do instead?
If you want to use other people for inspiration, that's fine. Just make sure those people have a similar hair type/texture to you. It's no good if you have 3C hair and you are taking inspo from someone with 4B hair, the hair type is too different.
3. Daily styling/over manipulation 
I see so many people who soak their hair every morning/before bed and restyle it. This over manipulation is going to lead to breakage, product build up and Hhygral fatigue (see here). It can also lead to traction Alopecia if you have tight styles done daily.
What can i do instead?
Most good hair products can be reactivated with water. Invest in a fine mist spray bottle if your hair does dry out. This will wet your hair without soaking it, which can avoid the damage. Try a light leave-in conditioner spray or a curl refresher.
My fave curl refreshers:
Twisted Sista 30 second curl spray : https://www.superdrug.com/Hair/Hair-Styling/Lotions-%26-Styling-Oils/Twisted-Sista-30-Second-Curl-Spray-236ml/p/701404
Curlsmith memory re-activator:
4. Sleeping with uncovered hair 
How you protect your curls overnight makes the world of difference. Standard pillowcases not only cause friction (frizz) but also cause your hair to dry out.
What can i do instead?
There are several ways that you can protect your curls while you sleep. Satin/Silk is your curls best friend for bed. Bonnets, scarfs, pillowcases, get one and you will notice a huge difference.
Check out my video on 6 ways you can sleep on your curls.
Get your satin bonnets and pillowcases from:
https://www.osocurly.com and use code CANDI for 15% off across the store.
We all do it, we just can NOT resist touching our hair during the drying process, especially if your hair takes all day to dry. Friction and hair is never a good thing.
What can i do?
If you must fluff or scrunch your hair while it is still damp or wet, then make sure your hands are not dry. Use an oil, or serum to scrunch your hair, although the results will still be better on dry hair. Do NOT fluff your hair wet, you won't get the desired effect. If you really can't resist, the leave your hair up in your t-shirt or towel or try diffusing instead.
6. Washing hair too often 
Shampooing hair too often, or daily, is going to leave hair dry dry dry.
Shampoo has cleaning agents in it, which can strip the hair of natural oils, thus leaving it feeling like straw. Especially if they contain sulphates!
What can i do instead?
If you need to wash your hair more than once a week, then get a co-wash. This conditioning product contains some cleaning agents, but wont strip hair the same way.
Only using shampoo weekly and hair still dry? Then make sure to follow it up with a hair mask or treatment.
My favourite co washes:
Asiam coconut co-wash:
Curlsmith conditioning wash:
https://uk.curlsmith.com/products/co-wash?_pos=2&_sid=74a0d66d8&_ss=r7. Skipping the deep conditioner
Deep conditioner is your best friend. There is a mask/treatment out there for every need that your hair could have. From colour protection, to managing split ends. Giving your hair some TLC weekly is going to impact your hairs health tremendously!
What can i do?
You will not regret these weekly treatments. After shampooing hair, apply generously in sections and de-tangle. Leave on for time stated on the tub and then rinse off.
Some of my favourite deep conditioners:
Curls blueberry bliss:
Any by Shea moisture:
8. Applying product to the roots 
Unless flat hair is your goal, when refreshing and styling your hair, avoid the roots. Applying product here is going to lead to more product build up meaning washing your hair more often, and also will leave your roots flat as they take the longest to dry. You end up with a triangle shape.
What shall i do instead?
Apply product the the ends of your hair and work your way up, avoiding your roots and scalp as much as possible. It's usually the ends of your hair which dry out the fastest and so need the most product. It is fine applying to hair, just not your scalp. If you want volume, rock the root frizz and avoid wetting this area.
9. Brushing hair dry 
I have been to 'afro hair' salons, who have given me a comb and asked me to comb my hair dry. This is the worst thing you can do. You are going to cause your hair to snap off, and ruin your curl definition. Once your hair has been detangled, the product is all applied, and you've started the drying process, leave it alone. Once your hair is dry, do NOT attempt to brush it (unless you are using a pick for volume of course).
What can i do instead?
Hair still a little flat? Then use an Afro comb to gently pick the roots only, or use your fingers and fluff it. Only brush/comb hair when it is wet or saturated in product to avoid breakage.
10. Washing wrong 
As mentioned at the start of this, i watched a disastrous wash day video. The biggest mistake she made? She washed her hair all wrong. I watched this girl apply shampoo to her scalp, and then get a LOT more shampoo and begin applying this to the ends and attempting to de-tangle.
Shampoo is for the scalp, not the ends of your hair, and conditioner should always be applied to hair not scalp. Shampoo applied to your length, is going to leave it feeling like straw. Not using conditioner, is going to leave your hair dry. When your rinse shampoo, this is when it goes on the rest of your hair.
What shall i do?
Find a good sulphate free shampoo, and apply this onto wet hair, only on the scalp! When you have the lathered in and scalp massaged, begin rinsing and rubbing this through the rest of your hair. Use your conditioner starting at the ends of your hair and working your way up de-tangling as you go. Do not apply conditioner to your scalp.
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