Hello curly girls! If you have naturally curly hair, you know that your curls have a mind of their own. They’re big and bold yet surprisingly fragile, too. And you can’t treat your curls like straight hair without damaging those delicate tresses. In this post, I’m sharing some surprising things you should never do to curly hair.

Here are 8 things you should never do to curly hair.

1. Don’t wash it with sulfate-packed shampoo.

Surprisingly, sulfates are found in both dish detergent and most regular shampoos. Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip curly hair of its moisture, leaving it limp and dry. That’s why the Curly Girl Method teaches you to avoid sulfates.

Do use a sulfate-free cleanser.

Instead, wash your curls with a Curly Girl-approved, sulfate-free cleanser.
You can choose from co-washes like the As I Am Co-wash or gentle cleansers like the Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo.

2. Don’t brush it dry.

Dry brushing your curls is never a good idea. Besides the ouch factor, you’ll break up all the chemical bonds holding your curls in place and boost your frizz sky-high.

Do use a brush to detangle wet curls.

Instead, wait until washday to wet your hair, coat it with conditioner, and then gently brush out the tangles.
My favorite brush is the Behairful brush, which has natural boar bristles to distribute your hair oils evenly. You can get 10% off here (affiliate link).

3. Don’t get a haircut from just anyone.

Unfortunately, some hairdressers aren’t trained to cut curly hair responsibly. They will pull out a flat iron to subjugate your hair into submission before cutting it. Or — horror of horrors! — they may pull out the thinning shears and get to work.

Do research your hairstylist carefully.

I recommend checking out a hairstylist’s Instagram or Facebook pages to see if they have any photos of curly clients. Or, if you have a curly friend with a great haircut, ask her where she gets her hair cut. You can also search this directory to find a curly stylist near you.

4. Don’t wear tight ponytails and buns.

Although tight hairstyles may make you feel like you’ve got your curls under control, they can also give you headaches. And they stretch out your natural curl pattern and hide those gorgeous curls!

Do experiment with looser, relaxed hairstyles that showcase your curls.

Try a side ponytail with a few loose tendrils, a half-up with a jaw clip. Or wear a wide satin headband and let your curls flow free. Embrace the texture!

5. Don’t sit under a hooded dryer.

Yes, it may be part of the “salon experience.” But it’s a part that curly girls should skip for their overall hair health. Hooded dryers can heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which will dry out your vulnerable curls.

Do use a blowdryer on the cool setting.

If you must use a blowdryer, set it on the cool or low setting, and always use a diffuser attachment. This will speed up the drying process without causing damage.

6. Don’t back-comb and tease your hair.

If you’re a curly girl, you probably don’t need any help in the volume department. However, if you do want extra volume, PLEASE don’t back-comb or tease your hair. It’s a quick and easy way to cause extra tangles, frizz, and breakage. And that’s not good for your curls!

Do try using jaw clips or duckbill clips for extra volume.

When your curls are wet, use jaw clips or duckbill clips strategically to promote volume. Clip sections of your hair up in the opposite direction from your usual part. Also, flip your part a few times during the drying process. These tips will help create volume without any breakage or damage to your delicate curls!

7. Don’t skip trims.

If you’re growing out your curls, you may be tempted to skip a trim or two. However, trims actually help your curls because they oxygenize the ends. This means that the ends can absorb more oxygen and grow better.

Do get a trim every 6-8 weeks.

Instead, set a reminder in your phone to get a trim every 6-8 weeks. If your hair grows particularly slow, you can ask for a “dusting,” which is a 1/4 inch trim. Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can try a DIY trim. (True story: my sister usually trims my hair and does a wonderful job!)

8. Don’t touch your wet curls.

I know, I know – it’s tempting to scrunch or adjust the curls just a little bit more. But, after you have thoroughly applied your products and scrunched them, it’s time to let them dry naturally.
If you keep touching them, you’ll cause extra frizz and mess up the gel cast that is forming.

Do keep your hands off until the curls are fully dry!

This will result in bouncy, frizz-free curls – and a happy curly girl!

Let’s Chat:

Have you been guilty of any of these things you should never do to curly hair? I sure have! If I’m not the only one, let me know in the comments!

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.