10 Mistakes Curly Girl Beginners Make

You could learn from your mistakes... or you could learn from others' mistakes! Here are some of the major mistakes Curly Girl Beginners make, and how you can avoid making them!

1. Expecting results straight away

I know, it was a shock to me too, but your curls won't be perfect after just one wash! You need to be patient! There were plenty of times where I wondered what I was playing at, walking around with UGLY curls, but now I never look back! Be patient - the results will come!

2. Skipping the clarify wash

In the first wash of your journey, you will need to use a clarifying wash with a sulphate shampoo to get rid of those nasty silicones that are built up in your locks. You probably already own a sulphate shampoo, but you can check the ingredients here.

3. Sleeping

You should be taking care of your curls even when sleeping. This means switching to a satin pillowcase or a satin bonnet to let those curls loosely slide around as you toss and turn and dream.

4. Applying too much product

It's really difficult to know exactly how much product to use. It takes a lot of practice to figure it out... and even then you may have a day where you need a different amount. Instead of just guessing, start with a real small amount and gradually add more. Remember, it's much easier to add more than it is to wash it all out!

Too much product turns my hair white!

5. Avoiding the chop

Products can't and won't save your dead ends. You need them cut, ASAP. If you don't want to lose a lot of length in one go, as your hairdresser for regular trims every few weeks, but be aware that your dead ends won't help you achieve the perfect curls.

6. Tying it back

Tying back your locks can create unwanted kinks, or stretch out your curls. If you have to tie your hair back, do so loosely in a pineapple style with a satin scrunchie.

I ALWAYS pulled my hair back! So damaging!

7. Ignoring deep conditioners

Deep conditioners are so so important in keeping your locks healthy. There's no two ways about this - just use one once a week!

8. Sticking to hot water

When you've finished your wash, just before stepping out of the shower, switch your temperature to cold and run it through your hair. It will close your cuticles, keeping your hair healthy.

9. Brushing from the top

Brushing our curls can cause major breakage! Instead, start to comb the ends and make your way up to the roots to try and minimise that breakage.

10. Being strictly curly girl

Maybe the perfect product for you isn't curly girl approved - it happens. Try to keep an open mind about products and give non-approved products a go sometimes! Remember, ingredients lower down on the ingredients list are only minor, and probably won't make too much difference. If aqua or water is the first ingredient , then great! Water based products are great for refreshing with just a little squirt of water!

So there you have it! Popular mistakes and how to avoid them!

Let me know if you can think of any more mistakes Curlies make!

Happy Curling,

Leah x