10 mistakes to avoid when you have curly hair | Studio Boucle Paris
Eva Bobrow
10 mistakes to avoid when you have curly hair
Are your curly locks lacking definition, dry, or full of frizz? You might be making one of these 10 mistakes without even realizing it. Good news: each one has a solution. Here's the complete guide to caring for your curls the way they deserve.
Everyday mistakes that ruin your curls
Brushing curly hair when dry
This is undoubtedly the most widespread and devastating mistake for curly hair. Brushing or combing dry curly hair breaks the curls , creates frizz, and can even cause breakage. The spiral structure of curly hair is fragile and cannot withstand the pulling of a brush on dry hair.
✅ The solution: Always detangle your hair in the shower, while it's soaked in conditioner, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb . Start at the ends and gradually work your way up to the roots.
Use a terry towel
Traditional terry towels have rough fibers that snag the hair cuticles, creating friction and causing frizz . Vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel is disastrous for curls.
✅ The solution: Use a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel. Gently squeeze out excess water from your hair without rubbing. The "plopping" technique is ideal for absorbing excess water while preserving your curls.
Touching your hair while it's drying
It's hard to resist the urge to touch, separate, or reposition your curls while they're drying. But each manipulation disrupts the curl formation and introduces frizz. This is what's known as "hands-in-hair syndrome."
✅ The solution: Apply your styling products , shape your curls, then leave your hair until it's completely dry . If you're using a diffuser, avoid moving your hair with the airflow.
Washing and product errors
Washing your curly hair too often
Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair because sebum has difficulty distributing itself along the spiral. Washing too frequently removes what little sebum is present and dries out the lengths even more.
✅ The solution: Space out your washes as much as possible ( 1 to 2 times a week for most textures). Between shampoos, refresh your curls with a spray of water and leave-in conditioner.
Using unsuitable products
Harsh sulfates, occlusive silicones, drying alcohols... Many commercial products contain ingredients that are not good for curly hair. They dry it out, weigh it down, or create buildup that suffocates the curls.
✅ The solution: Learn to read labels and choose curly-friendly products , free from harsh sulfates and insoluble silicones. Opt for formulas rich in moisturizing agents and natural ingredients.
🌿 Our carefully selected curly-safe brands
At Studio Boucle Paris, we work exclusively with natural brands, free from sulfates, silicones and parabens.
🛍️ Not sure which products to choose?
Book a personalized consultation (30 min / €40) and leave with your customized routine and products 🤎
I'm reserving my diagnosisErrors in care and protection
Neglecting hydration
Hydration isn't optional for curly hair; it's an absolute necessity . Without sufficient moisture, curls become dry, brittle, and lose their definition. Many people confuse nutrition (the intake of oils) with hydration (the intake of water).
✅ The solution: Make hydration your priority. Use hydrating leave-in conditioners , apply masks regularly, and remember that water is the primary ingredient for good hydration.
💡 Hydration vs. Nutrition: Hydration provides water (aloe vera, glycerin, honey), while nutrition provides fat (oils, butters). Your curly hair needs both, but hydration remains the number one need! To learn more, check out our Curly Hair Routine: Where to Start guide.
Sleeping without protection
At night, the friction between your hair and your cotton pillow creates frizz, knots, and breakage . You wake up with hair flattened on one side and a mess on the other.
✅ The solution: Sleep with a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase . You can also do a "pineapple," a high, loose ponytail that preserves the volume of your curls.
Hairdresser mistakes
Go to a non-specialized hairdresser
Curly hair requires specific expertise . A hairdresser not trained in the specifics of textured hair risks cutting your hair wet (a mistake!), unbalancing your cut, or suggesting unsuitable treatments.
✅ The solution: Get your hair styled by a professional specializing in curly, wavy, and coily hair. A dry cut by an expert makes all the difference. Also, check out our tips for choosing a curl specialist in Paris .
✂️ At Studio Boucle Paris , all haircuts are done on dry hair to respect the natural shape of your curls. Each service begins with a personalized consultation and includes a discussion about your hair care routine. Learn more about our approach →
✂️ No more hairdresser anxiety!
Our experts cut exclusively on dry hair using natural, curly-friendly products. Trust us with your curls with complete confidence 🤎
Book my Haircut & Treatment Discover our servicesMistakes due to patience and habits
Abusing the heat
Hair dryers that are too hot, straighteners, curling irons... Excessive heat damages the hair structure, making it porous and brittle. In the long run, it can even permanently alter your natural texture.
✅ The solution: Minimize the use of heated tools. Opt for air drying or using a diffuser at a low temperature. If you do use heat, always apply a heat protectant.
Wanting immediate results
Adopting a new hair care routine requires patience. Your hair needs time to adapt to new products and recover from past damage. Constantly switching products or giving up after a few days won't allow you to see real results.
✅ The solution: Give your hair at least 4 to 6 weeks to adjust to a new routine before judging its effectiveness. Patience is key to beautiful curls. And if you want to start from scratch, discover the Big Chop, the technique for getting your natural curls back .
In summary: the right reflexes to adopt
Now that you know the 10 most common mistakes, here are the key habits to incorporate into your daily routine for healthy curly hair:
Hydrate first
Leave-in conditioners, masks, and water sprays: hydration is the number one need of your curly hair. Never skimp on this step.
Choose curly-safe products
Free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens. Natural ingredients that respect your curls without weighing them down.
Protect your curls at night
Satin bonnet, satin pillowcase or the pineapple technique: your curls will thank you every morning.
Trust an expert
A specialist hairdresser who cuts dry hair understands your curls and offers them a truly tailor-made cut.
✨ The 5 Commandments of Happy Curly Hair
- You will detangle your hair when it's wet , never when it's dry.
- You will use only curly-friendly products
- You will need to be patient (4 to 6 weeks minimum!)
- You shall not touch your hair while it is drying
- You will confide in a hairdresser specializing in curls.
👉 Ready to transform your curls?
Book a personalized consultation at Studio Boucle Paris. Our experts will analyze your hair and your routine to give you tailored advice!
Book my consultation 🤎 Discover our productsHappy curls, nothing but happiness 💛