Beauty
10 “Bad” Curly Hair Mistakes You’re Probably Making On Wash Day, And 10 Things You Should Do Instead
Hey, curl friends! My name is Liz, and I’ve been natural my whole life. I’m not a professional, but I love learning, reviewing products, and sharing tips on natural hair care. And today, we’re tackling a big one: 🫧 wash day 🫧.
Whether you love or hate it, wash day is one of the most important yet time-consuming parts of any natural hair regimen. Over the years, I’ve tried it all — from viral DIYs to the no-shampoo method — and there were plenty of hits and misses. So, I decided to compile the habits and hacks that have ~actually~ made my wash day easier and enhanced the health of my hair over time.
So, here are some of the biggest wash-day mistakes I’ve made with my natural hair — and what I’m now doing instead:
And remember: Everyone’s hair is unique! What works for me may not work for you. What’s best for your routine may differ depending on your hair needs, porosity, goals, and lifestyle. So, feel free to take inspiration from these tips and learn what works for you!
1. ❌ BAD HABIT: Skipping wash days. I get it; sometimes, you’re tired after a long week, and the last thing you want to do is set aside a couple of hours for a wash day. However, wash days are ~key~ for the health of your curls and coils, and not having a regular regimen can result in dry, brittle, or damaged hair. You want to keep your scalp cleansed from product buildup (more on that soon) and ensure your strands get the moisture and treatments they need to flourish.
✅ TRY THIS INSTEAD: Follow a consistent wash-day routine. How often should you wash your curls? Most recommend once every seven to ten days. Since sticking to a routine where I shampoo and deep condition my hair every week, I’ve seen a significant improvement in the health and strength of my curls.
2. ❌ BAD HABIT: Avoiding shampoo. For years, co-washing (using conditioner only to cleanse hair) was a popular trend in the natural hair community to avoid shampoo — which often contains sulfates that can be incredibly drying for textured hair and leave your strands susceptible to breakage. At one point in my hair journey, I relied on co-washing and only shampooed once a month because shampoo left my curls feeling dry afterward (it turns out I just needed a better shampoo that worked for my hair!), but I noticed my hair didn’t feel as lightweight and clarified with this wash routine. I’m not saying co-washing is entirely “bad”; many naturals still swear by it! However, the method can have drawbacks, like not removing product buildup, resulting in an itchy and irritated scalp.
✅ TRY THIS INSTEAD: Shampoo regularly. Now, I shampoo my hair once a week — every single wash day — and I’d argue it’s one of the most crucial steps in my regimen. For my current routine, I first wet my hair with warm water, shampoo TWICE to thoroughly cleanse my curls, and then use a conditioner. First, I start with a shampoo that clarifies well; after rinsing out the first shampoo, I use a second moisturizing shampoo that leaves my hair feeling hydrated. Since shampooing regularly, I’ve noticed: 1) my hair feels clarified and not weighed down, 2) when my strands are clarified well, my hair absorbs water and products better, and 3) as a result, my hair feels more moisturized, so I can better avoid breakage and retain more length, and finally, 4) my curls are shinier and more defined.
3. ❌ BAD HABIT: Only cleansing your scalp. Another popular method to avoid drying out curly hair is clarifying your scalp alone and avoiding shampooing the entire length of your strands. Of course, taking care of your scalp and keeping it clean for healthy hair growth is crucial. A clean scalp helps stimulate hair follicles for hair growth and avoids issues like dandruff, acne, and scabbing on the scalp. But the rest of your hair needs a cleanse, too! Not shampooing your strands at all can leave you with product buildup, and when you apply new products, they may not be as effective since they won’t penetrate your strands as easily.
✅ TRY THIS INSTEAD: Shampoo the lengths of your hair, too. I usually focus on cleansing my scalp first, then I work the remaining product down the strands of my hair. This doesn’t dry out my curls but gives them a clean slate, so they stay hydrated (and, as a result, more defined!) during the week. The most important thing is to find a quality shampoo with ingredients that work well with your hair type and porosity so it won’t strip your strands.
4. ❌ BAD HABIT: Over-detangling your hair. For curly and coily hair, detangling is key to avoiding knots and getting rid of tangles, but one of the biggest culprits of breakage is over-manipulation. I used to detangle my hair with a brush or comb while shampooing, then while applying deep conditioner, and again while styling. And, of course, every time, I shed hair.
✅ TRY THIS INSTEAD: ~Selectively~ detangle during wash day. Finger detangling FIRST allows you to gently detangle your hair before grabbing a brush or comb — and prevent unnecessary snagging. (And some naturals have ditched detangling tools altogether and only finger detangle to reduce even more breakage!) For my new routine, I finger detangle when I shampoo, then I detangle with a brush when applying my deep conditioner, and when styling, I use my hands to apply the product — or if needed, I’ll use a styling brush. In each step, I make sure to take my time, brushing my hair from the ends to the roots so I can carefully tend to my hair with much less breakage.
5. ❌ BAD HABIT: Not deep conditioning. A deep conditioner can add even more moisture and nourishment to your curls than regular conditioners, so skipping it in your routine may mean you’re missing out on several benefits, like reducing frizz, improving elasticity, and repairing damaged strands. Early in my hair journey, I used a deep conditioner more sparingly — maybe once a month — and after a typical wash day, I never felt my hair was as moisturized as it could be for the week ahead.