In over 30 years of working with curly hair, I've heard some truly wild advice. Some of it well-meaning, some of it... less so.
Today, we're setting the record straight on the myths that might be holding your curls back.
Myth 1: You Should Never Brush Curly Hair
The truth: It depends on when and how.Dry brushing? Absolutely avoid. It breaks up your curl pattern and creates frizz faster than you can say "triangle head."
But wet brushing with the right tool—like a wide-tooth comb or a wet brush—can actually help distribute conditioner, remove tangles, and encourage curl clumping.
The key: Only detangle when your hair is soaking wet and loaded with conditioner. Start from the ends and work up. Be patient.Myth 2: Curly Hair Doesn't Need Regular Trims
The truth: Your curls need trims just as much as straight hair—maybe more.When curly hair develops split ends, those splits travel up the hair shaft faster because the hair is already more fragile. The result? Frizzy, undefined ends that make your whole head look less polished.
The reality: Regular trims every 8-12 weeks keep your curls bouncy and defined. The key is finding a stylist who cuts curly hair dry, so they can see exactly how each curl falls.Myth 3: You Can't Colour Curly Hair
The truth: You absolutely can colour curly hair—you just need to do it thoughtfully.Curly hair is naturally drier and more porous than straight hair, which means it can be more susceptible to damage from harsh chemical processes. But that doesn't mean colour is off the table.
What works:- Gentle, ammonia-free colour formulations
- Strategic colour placement (balayage works beautifully on curls)
- Deep conditioning treatments before and after
- Working with a colourist who understands curl structure
Myth 4: Products Are the Solution to All Curl Problems
The truth: Technique matters more than products.I've seen clients with bathroom shelves overflowing with curl products who still struggle with frizz and definition. Why? Because they're applying products wrong or skipping crucial steps.
What actually matters:- Applying products to soaking wet hair
- Using the right amount (not too much, not too little)
- Scrunching versus raking
- Drying technique (diffusing properly vs. rough towel-drying)
Myth 5: Your Curl Type Defines Everything
The truth: Curl type (2A, 3B, 4C, etc.) is just one piece of the puzzle.The curl typing system is helpful for basic understanding, but it doesn't tell the whole story. What matters more:
Porosity — How well your hair absorbs and retains moisture Density — How many individual strands you have Width — The thickness of each individual strand Elasticity — How well your hair stretches and returnsA 3A curl with high porosity needs completely different products than a 3A curl with low porosity. That's why blanket recommendations based on curl type alone often miss the mark.
The Biggest Myth of All
Perhaps the most damaging myth I hear is: "My hair is just difficult."
Your hair isn't difficult. It's different. And different isn't bad—it just requires understanding.
When you learn to work with your natural texture instead of against it, everything changes. The frizz becomes definition. The unmanageable becomes effortless. The frustration becomes joy.
Ready to Learn Your Curls?
Book a curly hair consultation and let's figure out what your specific curls actually need—not what the internet says all curls need.
Your hair has been waiting for someone to understand it. We're here.