Friends, we have just ushered in the new year. This means most people are likely making resolutions and changes to upgrade their lifestyle. Well, as you make your list of resolutions, we're here to remind you that your hair should also be a top priority. There are certain bad hair habits many of us are guilty of doing that may be getting in the way of achieving the luscious curls we all dream of. But, this new year is the perfect time to say goodbye to those bad habits.
Read ahead, to discover the bad curly hair habits you need to leave behind on your way to healthy curls in the months to come.
Delaying Your Wash Days
Far too many people are guilty of this particular habit. You know your wash day is coming up and your curls could really use that deep cleanse but you find every excuse the avoid it. Trust us, we know a full curly hair wash day can sometimes be an indulgent affair but leaving your hair dirty for longer than it needs to be can derail the health of your curls.
The accumulation of oil, grime and buildup on your scalp can make it harder for nutrients and moisture to reach your hair and can lead to things like dandruff and scalp inflammation. This New Year, try to stick to a consistent routine of washing your curls at the right time. The good thing is you do not have to wash your curly hair as frequently as other hair types. You can wash once a week or every two weeks depending on what your hair needs. As long as you have a good moisturising shampoo like our Hydration Shampoo on hand, your hair will feel so soft after each wash, that you'll enjoy giving your curls that much-needed reset.
Most people sleep on cotton beddings and while they are perfectly fine and comfortable for you to lie on, they have a slightly different effect on your hair. If you run your hands on your pillowcase, you will notice the fabric is not completely smooth. Now, when your hair consistently rubs against that fabric, it causes friction that can increase frizziness, tangles and even breakage.
So if you are the type that often goes to bed without any sort of hair covering, this is your sign to change your ways. Put the hair in a silk or satin bonnet to prevent any friction while you sleep. If you are not a fan of bonnets, you can use a silk scarf or just go for a silk pillowcase.
Using The Wrong Detangling Tools
Depending on your hair type, the process of detangling curly hair can sometimes be very delicate. So it's very crucial to ensure you are using the right tools. For example, If you have tight curls and coils and you have tried using fine tooth hair brushes and combs on your hair, we’re sure you don't need us to tell you what an unpleasant experience that can be.
Using the wrong type of comb on your hair will make your detangling whole process more difficult than it needs to be and it can also be painful and cause an increase in breakage. So if you have been using the wrong tools to detangle your hair, make sure you switch things up this year. Opt for wide tooth combs, paddle brushes, and any detangling tool with large bristles.
Not Trimming the hair
Look, we know much everyone loves to show off the length they worked so hard to achieve. Which is why the thought of cutting even a little bit of your hair makes you feel some type of way. But, over time your ends naturally gather up a few split ends and knots here and there that need to be taken care of. So you've gotta work up the courage to trim those dead ends.
The longer you delay your trims, the more the split ends will worsen and before you know it, you'll have to cut off way more than you're comfortable with. If you have not had a trim since last year, maybe you can start off the year by doing so to prepare your hair for a healthy new year ahead. The main thing to keep in mind is that trims are very important for the health of your hair and you only need to do them 1-3 times a year so stop avoiding them like the plague.
Too Much Heat Styling
It can be very tempting to straighten your curly hair every chance you get but if you pay close attention, you'll notice that excessive heat styling is affecting the health of your curls. The more you expose your hair to heat, the greater your chances of getting heat damage and the weaker your individual hair strands become. So, if silk presses are always your go-to style, it may be best to give them a break in the coming months. You do not have to completely cut off all heat styling but just limit them to only once every month.
Making Extremely Tight Hairstyles
This one is for our curl friends who love to slay with protective styles. We're talking box braids, cornrows, boho braids and the likes. Yes, we know these hairstyles look incredibly stunning but they also have a tendency to cause breakage when done incorrectly. You know those hairstyles you get where your scalp feels so tight, you get bumps and headaches? Yeah, they are really horrible for your hair and create a lot of tension that can break off your hair strands. In fact, these styles are the main reason why most people lose their edges.
Don't worry you do not have to completely stop doing braids– we wouldn’t dare tell you that. However, try to have a conversation with your stylist beforehand so they do not make your preferred hairstyle too tight.
Detangling Dry Hair
When it comes to detangling your hair it is very important to do it right. If you have a habit of just going at your curls with a comb and a healthy dose of frustration, you need to cut that out and give your hair a taste of the soft life. Curly hair is best detangled when it is damp or wet so that the liquid can lubricate your strands and make it easier to release any tangles or knots.
When you try to comb dry hair, it is not only much more difficult than it needs to be, but you also run the risk of creating a lot of breakage. So before detangling your curls, combine our Manuka Honey Leave-In Conditioner with some water in a spray bottle and spritz a little bit of the mixture on your hair before detangling. Additionally, if are detangling on wash day, our Moisture Rich Conditioner is also a must-have to help soften your hair and make it way easier to run your comb through each section.
Not Using The Right Products For Your Hair
Another common curly hair habit most people have is using products that are not suited to their hair. Just because you saw someone use a certain combo of stylers or a certain conditioner does not mean that is what your hair needs. This new year, try to study and understand your hair so you can choose the right products for it. For example, some people's hair may only require a mousse like Sofnfree's Curling Mousse to achieve flawless hairstyles while others may need our Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater Gel for a stronger hold.
The same thing applies to ingredients in hair products. Your hair may enjoy the nutrients in honey and flourish with our Honey Love Hair Care Kit or it may be better off with our Coconut oil & Jamaican Black Castor Oil collection. The point is, each person's hair is different so make sure the products you are using are what actually works for your curls.
Not Moisturising Your Hair In Between Hairstyles
Far too many curly naturals make the mistake of thinking once their hair is in a protective style or low-manipulation hairstyle, they do not have to touch it until the next wash day. Girl! This New Year, let's put that behind us. Your curly hair is naturally prone to dryness because of the pattern in which it grows out of the scalp. So, the moisturiser you applied while you were doing your wash n’ go or twists is not enough to keep your hair nourished for several days. You should be reapplying moisturiser to your curls at least twice a week. This means every 2-3 days, you've got to grab something like Sofnfree's Curl Refresh Spray to replenish your hair with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
While you moisturise your hair, it is also very important to make sure your scalp is not neglected. Be sure to apply some of our Hair & Scalp Oil 1-2 times a week to prevent dryness on the scalp.
Comparing Your Hair With Other People’s Hair
It is often said that comparison is the thief of joy and when it comes to your natural hair this is so true. These days we are inundated with so many pictures of influences with perfect curls or super long hair on social media. Now, while it is perfectly normal to see these people as an inspiration and try to learn from them, we sometimes get into the habit of comparing our hair to theirs. Think about it, how many times have you tried a certain hairstyle you saw on an influencer and because it didn't turn out the same way on you, you start to have negative thoughts about your hair?
If there is one habit we would emphasize that you stop doing, it would be this one. Curly hair is so beautifully diverse that it manifests in so many different ways. Whether your hair is curly, coily, kinky, long or short, it grows out of your head so how could it be anything other than perfect? Your hair is an extension of your uniqueness as a person so there is really no point comparing it to anyone else's. After all, you are one in a million.
Now, you may not be guilty of any of the bad habits we mentioned in this post and if you aren't keep it up! You're on the path to gorgeous healthy curls. But, if you notice some of some of the things we've discussed are habits you practise, this new year is your chance for a healthy hair reset. Ditch these bad habits in the coming months and you'll notice a significant change in the look and feel of your curls.