6 Curly Hair Mistakes & Expert Picks To Solve Them

Ask any curly-haired girl and she'll tell you, managing her bouncy locks is a tricky feat. You're working against frizz, tangles, and all sorts of hair issues that make styling a complete nightmare. To save your troubles and struggles, I asked beauty editors about the biggest curly hair mistakes they see, as well as what their favorite products to solve these issues are.

As pretty as curly hair can look, those ringlets have a mind of their own. Sometimes, they have the annoying tendency to spiral opposite directions, leaving you with some crazy-looking bedhead. Other times, you're battling against weather conditions like humidity that add an undesirable touch of frizz to your locks. It almost feels impossible to learn exactly how to style curly hair. What's a girl to do?

Your curly hair solutions are easier than you think, once you pinpoint the common mistakes. And I got the pros to help. Beauty editors have seen and tried an array of hair products for curly-haired girls and know what works to keep your mane in check. From using the wrong shampoo to washing your hair way too much, these editors have got you covered with their favorite beauty buys. Once you fix these mistakes, styling your hair could be — dare I say it — easy.

1. Mistake: Not Moisturizing Enough

The Solution: Mielle Organics Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk, $18, Amazon

Why It Works: "When you have curly hair like I do, moisture is the most important ingredient to amazing ringlets," says Jessica Cruel, senior beauty and style editor at SELF Digital . "If you let your hair get too dry, frizz is bound to pop up." She recommends using a styling product like this one from Mielle Organics, while you're still in the shower. "I feel like it enhances my natural coils," says Cruel. "And it’s light enough that I can still layer other styling products on top."

2. Mistake: Using A Shampoo With Sulfates

The Solution: Redken Curvaceous No Foam Highly Conditioning Cleanser, $18, Amazon

Why It Works: "The most common curly hair mistake is using shampoos with sulfates," says Chloe Metzger, beauty editor at StyleCaster . "Oh my god, they are so, so drying for your curls, since they strip the natural moisture away from your hair, which is a major no-no for curls." And you can't use just any shampoo, even if it claims it's for curly hair girls. "Tons of companies will still add sulfates into their formulas, even with the curly-hair disclaimer on the front of their bottle.” She recommends this conditioning cleanser as a sulfate-free way to wash your hair. "It’s lighter than a cleansing conditioner, which can be too heavy on my fine curls, but it still makes my hair feel clean and hydrated," she said.

3. Mistake: You're Not Detangling Right

The Solution: DevaCurl One Condition Delight, $30, Amazon

Why It Works: "Because our hair is full of knots and tangles, we want a quick and easy way to detangle," says Andrea Jordan, assistant beauty editor at Essence Magazine . "Little do most people know, brushes and combs can rip through knots and cause breakage and split ends." Instead, she suggests using your fingers. "It helps retain length and also allows curls to form and clump naturally when styling!" Along with detangling, Jordan likes using this conditioner to make the detangling process easier. It's lightweight and has a lot of 'slip,' so you can detangle without damaging your hair.

4. Mistake: Waiting Too Long For Hair To Dry

The Solution: Devacurl Devatowel Anti Frizz Microfiber Towel, $21, Amazon

Why It Works: "The biggest mistake I see with curly hair is not using the right products as soon as you get out of the shower," says Erin Mayer, Associate Fashion and Beauty Editor at Bustle . "The first few minutes while the hair is still soaking wet are crucial, so it's best not to wait too long to start shaping how the curl is going to dry, especially if you don't use heat." This microfiber towel from DevaCurl is one of her favorite items for combatting frizz. "It works to combat frizz and absorbs water cutting back on drying time," says Mayer.

5. The Mistake: Washing Your Hair Too Much

Solution: Living Proof PHD Dry Shampoo, $25, Amazon

Why It Works: "Speaking from experience as someone with curly hair, the biggest mistake I’ve made is washing my hair too frequently," says Christina Heiser online senior associate editor at WomensHealthMag.com. "Curly hair is DRY, so the longer I can go between shampoos, the better. In between washes, she touches up with this dry shampoo to absorb all the oil and sweat that hair accumulates. Another plus to not washing your hair frequently? "The natural oils from my scalp will start working their way down my curls — making my hair less frizzy and shinier, too," says Heiser.

6. Mistake: Applying Gel To Damp Hair

The Solution: Devacurl Ultra Defining Gel, $15, Amazon

Why It Works: "One common mistake is applying gel to curls when they’re slightly damp when they should be soaking wet," says Allure's beauty editor Lexi Novak. "Once hair has started to dry even a little, it’s too late, and that’s when you can get crunchy, frizzy, or undefined spirals." So, when styling hair, a water-based gel, like DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel works best. "That will also help minimize the crunch factor and provide soft hold," says Novak.

Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (6)

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