8 Reasons Curl Journeys Fail + How to Avoid Beginner Mistakes for Healthier Curls

Do you ever just want to give up on your curly hair? I know how much work it feels like trying to maintain your curls, especially if you’re someone who is transitioning from wearing it straight all the time to embracing your curls. 

In this post, I share 8 of the most common reasons people fail at their curly journey and how to avoid common beginner mistakes. Also included is a wash day routine focused on damage repair and improving the health of your curls. I’m using several products from Curlsmith’s Strength Recipe, and they currently have a promo going on where if you spend $50 or £40 you can get a free full-sized Strength Recipe product with your purchase. Offer ends tomorrow, Oct. 23, 2022!

Reasons Curl Journeys Fail

1. Expecting results quickly

There’s a reason we call it a “curly hair journey,” because it’s truly a journey that takes time. I spent 4 years transitioning, which just means I was growing our heat and bleach damage and trying to get my natural curls back. Patience is key, and the quicker you can get the damage cut off or grow it out, the faster your hair will be restored.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Track your progress for motivation
• Document with photos and notes
• Get a “big chop” or get very frequent trims
• Protect the new growth by using pre-poo oils and heat protectants

2. Too much moisture

Many people who follow the Curly Girl Method (CGM) to a “T” experience moisture overload because it focuses on only co-washing and using very moisture-rich products. I’ve also seen where people with fine, wavy, and/or loose curls get weighted down hair. They start with drugstore brands that tend to contain more heavy oils and butters because they’re designed for coily hair.

People also often will just use a curl cream as their only styler and end up with weighed-down, greasy hair that won’t bounce up or hold.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Use lathering shampoos and clarifying shampoos
• Use lightweight products
• Style damp instead of soaking wet
• Don’t be afraid of protein

3. Too much protein

While protein is great for damaged hair, you don’t want to overdo it either. Avoid using full-on protein treatments too frequently. Protein ingredients buildup on the hair and can make it feel stiff and brittle.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Clarify to remove protein buildup
• Rotate your products each wash day or have a mix of both products with and without protein
• Think about your routines as a whole, at a month’s view
• Check out my Wash Day Calendar for more on this concept

4. Not using enough hold or the right products

Not having strong enough hold from your stylers is likely the #1 reason your hair is not turning out or not lasting. So many people are afraid of the crunch but it’s crucial if you want lasting definition. You can always scrunch out the cast so you can have a softer look, however a good gel will prevent your hair from frizzing up after scrunching out the cast.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Use a gel that forms a cast when dried
• Scrunch out the cast for a softer look
• Avoid using too much water when styling or too much cream, which will dilute your gel and soften your cast

5. Inconsistent results

It’s normal for your results to not turn out exactly the same every time, especially as you’re getting started with your curls. Damaged hair is going to be more finicky because it can’t hold onto moisture or products. Patience is key, and know that it does get better as you’re more consistent with your curly hair routine.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Stay consistent with your routine
• Document any changes and identify patterns
• Use gels with sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and frizz
• Use styling techniques such as brush styling, finger coiling, and scrunching for more consistent curls throughout

6. Going back and forth with straightening & wearing it natural

Switching from straight to curly will only delay your progress because heat damages your curl pattern. One of the main reasons people don’t like their natural curls is because they are only seeing them damaged. If you stop straightening cold turkey, get your hair healthy, then you will like your natural results.

How to avoid this:

• Use curl-enhancing techniques to like your results more when its curly such as brush styling or finger coiling
• Use strong hold gels to prevent frizz
• Diffuse to set the curl shape so that the curls last
• Wear non-damaging, loose hairstyles on “bad hair days” to deal with it as it’s transitioning

7. Not being able to keep up with the maintenance

One of the biggest complaints I hear is “curly hair is too much work,” which is totally fair because healthy curly hair is maintenance. Sure, you can neglect your curls and not do much with them, but they likely won’t look good unless you’re born with perfect curls.

It’s also important to consider that most of us do not wash and style daily. I wash 1-2x per week. I do a quick routine during the work week and a slightly longer routine on the weekend with treatments such as clarifying or deep conditioning as needed. If you’re treating your curls right and styling with the products and techniques I’ve discussed here, your results will last in between wash days. Refreshing is also an option to prolong your style and should only take 5-7 minutes.

The reality is that curly hair requires more maintenance than someone with straight hair if you want to control frizz and have defined curls.

How to avoid this:

• Simplify your routine as much as possible
• Rotate your routines
• Know that it gets easier with practice
• Once your hair is healthier, it will be less maintenance 
• Don’t bleach or straighten because that will require more maintenance

8. Being a perfectionist or having unrealistic expectations

Expecting your hair to be perfectly frizz-free will set you up for failure. Understand that frizz is normal for curls because of its shape. Straight hair lays smoothly, and curly hair has bends and turns which make it not lay flat. I’ve shared countless tips in my content for reducing frizz, but always keep in mind that some frizz is normal.

Idolizing people with hair that is not like yours can also be damaging. For example, I have low-density hair so I cannot expect my results to turn out like someone with thick hair that is very voluminous. Also keep in mind that some people may be further along in their natural hair journey, and the appearance improves as curls get healthier.

How to avoid this:

• Understand your hair type and what’s normal
• Follow people with a similar density, porosity, etc.
• Practice wearing it “imperfect” more

Results from this Routine

Don’t forget to check out the Curlsmith Strength Recipe promo before the sale ends on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023! Let me know if you try out this routine and how it works for you.

If you’re looking for more help with getting your curls back to their natural, healthy state, watch this video on How to Get Your Curls Back | Step by Step Routine for Curlier Hair.