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Curly hair myths and facts: what's true and what's not?
Hair can be curly or it can be straight - right? Actually, it’s a little more complex than that. Non-straight hair can be wavy, curly or coily - and there are variations even within those sub categories.
This nuance can lead to confusion about how to best care for curly hair and enhance its natural beauty, with many people acting on misinformation that means their current haircare regimen doesn’t actually work for them.
That’s why we’ve created this article - to separate curly hair myths from curly hair facts, and help you create a routine that allows you to celebrate your curls by keeping them healthy-looking, well defined and in top condition.
We’ll also introduce Essential Haircare’s LOVE CURL/ range, made with Regenerative Organic Certified™ active ingredients¹ that are great for curly hair and for the planet.
¹Sourced from Regenerative Organic Certified™ farms
Myth 01: You should never brush curly hair
Brushing curly hair is not wrong - but you should try to avoid brushing it when it is dry. This is because curly hair is shaped differently to straight hair giving it areas of weakness along the curve of each curl.
The cuticle of curly hair - the outer layer that is made up of a series of overlapping scales - can also be slightly more raised than that of straight hair, making it more porous, dry and prone to damage.
If you have curly hair, try to brush only when your hair is wet and coated with a curly hair conditioner such as Essential Haircare’s LOVE CURL/ conditioner or a curly hair mask like LOVE CURL/ mask to reduce friction. Use a dedicated tool like a wide-tooth comb, detangling brush with flexible bristles or even your fingers for the lowest possible stress on the hair.
Myth 02: Curly hair doesn't grow long
In actual fact, curly hair grows at the same rate as straight hair. The difference is that the waves, curls or coils cause the hair to lift, and this shrinkage can make it appear shorter.
If you’re growing out your curls, you might be tempted to leave as much time as possible between cuts but that can actually have the opposite effect. Split ends create weak points in the hair structure, which can lead to further damage and breakage. Regular trims help the hair stay healthy-looking, helping you reach your length goals more effectively.
While you’re waiting, make sure to use products that are designed to support curly hair and keep it in top condition. LOVE CURL/ is our dedicated range for enhancing curly and wavy hair. It features Regenerative Organic Certified™ Baobab pulp extract² from Mrs. Ouattara Abiba women association, Banfora, Burkina Faso, which contains natural carbohydrates that moisturize and smooth the hair, as well as antioxidants to protect and care for it.
²Sourced from Regenerative Organic Certified™ farms
Myth 03: Curly hair doesn't get greasy
Actually, people with curly hair do still produce sebum, the natural oil that protects the hair and scalp. The difference is that, because of the structure of curly hair, this oil takes longer to travel down the shaft and make the hair appear greasy.
How often you should wash your wavy, curly or coily hair depends on a number of factors, such as how much sebum you naturally produce. If you exercise regularly or live in a humid climate, you’ll most likely sweat more and therefore need to wash more often - ideally with a curly hair shampoo.
Getting the right balance is key since underwashing curly hair can lead to buildup and dullness, as well as scalp issues, whereas overwashing can strip natural oils and leave hair dehydrated, brittle and prone to snapping.
LOVE CURL/ shampoo has been designed to offer just the right balance of gentle cleansing and moisturizing to give you super soft, elastic hair with great bounce and shine.
Myth 04: Cutting curly hair short will make it curlier
Many factors about your hair are determined by genetics - including how curly it is. Curly hair has a different shape to straight hair, with the cross section of the shaft being oval or kidney shaped rather than round like straight hair is.
The angle at which the hair emerges from the follicle also plays a part - straight hair tends to grow straight out of the follicle at a 90 angle to the scalp, whereas wavy, curly and coily hair emerges at an angle that is closer to the scalp.
Because of this, cutting your hair can’t actually increase the degree of curliness. However, curls can be pulled out by the sheer weight of your hair. As a result, cutting your hair - and taking off some weight - can cause the locks to spring up and appear curlier. From there, making sure those curls are well defined is all about care and technique.
Myth 05: Curly hair is always dry
Curly hair isn’t necessarily dry. As we’ve already seen in Myth 03 above, people with curly hair do produce the natural sebum that moisturizes and protects the hair and scalp. It’s just that because of the structure of the hair, it doesn’t travel down the shaft as quickly, meaning that curly hair may not become greasy as quickly.
While it can be more porous, with the right care curly hair can be just as hydrated as any other. The key lies in creating a haircare regime that includes moisturizing products such as curly hair shampoos, conditioners and styling products to seal in moisture, and good habits to ensure the hair is well protected from external stressors.
LOVE CURL/ enhancing milk is a lightweight leave-in product that hydrates the hair while controlling frizz, giving you strong, healthy-looking curls. It offers protection up to 446°F (230°C) and can be used as both a primer and a revitalizer between washes to revive curls.
Myth 06: Frizz is a sign of unhealthy hair
While frizz can be a sign of damage or poor health, the reality is that genetics play a big part in whether your hair will tend towards being frizzy or not. And for curly hair, some degree of frizzing is always to be expected, regardless of how healthy your hair is.
That said, this needn’t ruin your look. With the right curly hair products and styling techniques, you can help smooth the cuticles, reducing the friction that causes frizz. The goal isn’t to eliminate it entirely but to manage it for definition and shine, enhancing the natural beauty of your waves, curls or coils.
Try our moisturizing LOVE CURL/ cream, which has been specially formulated to define natural curls and waves while delivering deep hydration. It improves hair elasticity, helping curls retain their shape with a soft, light hold that never feels stiff and has an anti-frizz action that tames flyaways and smooths the hair cuticle for a polished look.
Celebrate your curls
In the end, caring for curly hair isn’t about fighting against its nature - it’s about celebrating it. When we let go of old myths and outdated rules, we give our curls the freedom to thrive exactly as they are: bold, dynamic and beautifully unique.
Embracing the truth about curly hair means embracing ourselves, just as we are. Nourishing our curls with knowledge, honouring their natural patterns, and stepping confidently into a world where every coil, kink and wave is something to be proud of.
If you’d like tailored advice to suit your hair needs, visit your nearest Davines salon to speak to one of our experts!
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