The BIGGEST Haircare mistakes You're Making

Curly Hair Mistakes That Stop Growth & How to Fix Them

Silk Press Step-by-Step

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A silk press is a great way to transform curly hair into a sleek, straight style while maintaining hair health. However, many people with curly hair unknowingly make mistakes that can hinder their hair growth and overall hair health. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the common hair care mistakes I see in my salon, all while showing you the proper steps for a flawless silk press.

Mistake #1: Not Washing Your Hair Enough

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people not washing their hair frequently enough. Some of my new clients only wash their hair once a month, which leaves their curls dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Curly hair thrives on moisture, and when it’s not washed regularly, buildup from products, dirt, and oils can suffocate the strands and scalp.

The Fix:

  • Wash your hair at least every two weeks, but ideally once a week.

  • Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove buildup.

  • Follow up with a moisture-rich shampoo to maintain hydration.

For my client’s silk press, I started with a clarifying shampoo to remove any buildup, followed by my moisture shampoo. This ensures the hair is clean, lightweight, and ready to absorb treatments.

Volume Shampoo
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Volume Shampoo
$22.00
Moisture Shampoo
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Moisture Shampoo
$22.00

Mistake #2: Skipping Deep Conditioning

Regular conditioners don’t penetrate deeply enough to provide lasting hydration. Without deep conditioning, curls dry out quickly, leading to frizz, breakage, and tangling.

The Fix:

  • Deep condition your hair with a moisture and protein-balanced treatment after every wash.

  • Use a hair steamer to help the deep conditioner penetrate deeper into the strands.

After shampooing, I applied my Deep Repair Treatment, which contains keratin protein and intense moisture. To help it absorb, I used a hair steamer, which also promotes scalp health and hair growth.

Deep Repair Treatment
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Deep Repair Treatment
$30.00

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Hair Products

Many people use heavy creams, butters, and oils, thinking they’re moisturizing their hair when they’re actually just coating it. This leads to buildup, dryness, and limp curls.

The Fix:

  • Choose lightweight, hydrating products that penetrate the hair shaft.

  • Avoid heavy oils like shea butter and castor oil for regular use.

  • Test products by applying them to the back of your hand—if they absorb, they’ll absorb into your hair too.

To prep for the blow-dry, I applied my Emergency Miracle Treatment leave-in conditioner, which is lightweight and deeply hydrating. I followed up with a blow-dry cream for added heat protection and moisture retention, finishing with the Amethyst Oil to seal in hydration.

Silky Smooth Silky Smooth
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Silky Smooth
Sale Price: $77.00 Original Price: $85.00

Mistake #4: Neglecting Regular Trims

Many people avoid trims out of fear of losing length, but split ends will continue to travel up the hair shaft if left uncut, causing more damage and breakage.

The Fix:

  • Get a trim once every season (every 3-4 months) to maintain healthy ends.

  • Look for signs of split ends: tangling, thinning, and frizz at the ends.

After blow-drying, I assessed my client’s ends. Because she maintains regular trims, she only needed a slight dusting. This keeps her hair strong and prevents setbacks in her growth journey.

Mistake #5: Over-Reliance on Protective Styles

Protective styles are great for reducing manipulation, but keeping them in for too long or wearing them back-to-back without breaks can cause dryness, shedding, and even breakage.

The Fix:

  • Keep protective styles in for no longer than 4-6 weeks.

  • Give your hair time to breathe between styles.

  • Maintain a proper wash and moisture routine, even when wearing braids or wigs.

To protect my client’s hair before flat ironing, I applied another light layer of Amethyst Oil for heat protection and shine. After straightening, her hair was silky, bouncy, and full of movement!

Amethyst Oil
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Amethyst Oil
$30.00

Final Results

The final look? A shiny, healthy silk press with layers that will look great in both straight and curly styles! Because my client follows a proper hair care routine—including washing regularly, deep conditioning, using the right products, and getting trims—her hair is thriving.

If you’ve been making any of these mistakes, now is the time to make changes that will help your curls flourish! Want to know the best protective styles for hair growth? Check out my next post!

Until then, happy hair journey!

Need more help with your curls?

Hair CareMirna Norales