The visual for this post was created using AI tools, guided by my creative vision.
Today my plan was to post five easy curly hairstyles. But honestly? I couldn’t be bothered. Between mom life, tired arms, and zero motivation to style my hair for the camera, I decided to talk about something way more real — curly hair rules… and how I break them.
Because if you’ve been in the curly world long enough, you already know — there’s a rule for everything.
No sulfates.
No silicones.
No washing more than once a week.
Never detangle dry.
Deep condition religiously.
Sleep on satin.
Don’t touch. Don’t breathe. Don’t blink near your curls.
And honestly? It’s exhausting. 😅
I love my curls, but curly hair can feel like a full-time job. You need patience, products, and upper-body strength. And let’s not forget — every curl type has its own “routine.” Like, excuse me, I barely have a routine for my life!
So here’s my truth: I know all the rules… I just don’t always follow them.
Rule #1: No Sulfates, No Silicones, No Mineral Oils
The holy trinity of curly commandments.
And yeah, I tried. But I’ve also used shampoos with sulfates, silicones, and probably a few unpronounceable ingredients — and guess what? My curls didn’t file for divorce.
I test products. If something leaves my hair dry, I ditch it. If it makes my hair feel soft, moisturized, and clean, it stays. That’s it.
Rule #2: Don’t Wash More Than Once a Week
I’ve broken this one so many times.
Sometimes I wash my hair two or three times a week. Depends on my mood, weather, and energy level.
Yes, overwashing can dry curls out, but honestly — if my scalp feels gross, I’m washing it. I don’t wait for the calendar to tell me I can.
Rule #3: Never Detangle Dry Hair
Okay, guilty.
I’ve done it. I still do it sometimes.
Normally, I detangle with conditioner in the shower — that’s ideal. But there are days when I just can’t. So I grab a bit of leave-in (or sometimes nothing at all 😬), detangle dry, braid it, and move on with my day. Has my hair fallen off? Nope.
Rule #4: Always Deep Condition
I wish I could say I do this every week. I really do.
But deep conditioning takes time — and some days, I just want to get in and out of the shower before my son starts knocking on the door.
So I go for quick, slippery conditioners that make detangling easy and leave my hair soft. No 30-minute masks, no steamy bathroom spa vibes. Just real-life hair care.
Rule #5: Protect Your Hair at Night
I own a silk bonnet. I also forget to wear it.
Sometimes I pass out with my hair loose, wake up looking like a lion, and just laugh.
I’ll fix it later. 😅
The truth is, yes — silk bonnets and protective styles are great. But life happens. Consistency is better than perfection.
Rule #6: Don’t Touch Your Hair Too Much
Ha. Impossible.
I touch my hair constantly. I fluff it, restyle it mid-week, play with curls when I’m thinking. It’s a comfort thing.
Maybe it causes a bit more frizz, but it’s also how I connect with my hair — and I’m not giving that up.
So What’s the Real Rule?
Honestly? It’s do what works for you.
I think most curly hair rules are well-intentioned. They teach you how to care for your hair, protect moisture, and keep curls defined. But at the end of the day, you have to be practical — about your time, energy, and lifestyle.
For me, the biggest change happened when I stopped trying to follow every rule perfectly and started listening to my hair instead.
So yeah, I break rules. But I still care for my hair, I still love my curls, and I still show up — just a little more realistically.
Because your curls don’t need rules.
They just need care, love, and a little grace on the lazy days. 💛
💬 Which curly hair rule do you break without regret?
Tell me in the comments — let’s normalize real-life hair care, not hair perfection.
