6 Common Shampoo Mistakes New Naturals Make

So, you thought you had your regimen down to a science. NOT! There are some common mistakes in the shampoo process that a lot of naturals are making that lead to build-up and dry, frizzy curls.

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Let’s not waste time and get into the six common mistakes being made by naturals in the cleansing process.

1. You pre-poo with oil.

Pre-pooing is actually a great way to start the detangling process. However, what’s not helpful is using heavy oils like coconut or castor oil as your pre-poo agent. While the purpose of the pre-poo is to help with tangles you also need to keep in mind that the whole point is to get your curls cleansed. Adding heavy oils prior to cleansing your curls is actually counterproductive considering that a lot of us are using sulfate-free cleansers.  Especially since sulfate-free shampoos strip the hair of moisture, leading to dry, brittle, and damaged curls.

2. You’re using shampoos that have heavy sealants in the ingredients.

Reading that product label is extremely important when choosing products for your curls. As a matter of fact, the first five ingredients on the list are the most important. Products containing heavy oils or butters within the first five ingredients on the label are actually counterproductive to the cleansing properties listed. Shampoo is not supposed to make your curls soft.

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3. You’re not using a clarifying shampoo.

The way we love our oils and butters is the same love we should have for clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is our friend and should be used in accordance with our specific hair needs. I personally suffer from hair buildup, so clarifying shampoo is something that I use two to three times a month.

4. You’re using clay, apple cider vinegar, baking soda or soap to “cleanse” your hair.

If you’re using heavy oils and butters you’re wasting time with these chemicals. In fact, you’re actually making your curls quite thirsty and further adding to your curls becoming dry, dull, and limp. Please stop. Get yourself a shampoo that is full of surfactants and WASH your hair!

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5. You’re not using a shampoo that is formulated for your hair.

If your hair is dry and you’re using a shampoo formulated for oily hair then you are doing your curls a huge disservice. All of our curls are different and in most cases, all our curls have different needs.  It’s very important to use a shampoo that meets the needs of your personal curls.

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6. You’re using co-washing as a form of shampooing.

Co-washing is a method of cleansing and refreshing the curls and curls that are layered in water-based products between shampoos. Co-washing is not effective nor productive on curls that are layered in heavy oils and butters.  The only way to thoroughly cleanse curls layered in heavy oils and butters is to actually use shampoos with heavy surfactants. It’s not that co-washing is inherently bad but it’s how we’ve been misusing it that is!

They say, “When you know better you do better!”

Is anyone else guilty of committing any of these mistakes?

Aishia Strickland is a full-time mom to a little Chocolate Prince, a full-time beauty school student, lover of multi-textured hair, tastemaker, Editor of Chocolate Curls Beauty, and a knower of all THINGS!