Addressing Myths About Textured Hair

Didn’t even get to finish my coffee before someone hit me with, “Textured hair is just difficult, right?” Nope. Still blows my mind how many pros believe these myths, like watching someone try to pin up a five-pound updo with a single bobby pin. There’s no magic—just actual care. And, for the record, not all hair is straight, and treating it like it is? Disaster. Moisture, product, cutting—people mess it up constantly because of old-school myths, especially about dryness and “manageability.”

Common Misconceptions Debunked

Every single week I hear, “Textured hair is unmanageable, right?” Wrong. I’ve heard that from stylists who still think perms are cool, but real life says otherwise—textured hair is versatile, not chaos. One client washed daily, then wondered why her ends broke off after a month. “Clean is good,” they said. Actually, washing textured hair every day just sucks out all the moisture, and suddenly you’ve got crunchy ends.

Another favorite: “Textured hair doesn’t need as much conditioning.” Hilarious. The curlier the hair, the less oil makes it to the ends. Rule? Double up on moisture—leave-ins, creams, squish-to-condish, whatever you like. Otherwise, your ends just shatter. Ignore it and you’re back in the salon every week for split ends.

And then there’s the “normal heat straightening is fine” myth. Nope. Textured hair is more fragile, not less. Flat iron at 450°F? You’re basically deep-frying the cuticle, and even the best hair bonds can’t survive that. Still see stylists ignore this and it makes me want to scream; science backs me up, L’Oréal’s got the studies.

Straight Hair vs. Textured Hair: Key Differences

So many clients start with, “I just want it sleek, like straight hair,” then show me Instagram inspo. The difference isn’t just shape; the structure and care are totally different. Straight hair? Oil slides down fast, so scalps get greasy. Textured hair? Oil gets stuck, so ends dry out by midweek. Using the same shampoo for both? You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment.

Textured hair loves layered moisture—a rich leave-in mix, patience, detangling in sections, and every so often, a deep conditioning treatment. If you don’t believe me, go check what the curl experts say. Straight hair can sometimes get by with lighter products or just air-drying and a brush, but try that on coily hair and, yeah, puffball. Instantly.

What really gets me is when stylists cut both types the same way: blunt scissors on curls? Lopsided as soon as it dries. Razors on fine straight hair? More split ends than a bad bleach job. Had a stylist friend ask if the same anti-frizz serum would work for both. If only. Textured hair puffs up in humidity, straight hair just falls flat, so yeah—products need to be tailored, not generic.

Building an Effective Hair Routine

Someone always insists their “basic” routine is enough, but half my job is fixing the fallout—shirts ruined by product, scrunchies tangled forever. It’s never just about shampoo. Nobody talks about how humidity ruins even the best plans or how tap water can suddenly turn your hair into a frizz bomb.

Consistent Moisturizing Practices

Moisturizing textured hair—seriously, it’s my entire life, and still people act surprised when I say hydration isn’t a one-off thing. I’ve watched grown adults blame their ends on genetics after skipping leave-in. If Tasha Reiko Brown never skips a water-based spray, why are we pretending we know better? For me, frequency matters way more than heavy products.

People swear by butters, then overdo it and end up with limp, greasy curls—so much for “just one more mask.” Read your ingredients, figure out your porosity. I love Kérastase, but did you know skipping regular conditioning is the biggest salon mistake for textured hair? And if you hate scalp buildup, maybe don’t use heavy silicones every wash. My cousin claims aloe vera gel fixes everything—her ends still split.

Adapting Routines for Changing Hair Needs

Nobody wants to admit their “holy grail” routine falls apart the second they move, start swimming, or grow out their color. Stylists see it all the time. That expensive moisturizer? Useless if the weather changes or your hair’s porosity shifts. I tell clients to switch products with the seasons, but wow, the resistance.

People stick to winter routines in summer, then freak out when the frizz won’t stop. Why do we collect endless creams but ignore clarifying shampoo until our hair is basically glue? According to Margaux Salon’s guide, “targeted treatments” only work if you actually listen to your hair. I tried a protein mask after a week at the beach—my hair snapped off in clumps. Hydration isn’t static, and neither is my patience, honestly.