Mistakes to absolutely avoid in the salon with curly hair

Les erreurs à éviter absolument en salon sur cheveux bouclés

You’ve mastered layered cuts, expert colorings, and smooth blowouts.
But when a client with curls walks into your salon — are you truly prepared to meet her real needs?

Unfortunately, most hairdressing schools offer little (or no) practical training on managing textured hair.
As a result, outdated techniques are often applied — with serious consequences for curl structure, definition, and client trust.

The truth is:
💬 Mistakes don’t come from bad intentions — they come from a lack of specific training.
But in today’s world, curly-haired clients are knowledgeable, demanding, and expect true expertise.
The smallest mistake can mean losing a client… and your reputation.

Let’s go through the 5 most common mistakes and — most importantly — how to correct them professionally.

Mistake #1: cutting curls wet, stretched, and with a comb

What often happens:

  • Hair is combed wet and taut, then cut section by section.
  • This method is perfect for straight hair — but catastrophic for curls.

  • Technically speaking:

  • Wet, stretched curls appear much longer than they really are.
  • Cutting them stretched destroys their natural spring, creating uneven shrinkage once dry.

  • Result:

  • Shorter-than-expected lengths
  • Imbalanced volume
  • Unpredictable and unsatisfying results

  • What an expert does instead:

  • Cut dry, on natural curls
  • Follow the “curl by curl” method
  • Respect the spring, direction, and density of each curl
  • See exactly how the final shape will look — no unpleasant surprises later!

  • At Kally Kurls Studio, this is a foundation of our professional cutting method.

      Mistake #2: using heavy or silicone-based products

      What often happens:

    • Salons use rich masks, heavy oils, or silicone serums designed for straight hair.
    • The goal is to "control frizz" — but the result is weighed-down, lifeless curls.
    • Technically speaking:

    • Curly hair needs hydration first, not heavy oils.
    • Silicones create a suffocating film, blocking real moisture from penetrating.

    • Result:

    • Curls collapse and lose bounce
    • Hair feels greasy or coated
    • Long-term: dehydration, scalp irritation, loss of definition

    • What an expert does instead:

    • Diagnose porosity first
    • Use lightweight, plant-based hydrating gels and creams
    • Seal hydration without overloading the hair
    • Prioritize breathable, natural ingredients that respect the curl

    • Kally Kurls Studio training teaches professionals how to select the right formulas for each texture and porosity.

        Mistake #3: detangling dry or with the wrong tools

        What often happens:

      • Detangling dry hair with fine-toothed combs or paddle brushes.
      • Ripping through knots without applying a slip product.

      • Technically speaking:

      • Dry curls are fragile and prone to breakage.
      • Rough detangling damages cuticles, creates frizz, and ruins the curl pattern.

      • Result:

      • Hair breakage
      • Frizz explosion
      • Client discomfort (pain, sensitivity)

      • What an expert does instead:

      • Detangle wet or very damp hair only
      • Apply a slippery product first (hydrating mist, leave-in, conditioner)
      • Use fingers first, then a wide-tooth comb if needed
      • Always start from the ends and work upward, strand by strand
      • Detangling is a delicate, technical step — not a rushed afterthought.
      •  

        Mistake #4: drying curly hair like straight hair

        What often happens:

      • Blow-drying with strong direct heat, no diffuser.
      • Moving the dryer constantly over the hair.
      • Sometimes even brushing while drying (!).

      • Technically speaking:

      • Curly hair needs time and stability to form a defined shape.
      • Strong airflow disrupts curl formation, dries the fiber too quickly, and creates frizz.

        Result:

      • Puffy, undefined hair
      • Frizz instead of bounce
      • Clients leaving the salon disappointed

      • What an expert does instead:

      • Dry with a diffuser on a warm or cool setting
      • Place curls gently into the diffuser without moving them
      • Tilt the head forward to boost volume
      • Apply a hydrating gel before drying to “set” the curls without stiffening them

      • Drying is not just about speed — it's about preserving and enhancing the natural texture.


        Mistake #5: not providing a home care routine

        What often happens:

      • Clients leave the salon with beautiful curls… but no idea how to maintain them.
      • No product advice, no techniques explained, no routine suggested.

      • Technically speaking:

      • Without guidance, clients use the wrong products, wrong tools, and wrong techniques — undoing all your work.

      • Result:

      • Curls become dry, frizzy, and shapeless
      • Clients think the salon results were "temporary"
      • Loss of trust — and lost business

      • What an expert does instead:

      • Offer a personalized, simple routine: cleanse, hydrate, define
      • Teach basic gestures (detangling, drying, nighttime protection)
      • Recommend products that match the salon routine
      • Ideally, provide a written guide or a short follow-up message

      • When you invest in aftercare education, you gain loyal, grateful clients who return again and again.

        Conclusion: true expertise means mastering curls — not improvising

        Curly hair requires specific knowledge, precise techniques, and tailored advice.
        Every detail matters — from the cut to the products, to drying, to client education.

        The good news?
        ✅ Clients with curls are loyal to professionals who understand their needs.
        ✅ A professional trained in textured hair stands out immediately in the market.
        ✅ Small changes in your approach can create huge transformations in results and client loyalty.

        At Kally Kurls Studio, we train professionals to become true experts in textured hair — with technical mastery, clear communication, and a passion for showcasing every curl.

        🔗 Discover the Kally Kurls Studio professional training

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