Are you in love with the lazy naturals lifestyle? It’s a sunny world where curly, coily, and wavy girls adopt a simplified, easy approach to textured hair care that means less time chained to the bathroom mirror (or insert your primary hair styling station here) and more time actually enjoying their big, bodacious strands. It’s the path of least textured hair resistance, but it isn’t completely without pitfalls. Like any method, the potential for mistakes and bad hair days abound. But, I want your natural hair journey to be as easy and effortless as possible. So, come in close. I’m going to share the biggest mistakes I made as a wee lazy natural lass so that you can steer clear.

Know Thy Texture

It took three long years of struggling followed by just three months of guided instruction for me to discover the best approach for my wild tendrils. I look back and grimace at the time I wasted trying to style my hair with limited understanding of curls and coils. As a result of wearing my hair snatched back every day, the coils at my crown were choppy and broken. As soon as I began learning about detangling, moisturizing, and protective styling, my curls started thriving. These days, it’s easier than ever to learn about proper textured hair care and maintenance. Use resources like NaturallyCurly and Tribe Called Curl for information on styling techniques and products. Don’t be afraid to experiment. And whatever you do, don't attempt to comb your curls dry.

Cut It Out

Ever spot a naturalista with super long curls from far away, but ragged, broken strands up close? Yep, that use to be me. Going years without a trim led to split ends, tangles, and frustration. Like many, I was so fixated on length that the health of my hair wasn’t even a thought. Thankfully, I’ve seen the error of my ways and I now get regular (micro) trims every three or four months, depending on the condition of my curls. Since then, my hair has never looked better. For the record, I’m a big believer in letting a qualified stylist do the honors, which brings me to my final point.

Don’t Go It Alone

Twelve years of doing my hair alone left me with long, but unremarkable curls and coils. My hair didn’t have any shape and my ends were ragged and split. Then, I stepped into a natural hair salon. In addition to luxuriating in the experience of having someone else do the work, I also got a cut that literally turned heads. There is a great deal of mistrust in the natural hair community when it comes to stylists, and while some of it is understandable, beauticians who specialize in texture have the ability to make good hair great. As a lazy natural, I’ve mastered one or two signature looks, but when I want a special, sophisticated hairstyle, I go to a trusted expert. A trusted stylist in your area can easily be identified by a thorough online search, and of course a personal reference is always a plus. Looking for a stylist who specializes in styling curly and coily hair? Check out the Curl Salons on the site and leave a review!

For years, these three common mistakes kept me from glorious, healthy curls. Don’t let them hold you back. May the (curly) force be with you.

What are some mistakes you have made as a lazy natural?