If you have curly hair, you have most probably heard of the Curly Girl Method at least once in your life. Right?
When I started taking care of my hair, I didn’t know where to start, but I knew I wanted to use natural products. I remember my mom used to put olive oil on my hair when I was younger, she said it would nourish my hair and make it unbelievably beautiful. And we both shared love for natural products and DIY masks.
That’s why I recently started researching the best ways to take care of curly hair, and I found the Curly Girl Method. This article should help you understand the basis of the CGM.
The Curly Girl Method was invented by Lorraine Massey. It is simply a way to care for your hair, by using the right products and cutting out sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols (in short). Basically, like a healthy diet but for your hair!
“Frizz is just a curl waiting to happen” Lorraine Massey
There are many ways to follow the Curly Girl Method, but in a nutshell:
- Use the right products, but keep it simple
- The techniques are as important as the products
- Clarify once a month (= restart button)
- Get some Curly Girl essentials
Which products should I get?
The first question I always get is ‘how do I know which products to get?’.
Well, there isn’t one set of products that I could recommend to achieve the perfect curls. The truth is, you will need to try products and experiment for a while before you find your Holy Grail. But, I can help you with that!
- Sulfate Free Shampoo (optional)
You can use a shampoo at every wash day, or once in a while. It just has to be sulfate-free.
For instance, the As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo or the Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo.
- Co-wash
How to use: wet your hair completely, use a generous amount of conditioner and rub it on your scalp using your fingers or a scalp brush.
There are many popular co-washes such as the As I Am Coconut Co-wash, but you can also use any lightweight conditioner.
- Conditioner
- Deep Conditioner
My favorite deep conditioning treatment is the Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment which also exists with a fragrance.
- Leave-in Conditioner
Here are a few options: Flora & Curl Rose & Honey Leave-In, Tropikal Bliss Banana Leave-In Smoothie, As I Am Leave-In.
- Cream (Optional)
Creams to try: Jessicurl Confident Coils Styling Solution which also exists with a fragrance
- Gel
Gel is what locks in moisture, keeps hair SUPER defined, and reduces frizz.
Apply gel on wet hair, let it dry; and once fully dry, scrunch out the cast (crystalized layer around each curl). That’s it! It can be used with a leave-in or on its own.
Our favorite gels are the Ecoslay Orange Marmelade or Jello-shot (Jello-shot is best suited for thicker hair). You can also try: As I Am Curling Jelly.
Curly Girl Method Techniques
Using the right products for your hair is only 50% of the job done.
If you want to get amazing natural curls, you’ll have to experiment with different Curly Girl Techniques and Methods, to see what works best for you.
- SOTC
SOTC should be done on 100% dried hair for best results.
Directions: Simply bend your head down and grab your hair inside your palm, then scrunch scrunch scrunch! You have to break the cast with your hand by applying pressure on your curls. You can use a light oil to scrunch your hair (it helps with frizz!)
TADA! Soft bouncy curls. This technique is also called: ‘Squish to condish’ or ‘scrunching’.
- Pineapple
We’re not talking about the fruit (well not entirely). Pineapple is a term used to describe the way you tie up your hair – usually for sleeping, in order to keep your curls intact overnight.
Directions: Bend your head down, and grab all your hair in between your hands. Take a hair tie (either a scrunchie or an invisibobble that won’t cause friction) and tie around your hair once. It was to be loose so your curls aren’t damaged.
That’s it! See? It looks like a pineapple.
- Plopping
It allows your curls to set, while getting rid of the extra water. Also, for those of us with long hair, it will help your curls form better because they wont be weighed down.
Directions: Spread a t-shirt on your bed (or a clean surface) drop your wet hair on top of it and tie the t-shirt over your neck. I usually leave it on for about 20mn and then air dry.
- Racking
- Praying hands
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