If you have curly or wavy hair, you have probably realised that it can take a little trial and error to discover which products and techniques work to bring out the best in your locks. Although there is no official guidebook for styling curly hair types, there is one method that has taken the world of natural hair by storm – the Curly Girl Method.
You may have heard about this method before (often shortened to CGM). If you haven’t then it could be a great introduction to how to wear your natural waves or curls, until you understand the needs of your hair.
Remember, it is just a guide and you don’t have to follow it to the letter. Many people find it a little bit too complicated and strict. You can mix using Curly Girl friendly products and create your own hair routine that works for your life.
That being said, here’s all you need to know about the curly girl method. Have a read and see if it’s for you.
DO I REALLY NEED TO FOLLOW – WHY FOLLOW A HAIR METHOD?
To get your wavy or curly hair looking its best it requires the right kind of products or styling techniques. Maybe your current methods aren’t working anymore, or you haven’t established any as you’ve just decided to embrace your natural hair. In these cases, a method/routine may help.
You might consider following the curly girl method if:
● You want a clear set of rules to follow.
● Your curly hair routine is no longer achieving the results you want.
● You are unsure about which products are best for your curls.
● You have never styled your curly hair before and need guidance.
You should always pay attention to your particular hair’s needs since all curls and waves are different, but the curly girl method can be a great place to start.
WHAT IS THE CURLY GIRL METHOD?
Written by Lorraine Massey, the method comes from the best-selling book Curly Girl: TheHandbook The book aims to help people create healthier curly hair routines and cut out damaging habits.
Within the natural hair community (including afro hair, curls and waves) the CGM is renowned despite being created over 10 years ago.
HOW DO I FOLLOW THE CURLY GIRL METHOD?
A good starting point is probably to read the book but if you don’t want to, keep reading for a cheats guide. Start with understanding the rules, Lorraine’s handbook contains a set of do’s and don’ts that are designed to help curly hair and wavy hair thrive. The idea is that you avoid harsh chemical-based products and any harmful, especially heat, styling techniques.
The curly girl method avoids heat, chemicals and damaging techniques that will result in dehydrated curls and therefore, damage. When it comes to looking after curly hair and wavy hair, it’s important to maintain natural oils which give your hair added moisture.
According to the curly girl method, these are the rules you need to follow:
● Sulphate-free shampoos or Co-Washing only.
● Silicone-free conditioners ONLY.
● NO heat styling tools (such as a straightener or curling iron), or blowouts of any type.
● No chemical relaxers/straighteners.
● Use the ‘plopping’ method instead of towel drying hair.
The CGM has also been adapted by those with wavy hair to suit this hair type – known as the wavy girl method. The rules for this method include:
● Primarily using sulphate-free shampoos but co-washing may work.
● Minimal heat usage (best results if none).
● Hair can be detangled dry.
● Avoid sulphate unless they clarify your hair.
● Avoid silicones but if you must use only water-soluble silicones.
● Do not chemically relax or straighten your hair.
● Use lightweight/weightless products.
● Don’t use brushes unnecessarily, instead use your hands to style your natural waves.
The rules for both methods are very similar but there are subtle differences. Curly hair tends to be drier than wavy hair there are minor differences between the two.
HOW DO I WASH AND STYLE MY HAIR WITH THE CURLY GIRL METHOD?
If you have never tried this method of looking after your hair, it may seem daunting and your hair may go through the (often dreaded) transition period. If you want to try the curly girl method, it may take a while to get used to the new wash routine. Depending on your hair type you can make some changes to your curly hair routine, but here’s what the original regime should look like:
1. Reset your hair with a final wash
Firstly, you will need to reset your hair with a final wash using a shampoo that does contain sulphates but doesn’t contain silicones. The idea is to remove any build-up so your scalp can absorb more moisture when styling. This is called a clarifying’ wash.
2. Use a gentler shampoo
After your final reset wash, you should use gentler sulphate-free shampoos, such as Merwave’s Cleanse Shampoo. Or you can ‘co-wash’ which is using a conditioner to wash your hair, instead of shampoo. When washing your hair, stimulate the scalp using your fingertips and avoid scratching your scalp with fingernails!
3. Apply a moisturising conditioner
Once the shampoo has been rinsed out, apply a curly girl friendly conditioner – or a co-wash will replace this. Focus on the lengths of your hair, use your fingers to gently detangle as you go then rinse with cool water. This is the only stage where you should be brushing your hair.
4. Style, scrunch and plop
Now it’s time to style your curly hair. Again, use curly girl friendly products such as a cream or gel for enhancing curls and scrunch the product into your hair. You should then use the plopping method or let your hair dry naturally.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE CURLY GIRL METHOD?
Now you understand more about the CGM you might be thinking it sounds simple or you might be thinking it sounds too much effort! For some curly hair types, the curly girl method can be a lifesaver! The method includes helpful tips that can transform your hair and help you better understand the way that curls and natural waves need to be cared for.
The pros of the curly girl method include:
● You will cut out harmful products that make your hair dry and damaged.
● You can achieve better curl definition.
● Using curly girl friendly products can prevent moisture loss.
● Your wash day results can last longer.
The cons of the curl girl method include:
● You are restricted as to which products you can use.
● Using a co-wash may not clarify your scalp as well as you’d like.
● Not all curly hair types will achieve the same results. Don’t compare your hair to others!
- Results may not be instant, they will improve over time as your hair gets healthier.
All hair types are different. What works for one person may not work for another. The method should therefore be tweaked to suit your own hair requirements. This involves adjusting the routine slightly or volume of products to suit your hair needs.
If you are just starting out you’re unlikely going to see results immediately. Your hair must go through a transition period first – read more about that here. So be patient when embarking on this journey.
Remember, healthy natural hair is worth the wait. By the end you’ll have gorgeous, natural hair that you can be proud of and best of all it will take minimal effort to get it!
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*This is a collaborative post