Curly girl handbook tips

If you follow these steps and use the right products for your hair, you should see a change immediately after your first Curly Girl routine, less frizzy hair for example.

And if you keep it up consistently, you should be able to see really good results after six weeks. However, you will have to persist and experiment with your products. We also recommend you check your curl and hair type from time to time as this may change after you start using the Curly Girl Method. Your hair needs will change as a result of nourishing your hair. After a year you will see the full results of applying the Curly Girl Method in your hair routine: shiny, manageable, hydrated and frizz-free curls!

Unfortunately, not everyone will experience a hallelujah moment right from the start. Your hair may have to get used to your new hair routine. How long it takes for your hair to adapt and what challenges will you encounter with your hair?

The transition phase is different for everyone. To give you an idea of what you can — but not necessarily — expect, we have listed a number of frequently occurring problems. By using shampoo your scalp produces too much sebum. Your scalp reacts to the drying effect that sulphates have on the sebum on your scalp.

If you are just getting started with the curly girl method, your scalp needs time to adjust the sebum production to get it back in balance.

At the beginning of the curly girl method, some people suffer more from frizzy hair than before. That is because your hair can finally breathe, and is no longer burdened by silicone and heat.

By sticking to co-washing, moisturizing treatments and silicone-free products, this should resolve itself in a few weeks. Also read: How to treat frizzy hair. If you feel hair mushy, soft, and frizzy, you probably have over-conditioned hair. Although curly hair tends to be dry and needs a lot of moisture, some products can overload the hair.

Especially if your hair is very fine. If this happens, clean your hair with a sulphate-free shampoo and use lighter conditioners and moisturizers on your hair. Do not use a deep conditioner too often. The different seasons of the year require different care.

Use less leave-in conditioner in your hair to prevent frizz and get more curl definition. In winter this applies exactly the other way around. Use heavier products and more leave-in conditioner to combat the dry, winter air. How do you proceed with the challenges described above? First of all, give your hair time to adjust to your new hair routine.

It means that you use the Curly Girl Method as a foundation for your routine, but deviate from the rules where it serves you better. Because it feels right for your hair. You may like products water-soluble silicone. The longer you apply the CG Method, the more you will learn if your hair is happy following the CG Method as closely as possible or if you want to walk your own path.

Many people see the most benefit in avoiding sulphates, which dehydrates your hair so terribly. We are curious how you like the Curly Girl Method.

Will you let us know in the comments below? The Curly Girl Method is a hair routine to take care of curly hair as naturally as possible. The method is based the following basic principles: cut out harmful ingredients as example: sulfates and products as example: dryers and brushes , learn your curl and hair type and embrace new habits such as drying your curls with a cotton T-shirt in instead of a towel.

We are happy to explain this to you in detail via our Curly Girl Method step-by-step plan. Summarized, you start with a final wash , where you remove the build-up of silicone on your hair and scalp.

This is also the last time you use a shampoo that contains sulfates. From that moment on, you only wash, care for and style your curls with CG proof products and techniques.

We love men and boys who embrace their natural curls. Simplified, the Curly Girl routine is as follows for the extended version you can read our blog Curly Girl step-by-step plan : remove your curls from the burdock, co-wash , care with a deep conditioner , style with your favorite products and, finally, dry your curls.

Depending on your hair type, repeat this routine a few times a week. In between you can refresh your curls. Do you like to freshen up your curls between your co washes? Of course, no problem! Fill a spray bottle with water and a bit of leave-in conditioner for extra hydration, and spray this through your curls. Then apply your styling products, scrunch it into your hair and your curls will look refreshed and like new.

After you start with the Curly Girl Method, how long does it take for your beautiful and healthy curls to appear? That is different for everyone. Yet, count for at least six weeks before you see the real result of your hard work. To reassure you: because your hair will respond well to your new mild products due to the final wash, you will often start seeing differences immediately after your first full CG routine.

Is the Curly Girl Method suitable for coily or kinky hair? Yes of course! Coily hair falls under curl type 4 coily: coarse , thick hair with spiral-shaped curls that are close together. This type of curl seems robust, but is very fragile and often dries out quickly. Your biggest challenges?

The fight against endless tangles and maintaining the moisture level in your curls. Knowing more? Then read our article about the different curl and hair types. Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer to this question. Yet, also the products you use for your curls and your lifestyle affect the number of washes required. Fortunately, this also means that you can have some influence on this. Interested in more? We wrote an article on how often to wash your hair.

One of the basic principles of the Curly Girl Method is to eliminate shampoos that contain aggressive cleansers such as sulfates and ingredients such as silicones.

We hear you thinking: how should I clean my hair and scalp then? With a co-wash, also called a conditioner-wash. If you want to know exactly how co-washing works and which suitable products you can use, read our blog! This improves your hair and the condition of your scalp and for the lucky few among us, will result in a luscious bunch of curls.

You delete hair products that damage your hair or cause build-up. This allows your hair to absorb more moisture and nutrients. This leads to healthier hair and healthier hair is shinier and more beautiful. For some, it even leads to discovering that they actually have wavy or curly hair. So yes, definitely worth a try!

Do you suffer from a dry, itchy or flaky scalp, greasy hair even after you just used your co-wash , products that suddenly stop working properly or lifeless curls? It could be that layers of dirt, oil, product or minerals such as calcium have built up on your hair.

You can easily remove them by giving your hair a clarifying treatment, which actually is just a CG-proof shampooing treatment. There are even special CG-proof clarifying shampoos for sale. According to the Curly Girl method, it is better to avoid hair dryers, or actually any styling tools that use heat. Can you really not live without? Do you otherwise get unwise f luffy hair? Do you simply not have time to let your curls air dry? Then try drying your hair with a diffuser!

We think only one answer is right here: stick with the Curly Girl Method! With patience, good habits and the use of products suitable for your hair, we promise that over time, soft, healthy and vibrant curls will appear. Just look at all your predecessors! There is no quick cut-off route to healthy and shiny curls. At least, not CG proof. The ingredient that is often added to hair products to make your hair shine is silicone. Silicones leave a layer on your hair that provides the shine.

This makes it look like this ingredient nourishes your hair. However, you are better off avoiding silicones because they seal your hair: they leave a film on your hair that will seal your hair. Due to frequent use of products with silicone, these thin layers build up. Ultimately, this build up can lead to dry and brittle hair. Silicones are a no-go. How do you get shine? With the Curly Girl Method, with a little patience and persistence, you will see your curls shine on their own: the sign of healthy and bouncy hair.

Then you let your curls air dry. How quickly your hair dries depends on the porosity of your hair. If you have hair with low porosity it will take a long time for your curls to dry, while hair with a high porosity dries very quickly. Not all alcohols are bad for your hair. You can find them on product packaging under the following names: behenyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, propylene glycol, stearyl alcohol, isocetyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, C alcohol, lanolin alcohol.

Porosity is about the degree to which your hair can absorb and retain moisture. You have low, medium and high porosity. Do you want to test which porosity your hair has? We wrote a blog with useful tips and tests!

Deep conditioning is a treatment method for your hair that focuses on nourishing your hair through the use of a good hair mask.

Curls are naturally drier, this because the path that the natural oils on your scalp must travel to your hair ends is simply longer than that of straight hair.

Therefor, deep conditioning is an essential part of your curly hair routine. Find a selection of fine deep conditioning hair masks with protein here.

As you now know, the Curly Girl Method is, to say the least, not a fan of brushes and combs. As a curly girl you often suffer more from tangles than women with straight hair. After your co-wash, you can try to detangle your wet hair by gently going through it with your fingers otherwise you will experience hair loss. Then consider purchasing a Denman Brush. We wrote a blog about the different types of Denman Brushes.

How do you sleep? Like what should I do to my hair before I sleep? My hair gets super tangled when I sleep and destroys my curls. I like to use a silk or satin pillowcase, a cotton fabric can me a little rough for your hair. I also like to softly put my hair in a loose knot on top of my head, like a pineapple. This keeps the hair in place while sleeping and it prevents tangled hair. I also like to use a silk hair band for this, but you can also use a soft ribbon or a loose high elastic.

I have chin length coils, and just clip one side back with a pretty barrette. A head band might leave dents or might not hold thicker hair, but a scarf can be tied over your hair on windy or rainy days, give a scrunch and fluff once you get back inside.

Braids are nice for curls, you can even sleep in them. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Curly Girl Method. In this article:. What is the Curly Girl Method? Curly Girl Method: The golden guidelines.

The CG Method: What to avoid? Say no to shampoos with sulphates We strongly recommend avoiding shampoos that contain sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate SLS , as they are very harmful and drying. That said, if you are not ready to exchange shampoo for co-washing, there are many excellent sulphate-free options, which gently removes impurities from your hair without sulphates. There is just one incidence when you will need a sulphate based shampoo, which is when you are doing a final wash which removes silicones and build up and prepares your hair for the Curly Girl Method!

Stay away from heat and styling appliances such as blow dryers, hair straighteners and curling irons If you do use these appliances, you risk seriously damaging your hair. There is a better way to blow-dry your hair, by using a diffuser that spreads moderate heat evenly over your curls. However, it is strongly recommended to let your hair air dry as much as possible. But that is of course easier done in the warmer months. If it is the middle of winter and it is freezing outside, going out with wet hair is not recommended!

Limit usage of brushes and combs Detangling your hair with your fingers is definitely preferable to combing or brushing for a number of reasons.

Using your fingers is much more intuitive. You are more aware of where your tangles are, and instead of breaking through them you can carefully work them out. This prevents hair breakage, which can lead to frizzy hair and makes it difficult to grow your hair long. In addition, if you use your fingers while you have a hair mask or treatment in your hair, you simultaneously massage moisture into your hair.

The same goes for conditioner. It must be massaged into your curls for it to be most effective. Banish hair products with harmful chemicals One of the most important elements of the Curly Girl Method is banishing products that contain sulphates, silicones that are not water-soluble, wax, non-natural oils, harmful alcohols and perfume from your hair regime.

It really depends on your hair type and preferences. For curly hair textures, washing should take place once every 10 days with a co-wash once a week. For coily hair textures, Massey recommends shampooing as little as possible and opting for only co-washes instead.

Many websites recommend microfiber towels but we much prefer cotton t-shirt towels and muslin cloth. Color, bleach or dye your hair with caution When coloring, dying or bleaching your hair, the ingredients and process can be extremely harmful, so it is not recommended.

But it is definitely possible albeit slightly harder, to color your hair and maintain healthy curls. In any case, make sure you do a final wash after dyeing your hair to wash out any silicone. Curly Girl Method: Steps for succes. Step 1 — Discover your curl type and hair characteristics To be able to determine which hair products and methods are best for your unique hair characteristics you will have to do some tests.

What is my curly girl curl type, hair thickness and density? Hair elasticity: what is it and how to test it? This is how you discover the porosity of your hair Porosity is about the extent to which you absorb and retain moisture.

Step 2 — Choosing CG proof hair products for your unique curls With the information you obtained about your hair characteristics in Step 1, the next step is to determine which nutrients and ingredients will benefit your hair and which ones to avoid. Read more: This is how you determine which hair products best suit your hair characteristics We also highly recommend keeping track of hair products you try and their effects on your hair in our free Kurlify Curly Girl Diary to help you keep track of your journey.

Step 4 — Detangling Before you wash your hair, it is best to first remove any tangles from your hair. Step 5 — Co-washing: Using conditioner to wash your hair A co-wash is the use of a conditioner or a specially formulated cream cleanser to remove buildup and cleanse the hair without lathering or harsh ingredients, such as sulfates or parabens, which are typically used in shampoos.

Step 6 — Deep Conditioning Treatment When following the Curly Girl Method, deep conditioning is an important part of your hair routine. Many have been swearing by the Curly Girl Method for years and are thrilled with the results. This method was first made popular in when hairstylist Lorraine Massey released her hair-care guide, Curly Girl: The Handbook. Now, when curly and wavy hair is all the rage, the guide has become a starting point for millions of girls willing to reveal the natural beauty of their curls.

The Curly Girl Method is a set of principles that help to achieve perfectly moisturized, full, and bouncy curls. Such results depend not only on the way you wash and style your curly hair but also on the products you should avoid. Although the method suggest refusing from shampoo overall, opting for co-washing or a sulfate-free alternative is often enough to see splendid results. Read the core Curly Girl Method guidelines before we go into the specifics:.

The Curly Girl Method works for all curl patterns , whether your hair is wavy, curly, or coily. It is designed for natural hair textures though, not the relaxed or permed locks.

Wrong styling can make you hesitate whether your hair is curly at all or just puffy and frizzy. If you are not sure that you have a curly hair type, it is worth going through a simplified, Curly Girl Method inspired test before shopping for Curly Girl Method approved products.

Further, you will need to use it once per month to rid your hair of dirt, oil, and product buildup; this step alone promotes natural shine and hair growth. The next step is to get rid of your old shampoo and other products that contain sulfates, alcohol, fragrance, and non-water-soluble silicones, and begin your hunt for the Curly Girl Method approved products more on that later.

Finally, remember that no amount of moisturizing can bring your dead ends back to life. Trim them off to really start fresh.

All the major steps of the CG method take place on a wash day. Here is how to perform each step for the best result. Massage the scalp using your fingertips to stimulate hair follicles and strengthen the roots.

Such a massage also lifts any sweat, oil, and dandruff that cling to your scalp and allows you to wash them away more easily. There is no need to shampoo or co-wash tips of your hair — rinsing the product from the scalp down your hair length is normally enough. Rinse the conditioner out completely.

Since curly hair requires much natural oil to stay moisturized, cleansing hair too often is not a good thing, and the preferred interval is once per week for curly hair and once per two for coily and kinky hair types. It is better to rinse hair with cool water, as this will seal the cuticle and reduce frizz.

Next, distribute the conditioner throughout your hair. Use a generous amount of the products to make hair feel fully saturated and coated. Then, untangle your hair slowly and gently using either your hands or a wide-tooth comb. In case you have high porosity hair, consider sealing the moisture with oil or butter before applying a styler a cream or a gel. This step starts with applying a styling product — a cream, a mousse, or a gel — onto your wet hair.

Praying hands, raking, scrunching, scrunch and pulse, roping, and glazing are all different ways to apply the product.