How to Follow the Curly Girl Method

What is the Curly Girl Method? The Curly Girl Method discourages damaging habits, like shampooing and heat styling, in favor of a healthy curly hair regimen that uses only conditioner and gel. This set of recommendations has shown to be effective for many curlies, but you should always feel free modify them as needed!
The dos and don’ts of the CG MethodThe principles of the Curly Girl Method can seem daunting at first, but once you know what NOT to do, it's much easier. Many everyday hair care practices that we have used for years are actually damaging to curly hair. To get started on the CG method, avoid these 7 things:
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DON’T USE

• There are several ingredients in shampoo that can damage your hair, including:
• Heat styling tools
• Combs & brushes
• Sulfates – namely sodium lauryl sulfate & ammonium laureth sulfate
• Non-water soluble silicones - Alcohol - Fragrance

Do I have to give up shampoo cold turkey? If you're interested in weaning yourself off shampoo, know that it is possible by slowly cutting down on usage or switching to a sulphate-free option. This is often referred to as "low-poo." Understand that curlies with fine hair or looser curl patterns may find their hair looking greasy when they first make this change, but many also report that eventually their scalp and hair balance out. The key is finding a routine tailored specifically for your needs based on both your hair type and lifestyle.

DO USE
Some of our cleansing ingredients include Cocamidopropyl betaine and decyl poly glucose. Our emollients come from shea butter, olive oil, and other vegetable oils. For protein, we use wheat germ or soy. And our humectants include pantheon, vegetable glycerine, and sorbitol. Lastly, our moisturisers are amino acids and aloe Vera gel.
How to wash and style. The following routine is Lorraine Massey's recommendation for cleansing, conditioning and styling your hair. However, because everyone's hair type is different, she has specific advice depending on if you have wavy, curly or coily hair.

STEP 1 CLEANSE
Gently scrub your entire scalp in a circular motion with emails (no nails!) and conditioner to stimulate the skin. The friction will lift residue, sweat & oil to be rinsed out.How often should you cleanse?
Wavy  - Only shampoo your hair once a week, but condition it both before and after using the shampoo.
Curly  - Use a co wash instead of shampoo once a week or every 10 days.
Coily  - When it isn't a wash day, wet your hair and proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2 CONDITION
Coat your hair with conditioner in sections, until all of your hair is evenly coated. Then let the water distribute the product throughout.
Wavy - Rinse your hair quickly, and if a little bit of conditioner is left on the hair that's totally fine.
Curly - At this point, you can either rinse the conditioner out or leave it in, depending on how much moisture your hair needs.
Coily - For a moisture boost, try this deep conditioning method: wrap your hair and apply heat for 15 minutes. Rinse completely to avoid a visible film.

STEP 3 DRY & STYLE
Blot your curls dry with a towel by cupping them in your hand - never wring or disturb your curls. Then air-dry. If you’re in a hurry, use a diffuse.
Gel scrunch end product from ends toward the scalp, starting at the nape and working up; leave the top layer for last. Clip roots to lift if desired/needed

Wavy – To achieve curl formation, scrunch your hair or do pin curls.
Curly – When your hair is completely dry, flip your head over and fluff it up from underneath to create lift. If you touch the top layer, frizz will develop.
Coily – Whether you prefer a wash & go or another style, avoid heat to get the best results.

CG-friendly products The CG Method requires only conditioner & gel--no shampoo necessary, unless you want to use a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser.
If you are new to the curly girl method, this list of products is a great jumping off point. We've divided them up by curly, coily, and wavy hair type but keep in mind that curl pattern is not the only deciding factor when it comes to product choice. Other characteristics like porosity, density and width will affect what works best for you so don't hesitate to experiment with items from any of these lists. The Naturally Curly team has Editors with every hair type who have used all of these products successfully.

CONDITIONER
Wavy, Type 2

• Giovanni Direct Leave-In and DevaCurl One Condition are two great products.

Curly, Type 3

• Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner 
• VO5 Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream Conditioner 

Coily, Type moisturiser Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk is perfect for aiding in the growth of healthier, stronger hair. It's also great for giving your curls definition and shine. Use it after shampooing and conditioning your hair for the best results.

• Aubrey Organics GPB Balancing Protein Conditioner helps to restore damaged hair by penetrating deep into each strand. This conditioner will leave your hair feeling softer, smoother, and looking healthy overall.

GEL

Wavy, Type 2

• Mop Top Anti-frizz Medium Hold Gel keeps your hair looking shiny and healthy while also providing a medium hold.
• Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel is perfect for those who want to moisturize their scalp or achieve sleek and defined styles.

Curly, Type 3

• Kinky-Curly Curling Custard and As I Am Smoothing Gel are both great products.

Coily, Type 4

• Eco Style Olive Oil Gel and Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel are both great choices for natural hair.

SHAMPOO

Wavy, Type 2

• Kinky-Curly Come Clean
• Shampoo with Tea Tree Oil from Trader Joe's

Curly, Type 3

• The DevaCurl low-poo curl assurance gentle cleansing shampoo is perfect for those with curly hair who are looking to increase their volume and definition. Curl Junkie's special formula promises not to strip away natural oils, working instead to enhance your curls' bounce and luster.

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Coily, Type 4

• If you're looking for a shampoo that will help your hair retain moisture, Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo is a great option. If you want to try organic shampoo, Aubrey Organics' Island Naturals Replenishing Shampoo is a good choice.

Image Credit: Naturally curly ​