This is what you need to know about Curly Girl Method (2023)
Are you curly girl and your hair are crazy as you and they do not obey you? They cannot be tamed and modified, they fly in all directions...
We know all these annoying situations. Therefore we are bringing to you post how to deal with it through Curly Girl Method.
Enjoy Your Healthy Carness:
- What is the Curly Girl Method?
- Golden Rules of Curly Girl Method
- How to proceed Step by Step
- First Results?
- Potential problems during changing phase
1. What is the Curly Girl Method?
Curly Girl Method was officially developed by hairdresser and curl expert Lorraine Massey, who wrote a book about it. It is literally a guide on how to get really great hair with (or without) specific products and styling techniques.
Of course, there are variations on Lorraine's original method, which has been modified over the years to include a wider variety of waves and curls. Although the specifics may vary, the idea of the Curly Girl method is generally the same: to "mix" the best cocktail of ingredients and application methods for your particular hair type, find the true texture of the hair, and thus maximize the natural wave or curl while reducing frizz, dryness and breakage hair.
For whom is it meant?
Unfortunately, not everyone will enjoy it. The technique is appropriate for anybody who wants to give their curly hair more freedom and discover how far their waves may travel if they stopped harming them with heated styling tools, harsh washes, and certain hair care products.
2. Golden Rules of Curly Girl Method
Sometimes we need to resist in breaking rules. In this case it will pay off double time. By keeping these rules you will achieve gorgeous curly hair.
Say no to sulfate/sulphate shampoos. They harm the hair, are rough and dry it out.
Do not use heat styling devices. Stay away from hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons. If you use these devices, you risk serious damage to your hair. However, there is a proper way to blow dry your hair, and that is by using an attached diffuser on low heat, which slightly distributes the heat throughout the curls. However, it is strongly recommended that you let your hair dry as naturally as possible, especially in the warmer months.
Do not use combs and brushes. Combing your hair with your fingers is definitely preferable to combing. It's much more intuitive, you're more aware of where your "tangles" are, and can patiently untangle them with your fingers instead of tearing them apart. This will prevent hair breakage, which can lead to frizz and make it harder to grow.
Do not wash your hair too often.
Do not use towels or a turban. Because they cause frizziness of the hair, regardless of how gently you dry them in it. Prefer cotton T-shirts or microfiber towels (learn more about their use in the article below)-
Don't dye your hair. When dyeing hair, additives are often used that are harmful, so they are not recommended. However, there are many people who dye their hair and maintain healthy curls. In any case, make sure you do a final wash after coloring your hair to wash out all the silicone. Then moisturize them very well with a hair mask.
3. How to proceed Step by Step
Remember that what works for someone else may not automatically work for you.
Throughout your "curly journey," experiment with different products and steps until you find a routine that makes you and your curls happy. Record each step how your hair reacts to everything you do with it to maximize the result.
Step 1: Find out what type of waves or curls you have
If you know your hair type and the characteristics of waves or curls, you can choose hair products more effectively. Therefore, in the first step, find answers to these basic questions:
-What is your curl type, hair thickness and density?
-How flexible is your hair?
The elasticity of your hair determines whether you should use products with or without proteins. Elasticity is measured by pulling the waves and seeing how quickly the ripples bounce back. If it doesn't bounce back quickly, it's a sign of a lack of hydration, so in that case your hair clearly needs products with proteins.
-What is your hair porosity?
Porosity, or the outer structure of the hair, is roughly how well the hair absorbs and retains moisture. You can measure this by noting how quickly your hair dries after washing. Do they dry quickly or slowly? If your hair does not absorb moisture well, i.e. it dries too quickly, it needs more intensive care.
Step 2: Choose to purchase the appropriate products on Curly Girl Method
Based on the information you obtained about your hair in step 1, you can determine which care and therefore which products are best for your curls and which suit the Curly Girl method. Depending on the type and condition of your curls, use either lighter or heavier and more nourishing products.
Step 3: Clarify - the final "resetting" wash
To be sure that you start practicing the Curly Girl Method with a clean slate, you need to undergo a final wash, a kind of reset. Wash your hair with a shampoo with sulfates, simply a more aggressive cleanser, to get rid of the build-up of silicones, waxes, and anything else that has been trapped in your hair over time.
Tip: Since you use an aggressive hair shampoo for the last wash, it can cause significant drying. Therefore, pay special attention to moisturizing and nourishing your hair after washing with a mask or conditioner.
Step 4: Detangling - removing knots and tangles of hair
Before you wash your hair with a new method, it is advisable to remove all knots and tangles. It is ideal to do it with your fingers or a very fine comb. However, you detangle your hair, do it very carefully so as not to damage it or trigger hair loss.
5th step: Co-wash/cleanse - hair cleaning
If you have successfully completed both the clarifying and detangling steps, it's time to co-wash or cleanse, in which you use a conditioner to wash your hair instead of shampoo, which washes not only the hair, but also the scalp.
The reason is simple - shampoos are often harmful to hair, they contain aggressive cleaning ingredients that do their job so "well" that they also wash away natural oils from your hair and thus negatively affect its texture. Co-wash is much gentler for your hair and scalp. Your hair will get used to this type of washing over time, so expect it to get greasy in the beginning. But don't give up! The same applies here - the more persistent wins!
6th step: Condition – deep nourishment of the hair
This is a treatment step of the Curly Girl method focused on deep hair nourishment with a conditioner or mask. Yes, after washing with conditioner, you will also use a more nourishing conditioner or mask. Curls are naturally drier and therefore need more hydration. And conditioners or masks are perfect for that! You will see that it will help you get beautiful, healthy, and shiny curls that are better shaped and managed.
So, choose a conditioner or mask that is suitable for the Curly Girl Method, apply it to your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly. We recommend using the mask or nourishing conditioner once or twice a week.
7th step: Style – hairstyle adjustment, styling
After washing and deep hair care, you naturally want your curls to be beautiful and keep their shape. For this, you need to use hair products that will suit your hair type and curls based on the previous steps.
If you have completed the 6th step, do the final rinse of the conditioner or mask with cooler or cold water. The cold retracts the hair cuticles and locks moisture inside the hair. This will reduce frizz and add shine to the hair. Squeeze a little water out of your hair from the bottom of your head and continue with moisturizing care according to your hair type. Drier hair requires more hydration, fine waves with a tendency to get greasy, and less application of products.
The most common moisturizing product is the so-called leave-in, i.e. leave-in conditioner. Spread the required amount in the palms of your hands to emulsify, then apply it to the hair using, for example, the praying hands technique (a method in which you slide your hands through the hair from both sides as if you were praying). Of course, always do it upside down. Then, apply a styling product in the same way - foam, gel or pomade. It will keep your curls in good condition and seal in hydration.
8th step: Dry – drying the curls
You can try different techniques. The first alternative is this:
-use the plopping technique, which supports the hair's natural curl pattern while absorbing some of the moisture. This is a method where you pull the hair on top of your head using a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel and let it dry
-gently tie the curls in a cotton t-shirt or microfibre towel (there are also button towels which are very handy) and let them sit for about 15 minutes
-then let them air dry freely
Second alternative:
-dry the hair with a hair dryer with a diffuser that can be set to cool air
-dry them for a maximum of 20 minutes
Is your hair already dry, but hard spots have formed in it from the dried gel? Then here's a final tip:
-use the scrunch out the crunch (SOTC) technique - stand upside down, take a cotton t-shirt or microfibre towel and gently squeeze the waves towards the head until the hard spots disappear
-then gently air the hair with your fingers
4. First Results?
You should see a change right away in the first routine, namely less frizzy hair, if you adhere to the golden principles, the processes listed above, and of course, apply the proper products.
Of course, the transitional period need not always be enjoyable. You could first feel weak and experience a few terrible hair days, but if you continue, you will notice extremely amazing results after approximately six weeks, including shining, controllable, moisturized, and most importantly, properly formed curly hair.
5. Potential Problems during Changing Phase
It may take some time for your hair to get used to the new routine. However, everyone's transition period is different, but to give you an idea of what you can – but not necessarily – expect, here are the most common transition phase issues:
-oily hair – the scalp needs time to adjust its oil production to get back into balance
-hair like down - it is like that because it can finally "breathe", it is not burdened by heat or silicones; however, thanks to co-wash and condition, this condition disappears after a few weeks
-the feeling of heavy hair - reduce it by washing your hair with sulfate-free shampoo and using lighter conditioners and moisturizers; do not use the mask and nourishing conditioner too often
Note: adapt your hair routine to the seasons - in summer use lighter products, less conditioners, in winter do the exact opposite
