The system is based on the idea of setting curly hair free. It’s good for anyone with a history of damaging their hair with heat tools, shampoos, and specific hair care ingredients. In most cases, flat or very loose curls and waves can become fuller and more defined. Curly Girl Method don’ts:
Don’t use shampoo (at all).Don’t use heat styling tools (bye-bye, curling iron).Don’t use combs and brushes (let your hair be free).Don’t use any products containing sulfates (they are the baddest of bad boys for this system).Don’t use non-water soluble formulas (they will be too heavy).Don’t use anything containing silicones, alcohol, or fragrance (oh the damage they can cause!).
Still, it’s not all about restriction with the Curly Girl Method. You can (and should) wean your hair off of your normal shampoo pattern. For wavy hair, it’s OK to wash once a week with a shampoo–pick up a sulfate-free one–but condition your hair both before and after. For curly hair, it’s best to just cleanse once a week with conditioner or a co-wash. And for coily hair, cleanse as little as possible. Curly Girl Method dos:
Find conditioners and co-washes with gentle cleansing ingredients such as decyl polyglucose (it helps clean without stripping).Use products with rich emollients like shea butter and proteins like wheat (this helps to restore your hair follicles).Select styling gel with ingredients like PVP (these will help bring a little bounce to your curls and tame frizz).
Remember, the Curly Girl Method isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. You may need to switch up your routine to make it work for you. Then come back and thank us for your stunning locks in a few months.
