The CGM cuts damaging hair products in favor of curl-friendly products. Products that include gentler ingredients like oils, butters, and minerals are used instead. [2] X Research source The CGM utilizes special hair care and styling methods. The products you use are only half of the method. The other half involves particular guidelines for detangling, drying, and styling. The CGM also stresses the importance of avoiding heating tools, like heated curlers, blow dryers, or even hot water, all of which can dry out your hair and interfere with your curls.
After you’ve done that last wash with that sulfate-based shampoo, toss it! You had a good run together, but you won’t be needing it on your Curly Girl journey.
We’ll link you to some of our favorite products, but there’s a whole world of possibilities. Check your products with a database like CurlScan to see if they’re Curly Girl-approved. Recommended brands: Shea Moisture PATTERN Beauty Kinky Curly Curl Junkie Cantu Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Note that some products, while not necessarily silicone or sulfate-free, are still made with curly hair in mind, and have ingredients that will treat your hair right, regardless.
This upward squishing motion encourages your hair to form coils, kickstarting the curling process in the shower.
It’s important to detangle in the shower with conditioner in your hair. Detangling while your hair is dry will only break up your coils and encourage frizz. Avoid traditional hair brushes, which tend to undo your natural curl pattern. That said, wet brushes or curl-styling brushes are fair game, so long as you use them while your hair is still wet.
Use moisturizing hair products, such as lotion-like creams and alcohol-free gels. [9] X Expert Source Bianca CoxProfessional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 1 April 2020. Look for products that are specifically designed for your curl type (e. g. , wavy, tightly curled, or kinky). Many people begin with a leave-in cream or conditioner to decrease frizz, then follow with a gel or mousse for hold and definition. After the leave-in conditioner but before the gel or curl cream is applied, it’s also common to apply a light oil on the hair. This is known as the LOC method (“leave-in, oil, cream”), and doesn’t have to be used in this specific order.
At this point, you might finger-shape your curls by wrapping strands of hair around your pointer finger and keeping it there for 5-10 seconds, to encourage coils.
To plop, lay a T-shirt or microfiber towel onto a low, flat surface. Then, turn your head upside-down and lower your hair onto the towel. Gather the corners of the towel, and tie them around the base of your neck to create a headwrap. Wear the wrap as long as you can, or until your hair is dry. To cold-diffuse, blow dry your hair with a diffuser attachment, with the blow dryer on a cold setting. Turn your head upside down and dangle your hair over the attachment, and bring the diffuser upward into sections of your hair until it’s dry.
Use your additional styling products any time you condition, or just as you see fit. Some days, just conditioner co-wash will do. Other days, your hair may be a bit dry or frizzed-out, and you may decide you want an extra boost.
