The Curly Girl Method Explained

The Curly Girl Method is an approach to styling and caring for curly hair that emphasizes using natural, sulfate-free products. Developed by hairstylist Lorraine Massey and documented in her book “Curly Girl: The Handbook,” the method aims to promote healthy hair growth, provide curl definition, and reduce frizz in naturally curly hair.

To learn in-depth about the CGM, check out Massey’s book!

What is The Curly Girl Method?

Essentially, the Curly Girl hair method aims to protect the structure and health of naturally curly hair. Using natural, sulfate-free products and specific styling practices, you can encourage your natural curls to have a stronger definition.

All in all, the CGM is a multi-step process that advises you on best practices from washing to conditioning, drying and styling, and more to promote healthy hair growth and embrace your beautiful curls.

It’s also important to note that even though this method is called “Curly Girl,” anyone can use it provided their hair fits the texture and length criteria!

Why Does The Curly Girl Method Work?

The Curly Girl Method works because it carefully considers the best ways to care for curly hair and tells you how to do it on your own.

Most of the common haircare practices we have here in the US are aimed at straight hair because that is seen as the default for people of European descent. As a result, many people of color experience hair problems like dull hair, breakage, out-of-control curls and kinks, and more.

This straight-hair-as-the-norm thinking also affects caucasian people because many of us actually have curly hair, too! While it’s more common for people with European ancestry to have straight hair, it’s also common for such people to have waves and curls.

By using the right products, methods, and techniques, people with wavy, curly, coily, and kinky hair can achieve much better results all thanks to the Curly Girl Method.

How to Do the Curly Girl Method

When beginning your curly girl routine journey, you might feel rather overwhelmed. After all, if you’re used to washing, drying, and styling your hair a certain way for your whole life, overhauling it entirely and doing everything differently can feel daunting!

But, never fear, here are the basics of the CGM that you need to know:

1. “The Final Wash”

Start with a clean slate by washing all the chemical buildup in your hair completely out. This is best done with a sulfate shampoo because it strips things out of your hair very well. If you already don’t use products that can contribute to chemical buildup (like silicones), you don’t need to use a shampoo this harsh! In either case, use a clarifying shampoo.

2. Cleanse

Use a gentle and nourishing – sulfate-free – shampoo or co-wash (conditioner that also gently cleanses). At this point, you want to deposit moisture and oils back into your scalp and hair to promote strength in the strands and help them group together into your natural curl pattern.

3. Condition & Detangle

In the shower or bath, drench your hair with a sulfate-free conditioning product so your hair can slip easily against itself. Then, using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb, gently detangle your hair. You should be able to see some natural curl patterns going on at this point!

Rinse your hair well but don’t rinse it so much that you can’t feel any of the conditioning product anymore; you want a little bit to remain to help your hair’s integrity.

4. Styling Product

While your hair is still wet, apply a curl-enhancing product. Gently comb it through your hair or smooth it over your curls (avoid destroying the curl pattern you have going on after your conditioning). You can also sprunch or scrunch your hair to help encourage it to begin forming those curls.

5. Plop!

You must absolutely avoid rubbing your hair dry with a towel! Again, many of us grew up with this method of drying our hair, so not doing it can feel odd at first.
Instead, flip your hair upside down and place it in a pile into a cotton T-shirt, bamboo towel, or other lightweight and gentle towel-like fabric. Tie it in the front and turn right-side up; your hair should effectively be “plopped” on the top of your head, held in place by your towel.

Allow it to dry for at least one hour, but everyone has a different sweet spot for the length of time their hair likes to stay in a plop.

6. Let it down

When you take your hair out of the plop, allow it to air dry the rest of the way or use a diffuser blow dryer. Most people don’t do any more styling after they plop because it leads to more frizz and ruining the curl pattern you’ve worked so hard to get, so try to add styling products while your hair is still wet, before the plop.

Tips for Doing the Curly Girl Method

It’s important to avoid shampooing your curls too often as this strips the strands of their natural oils and moisture. When you do shampoo your curls, opt for a sulfate-free cleanser as these are gentler on the scalp and hair follicles than traditional shampoos. You can even simply use low-poo or co-poo products to avoid using soapy products at all.

Additionally, it is recommended that you use conditioners with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, or coconut oil. These can help to restore lost moisture while providing your curls with an extra boost of nourishment. 

How long does the curly girl method take?

From start to finish, a wash day with the CGM can take between 1.5 to 5 hours on average, which includes drying time. Without drying time, you can wash, condition, detangle, and put your hair up in a plop in 20-30 minutes depending on your pace, your hair texture, and your hair length.

Some people allow their hair to stay up in a plop in a bonnet all night long.

The Key Word When Choosing The Curly Girl Method

When using the Curly Girl Method, it is important to look for certain ingredients in all of your hair products that will help maintain healthy, hydrated curls. The most important ingredient to look for in a shampoo is one that is sulfate-free; this means it won’t strip hair of its natural oils and promote dryness.

Opt for styling products that contain no harsh chemicals as these can cause dryness and breakage. Be sure to choose conditioners or leave-in treatments with natural ingredients such as avocado oil or cocoa butter.

When applying product to your curls, work through them from root to tip using a wide-toothed comb; this helps even out product distribution without causing unnecessary damage or breakage.

Finally, it’s important to remember that hydration is essential if you want great results from using the Curly Girl Method! Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your scalp and strands well moisturized; furthermore, deep conditioning treatments once every two weeks (or more often if needed) will ensure maximum nourishment for your curls!  

By following these simple steps regularly with natural products formulated specifically for curly hair types—you should expect healthier-looking locks full of definition within just a few weeks! Not only will this help reduce unwanted frizziness but it will also promote stronger strands overall while providing long-lasting volume and shape retention over time! 

Will The Curly Girl Method Make My Straight Hair Curly?

If you’re looking for how to make your hair curly, but you have straight hair naturally, you’ll need to rely on methods like using a curling iron.

The Curly Girl Method will not give you curly hair if you do not already have curly hair. However, many people have found (to their surprise) that they actually have elegant waves and curls in their hair that are brought out when they try the CGM! For many people who believe their hair is just “frizzy,” what they actually have is curly or wavy hair that has been washed and styled like straight hair, causing hairstand mayhem.

So by all means, give the CGM a try for a few weeks to see if you have hidden curls, but don’t expect your straight hair to suddenly develop Solage Knowles’s glamorous curls!

Best Shampoo & Conditioner Bar For Curly Girl Method 

Tangie sulfate-free shampoo bars and Tangie conditioner bars are the perfect hair products when you’re utilizing the Curly Girl Method! Note that the Behentrimonium Methosulfate in the conditioner bars is not a harmful sulfate you need to avoid when practicing the Curly Girl Method, despite “sulfate” being in the name (thanks, chemistry!).

Ready to bring out your natural curl pattern with the Curly Girl Method?