It’s not a secret that the curly hair movement has taken off. This is thanks partially to the Curly Girl Method, which was created to help women take care of their natural hair.
The Curly Girl Method is a book written by Lorraine Massey, who has been styling curly hair for years. Her method focuses on the use of shampoo and conditioners that are sulfate-free. Sulfate-free products are relatively gentle on the hair and do not damage or frizz up curls.
Shampoo and conditioner
Curly hair is more fragile than other types of hair, so you should use a very mild shampoo to prevent dryness. This is why the majority of curly hair shampoos have an extremely creamy consistency.
It’s important to use a shampoo that will clean your hair without stripping it of its natural oils. Sulfate-free shampoos will do the trick. Although the Curly Girl Method emphasises the importance of sulfate-free shampoo, there are many other chemicals that are just as bad. If you’re interested in learning more about rules the Curly Girl Method don’t follow, check out this article: Why Silicone, Sulfate and Paraben Free Isn’t Enough.
Sulfate-free shampoos and silicone-free conditioners are very important to the Curly Girl Method. The sulfates found in most shampoos are incredibly drying and damaging, which is why you should never use them if you have curly hair.
The Curly Girl Method also focuses on the use of conditioner. Your hair will frizz up if you don’t apply enough conditioner to your strands, but too much can leave it feeling greasy and dirty. A little bit of conditioner goes a long way, so it’s important to apply it evenly throughout your strands.
If you’re wearing your curls natural, it’s important to use a conditioner that is made for your specific hair type. There are different types of curly hair and each one requires its own special treatment. Thicker, tighter curls will require heavier conditioners and leave-in conditioners. Finer, looser curls will require lighter conditioners and leave-in conditioners.
Sleeping, heat and washing
The Curly Girl Method states that you should also never brush your hair. They reason that it will only cause damage to the curls and make them frizzy. This is a highly debated rule, so check out this article for more information on it: Curly Girl Method Diary: Finger Detailing Versus Brush.
Curly girls should never use a hair dryer or straightener because they can really damage the hair. Think of your hair as silk – extremely delicate and needs to be handled with care. You wouldn’t burn silk with a straightener, so don’t do it to your hair!
If you are going to diffuse, make sure it’s on the lowest heat setting and that you hold it at least ten centimetres away from your head.
You should never wash your hair every day. If you do, it will strip the natural oils from your scalp and make it more difficult for them to produce new oil. Most curly girls wash their hair 1-2 times per week. If you’re concerned about knots building up, try using a sleep bonnet.
If you want your definition to last, you should not sleep on them while wet. When you sleep on wet hair, it causes the curls to loosen, stretch and frizz. Always wash your hair with enough time for it to dry before going to bed.
Styling
There are a lot of products out there that say they help you define curls, but most of them will make your hair frizzy and weighed down with chemicals. The best thing to do is use a natural shampoo, and then follow it up with a natural conditioner that has no harsh chemicals in it. Style using products that are natural and made with high quality ingredients. For example, Flora & Curl use cold pressed essential oils and stay away from fillers. It is important to make sure your products are not only natural, but also high quality.
Patience is key
The only way you are going to get healthy curls is if you are patient with your hair. Do not wash it every day, stay away from harsh chemicals and learn what practises suit you and your unique pattern well. You might find that using a brush is better for you, or you might find that no brush is better.
Is the Curly Girl Method right for you?
The universal rules are: no heat and use only natural products. As for the other details, it’s about testing and trying what works well for you, what rules to take on board and what rules to leave behind.
