What is the Curly Girl Method?

A recent study revealed that only 7% of women in America actually like the way their hair looks. 

With appearance, and hair, in particular, being one of the largest contributors to self-esteem, this lack of love for your locks simply won't do. 

So how can you fall back in love with your curly hair instead of fighting with frizz all day long? You need the help of our friend, the curly girl method. 

What is the curly girl method you ask? Follow along in this guide to discover the step-by-step process for healthy, defined curls along with the dos and don'ts of this clever curly girl trick!

What is the Curly Girl Method?

To put it simply, the curly girl method is your secret to achieving the curls of your dreams. Created by hairstylist Lorraine Massey, the CG method has blown up the online world with new variations and curl-enhancing tips. 

The ultimate goal of the curly girl method is to foster healthier, shinier, and more defined curls without the use of harmful chemicals, heat styling products, or even shampoo (wait, what?!). 

Of course, the texture and natural curl in your lovely locks will change the way the method works for you. As you go, you may need to adjust the products and styling techniques you use to suit your specific hair type and needs, however, the basis of the method remains. 

So can anyone use the curly girl method to achieve beautiful spiraling locks? Unfortunately, no. To see results from the CG method, you must have some form of natural curl to begin with (sorry straight-haired goddesses). 

The Method

Now that you know what the curly girl method is, it's time to break down the steps to this curl-changing technique. 

As we mentioned above, there are many variations of this method and with time, you'll discover the exact right sequence for your unique hair. 

Step 1: Reset

Before you even begin your new hair secret, you'll need to hit the reset button on your hair. Don't worry, you don't have to cut it all off! 

The way we reset the hair is by stripping away all of the silicones and waxes that have built up from years of chemically-enhanced shampoos and hair care for curls. 

To wash away all of the unhelpful buildups, you'll need to give your hair a lather and rinse with a sulfate-free shampoo. For best results, double wash your hair and fully rinse out any remaining product. You can even use a cider vinegar rinse to ensure your locks are silicone-free. 

Step 2: Co-Wash

Now that you've rid your beautiful curls of buildup, you can put away your shampoo. That's right, those deep cleansing washes are no longer necessary. 

The reason we ditch conventional shampoo is because of its tendency to strip the hair of natural oils and coat your strands with drying ingredients. Instead, choose a cleaning conditioner to keep your hair fresh and clean. 

The cleansing conditioner is gentle enough to leave your valuable natural, moisturizing oils in place while still washing away dirt and debris. If you must shampoo, opt for a sulfate-free and ultra-gentle cleanser to preserve the health and shine of your hair. 

Step 3: Deep Condition

That's right, now that you've conditioned, it's time to condition again! This time around, you'll use a deep conditioner to really nourish your curls and make them utterly beautiful. 

Apply a generous amount to your hair and coat each strand fully with this nourishing hair care for curls. From here, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to remove any major knots. Since hairbrushes can cause breakage and split ends, this is the only form of 'brushing' you'll embrace. 

Once fully conditioned, give your hair a rinse, leaving just a small amount of conditioner still in your hair. 

Step 4: Style

Now for the fun part! While your hair is still soaking wet, fill your hands up with gel and get to work. You'll want to use more gel than feels natural to really define your curls and make them pop. 

When choosing your gel, opt for products that are sulfate, silicone, wax, and mineral oil-free. Many products are optimized for styling curly hair so keep your eyes peeled for these CG-approved wonders. 

Once you've raked your gel from root to tip, it's time to perfect your scrunch action. There are multiple ways to style your curls, however, our favorite technique is to simply flip your head over so your hair is hanging upside down and use your scrunch action to curl it up!

Step 5: Dry

Now that your hair is cleansed, conditioned, and styled, the only thing left is to dry it. Of course, you won't be doing this with a hair-damaging dryer. Instead, use a cotton or microfiber hair towel for a frizz-free style.

It's crucial that you don't rub your hair down with a traditional towel as these options cause dry, damaged strands that can ruin your curly hair dreams. 

Scrunch your hair into your curly girl hair twist and continue about your morning routine while your locks dry. 

When you're ready, let your hair down and give it one final scrunch to remove any crunchiness from the gel. 

Step 6: Wear and Repeat

Enjoy your defined curls by repeating steps 2-5 each time you wet your hair. There's no need to reset your hair unless you've accidentally used a silicone product and need to remove the build-up!

Mastering the Curly Girl Method

Ready to take your curls to new heights? Give this step-by-step curly girl method a try for yourself and experience the difference of healthy, defined, and beautiful hair. 

From ditching heat to avoiding pesky chemicals, there's no method quite as effective and nourishing as the curly girl secret. 

Want to get your hands on the curly girl approved hair towel? Pick up your Turbie Twist towel and satin pillowcase today to banish frizz, nurture curls, and dry with ease.