What Is The Curly Girl Method Or The CG Method?
The Curly Girl Method is a hair care approach adopted by people with naturally curly or wavy hair. It is especially for those who have experimented with almost all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, styling methods, and products, only to be left with frizzy and damaged hair. CG Method came into the picture in 2001 when author Lorraine Massey published her best-seller, Curly Girl: The Handbook. She developed this method to encourage the use of healthy ingredients and procedures to protect and nourish your natural curls. It condemns the use of sulfate shampoos, silicones, drying alcohols, heating, ironing, and blow drying. There are certain rules that you need to follow while practicing the Curly Girl Method. So, let’s take a look at what you should and should not be doing while following the CG regimen.
Don’ts
Don’t wash your hair with shampoos containing drying alcohols, non-water soluble silicones, and sulfates such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, and Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate as they are harmful and damage your hair. Avoid using hair styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers as they dry out your hair and make it brittle. Don’t use combs or brushes as they cause frizz and breakage. Avoid using hair perfumes.
Dos
As you can’t stop using shampoo at the drop of a hat, start off by washing your hair with silicone- and sulfate-free cleansers and conditioners that are more gentle on your locks. Co-wash (washing with just conditioner) your hair instead of washing it with shampoo. Natural hair emollients, proteins, moisturizers, and gels work wonders on your curls. Getting your split ends trimmed regularly will go a long way in maintaining your curly hair.
Now that you have the basics right, let’s dive into the Curly Girl Method and see what goes into following it.
How To Follow The Curly Girl Method – Wash And Style
The three keywords that Lorraine Massey stresses on to protect, nourish, and maintain your curls are: Cleanse, Condition, and Style. It does not matter whether you have wavy, curly, or coily hair. As long as you do these three things, you don’t need to worry about anything. So, what do you to do to flaunt your diva-like gorgeous curls? We’ve broken down the steps for you! Let’s jump right in.
Cleanse Your Scalp
Washing your scalp with sulfate-free cleansers is good not only for you but also for the environment as it takes less water to wash your hair. Massage the cleanser onto your scalp gently after wetting your hair to get rid of all the dirt and residue. Rinse it off with water. This helps in retaining the natural oils in your hair.
Condition Your Locks
Apply the conditioner evenly all through your hair. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before washing it off with cold water. This will help in energizing your curls and reducing frizz.
Set Your Curls
Once you are done with conditioning, blot your hair with a towel to remove excess moisture. Set your curls by applying CG-friendly products such as natural gels, moisturizers, or leave-in conditioner. Wasn’t that the simplest hair care regimen you’ve ever come across? I was just as surprised as you when I first found out that The Curly Girl Method involves following just three simple steps. However, there are a few things you need to do before you start following this method to reap its benefits to the fullest. Here’s what you need to know.
Prepping Your Hair For The Curly Girl Method
Before starting the CG Method, one needs to follow some mandatory rituals. This involves replacing your shampoos and conditioners with sulfate-, silicone- and alcohol-free cleansers, purchasing Curly Girl-friendly hair styling products, and getting rid of your split-ends. Once you have everything ready, nothing can stop you from getting the curls of your dreams. Still a bit confused about how to follow this marvelous method? Don’t worry! Here’s a tutorial that will take you through the Curly Girl Routine step by step.
Starting Your New Curly Girl Routine
When it comes to the Curly Girl Method, you need to not only begin the journey but also keep going. Apart from adhering to your routine, you need to maintain your curls on a regular basis. Let’s see what goes into it that.
Maintaining Healthy Curls
Be mindful of the above tips to maintain good health of your curls. Further, you can also enrich your hair care routine by adding natural hair masks to it. Opt for nourishing ingredients like yogurt, aloe vera, egg yolk, etc., to achieve the shiny curly hair of your dreams. Does the Curly Girl Method work for everyone? Yes. The Curly Girl Method works for everyone with curly hair. How long does it take for the Curly Girl Method to work? You would notice changes almost immediately once you start following the CGM. However, to note a complete transformation into healthy curls, it could take approximately 6 weeks.
Discover the ultimate easy curly girl method (CGM) guide for beginners in this video. Learn about modified CG methods for gorgeous curls to suit your needs. Click play to follow simple steps and tips for embracing your natural hair texture.
