Natural Hair: Update on the Curly Girl Method

About 1 month ago, I started using the curly girl method on my hair and I have to say, I love it! Just to recap, I started the curly girl method because I was searching for a simpler way to do my hair. With the curly girl method, I am able to style my hair twice as fast and my hair is moisturized more than it's ever been. My hair feels soft, it looks shiny and it is predictable.

Previously in my hair journey, I would wash and condition my hair once a week, and then I would braid it or twist it in preparation for a braid out or twist out every day. My hair would turn out great one day and then be horrible the next. Also, because I would re-braid my hair every night, this caused my hair to be dry and brittle from manipulating it too much. Protective styling is supposed to be for low manipulation and I was doing the opposite. This was a cycle every week.

I thought protective styling was for me but for some reason, I can’t get them to work. I have now found something that works for me and I’m sticking with it.

When I first started the curly girl method, I remember being so disappointed because this method requires wash and go’s and my hair likes to shrink up as much as it can. I get about 70% shrinkage, so with a wash and go, even though my hair is about bra strap length, it still looks like it doesn’t even touch my shoulders.

Figuring out how to use the curly girl method for my hair texture was my next goal. My hair is 3c-4a, and very coily. I learned that in order to get the look I was going for I needed to use gel. My favorite gel for the curly girl method is ECO Styler gel. It gives great hold and it is silicone free which means it is water soluble and I don’t need shampoo to wash it out.

What I do is wash my hair with conditioner, and detangle my hair in the shower. Before I get out I like to rinse my hair with cold water to help prevent frizz. (This is totally optional because after a hot shower it’s not the best feeling in the world but for my hair it helps). After I’m done in the shower, I get out and apply my gel all over my hair. Then I’m done! It’s that simple and that easy for me.

The curly girl method is a hair styling method that was specifically designed to help curly girl’s work with their curls instead of against them. It was created by Lorraine Massey, a fellow curly girl herself.

This is a method where you get rid of shampoo, and use conditioner as your cleansing aid. To use conditioner to cleanse your hair, you would have to use a silicone free conditioner and silicone free styling products. If you absolutely have to use shampoo, it is important that you use a sulfate free shampoo because shampoos with sulfates are extremely damaging to the hair. They dry the hair out and strip it of its natural moisture.

Conditioners and products with silicone are also no no’s because they coat the hair causing build up, which will prevent moisture from getting inside the hair.

If you want to start the curly girl method, I recommend you read Lorraine Massey’s book and also purchase the Deva Curly hair care products which were also created by Lorraine Massey. Her products are everything you need to start the curly girl method.

Just a heads up, Lorraine Massey’s product line is pretty expensive, but the great thing about this method is the fact that you can use any products that fit the criteria of: no silicones and no sulfates. The products I use and love are Vo5 conditioners and Eco Styler gel. That’s it. Simple, right? These products are also cheap and that’s another reason I love them. They make styling my hair quick and easy. It’s also fun because now I have more time to experiment with my hair styles.

Unfortunately, the curly girl method won’t work for everyone. Just try it and see how it goes. You may have to modify it to fit your needs.

If you find that a conditioner only regimen is not the best for you, it’s ok. Just keep experimenting with different products to see what works for you. My mom tried the curly girl method but she doesn’t like it because she has to wear hats at work. Her hair just ends up matted to her head by the time she leaves.She prefers styles such as, twists and braids rather than a wash and go.

If you can’t do wash and go’s daily or every other day, try washing your hair in the evening, twisting it or braiding it while it’s still wet, and then take it down them the morning for a nice braid out or twist out. You don’t have to do wash and go’s in order for the curly girl method to work for you.

If you use the curly girl method, how does it work for you and do you like it?

Thanks for reading!

KySmith =)