Curly Girls Method: The way to dreamy curls

Curly Girl method
Your way to dreamlike curls

© Nadya Korobkova / Shutterstock

With the Curly Girl method, you can get curls full of bounce. Here you can find out exactly how the method works and how to use it!

Curly Girl method – what does it mean?

The Curly Girl Method is one Hair care routine for wavy or curly hair. Because regardless of whether you have waves or real curls, the hair structure often does not come into its own the way you want it … frizzy hair or undefined waves instead of curls are often the case. Caring for the Curly Girl method helps to redefine the curls or waves and bring out the most beautiful version of your curls.

The method goes to the American Lorraine Massey back, who described the care routines for the different types of curls in the book “Curly Girl: The Handbook” in 2001.

How does the Curly Girl Method work

The Curly Girl Method consists of these simple guidelines:

  • Do not use shampoos with strong surfactants: Surfactants are used as an ingredient in the shampoo as washing-active substances, which also ensure that the shampoo foams. But there are many aggressive surfactants that dry out the hair and also your scalp and are therefore harmful. You can recognize these surfactants by the name “sulfates” under the ingredients.
  • Do not use hair care products with water-insoluble silicones: On the one hand, silicones provide shine and make the hair supple – on the other hand, they wrap around the hair. This means that the hair cannot absorb care products and moisture, which ultimately causes it to dry out. In addition, these silicones weigh down the hair as well. You can often recognize water-insoluble silicones by the endings: “-cone”, “-xane” in the ingredients. Note: Water-soluble silicones (are usually marked with the notation “PEG”) would be possible in hair care using the Curly Girl method. But if you want to be on the safe side, you can do without silicones completely. Read our guide: Shampoo without silicone.
  • Avoid drying alcohols in hair care products: Alcohols in care products can also provide moisture, but they can also dry out the hair under certain circumstances.
  • Use the plopping method to dry your hair with the help of a T-shirt (if necessary, a microfiber towel is also suitable). Regular towels can promote frizz as they also remove moisture from the hair and roughen the surface. In any case, avoid rubbing your hair dry!
  • Comb hair only when it is wet: If you use the Curly Girl method, you should only comb your hair very carefully when it is wet. In addition, only use a wide-toothed comb – this is gentler than a brush. Using a brush or comb while dry can lead to hair breakage, split ends or frizzy hair. However, if the dry curls need to be clumped apart, gently run your fingers through them instead.
  • Use leave-in care products on your curls: Curl creams, gels or hair oils, for example, can be used here.
  • Avoid heat: Ideally, you don’t use warm water to rinse your hair and also let your hair air dry (using the plopping method). If a hair dryer has to be used, put on a diffuser and turn the hair dryer on to a cold setting.

Curly Girl Method: This is how you apply the grooming routine

  1. It is best to wash your hair without shampoo and only with conditioner (called co-wash)! The conditioner is massaged into the entire length of the hair and also into the scalp and left on for a few minutes. Especially thicker hair should only use conditioner when washing hair. If you can’t do without shampoo, use a mild shampoo free of harsh surfactants, silicones, and drying alcohols. But try to gradually reduce shampooing. Be sure to add the conditioner to your hair after shampooing.
  2. Gently comb your curls with a wide-toothed comb.
  3. Rinse your hair with cold water. This closes the cuticle of the hair and makes it nice and shiny.
  4. After shampooing, use a special care product for curls. For example, flaxseed gel (reading tip: make flaxseed gel yourself), leave-in conditioner or curling cream. Here, too, the motto applies again: without surfactants, silicones and drying alcohols! Starting at the tips, knead the care product into your hair. Keep upsetting your hair from bottom to top. Only at the hairline do you use less care product so that it does not look greasy later.
  5. Now use the to dry the curlsPlopping method: Wrap your damp hair in a cotton shirt and tie it to your head. Let your hair dry in it. By pressing the hair against the head as it dries, the curls are better defined. However, the method is more difficult with very long hair – in that case, you can let it air dry.

Note: Curl care products, such as linseed gel, often set after drying. As soon as the hair is completely dry, however, the solidified gel can simply be kneaded out without destroying the curl structure.

Who is the Curly Girl Method suitable for?

The Curly Girl Method is not suitable for straight hair – Waves or curls are a prerequisite. However, it may be that a few passes of the care routine are required before you get curls full of bounce … after all, the silicone residues of the past have to be removed first. But patience is worth it!

That’s why we love the Curly Girl method

Women with natural curls know it: the hair often does not sit the way it should and when there is also moist air, you have more of a frizzy tangle on your head than beautiful, defined curls. But often enough it is simply the wrong care that is to blame! The Curly Girl method cares for curly hair so that it is not overused, but still receives a lot of moisture and the right care. The shiny curly hair rewards for the hair care at the end!

Here you will find the most beautiful hairstyles for curls and here you can find out which oil for the hair provides your mane with even more moisture.

If you would like to exchange ideas with others about hair care and styling ideas, take a look at ours Community.

Sources used: lockenpflege.de, utopia.de, loving-curls.com