To think the curly hair method is a con?

Because black people bave Afro hair. It is a curly/coily type of hair that is exclusive to people of black origin. It is not ok to use the word Afro hair to mean unruly hair of a non black person. It implies that Afro hair is problematic, an issue, something that needs taming.
It's better so say 'I have curly/wavy hair which is frizzy/unmanageable and I would like advice about how to style it'

My hair just went really manky doing the curly girl method (co washing). I use a shampoo bar from gruum, any sulphate free conditioner and boots or Superdrug own brand curl crème. Wash, condition (squish to condish!), comb through, rinse, put some leave in conditioner in, curl crème, scrunch, plop, air dry. It's not perfect but much better than CG method.

Since it became popular, influencers have taken it over and added in all those extra steps and products. The basic routine is actually simple, and only requires a conditioner and a styling product.

Ive been doing it for about 20 years now, and have lovely, healthy curls.

Of course its a con.
"Let's use 10 products, 3 devices and 4h to reveal your NATURAL curls".
Whats natural there?

I don't do curly hair method. But I've found a hairdresser that specialises in cutting curly hair which makes so much difference and I treated myself to the her recommended shampoo and conditioner and curl scruncher stuff and I have lovely soft ringlet and waves now. So worth it. Normal shampoo and conditioner just wasn't putting enough moisture back into my hair.

🤣

I use shampoo about twice a week (any kind) and moisturising conditioner every day (whatever's on offer!).

I've tried countless frizz-reducing/curly hair products and the only things that work for me are Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting gel or Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion. I just add whichever I have to towel dried hair - miraculous stuff!

It does take some practice, or trial and error.

I’ve been using curly products for 2.5 years now.

started with only curls which was expensive really.

but now use Umburto Giavanni (from boots) I use the light pink range which is thirsty curls.
It’s often on some sort of deal 1/3 off or 3 for 2.
I stocked up yesterday as currently 50% off when buying 3 items

It takes a while to figure out what products and methods work for you and how much time and effort you're willing to put in.

I've been using my personal variation on the CG method for about 15 years now, with various products (some of the ones I liked when I started are no longer around!), and I'm very happy with my shiny curls and get lots of compliments on them.

It took me decades to learn to work with my hair instead of brushing or even straightening it and dealing with frizz and boring hair as a result.

You need to find out the porosity, curl type and where you are with protein and moisture levels of your hair.

I am white European (Celtic) hair. Curl type B mainly if shoulder height (less so at its current length).

The most important thing with curly hair is the porosity level! Closely followed by the protein vs. Moisture debacle.

The above 3 things are pretty much the whole deciding factors in what works on your hair.

My hair NEEDs sulphates and silicone. Needs protein but not too much, needs moisture but not too much. I have a lower porosity. Curly girl just ruins my hair. When I can achieve the perfect moisture protein balance (which is entire guess work and luck of the draw for me) then my hair is bouncy, silky, frizz free and shiny. It’s a rarity but achievable if you know what your doing.

I use merwaves, it works amazingly on my curly hair. I now only need to wash it about twice a week, whereas before when I was straightening it etc. I needed to wash every day.

I do a very paired down version
Condition, then some leave in conditioner.
Eco Gel gel
Brush
Turby towel
Diffuse.

For me its the products that make a difference. I cant use anything with coconut for example, it drys my hair out horribly.
The alberto balsam conditioner is cheap and cheerful

I would go to a curly hair specialist hairdresser for a cut and advise how to style. They will also tell you your curl / hair type as I’ve learned different types need different styling/ products.

It may be that you have over straightened it too. I have wavy hair and have straightened it since childhood. You would never tell it was wavy. My hairdresser said to me it had gone wavy after she washed it, mainly underneath. She said that part must be in better condition (probably where I don’t manage to fry it with the straighter). I’d say stick with it, keep conditioning, maybe take some supplements and hopefully it will improve.

My girls have very curly hair. It’s so hard to look after!! My eldest is 18 when she was little her hair was more of a loose curl and very frizzy. she sometimes does the curly hair method now and it goes nice, but if she doesn’t do all the steps, it’s just straight. My little one is 3 and we definitely have good and bad hair days lol but hers is more ringlets. There’s a few pages on Facebook that I follow for advice too. Pic of my girls gorgeous hair below.

Naturally curly girl here. I also straightened it for years before becoming too lazy to bother anymore during the pandemic. Best thing I have found is Cantu leave in conditioner. Just apply it up the ends of my wet hair and leave it to dry naturally. Not amazing hair but good enough for this middle aged lazy bones.

Why?

Olew products are lovely - they have a wide range of products including hair oil and hairspray. I particularly like their gel and refresh spray, and they smell wonderful.
Curly Girl didn't work for me, but there are many Facebook groups sharing tips and experiences.

It takes time for the hair to recover from straightening. The best method it to work out what works for your hair.

I did not find curly girl helpful.

Is your hair fine/medium/thick shall depend on the products it likes.

My hair is highlighted and fine, yet there is lots of it (high density) however it is (low porosity) takes ages to become soaking. Try the different product trial sets and find what works you. I found my hair likes Bumble Bumble, WOW products and Curl Smith and currently trying Opalex. A good wet hair brush and only curls towel are worth the price.

Hair porosity is the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture, determined by how open or closed its cuticles are. There are three types: low porosity hair has tight cuticles that resist moisture but retain it well; medium porosity hair absorbs and retains moisture easily; and high porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast, often due to a damaged cuticle. You can test your hair's porosity by floating a clean strand of hair in a glass of water—if it floats, it's low porosity; if it sinks, it's high porosity.

Density
Hair density is the number of individual hair strands per square inch of scalp and is determined by factors like genetics, age, and health. It is different from hair thickness, which is the diameter of each strand. You can get an estimate of your hair density at home by seeing how visible your scalp is through your hair or by measuring the circumference of a ponytail.

What is hair density?
It measures how closely packed your hair follicles are on your scalp.

It is not the same as hair thickness, which refers to the diameter of a single hair strand.

Density can be high, medium, or low, depending on genetics.

It can be affected by other factors like age, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and health conditions.

How to estimate your hair density
Scalp visibility test:
Look at your hair in a mirror. If you can easily see your scalp through your hair, you likely have low density.

Ponytail test:
Gather your dry hair into a low ponytail.

Use a soft measuring tape to measure the circumference of the base of the ponytail.

Low density: Less than 2 inches.

Medium density: 2 to 3 inches.

High density: More than 4 inches.

Ask your hairdresser to CUT YOUR HAIR DRY then have it washed and blow dried. If it is long have a shorter cut it makes a difference if the hair is needing a re-fresh. I had long hair then was inspired by SJP curly short hair during SITC. My hair thanked me and grew out beautifully. I do recommend trying one of hair snugs and a hat it does help. It takes time though.

instragram ladies I found helpful.
CurlyCast
CurlyCooper26
Welshiecurlgirl

I use Garnier honey treasures conditioner, I did use the shampoo but ran out and have been trying the Aldi honey one. My hair where I sleep on it used to be very frizzy but lately I've been using the conditioner separately after I've washed it. I'm lazy and can't be arsed with faffing about, and I did used to just mix shampoo and conditioner together and do it as a oner- yes I know I shouldn't! My frizzy side is much better now in the morning, but to be honest that's about all I do, wash it, condition it, twist it into ringlets and let it get on with it. I don't own a hairdryer. One side is wavy, the other more curly but I'm a compulsive hair twiddler so the wavy side is the side I twiddle with. I've also got two cow- licks, so it's always a surprise when I wake up in the morning!

I know it's ok for people not to love their hair!
I hated mine when I had hair. It was very very fine..That was why I wanted curly hair, or thick hair!
I wasn't criticising OP for not liking her hair.
My point was that somebodies " shit hair" is the envy of other people. That she might think her hair is ' shit" but I now other people will not see what she sees .

Curly Girl Method didn't work for me either, I looked like a scarecrow mostly. Gave up after about 4 months, smothered it in silicone and straightened the shit out of it again.

Was forced to wear it curly for a year recently, after a request for "grey blending" went horribly wrong and my mid-back length hair was ruined. I had to cut it down to a short bob and wear it curly as I couldn't style it with heat, it was so damaged. I didn't use CGM though, I did it my own way with products that worked instead of religiously adhering to some arbitrary rules! Maybe you should scrap the rules and try some new products? I had to fiddle with products somewhat - I have incredibly high density hair, but it's very fine, so a lot of oil based products and silicones weigh it down too much and it's lank. In particular I avoid seed oils and shea or coconut butters. I aimed for keratin and very light oils, and don't overdo it.

It was fine, I didnt mind it - but as new hair grew back in, it hated the curly products more and more (seems it only liked them when it was over-processed). So now I blow dry it smooth again, it doesn't know if it's arthur or martha.

CG moisturizes and brings out curls in curly hair.
If your hair isn’t curly it won’t create curls.
Faff free for those of us with curly hair. Shampoo doesn’t matter, use weekly. Wash hair daily with conditioner I like Diva Curl or Moroccan Oil products.
Key for me is a rich thick curl cream again Diva or M.
Don’t comb when dry, never ever brush.

@Axolotyls the curly girl method d#oes seem to take quite some time with individual smoothing of each individual curl. I really liked the idea, though I've never followed the method exactly.

I've used Only Curls products before (received as presents as they're quite pricey!) and I generally use their method, which doesn't take long at all.

https://onlycurls.com/pages/our-curly-method

It takes a lot of experimentation to find out which products work for you. It's really annoying, but I've found this bot can analyse ingredients lists, which makes it easier to narrow down the options.

https://www.curlsbot.com/

I currently use a shampoo bar and a conditioner in the shower, then a creme on wet hair then wrap it up in a hair towel (the Only Curls microfibre towel) for a few minutes, then a mousse and I diffuse dry with my head upside down.

I think you should give it another chance before giving up! Good luck!

Our DD follows it.
Before she went to university, we had several falling outs with her if we came within about 15cm 9f touching her hair. Especially when it was down to her waist.
She's currently sporting a shoulder length bob style and looks stunning

I’ve not tried this method but having had curly hair all my life I’ve found it’s trial and error experimenting with curl cremes, serums, mousse etc….. and finding the best combination for your hair - it’s tricky though, my daughter has curly hair and despite my 39yrs experience with curls I find her hair hard to manage at times haha x

It’s ok for a person not to love their hair if it is a problem to them. I find is funny how it’s people with straight hair who always say “l’d love to have curly hair.” My daughter’s hair is curly and it is generally really hard work if you want it to look proper nice and curly.