Curly Girl Method - the basics

[ThisIsShe]

After seeing CG mentioned on here I've been reading about it online and have decided to give it a whirl. I've ordered the book and a microfibre turban thing, but I'm visiting the Big Smoke today and I'd like to get stocked up with the products I'll need. Otherwise I'll have to wait for the book then order stuff online and wait for it to arrive, which I'm far too impatient to do!

From looking online I think my hair type is 2b (or possibly 2c). The hair underneath curls much, much more (proper ringlets) than the top (more of a wave than a curl).

So, what do I need?

I tried the tshirt - it was definitely better than the useless micro fibre turban thingy, but not as good as the dog towel. Now I have the micro fibre thing, I've realised that the dog towel isn't the same material, I have no idea what it is, but it's bloody marvellous!

The book has also arrived, so I stocked up on products yesterday.

I have never had my hair cut by anyone who didn't insist on straightening it afterwards, so I am going to be heavily studying the DIY cutting section of the book....

Bring on the curls!

Hi another corkicelli here, I thought I was a Boticelli but no just re-read and definetely a corkicelli.
All you need to know (and more than you will ever need) is in the British Curlies website. I have been silicon free for a few years now, still shampoo every 5-6 days with low sulfate shampoo, going poo free didn't work for me. Too extreme!
Body Shop moisture range for me, high porosity curls love the nourishing hair butter. Condition washes in between with Garnier Ultimate Blends (cone free) sleek restorer.
U.Giannini pink gel and boots curl cream to style.
Have also tried Deva curl products (amazon sells trial kits) and they are also very very good.
As others said, it is a matter of trying what works for you best.

One thing I do recommend is an ionic diffuser hairdryer as I am usually in a hurry and cannot be waiting for ages with wet curls. Just don't fry your curls on a high setting, and finish with a cool setting before they are completely dry. If you have long curls like me I find this method also gives me nice root volume as the curls otherwise weigh it down (and have never mastered all those complicated clipping methods to give root volume).

I also tried Matt a couple of years ago, if you are new to the CG ways then he is great and will give you good tips. For me however he did a good job but not so good/such a huge difference to how I treat my curls that I could be bothered with the journey to Birmingham again.
One thing that did impress me: somehow he managed to disentangle my curls with conditioner and fingers...I have never managed without tons of conditioner and a wide tooth comb. Impressive!
He took photos of my hair and sent them to Lorraine so I felt honoured.

I am so pleased to see so many girls chucking away their straightening irons and embracing their curls! Good Luck.

.