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Starting Curly Girl Method - join me in achieving shiny bouncy hair!

145 replies

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 01/05/2018 08:24

Have been researching this for ages (3 days Grin )
Anyway found a fab curly girl thread from 2009

However some of the products have been discontinued, not all the blog links work, so I thought I would star a new thread.

So here is what I have gleaned so far:
Sulphates (the stuff which makes your shampoo foam) is a Bad Thing as it strips all your hair of oils, so you need sulphate free shampoo.
Found this list from the original thread which lists all the banned products.

Silicon ( Frizz Ease type serum) is a Bad Thing as it seals up the cuticle, so that moisture cannot get back in.

So moisture is the holy grail, and that is why hair gets frizzy, as it is too dry.

So most curly girls seem to cowash, which is washing with conditioner, or a special runny conditioner type product.

So here are the steps I have figured out, ( I haven’t bought the book yet).

One last wash with a sulphate shampoo, to clear out build up.

On subsequent washes, you cowash, but only use your fingers or a shampoo brush ( a stubby ruby bristled brush) to loosen dirt.

It is recommended that shower not too hot, and also wash hair upside down, so you are not flattening your “ canopy” of curls.

Comb through a handful of conditioner with a wide toothe comb

Also add your styling product in the shower eg scrunch with gel.

DO NOT use a normal towel, dry with a tshirt, or a microfibre towel.

Then there is the “ plopping” method where you lie a dry t shirt on a flat surface. ( loo seat) and sort of lower your head upside down and let your curls gather then sort of gather up the t shirt & fasten gently round head.

either air dry or dry with a diffuser, not too hot.

Other stuff I found : curl type 2 a, b, c, 3 a, b, c 4 a, b, c it’s a whole new world

Also deep condition according to curl type. I am about a 2b and am sitting here with a mixture of coconut oil & olive oil slathered on my hair.

Right off to create some curls!

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zippyswife · 10/05/2018 21:04

I think my hair is 2b/c. I’ve been using almond oil on my hair. As a way to tame the frizz. Is this a big no?

The co-washing seems to leave my hair a bit greasy still. I was going to try the Garnier ultimate blend oats shampoo as a Pp had mentioned. Are all the Garnier ultimate blend shampoos curly girl friendly?

whiskyremorse · 10/05/2018 22:22

Can I just point you all in the direction of Trepadora? I was given a gift set and the styling products are so lovely. I use the primer and a little of the avocado curl cream and my curls are lovely and defined. Quite expensive but you only use a little

whiskyremorse · 10/05/2018 22:25

Forgot the photo, I have baby fine curls prone to being fluffy/losing definition

Starting Curly Girl Method - join me in achieving shiny bouncy hair!
QueenOfTheAndals · 11/05/2018 08:45

I think once I finish my current stash of products I'm going to give Trepadora a go. They were selling sample sizes packets (not the travel size sets) a while ago but not anymore, which is annoying. It's a lot of money if you buy the wrong type!

CatRen27 · 11/05/2018 09:18

Following with keen interest and zero to contribute other than for me its been all about the cut as to whether my 3b curls work or not. That slightly scrapey thing the hair dresser does to create layers instead of a clean chop seems to help but i don't know what its called to ask for it! Ideas?

BrightonCalling · 11/05/2018 09:32

Curly girl method didnt work for me and actually left hair feeling dry.

Sorry to say i think its all just yet another new way to sell you products you jever knew you needed. Major brands are actually coming out with "cowash low poos" now. Once they realise they cant get us to buy any more high tech shampoos or mousses than we already have, they co oot influencers and bloggers and get us hungering for new spins on relatively untouched formulas: goodby3 shampoo ajd mousse, hello cleansing balms and foams.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 11/05/2018 09:40

I do a modified CG method because my hair is so dry. Oils don’t penetrate so I just get greasy but no silicone at all means my hair looks good for a bit but then all the moisture leaches into the air by about lunchtime and I’m left with shitty frizz again. I dry with a hairdryer every day unless it’s really hot because otherwise I have flat roots and it NEVER DRIES!

I’m using a sulfate free shampoo Yes to Blueberries shampoo and a Herbal Essences conditioner. It does have silicone in but as I said I need it! I wash in the shower, brush upside down when full of conditioner and then scrunch while still under the water. Use an old baby blanket to plop. I then use the super cheap gel in a pot from Tesco and scrunch it in.

I get a few days because although I soak my hair every day and reapply the gel I don’t wash it. I get mega fluff if I just leave it or spray with water!

whiskyremorse · 11/05/2018 10:21

Queen Trepadora always include a sample in your order. Perhaps order one styling product that you think will suit you best and ask for your sample to be a second styling product. My sample was the primer, it's a generous sachet I have been using for 3 weeks now and still loads left. I wouldn't have thought of buying it but I think it is my fave product from them.

AnnaMagnani · 11/05/2018 11:12

AllyMcBeagle I also love Jessicurl products. Sadly the British Curlies shop looks to be closing but google tells me there are other UK stockists.

Jessicurl has really helpful videos on their main website. I also like the SLS free shampoos as no-poo/co-wash just does not work for my fine hair.

The other brand I totally love is Boucleme. With both I've found a little goes a long way so although they are pricey, I am not buying often.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 11:32

@whiskyremorse
Your curls look fab!

I went over to the dark side last weekend and blow-dried and straightened my hair as I was going away for the weekend.
It did actually look a bit unnatural and felt really dry, so this weekend, I am thinking about going for the chop and having some layers put in.

I really like Thandie Newton's style here.

I am a different ancestry to her, so I'm not sure if mine can manage such pretty curls as hers looks fine, lots of it and curly, whereas mine is coarse, thick and wavy / curly on the ends, so hoping the layer will encourage more curl.

Also, I have balayage lowlights and they are drying my hair out; my greys are coming through slowly, and my natural hair colour is pretty shiny so I think now is the time to go a bit radical...

Also went into Superdrug in the week and they have a good selection. all the curly stuff is grouped together. I bought a creme / gel by twisted sista. I didn't put it on till long after I washed my hair, and did not put a lot in, so not sure how efficient it is.
Also bought a microfibre head wrap thingy from primark and a silk pillowcase (neither I have used yet....)

Also feel like my hair is ready for a weekly oil bath before shampooing..

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QueenOfTheAndals · 11/05/2018 12:14

Thanks whiskyremorse I'll give them a go.

The problem I have is that a lot of the curly hair products are for black or biracial hair and are too heavy for mine.

CurlyPJ · 11/05/2018 14:00

Mine. Grey (but looks amazing with it compared to my dyed "blorange" and just had a cut.

I have learnt over the years that my fine hair is a delicate flower. Plopping doesn't work - just adds frizz and odd kinks where a curl didn't sit right in the towel. Likewise co-washing - OK for a couple of days but then it gets weighed down so I have to wash.

Also what works for one person may not work. It is a really frustrating process of trial and error.

Starting Curly Girl Method - join me in achieving shiny bouncy hair!
CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 17:28

@CurlyPJ

Your hair is lovely. Do you use a special shampoo for the grey. I have heard of violet shampoos to bring out the silver.

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whiskyremorse · 11/05/2018 17:33

Thanks CurlyWhirlyTwirly it is great to find the right products and hairdresser after all these years!

whiskyremorse · 11/05/2018 17:35

CurlyPJ that's a gorgeous cut, I like the way it falls around your face. I hope my grey is that nice when it grows through a bit more

whiskyremorse · 11/05/2018 17:37

Queen I have the same problem with Afro products as my curls get weighed down easily. I hate crunchy curls too. I'm sure we've all tried so many products along the way

Ironfloor269 · 11/05/2018 18:38

@curlyPJ I agree with the others, your hair colour and cut are gorgeous!

I feel as if everyone’s curls are lovely except mine. Arrrrgggh I hate the blimmin’ frizz.

So, I've come to the conclusion that Garnier Ultimate conditioner is definitely better for my curls than the Body Shop Rainforest one. The former makes my curls smoother, more defined and frizz-free whereas the latter has a somewhat opposite effect. Interesting because the Body Shop one is about four times more expensive than the Garnier one.

I don’t yet use gel as I hate crunchy curls. I might try that soon though in the hope that that might curb the frizz.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 18:46

Apparently you can break up the “crunchiness” of gelled curls with a bit of hair oil rubbed on your hands and scrunched through.
I do feel the curly girl thing is more of an art than a science, it seems to be a bit of trial & error to figure out the products.

I have ordered some stuff from amazon; yes to blueberries shampoo & conditioner, some cantu leave in conditioner & can’t curl cream.
Also a microfibre towel for pre-plopping bottling! Also a ginormous diffuser & an Afro comb. I have been watching YouTube videos on how to use the latter to “ pick” my hair to give it volume.

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QueenOfTheAndals · 11/05/2018 18:50

I only found out about scrunching recently and it does make a difference!

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 21:33

This
Summarises the CG method really well & explains when to use the scrunching method or praying hand method for product application.

Basically after shampooing, comb through conditioner. Then rise off without touching, with water as cool as you can bear.

Then flip head upside down. Apply leave in conditioner ( yes more conditioner) using praying hand motion.

Apply styling product with praying hand, then squish upwards to remove water.

Apparently you can apply small clips to crown to help with height when drying ( plopping method or diffuser)

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JMAngel1 · 11/05/2018 21:40

Oh CurlyWurly that Thandie hairstyle is my favourite curly hair style ever - I'm saving it for when I'm ready to cut my long hair - 46 and still not qujte there yet, ha ha! Please please post if you get it done as would love to see it.

CurlyPJ · 11/05/2018 21:55

@CurlyWurlyTurly I tend to use Faith in Nature Lavender and Geranium shampoo - and just occasionally I'll do a cheapo purple shampoo - don't like using the purple one too much as I cannot be arsed to read the ingredients Grin. I think it makes a bit of a difference but not really sure.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 21:56

Styling Methods

@JMAngel1

I don’t think I’m ready for the full Thandie yet. I have to get my curls a bit more defined. I’m the same age as you and am kind of loath to cut my hair too much, but I am definitely going to layer more. Also am going to stop highlighting & root touch up as the curls disguise the greys pretty well.

I’m not far from 50 & feel pretty positive about embracing natural, authentic hair in both texture and colour

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Ollivander84 · 11/05/2018 22:24

Yep if it goes crunchy, that's what you want! Then scrunch it out and get perfect curls

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 11/05/2018 22:42

@Ironfloor have you tried soaking your hair in warm oil, coconut or olive. Then leaving it overnight & shampooing out?
Your hair looks quite dry towards the ends, but you have beautiful ringlets on top

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