Curly girl method

[Myshitisreal]

Hi is anyone following this??? I've started last Saturday. I've read the older threads but couldnt find a recent one. I don't have instagram or Facebook so don't have anyone to chat to about it. It's definitely more work than I've ever done on my Hair but I've always been pretty lazy to be honest. My hair is only wavy but has potential. I'm due to get it cut ✂ in a couple of weeks because its been 9 months 😵. Must say i am getting good results for the first week. I washed as normal Saturday and added a hair mask. I sprayed on leave in conditioner after and used Tesco gel as my product. I made a spray bottle of water and leave in conditioner and have been using it to revive my hair daily plus a little humectant. I actually wore it down today and it looked good although a little crazy at the roots 😂 ill wash it either tomorrow or Saturday. I got a new product to try today also 🤞. Anyone want to join me???? I can't be the only one. It feels like there's so much information out there I'm almost a little overwhelming so it would be great to find a kindred spirit 💇

Yeah, but it’s not radically different to how it was before. I’m hoping my halo (frizz) will get better with time though.

I’ve not tried root clipping yet but I have ordered some so will do soon.

OK, the results are in!
I did everything the same as I usually do last night but skipped the curl creme, so I cowashed with XHC banana conditioner and rinsed, then plopped for 2 mins and then put my gel straight on and let it airdry.

Today my hair is... Fine. I would say it feels lighter without the creme but not that the creme makes it heavy, more that without it my curls are less defined and a bit flyaway, it hasn't clumped like it normally would and it looks a bit messier. The curls don't seem to have held as well either despite the gel, although it did dry faster! Also after boasting about how my fringe turned out OK I let it dry badly and it looks daft today, typical!

I wash mine every other day because it just gets flat after that after being under my helmet. It doesn't get greasy BUT that's because before I started cgm I was already sulfate free and had already gone through the horrible transition period where a Dutch braid was my best friend!

Honestly I'm really happy with my cheapo products! I have the tesco gel too but am using up the Eco style first, I think that cost me the most at about 4 quid on amazon! The Boots curl creme is 2 quid tops so it's OK if it doesn't quite work out.

End conclusion of this experiment: I'm going to go back to using the curl creme but am not averse to trying out different ones in future, also I mustn't claim my fringe turned out OK and then let it dry badly

My DD has really curly hair which always looks great but she moans about it constantly. She uses OGX Coconut curls shampoo, John Freida conditioner for curly hair and John Freida Dream Curls mousse. She then goes to bed with it wet and lays down for an hour at which point she uses a diffuser on her hairdryer and plops her hair into it upside down. Leaves it about 5 mins and does the same again. She then sleeps with partially damp hair for the rest of the night and wakes up like this! Very high maintenance but the only thing that works for her. She did try the curly girl method but didn't stick to it!

@bluntandtothepoint80 I would love to hear if you're able to get the frizz under control. Halo is a new one on me 😂. I heard on one of the videos I watched that frizzies are just lonely hairs that haven't found their clump yet. I know it's so obvious now but it's all new to me so I now understand how important the clumping is. Im trying to soak the frizzy bits on refresh and finger twist them back in

@bogoblin that's such a great report! At least you have a bit of understanding why you use the creme and that it is necessary. I went down the rabbit hole that is reddit last night and learnt how much of a cult product it is! I read people in the states asking for some to be posted over because they can't buy it online. I also read people saying to use the tiniest but because it can be heavy and that it's drying over the longer term? Who knows. Must admit you've really made me chuckle with your fringe story 😂 sorry. I'm sure it looks great 😁 hmmm just learnt what a dutch braid is. Pre cg i had my hair in french plaits a lot probably from day 4 to 7 but I'm unsure if it's good for the hair or if it pulls/breaks it? That might be a good experiment for me to try, French plaiting to dry. It used to be like monicas from friend's after but then I never really knew how to manage it and wasn't using any products. I used to keep it in double braids for 3 days just replaiting the bottom 😂

@fozziemk is that your daughter? Her hair is amazing 🤯 she's stunning also but I think thats obvious. It looks really great, I don't know why she complains! It just looks so good 😁

Love reading all the specific products that's so great. Thanks all you are wonderful.

Im on day 6 today so may try a refresh see how we go.

Have you joined the Facebook groups - there’s loads including ones to swap / sell products that don’t work for you.

I'm not on Facebook, I've been off it 3 years now so world be very reluctant to go back. I've debated setting up a dummy page but just can't decide. That would be my last option, thank you though! I've heard those groups are very good on fb

I only use it to follow groups etc... rather than in its “traditional” sense - loads of handy CG stuff and before / after pics though.

Myshitisreal Thank you! Her method is a faff but it seems to work well for her. I just thought if the CG method doesn't work it may be worth having a go at this and these products.

I'll have a think about Facebook. Non traditional use sounds great. If I get really stuck and need help that will be next. I've set up a dummy profile but there's still a lot of reluctance. Thank you I wouldn't have known people would swap.

Yes yes seems all ideas of course, happily welcomed. Her hair is just 👌 😁

On closer examination my hair feels a bit stinky 😂. I started to try refresh but I'm low on energy today so gave up. Day 6 though and that's ok with me. It feels very dry

I found the FB groups way too militant. So many things you’re not allowed to mention 🙄 and you’re somehow supposed to know without asking. I think even pink Curl Creme isn’t strictly CGF now for some reason. I mean it’s your hair ffs, the world isn’t going to come to an end if you don’t get it “right” as ordered by some power hungry Facebook mod 🤣.

@gingersausage if I recall correctly it contains an alcohol which can be drying. I can't remember without seeing the ingredients list and I can't find it on Google.

Oh militant is not for me 😂 I may ask a lot of questions and like to know the answers but ultimately if I need to break the rules I shall. Reddit has been invaluable from a reading point of view, the guides etc. It's great although I still seem to be struggling with the interface.

I tried co washing again yesterday and I'm Fairly sure it's not for me. I read the cantu shampoo can strip colour (being clarifying) so got the xhc strawberry one today for £1

I've found plopping seems to turn my hair to a frizzy mess. I had fantastic clumps, plopped for 20/30 mins and it came out a frizzy unclumpy mess.I was rushed so I diffused it and crossed my fingers but still a frizzy unruly basically straight mess. I've refreshed it today but I'll be honest it was very quick and lacking in effort 👀. There are definitely some great curls in there, I just need to be able to maxamise them. I still didn't put enough gel on cause it wasn't crunchy. The lady in my dentist knows me years and she was full of compliments today about my curlage, asking was it natural etc so that was nice.

I suspect I'll get better results after my haircut once a lot of the weight is taken off. My hairdresser may faint, he's been trying to get me curly for years.

Pics all from today

Would love to hear how everyone else is getting on

I’ve been doing cgm for 2.5 years. For the first time in my life I love my hair.

I cowash and leave a bit in of XHC. Usually banana but I get teatree if there’s none of that. Then apply VO5 gel and diffuse. I always cowash and apply gel with my head upside down otherwise I find the weight of my hair causes it all to flatten. I use a microfibre towel to get rid of excess moisture, got mine for about £4 from Decathlon. I used to plop for a while but for some reason I now find I get better results if I diffuse straight away. Don’t have to get it totally dry, just enough so I can get on with my day and then I scrunch out when it’s ready.

The CurlyHairUK sub on reddit is great and not militant at all. There was even discussion of using sulphates, the other week.

I tried it very briefly and just found that it made my fine, wavy hair look greasy. Not good. I have gone back to shampoo but sulphate free and no silicone in my conditioner.

how long did it take you to find your perfect routine @curlsandcurves. How do you use the towel to remove the extra moisture? Like blotting or scrunching? The drying is really presenting my biggest issue I think cause I've TOO MUCH HAIR. Id prefer natural in an ideal world. Do you apply the gel to sopping wet hair? I felt like i put loads of gel in but I obviously need more, couldn't bring myself to add more even though someone said I'd need a third of a tub up thread. All trial and error I guess 🤷‍♂️

That's good to know @pickachew. I understand there are guidelines but it's up to each individual how far they take it. I'll have a look on reddit again later thank you.

@monsteracheeseplant that's a shame. Did you try low poo no poo or whatever it's called? I do hope the strawberry shampoo works for me as the co wash leaves it feeling greasy at the roots the same day. I'll see how it fares over the next few days, then my hairdresser can do whatever he wants to it on Monday. I'm not about to teach him how to suck eggs 😂

@Myshitisreal I definitely would suggest not spending money on product after product. I thought I’d nailed my routine until I went for my first curly cut about a year ago. At the time I was using Cantu curl activator along with gel. However my stylist showed me just how much my hair was coated with product and suggested I keep it really simple and just use gel, which is what I’ve done ever since. My hair actually feels like hair now!

It is trial and error, absolutely.

I apply the gel to spooning wet hair in the shower, using praying hands. Then scrunch with my hands to get rid of excess moisture. Once out of the shower I use the towel to scrunch a bit more before I start to dry it. I’ve got loads of hair too and I find the microfibre towel is great for helping get it dry.

I pretty much have my perfect routine now. My hair wants cheap conditioner and expensive products and as much protein as I can throw at it

@curlsandcurves I agree I think it's too easy to get carried away buying stuff, I am very excitable 😵 I have a bag now with all the stuff in it so shouldn't need anything for momths really . I'm happy sticking to the cheap gel, still haven't mastered it so I'll keep trying. Do you think I have enough curl in my hair? It definitely looks it when it's wet. I learnt the 'don't buy random stuff' lesson when I got that cantu cream at the start. Now I've spent so long reading (and asking you lot questions) I have a much better understanding. Hair products were just a mystery to me, I'll be honest.

That's a great tip, ill try the scrunching with the towel. I used to wash my hair then put it in French plaits overnight to dry, and that would give fab tiny curls but I didn't know how to manage them. Think Dee Snider 😂 ohhh I might have a pic, yes enclosed

@clientqueen. Thanks for the reply! What products do you use, do you have anything to add techniques or tips wise? I think i don't understand the protein side, and how to understand my hair by looking at it. The garnier coconut hair food in the tub is my leave in and is in my spray for reviving and I think it has protein in it. My hair really seems to like it but beyond that I dunno.

@muminabun how's your journey going? Would love to see some updated pics.

I've had to change my hair app to next Thursday now so I'll get another wash in before then. I wonder.... Is it cheating to do everything cg up to gel and blotting dry, then put in french plaits????

Don't worry about protein until further on. I know mine needs it when the curl doesn't hold or drops instantly
Try different techniques and methods of application but keep it simple
This is mine

It looks really lovely. Great curls. Thanks for all the tips. Yes I'll park protein for now then, it's a minefield!

Can I ask on no wash days are you setting it and plopping and putting the gel on?

Curlies? Where are you all

Curlies, have you given up after a month. Is it not worth it? Mine looks great and I am on day 5 tomorrow

Sorry Bottomplasters!

I haven't given up. In fact, I'm really glad I persisted because if I hadn't I'd be long overdue a haircut and I'd be despairing. In fact, because it's curly it doesn't need cutting yet as the curls pull it up off my face. I'm glad it's working for you too.