Curly girl co washing - am I missing something?

[BigHeartyTruffle]

I have 2c/3a curly hair and have been trying the curly girl method on and off for a couple of years.

Some stuff works for me like putting mousse on and plopping. However I can’t get away with co washing. My scalp is already quite dry and sensitive, after a few days it is so itchy and I can feel the build up on my scalp.

So I go back to using shampoo (silicone and sulphate free, using only curls at the moment which is quite nice). But I feel like my curls haven’t reached their full potential, they can still be quite stringy/frizzy and don’t clump all that well.

Does anyone have any tips? Is there away to get luscious curls and still use shampoo every few days?

No tips but keen to learn too after my only half hearted attempts

Have you tried a clarifying shampoo to help get rid of all the build up from products? When my hair starts going stringy and shit, it's a sign it needs a good cleansing.

If not, maybe try that once a week and the Co washing might work better. If it still fails, I'm sure there are shampoos out there that aren't so bad for everyday use so I wouldn't stress so much about it.

I hate co washing.

I think it's about the right cut, products and routine. If I part dry my hair, I get better results. I don't like the cast that you have to form with some products (that you then scrunch out) but, it gives my culrls their best look.

I also don't like how greasy some curly products are.

Have you tried the trepadora papaya slip? It does give a cast, but not a really hard one, and it's moisturising but not terrible greasy.

I also rate Phillip Kingsley elasticizer, but I darent look at the ingredients! It's a pre-shampoo treatment.

Finally, to avoid frizz, I do use a touch of oil. The label has rubbed off my latest one, but it's a no residue, weightless one and it gives a bit of shine, but doesn't weigh my hair down.

It's all about the products. Try as many as you can. I bought, on a whim, something from boots a while ago. Shrub. Or something and that was really lovely. Soft, soft curls and very curly curls.

@JuneOsborne I think you are right, it’s all about finding the right products! I have also really struggled to find a hairdresser who can do a decent cut for curly hair, and that doesn’t default to blow drying it poker straight / adding fake waves which seems to defeat the object of curly hair. Do you have any recommendations of what to ask for, or is it just a matter of finding a stylist who gets it?

Thank you for the product recommendations. I will continue my years long quest to perfect curls and try some out.

For me, CG is mostly don’t use silicones and sulfates, because that was what the internet told me over 10 years ago! I have always used a sulfate-free shampoo, to clear product build up and hard water. I then second cleanse with co-wash, condition and detangle (with a comb/brush, finger detangling is a non-starter here!). Use a small amount of leave-in, style (Denman 7 row helps with clumping, Manes by Mell on YouTube taught me how), then gel and diffuse. Wash my hair usually 2x a week. For daily styling I use a lighter hair cream and gel again.

My hair is low porosity (hard to get moisture into, better to avoid oils) and protein-sensitive (avoid protein heavy products). I have 3a curls, my hair is probably medium thickness, always thought my curls = thick but actually no, my hair can get weighed down easily with products at the richer end.

Products I use:
Charles Worthington Everyday Gentle shampoo
As I Am Coconut co wash
As I Am Hydration Elation (conditioner)
Cantu Curl Activator (leave-in, small amount only)
Cantu Moisture Retention gel with flaxseed
Shea Moisture silicone-free miracle styler (for daily)

The biggest difference to curl appearance and clumping is the styling method over the products IME (although the latter helps), I like Manes by Mell for a variety of tips (like how to use the Denman). As for cuts, ideally you want a hairdresser who is comfortable cutting dry. There are dedicated curly salons, but I’ve also found good ones through online reviews, word of mouth etc.