The Curly Girl Method

[sleepsforwimps]

I want to thank whoever it was that mentioned this method in a thread a while back. I googled it and have started the no-poo method, it has absolutely transformed my hair. So thankyou, thankyou, thankyou whoever you were.

[monsterowl]

Bookmarking this. Discovered this method via MN and started it today. Overdid the coconut oil (which I use as a leave in conditioner) though so look like an oil slick. (Should I stop using coconut oil now that I won't be shampooing? I use it as an overnight intensive conditioner once a week as well as a leave in.)

Wish I'd found this thread 18 months ago when I gave up on my dry, dyed to death, frizzy long hair and had it cut short ... have been trying to grow it ever since.

[CakeandRoses]

oh ektorp we have the same type of hair so i'm keen to know how you're getting on if you have a mo to update please

[CakeandRoses]

marking spot to read later

[mathanxiety]

The one I use is not actually on the list afaik -- Tresemme.

[ektorpjennylund]

I just started the CG method this week. Think I have type 2 hair (fine, with a wave, occasionally get a good curl)

I got ABBA light conditioner in ULTA ( I'm in the US ) it doesn't seem to have any silicones mainly plant extracts. Did co-wash this morning and my hair is softer but definitely not curlier. read... frizzier

Does it take long to see results?

Mathanxiety, iirc you are in Ireland. I'll be there over Christmas. Can you give me a quick list of products I can get easily there? Where to go?

[mathanxiety]

My neighbour uses a mixture of leave-in conditioner, some water, and extra virgin olive oil for refreshing between washes. Maybe use more conditioner and less water, plus some oil for spraying the ends if you do this?

[KatyMac]

Isn't it funny - DH & his family have always told me to keep her hair away from water as much as possible as it doesn't agree with afro hair

We will have a play & see

[mathanxiety]

The hair will probably need to be wet each day and maybe a little conditioner put in -- you could even dip the bottom half into water and add conditioner, then scrunch and gel, depending on how long it is. Curly hair apparently is much drier than straight hair and needs the moisture.

I have a spray bottle that I use to mist my hair and I sometimes use a mixture of equal parts veg glycerine and water to moisturise it if I'm not going to get it wet through in the shower for whatever reason. DD3 has used a mixture of 1/5 conditioner plus 4/5 water for her ends (hers is half way down her back so 'ends' means about from her shoulders down) in a spray bottle when hers gets very dried out in winter with the heat on in school. She showers at night then sometimes sprays her hair in the morning

[KatyMac]

DD's hair is beautiful immediately after washing (we have used conditioner only for some month now - 9 or 10 I think)

But by the next day it is so dry and frizzy

[mathanxiety]

I use Tresemme styling gel. It's clear and contains either VP or PVP which add shine, but it needs diluting or the hair looks 'crisp'. Plus diluting helps it go further..

The conditioner-only washing should really help with the dryness. DD3's hair went from being a frizzy tangled mess to having actual separate curls. No more tears or screaming trying to brush it in the morning [bliss for all].

Here's a really long list of products that have the kind of ingredients recommended in the Curly Girl method.

[KatyMac]

What sort of gel

Her hair is so dry

[mathanxiety]

KatyMac -- Try it with just the conditioner and get some gel (dilute it 50/50 for use). Do the washing with just conditioner, and the very brief rinsing concentrating just on the scaly, leaving conditioner on the ends, then scrunch with a towel to dry it a bit, then add diluted gel and scrunch again, then leave it to dry naturally. This is what I've been doing with DD3 for years now. I've never used curl cream or leave in conditioners, just stuck to the method in the Lorraine Massey book.

I think the conditioner-only approach would help hair even if it's straightened as you're giving it the moisture it needs and not drying it out with shampoo -- so it's bound to be good for it no matter how you style it, AngelDog.

[KatyMac]

OK we have decided to try this for DD

So we got the conditioner (original source)

We got the boots curl cream

We have Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner

But the curl cream & the mixed chick stuff has things ending in 'cone' does it matter??

and I thought we had to use a tiny amount of the curl cream but DD's hair is long & it's not going anywhere......HELP

[AngelDog]

Anyone know if the CG method of washing improves the look of curly / wavy hair even if you straighten it??

I have wavy hair, mostly fine but some pretty thick, especially underneath. I would guess it's type 2. It used to go into large ringlets when very long, or big waves when short. I currently straighten it by putting it into a ponytail when wet, which works quite well for most of the hair, except when it's raining. :)

[mistlethrush]

A curly thread I feel at home on.... I seem to have been doing much of this method having found my hair likes it myself - although I might follow up on the recommendations for conditioner - fancy a try of something different. My only concern is that I normally use a really heavy conditioner (ausie 5min miracle) and then put Paul mitchel supersculpt on to keep things under control - I cope with the curls but its the body I struggle with - I don't want even 'bigger' hair than I already have... Anyone with any idea which of the OS or naked conditions might be best on volume control????

[LilRedWG]

Oh - I use the pink curl creme from Boots already.

[LilRedWG]

Please help me. I have wavy/curly hair. I decided to wash all of the crap out of it so bought NakedDetox shampoo and conditioner, which is free of all baddies. One week in and my hair is straw-like, lacking any shape and looks hideously dry.

I've tried washing with conditioner before and my hair just felt greasy.

Please help me or I'll have to wear a paper bag on my head forever!

[Scotlian]

Hey Traveller thanks for your answer. Hair is all a bit weird generally as I am now pg again (!!) so it's going all thick and looks a bit like a mushroom. Not Good At All. Will try this and see what happens. Hmm.

[Travellerintime]

Hi Scotlian,
Maybe someone else more experienced can advise - but see my post above - my hair is around jaw length, and plopping with it is definitely a bit hit and miss - hair ends up in weird shapes. However, it's definitely worth giving a go, as it's really improved the condition of my hair - if you've got post-baby hair this can only be a good thing, I imagine.

[Scotlian]

Hello all

does this work for short hair? Maybe 3 inches long, if hair can be measured in inches?

I used to have v long curly hair but chopped it really short after DS was born as it was all falling out (!) and he just grabbed handfuls of it anyway. Now growing it out again and would love it to look more curly... thanks for any advice...

[Travellerintime]

I started doing Curly Girl about 3 weeks ago, and in general I'm enjoying the new 'curl power'. So far, the pluses are:

My hair is way less frizzy than it was and in much better condition.
Quite often I end up with lovely ringlets.

The downs are:

It's quite hit and miss as to what kind of effect I get - sometimes lots of curls, but too crispy, and also my hair is unevenly curly, so a bit lopsided and messy (think Meg Ryan v v tousled)

I'm using Boots curl creme, and despite using miniscule amount AND diluting, my curls can be v crispy. Anyone got any alt products they'd recommend? My hair is type 2, as much wavy as curly and quite short.

Also, finding plopping not really working - maybe cos my hair's short. I'm diffusing - but is this too drying? When I leave to dry naturally it takes forever - like about half a day (!) - I really don't have time for that!

[BusyMummyof3]

I've tried the Curly Girl method and even though my hair looked in better condition I just hate my curls I ended up with really curly hair and I just don't think it suits me. I think part of the problem is my hair isn't quite long enough - just above shoulders.

I think I want to continue washing with conditioner etc but I want to be able to leave it to dry naturally and loosen the curls. I am quite lucky in that my hair straightens easily but I normally pull it back in a clip and end up with straight roots and very curly ends. So does anyone have any clever ways of pulling hair back to dry that will result in lovely loose looking curls instead?? I don't have time for straighteners\blow drying every day and I'm fed up of always wearing it pulled back as I don't like it curly.

[janek]

CdeL - look it up on you tube, that's what i did, basically you lower your head onto a flat pillowcase, pull it tight from the back, then kind of secure the ends by pulling the front tight to round the back and then clip with a hair clip. no, can't explain it. sorry.

the best thing i've ever used is a long sleeved top/pyjama top though, cos you just secure it by tying the sleeves in a knot round your head.

my curl creme experiments are going okay, someone said only use a miniscule amount and i am heeding that advice, hair is def a bit curlier, but also messier, oh i do look professional at work .

[Smalline]

Many thanks mathanxiety for your advice on diluting the gel, tried it this morning and it worked a treat.

[ClaireDeLoon]

Well after BorntoFolk's advice about easing in gently, this morning I used the boots curl creme instead of my normal frizz ease styling products (which I don't really like - they make my hair feel yuck) but after a normal shampoo and deep conditioner (frizz ease). And I plopped, well I think I did anyway.

And my curls look lovely, definitely more curly than wavy today.

So I'm doing OK so far. Will keep going with the curl creme and plopping after a normal shampoo and condition for a few days, then give the co-wash a go at the weekend.