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.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

at hoxtonchick we expect a full report.

I'm not sure about the no 'pooing yet, I have pretty long hair and excercise a fair bit, will it not get smelly?

However I did 'plop' this morning and am very impressed that such a simple thing can make such a big difference, much less frizz.

Slightly worried by the curly girl web site, why do they all talk as though curly hair is some kind of curse that they have managed to overcome?

[BitOfFun]

It is rather earnest, isn't it?

I went and bought a turban thingy for a quid today and a hot oil treatment (which I think is ok ingredient-wise), but I washed this morning, so I have to wait to play with them, hehe.

Hoxton, we will want pics like a proper diary you know

On the scalp think- it really doesn't smell at all, the conditioner does a fine job of washing it, honestly.

I think some people find it takes a few washes to start working or gets a little greasier before re-balancing, but my hair was so crappy and dry that I saw an improvement straightaway.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Oh my hair is horribly dry, I do not know of this 'grease' of which you speak, if it wasn't for the sweatyness I could go weeks without washing my hair and indeed I used to.

You really think just conditioner will get my scalp clean enough?

[BitOfFun]

I think so- you give it a good rub with your fingertips, and friction works in a washing-machine, so...plus warm water, plus the conditioner. Mine has been fine.

I've read that you can use sugar or salt for a scrub once in a blue moon if you feel like it, or sodium bicarb (I think), but I haven't felt the need.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Hi I bought my turban today, £1.19.
Have also invested in a bottle of Original Source conditioner, Boots pink cream and Boots Naturals intensive hair treatment stuff.

Plopped yesterday with a cotton cardigan of DD1's and that was a success. Am aiming to do one more Aussie mega moist shampoo and then next wash go straight to just conditioner.

However would like fringe advice. My hair is a short crop growing out so I have kept my fringe, like a fringe but am suspicious of a curly fringe so I straighten it.
Does anyone think that might be odd? Does anyone have a fringe and what do you do with it?
Thanks.

[BitOfFun]

I straighten mine with the hairdryer and a round brush, but only a bit IYSWIM- ie, not poker straight, just shaped a bit. Curly fringes look silly on me, but obviously dead straight would be daft with everything else very curly, so I go for a halfway house solution.

[BitOfFun]

I think so, if you want to go low-poo rather than no poo. Have you checked there are no silicones in them too?

Here is the list of what to avoid and why

[BornToFolk]

Plopping is not for me. Or rather the Poundland turban is not for me. It's rather small and kept popping off my head. My hair's quite short at the front and it made a single curl at the front stand up vertically.

I look like Dipsy.

[BitOfFun]

Oh dear

[mathanxiety]

You can mix sugar with conditioner once a week for a scalp scrub. Otherwise, gentle friction is fine. It might take a few days for your scalp oils to adjust to the new routine and find their own level. If you're worried about smell, try an essential oil/ water spritz.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

I'm planning on trying to leave my fringe out of the turban.
Hopefully that will work, otherwise it's out with the straighteners and the weird straight fringe/curly mop combo BOF describes.

[BornToFolk]

Ah well. Nothing ventured...

I'll go back to my usual method of blotting and leaving to air dry as much as possible.

[BitOfFun]

I found this forum thread with lots of before and after pics on- very encouraging!

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Is it me or do a few of those look coated and as if , if you put your hand into them it would come out icky?

BTW I did no washing once a long time ago and if I ran my fingers through my hair they came out grimy. I put it down to daily commute on the tube.
Hair was in great condition though.

[hoxtonchick]

wow, there are some amazing differences on that thread BoF. the curl forums are freaking me out a little, it's the hair products as signatures i think.

will make dp take before & after photos, watch this space.

kerrymum, i almost bought that naked stuff today, but think it might have some silicones lurking. god i spent a long time in boots .

[FlyMeToDunoon]

I spent ages in boots with a list and then started queueing. DD2 then sprayed herself in the eyes with perfume and I had to abandon queue, find water, join another queue, pay for stuff and water, swab DD's eyes and then..... breathe.

[BitOfFun]

I think many of those women are using various products/gels etc too, just no shampoo or non-sulphate ones and silicone-free conditioners. Mine isn't remotely slick looking, but I'm literally just using a cheap tresemmé conditioner.

[BitOfFun]

Eek, Flyme! That sounds like the trip from hell!

[NoahDear]

the OP is obsessed with hair
photogrpahing it every day
life
get

a

[BitOfFun]

I think I would demand mine was on DVD in its every sheeny waft if it looked that good though Noah

[BitOfFundango]

Have a final wash with shampoo to clear your hair of silicones.

Then next time, just wash with silicone-free conditioner, rinse, second blob of conditioner, don't rinse it completely off, just a quick rinse.

Let me link you a video.... She is using rather a lot of gel- if you use any at all, just a wee blob, and nothing with silicone in. No frizz-ease etc. ever!

Oh, and co washing is just Conditioner-washing, I think.

[Jumente]

I've been skimming this thread for days now and still don't understand ANY of it

Could someone please just tell me what I need to do in three basic steps?

Do I stop using shampoo completely? And just use a silicone free conditioner like I'd normally use shampoo, instead?

What do you have to use for the last shampoo wash? Is a normal one OK or does that need to be silicone free too?

I shan't be bothering with the different things like plopping and all that, and I normally never use conditioner as it makes my hair greasy after a day or so.

I would be so grateful if someone could spell it out for me

[Jumente]

Sorry you have just explained,

But can I rinse off the conditioner once and then not apply a second blob? I normally wouldn't use conditioner at all.

And does the final shampoo have to be special or just any old thing?

Thanks!