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.

[BitOfFun]

Jumente, yes, give that a go I guess. The final shampoo needs to be your normal one, because only sodium laureth sulphate cuts through silicone build-up on the hair, and you need to start with a clean slate.

Try the British Curies site for all the information you might need, it's really good at explaining stuff. Plus, you might find a way of adapting the methods to suit your own hair type- there is a section on there to kind of "diagnose" yourself. Good luck!

[ra29needsabettername]

Ive also started this due to a thread on here a few weeks ago and so far so good! Does anyone know if you can get the turbans online anywhere?

[MaggieBeauLeo]

This is very confusing but I think I may already be sort of doing this method.

over the years i've cut back on hair washing, only wash it once a week now. With an australian tea tree shampoo, no idea if it's poo free or low poo

but after combing with a thick comb I have been wrapping a towel round it to absorb most of the wet and then just totally leaving it. NOT blowdrying it. that is what makes it really curly but not at all frizzly.

If I blow dry it, it expands into a big ball. A thatch really.

Which conditioner brands do you all recommend? I'm type 2 I think, although my hair is thicker and wavier than kate winslet's definitely.

[MaggieBeauLeo]

Wow, sleeps for wimps, your hair is about as curly as mine is, so I'm going to give this a go. Original source conditioner to wash and condition.

[MaggieBeauLeo]

So, if you want to go 'low-poo' the australian mega moist shampoo is free of bad stuff ?

And does plopping refering to wrapping your wet hair in a turban?

[Jumente]

Thankyou BoF, I will try and get my head around that site later on

I already wrap my hair in an old crib sheet till it stops dripping, then leave it to dry naturally - I don't comb or brush when wet and it's guaranteed to remove all the body and wave and also can stretch your hair.

I think my final question is, if I never use conditioner or styling products, have I even GOT any silicon in my hair?

[BitOfFun]

Lord knows- the chemistry of it all baffles me!

I have just found this fantastic site which is very clear and logical, and thoroughly explains all the science- do have a good look through when you've got time, as it's clearly done by a real expert.

Live Curly, Live Free

I think if you've got the time and patience to read it properly it really does seem to have the definitive solutions to curly care dilemmas.

[MaggieBeauLeo]

I can't see washing instructions on the site.

Where does it say, stop using shampoo, or just wash with conditioner/?

[fluffles]

this is my version of the curly girl method... i used to be a frizz ease girl but my hair has never been better than when i gave the 'serums' the push!

avoid styling products with silicone in them and just use a small amount of light clear gel.

wash with a v. gentle shampoo (boots botanics or baby shampoo) about once a week, on other days i just use water and conditioner (again without silicones in it) then wrap it in a towel for a bit then unwrap, sort out with fingers only (no brush or combs) and leave to dry naturally with a bit of diffuser underneath if necessary but try to avoid using it on top.

basically the silicones coat your hair meaning you need a harsh shampoo to get them off meaning you dry your hair out and need more silicones.. viscious circle.

it originally took me a few weeks to get the right shiny bouncy texture but now my hair needs almost no gel at all...

unfortunately any straightening or brushing sets me back to step one.

[MayorNaze]

what do you do when you go to the hairdressers? had a disastrous experience with shampoo and a hairdryer there v recently

[BitOfFun]

I haven't crossed that bridge yet- rather dreading it, tbh...

[MayorNaze]

it was not good. i wished i had brought a hat

[hoxtonchick]

i did scrunching things with an old t shirt this morning -- is that plopping? it was strange, gave my hair loads of body whilst wet which freaked me out a bit, i put gel & leave in conditioner in. it still took a couple of hours to dry, but looked pretty good when it did. i combed my fingers through it when it was totally dry & i had looser curls than normal. but quite shiny. then i took the kids swimming & buggered it up!

[BitOfFun]

I read a tip today for swimming actually- if you shower first, wet your hair thoroughly with water so it has less opportunity to absorb chlorine. Apparently.

[hoxtonchick]

i think i need a degree in all this .

[BitOfFun]

[BitOfFun]

Was just idly musing on the Christmas meet-up...at this rate, the room will be evenly split between Curly Girls and the straighties with the MN haircut

[FlyMeToDunoon]

I am going to the hairdresser early next month and am terrified. I can't see myself demanding that the stylist cuts it dry like it says on your last link BOF.
I am going to ask for her to take a half inch off all over and cut an extra layer at the back where it goes flat.
Does that sound ok?
My hair is about 4 inches long all over at the moment and shorter looking when it curls obviously.
Maybe I dont actually need another layer if I CG it. I haven't tried yet [slob]

[BitOfFun]

Why don't you grow it a bit longer? It would give the curl some room to show its shape, IYSWIM?

[MaggieBeauLeo]

that's a good tip wetting it so it doesn't absorb chlorine.

I want somebody to spoonfeed me. Tell me what shampoo (if any) conditioner and gel you have bought... the list of ingredients to avoid is so far back now!!

[BitOfFun]

No shampoo (after your last go)

Original Source conditioner?
Or Inecto Coconut conditioner.
Or the rolls royce- Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (online and pricey but meant to be amazing)

A gel from a health shop free of nasties.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

I got original source conditioner.
Boots pink curl cream
Boots Naturals Intensive treatment stuff for a weekly or monthly special treat.

I plan to do a last wash with my bottle of Aussie mega moist which luckily is nearly empty anyway. Then condition with the Original Source.Comb through. Rinse. Put on some pink cream and blot/plop into either the turbie towel or a t-shirt.

Next wash in conditioner only, rubbing the scalp to clean.

[BitOfFun]

Sounds good to me

[MaggieBeauLeo]

ok thanks, will go to health shop on Monday. I looked in tesco this afternoon but it was the usual herbal essences and panthene etc....

I will do a last wash with an austrialian thursday plantation tea tree shampoo I have.

FlymetoDunoon, I know what you mean about the fringe, I often blow dry just the front strands, I curly hair is all very well! but not on your forehead!

[Grandhighpoohba]

Am going to try this tommorow. Tryed plopping before without success, as hair was too wet and took forever to dry.

As for hairdresser, I use the MN haircut on my curly hair and it worked