So you’ve read The Curly Girl Handbook, spent ages reading blog posts, and watching countless YouTube videos on the curly girl method. Now you’re ready to purchase some curly girl approved products and get started on your curly journey. But you don’t know where to start, and you get overwhelmed. I know I did!
The trick is to start off simple, and know when, and in what order, to use each product. So here’s how to build a curly girl hair routine, with some product suggestions, to simplify the whole process so it becomes less daunting, and more achievable. Lets get started!
1. Final Wash | Clarify
If you’re just starting the curly girl method, you need to do a final wash to get rid of product build up and those pesky silicones out of your hair. For this, you’ll need a silicone-free, sulfate shampoo. If you live in a hard water area, or swim in the pool or ocean regularly, hold onto your final wash shampoo, as you can also use it to clarify your hair once a month. Read this post for more information on clarifying your curls.
Product suggestions:
- Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo – make sure it contains Disodium EDTA
- Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
2. Pre-Poo | Detangle
This step is optional. It’s great for people who have really dry hair, or hair that gets easily tangled and knotted. I don’t suffer from any of those things, so I skip this step. But, if you do, you can apply an oil or deep conditioner to your hair a few hours before. Oils will prevent your scalp and hair from becoming too dry or stripped during the cleansing process. Deep conditioner will help de-tangle, just make sure it has good slip, so you don’t break and damage your hair whilst de-tangling.
Product suggestions:
- Tropic Isle Living Black Caster Oil or Red Pimento Oil – available from my Amazon Shop.
- Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner (GVP Conditioning Balm in the U.S.)
3. Cleanse | Clarify
Avoid traditional shampoos, and anything that contains sulfates, silicones, drying alcohols and parabens. There are three types of cleansers to use when following the curly girl method. Co-wash, low-poo and no-poo. Here’s where it can get confusing and overwhelming. A co-wash is using a conditioner to “wash” your hair.
However, for most people, if they use a regular conditioner to do this, their hair quickly becomes greasy, oily and weighed down. Instead, opt for a cleansing conditioner, or cleansing co-wash. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know what product I’m going to suggest. It’s the best co-wash on the market, and there’s nothing else that compares. Not even close!
Co-wash product suggestion:
- As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner – or available from my Amazon Shop.
So what’s the difference between a low-poo and a no-poo? A low-poo usually lathers up slightly and uses curly girl safe (but always check) commercial, cleansing ingredients. It’s typically more suited to low porosity, fine, wavy hair. A no-poo, like a co-wash, doesn’t lather up at all and contains natural ingredients, in their natural state. Co-washes and no-poos are typically more suited to dryer, curly to kinky-coily hair. Or sometimes high porosity hair types too.
Low-poo & no-poo product suggestions, all available in my Amazon Shop:
- Boulcème Curl Cleanser – no poo
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream – low poo , available on Naturalistic Products
- Bounce Curl Moisturising Shampoo – low poo – use code CURLYCAILIN10 for 10% discount on the Bounce Curl website, or available from Naturalistic Products
I’ve got a more detailed post on clarifying, which you can read here, and I highly recommend you do. But if you don’t live in a hard water area or swim in the pool or ocean. You don’t need to use a sulfate, chelating shampoo to clarify your hair. You can use more curly girl friendly and approved products to rid your hair of dirt, oil and product build up. This is especially important for low porosity curlies, as their hair tends to get more easily weighed down.
Clarifying shampoo product suggestions, all available in my Amazon Shop:
- Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo – my favourite! – use code CURLYCAILIN10 for 10% discount at checkout. Also available from Naturalistic Products
- Kinky Curly Come Clean – also available from Naturalistic Products
4. Condition
This is usually wear you find silicones, so it’s really important to check the ingredients when purchasing your conditioner, deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner. Please note: you do not need all three! So don’t feel you have to rush out and buy all of them. When choosing a conditioner, go for something that has high concentrations of plant-based ingredients, as well as emollients, humectants and moisturisers. Check out this post for a quick run down on each of those ingredients.
Conditioner product suggestions, all available in my Amazon Shop:
- Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner
- Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner
- Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Conditioner
When I don’t rinse my conditioner completely out, I don’t need a leave-in. Other times, when I completely rinse my conditioner out, or if my hair is particularly dry, I’ll use a leave-in conditioner. If you have low porosity hair, or hair that gets weighed down easily, then stay away from heavy, creamy formulas. Here are some of my favourites:
Leave-in conditioner product suggestions, all available in my Amazon Shop:
- Giovanni Weightless Moisture Direct Leave In – the most lightweight and my favourite
- Flora & Curl Leave In – available on Naturalistic Products
- MopTop Leave In Conditioner
Deep conditioners are an essential step for any curly girl, or boy. These are what make the biggest difference and improvement to your hair. But again, this is where things can get a little tricky and overwhelming. Usually because some contain protein, and others don’t. But it really doesn’t need to be that complicated.
Just like we all need protein in a healthy diet, we need it for our hair too. You can use your regular conditioner as a deep conditioner if you combine it with some oils, or a thermal heat cap. I hand-make and sell Curly Cailín Heat Caps, available in my Etsy Shop. I ship worldwide, you can see the latest fabric combinations and purchase them here.
Deep conditioner product suggestions, all available in my Amazon Shop:
- Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner (don’t get the mask, it’s not CG friendly)
- Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Mask – contains protein
- Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment – protein free
Top Tip: use a Curly Cailín Thermal Heat Cap to help open up the cuticle so your deep conditioner can really penetrate the hair and give maximum benefits.
5. Enhance
Once you’ve cleansed and conditioned your hair, it’s time for the styling products. When layering products, I always start from lightest to heaviest products. For low porosity curls that get easily weighed down, mousses and foams are great curl enhancers. I nearly always use a mousse! Other options are milks, lotions and creams. None of which work particularly well on my hair, but that’s not to say it won’t work on yours.
Product suggestions, available in my Amazon Shop:
- Pantene Defined Curls No. 5 Mousse – hands down my absolute favourite product to enhance my curls.
- Jessicurl Rockin Ringlets
- Jessicurl Confident Coils
- Innersense I Create Lift Volumising Foam
- DIY Flaxseed Gel
- EcoSlay Orange Marmalade
6. Define & Hold
The final step in a good curly hair routine is something to seal everything in, define your curls and hold them in place. For this you can use a gel, jelly or custard. I often use a custard and a gel, if I want great clumps and hold. But again, this is where some people get confused because of a tricky ingredient called glycerin. This is a humectant usually high up on the ingredients lists of many gels, but it can cause frizz in humid environments. See this post for more about glycerin and humectants.
If you’re considering buying a DevaCurl gel but not sure what one to get, their Light Defining Gel has light hold, Ultra Defining Gel has medium hold and Arc Angel Gel has strong hold.
Product suggestions, available in my Amazon Shop:
- Bouclème Curl Defining Gel – soft hold, contains glycerin
- Bouclème’s NEW Super Hold Styler – strong hold, contains glycerin
- Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel – medium hold, glycerin-free
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel – medium hold, glycerin-free
- Giovanni LA Natural Gel – strong hold, glycerin-free
- MopTop Curly Hair Custard – contains glycerin
- Kinky Curly Curling Custard – glycerin-free, available from Naturalistic Products
Putting it all together
I’ve tried to list the product categories in the order that you will use them, to make it as easy as possible to understand and buy products. However, you don’t need to buy something from every category in order to build a good routine that works for you. Here are some of my favourite wash and style routines below, which you may find helpful and can adopt and adapt for your own routine.
Protein-free routine:
Option 1, also great for beginners:
- As I Am Coconut Co-Wash
- Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner (don’t fully rinse out)
- Pantene Defined Curls Mousse
- Aussie Instant Freeze or Giovanni LA Natural Gel
Option 2:
- Bouclème Curl Cleanser, Conditioner, Curl Cream (optional) and Curl Defining Gel (read my full review here)
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream, Too Shea Conditioner, Rockin Ringlets, Confident Coils and Spiralicious Gel – you don’t need to use all of those styling products.
Protein/moisture balance routine:
Option 1:
- Bouclème Curl Cleanser
- Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Conditioner
- Giovanni Weightless Moisture Direct Leave In
- *Optional: for extra definition, apply mousse before the custard
- MopTop Curly Hair Custard
- *Optional: for extra hold, apply gel after custard
Top Tip: like most things, it’s all about balance. For best results and to avoid protein overload, always pair a product that has protein, with a product that doesn’t.
Option 2:
- Bounce Curl Clarifying/Moisturising Shampoo, Conditioner (don’t fully rinse out) and Light Creme Gel. Please note, like DevaCurl and Innersense products, Bounce Curl contains a lot of protein.
Once you’ve got your products, you’ll want to nail your techniques. There are many different ways, combinations and methods to apply products. You can read this post for curly girl techniques to enhance curl definition and reduce frizz.
Do you use any of the products mentioned in this post? Please share your curly routine in the comments below so we can all learn from each other and different combinations that work.
Hair porosity is really important when it comes to buying products that will work for your hair and avoid wasting money. If you don’t know what hair porosity you have, read this post to find out the different ways you can test for it, and the characteristics for each type.
Thank you so much for taking time to read this post. I hope you found it helpful. Please subscribe if you haven’t already, you can follow me on Instagram, or like my Facebook page. Did you know I started a YouTube channel? I would be ever so grateful if you subscribed! You can watch my first video here, on how to finger coil curly hair. See you in my next post. Gabriella xoxo
*This post contains some affiliate links, which means I get paid (a very small) commission on products you purchase through my links. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content is not influenced by advertisers, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.
This is AMAZING!!!! Only today I was thinking I still feel so clueless about what order to put things on in (I’m six weeks into CG), this honestly is fantastic, thank you so so much!!!
I am 6 weeks into CGM too and was about to call it quits. I have always air dried and very rarely flat ironed so I had no heat damage. But I spent ridiculous amounts of time,money and effort for meh results. I’ve actually had some horrible hair days.
That being said, I’ve learned a lot about my hair! I’m high porosity, need more protein and have high 2 to lower 3 curls patterns on my head. Raking products through my hair made for a frizzy nightmare. Using a microfiber cloth to plop didn’t work either.
Today I tried pulsating and then using a T-shirt and for the first time, I feel like I might just stick with this after all!
Your post is one of the most well laid out, informative ones that I have read! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I look forward to reading more from you
Hi Trish, I have hair like yours and wonder if you can tell me what pulsating is?
Hi Maureen, Pulsing, aka pulsating or scrunch and pump, is where you scrunch your hair up, usually when it’s wet and got product in, and then repeatedly pulse your fingers into a closed fist position. This is said to help and enhance curl pattern and clumps to form. I hope that helps and explains it in a way you can understand…..xoxo
Another fabulous article. I started my CG journey 6 1/2 months and struggled to find information about thick caucasian hair, yours was the first one I found and I’ve followed you ever since, occasionally referring back to your articles for articles and tips.
Thank you for this, I’m off to look at Jessicurl on your recommendation now!
Hi Gabriella, I am starting my CG journey but not only for me. Also for my two boys which both have curls. I am so happy that I found your side because your descriptions totally show how I feel at the moment. All this information and all those products. But with your help I finall could choose some products to start. I’m from Germany so I have some struggles to find some products here so your hints about products that are international available are very helpful for me! But I have a question regarding holiday. Since we will be at the beach in about a month I would like to know if there is a product you could recommend that I could leave in while on the beach so my really dry hair does not suffer from sun and salt. Thanks a lot on advance! Greetings from Germany Hanna
This is great post,so good the way you explain,put I still finding it hard to understand about the moisture and protein balance,as I protein sensitive maybe you might explain it in a post some time,on how to get it right ,thank you,
Very helpful, thank you!
I have been changing up my products the last few months as I seem to have developed an allergy to Shea (had been using Saryna Key for about 3 years, think I got a bad batch of conditioner which set off a reaction). Difficult to pinpoint an allergy, but Shea is my guess at this point as I have since tried other brands with Shea and the reaction (itchy, flaky scalp & ears) returned.
Have used travel size of Jessicurl recently with good results (Gentle Cleanser, Aloeba Cond, Rockin’ Ringlets, & Confident Coils). Also like the Oil Blend to SOTC. Use Aussie Instant Freeze sometimes as well. Still need to find a co wash (found the As I Am in a store recently, scent seemed too much, but may give it a try) and deep conditioner (Biolage Hydrasource maybe).
2c/3a low porosity.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful. I’m not familiar with Saryna Key, but all the other products you mentioned are great products!
Hi, the matrix conditioner contains methylparabeen is this safe to use on the method?
Thanks so much love your blog x
Hi, I am about to start the CG method. I have very fine, low porosity, short (bobbed) 2b waves (for now) which have been straightened and blow-dried to death since I was about 15. I have all my kit, but wanted to know if I need to condition after low-poo? I have decided not to co-wash to start with…. see how I go. TIA x
I would say yes, absolutely! Moisture and hydration is key to having healthy curls, and healthy hair in general. A low poo is just going to cleanse your hair, not condition it. So yes, definitely condition. x
Hello, I am just beginning my CG method journey and I am so excited! I have always struggled with my curly hair as it falls prey to frizz and limp, lifeless curls. I have purchased The Curly Girl Method and I am looking to purchase my collection of products. This post was very helpful as it can be very overwhelming to figure out what will be best for my hair. My question in regards to this post is, how do I decided if I should purchase products that are protein-free or the products that follow the protein/moisture balance routine? Thank you so much for your help
Hi Sarah, welcome to the curly girl family! Most of it is purely down to trial and error, patience and persistence as everyone’s hair is different. As you described your hair as limp and lifeless, to me that sounds like your hair would benefit from some protein in your products and routine. So just make sure you find a balance and have some products in there which contain protein. Alternatively, do my modified rice water treatment every week, or other week. I hope that helps xoxo
Hi Gabriella!
I’ve just found your blog and I love it!!! So glad I found it! I’ve just moved to Ireland and I find so hard to take care of my very frizzy and wavy hair with all this humidity (I’m Spanish, btw). I also find difficult to get some curly products here, it seems that Irish don’t have curly hair ???
I’ve read your reviews of some Giovanni products, have you ever tried the shampoos? I have a very complicated scalp, with seborrheic dermatitis, so I think I need to use a shampoo intead of only cowash. I tried to cowash once (using As I Am Coconut Cowash) and on the second day my scalp was really itchy and oily. So was thinking that maybe the shampoos were alright.
I’m really stuck with the CG method, as I’ve been avoiding silicones and sulphates for almost 2 years but my hair doesn’t look good. If I use less styling products it gets very frizzy, but if I use more it gets very oily in just 12 hours or so. Any recommendation? I think that my hair is low porosity because of the glass test, and because it tends to build up.
Sorry for my English, i’m still learning. And thank you for all the information, I think I’ll be really useful for most curlies!!
Hi Esther, welcome to Ireland! I’ve got some Spanish blood in me, and your English is perfect. The Irish do indeed have curly hair, we just don’t have many products readily available. Have you checked out “My Favourite Products” post as that has many places to buy products, as well as my “Where I Shop.” I haven’t tried any of the Giovanni shampoos, but I now the Tea Tree Triple Treat one is meant to be very good, especially for those with a sensitive scalp. I’m surprised the As I Am Co Wash gave you an itchy and oily scalp, I’ve never had that problem. Have you tried Boucleme? They have great products (link in my Where I Shop tab). Rice water rinses would also be great for you as they help alleviate itchy and irritated scalps. Check out my post on that too. As for your styling products, I would be inclined to say it may be due to using cheap products with poor quality ingredients so take a look at them. Hope that helps, if you want to talk more in depth, feel free to email me or use the form on my Contact page. Gabriella xoxo
Hi Gabriella!!
Thanks for your answer! I thought I was using good products but not so sure now.. I was using Cantu shampoo and eco styler, both of them have good reviews o the CG world… I will ask for some samples of Giovanni products (shampoo, conditioner and gel) to see id they work on my hair.
I was so happy when I read the pantene mousse is CG friendly! I’ve been using it for years but I stop using it because I thought the ingredients were not really good!
Thank you for your answer and your blog, I think is really nice!
Regards,
Esther
No worries at all Esther, you’re very welcome. I would ditch the Cantu and Eco Styler stuff personally. And yes, I’ve been using Pantene Mousse for years and years, like, at least 15 years and was relieved when I found out it was CG friendly – I still use it now! Take care xoxo
Yeah, Pantene Mousse is so convenient! Easy to find everywhere and cheap!
Do you know if there is any place in Ireland where you can exchange or sell products that are already started? My Cantu deep treatment is almost new, but it’s too heavy for me…
And the last question… I’m not deep conditioning at all, is that so important? If so, I’m not sure if I’ll need a deep treatment with protein or not. how can I know that? Is there any DIY mask I can do at home? I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a deep treatment that contains protein and then later find out that my hair doesn’t like protein at all…
Sorry for all the questions… but everything seems so confusing!
Esther
Hi Gabriella,
I’d love to see a video on how to do your cg method and to show how much product you use. Loving your website and you make the cg method so clear and easy to follow. Xx
Hi Claire, thank you so much! I have a video on my YouTube channel of how I finger coil, which also includes how much product I use in my hair. I must do an updated routine video though as I no longer need to finger coil my hair. Make sure you check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel though! The link is in the sidebar if you’re viewing on a desktop, or scroll down if viewing this on a mobile. xx
Yes! PLEASE do a video about how you apply your usual daily products. I’ve been having such a hard time finding the right products and application methods for my hair, and I’m so glad to have found your website because my hair is very similar to yours. Thanks for all the info! I would just love to see how you apply the products without finger coiling!
Will do Kristina! Especially as I have my own application technique which I haven’t seen or heard anyone else doing. Coming soon! xoxo
Hi Gabriella,
Your blog is super informative!! I have low porosity hair too and cant seem to figure out a routine that works!! Can you please tell me if you apply your styling products to wet hair or damp? And how do you refresh your hair and maintain it through the week? I saw your video on finger coiling but seems like u r not washing off all the conditioner..if I ever tried that I easily get itchy scalp the very next day!! Any tips? TIA!!
Hi Preethi, thank you! I’m glad you’ve found my content helpful. I apply my products to soaking wet hair, often while I’m still in the shower. Depending on the products I use and how successful my wash day was, I often don’t refresh. But when I do, my favourite refresh combo is gel and ky jelly (yes, lube!), I will spray my hair down or use handfuls of water to wet it, if it’s particularly dry I’ll use some leave in conditioner, then apply my gel and ky jelly mix to my hair, using glazing and praying hands, then scrunch and diffuse or air dry. The reason I don’t get an itchy scalp (in the finger coiling video) is because I’m only applying conditioner to my ends of my hair, not my roots or scalp. Hope that helps! xoxo
Hey I was wondering if you’d be willing to try a new brand of hair products. I heard of RizosCurls that was created by a curly girl who says it’s for all types of hair. I have been looking into new products because I just recently decided to try new products. I have a lot of hair but it’s low porosity and gets tangled easily.
Hi Jackeline, I’m always trying new products. I recommend using them consistently for at least 2-3 weeks before deciding if they work for you or not. I personally use a product/line of products exclusively for 1 month before I pass judgement. FYI, Rizos Curls, a few of those products aren’t curly girl friendly because they contain beeswax. I have a lot of hair too, and low porosity, although thankfully I don’t suffer that bad from knots or tangles.
Love your blog! I’m new to the curly girl method and it’s been so helpful! I saw on amazon a few oils to help with strengthening & hair growth. Are there any articles I’m missing with details? Thanks so much. -Erin
I haven’t published any articles on oils yet, but will do soon. x
How often should we be cleansing/conditioning? I’ve read things that say to only do it once a week, but then others that say it doesn’t matter as long as they are CG approved products!
whatever works best for you, however, I would say no more than 3 times a week. Washing your hair every day, no matter what kind of hair you have, I don’t think is best for the health of your hair. I wash my hair twice a week, and have done for as long as I can remember. Hope that helps xoxo
If you shower every day, do you put your hair in a shower cap or do you just rinse your hair with water? I find I need to shower every day but unsure what to do with my hair while I start the curly girl method.
I usually put my buff on over my hair, similar to how I wear it at night to protect my curls. You can always leave it loose and let the steam from the shower rehydrate your hair for the day. Or, like you said, put on a plastic shower cap. Hope that helps xoxo
Heyy Can someone pls help out? I’m thinking about starting the curly girl method and was thinking about buying most products from Giovanni after seeing such great reviews about the brand. Has someone tried their products? And which do you suggest that I should buy? I was thinking the Tee Tree Triple Treat Shampoo and Conditioner but for stylers not sure yet. Would appreciate anyone’s help ❤️ Also Cailin loving your posts!
Hi Raisa, thanks so much! Yes, Giovanni would be great products to buy! Triple Treat is great if you have a dry, itchy, sensitive or flaky scalp or greasy roots. Smooth as Silk is great if your hair needs some protein, 50/50 if your hair is pretty normal. I LOOOOVE their styling products. Their Weightless Direct Leave In is my favourite leave in of all time, and their foam/mousse and LA Natural Gel are also firm favourites of mine! Hope that helps, Gabriella, Curly Cailín. x
Thank you so much Gabriella! Very helpful and I appreciate your help! ❤️
Hello! I have curly hair and have been using CG approved products regularly but there have been times that I have used sulfate/silicone products. So basically, I never did a final wash before going onto strictly only cg products. If I have been using CG for awhile now without doing a final wash do I need to restart and do a final wash? Or continue on with CG products without a final wash? Thanks so much!!!
Personally I would recommend doing a final wash again xoxo
Hi, there,
I’m just starting this journey and trying to buy products now (in the US). I’m confused about co-washing and conditioning: do most people do both? Or is a co-wash enough to condition? Or do you co-wash twice with the same product?
Thank you for your help!
Hi Hayley, if you think of a co-wash as taking the place of shampoo, that should make it easier to understand. You need to look for a cleansing co-wash, such as the ones from Bounce Curl (use code CURLYCAILIN10 for $$ off), As I Am or MopTop. And then follow up with a conditioner, if your hair needs it and feels dry or frizzy after you’ve rinsed the co-wash. Does that help?
How can you tell if your hair loves protein or not?
I have a post called Protein Moisture Balance, which explains symptoms of protein overload, moisture overload and how to get the balance right. That should help you determine if your hair needs regular protein treatments/products or not. Here’s the link: https://curlycailin.ie/protein-moisture-balance/ Hope that helps xoxo
thank you thank you THANK YOG for this post! you cleared up a lot of questions and doubts i had.
Aww your very welcome! So glad it helped you xoxo
I CANNOT even handle the awesomeness of these blogs!!! (I came from the protein to moisture balance post) The product recommendations listed in order + a clear overview of glycerin/protein PLUS a reference list of routines based around hair needs!?!?
GET OUT.
This is how my brain works. It’s how I digest and process information.
What. The what.
I’m floored. And forever grateful. (Homeschool mama of 3 5& under) I have zero time to sift through the junky blog posts. But this!? I read during kids nap time and took oodles of notes!!! So excited to finally try some of these products I’ve been keeping an eye on!! I didn’t want to buy without better understanding how bouncecurl vs jessiecurl might fit into what I know about my hair.
Fine.
Med-high porosity.
Gets weighed down easily.
Seems to LOVE protein.
Easily overmoisturized.
Not a lot of hair there (I need tiny clumps or I
look bald )
THANK YOU FOR FOREVER
-Alyse
(Wildflowerrumpus on insta)
Aww Alyse!!!! That is the best comment/reply I’ve ever had! Thank you so so so so much! I’m so glad you’ve found my blog and found my content, writing style and recommendations helpful! From how you’ve described your hair, I think Jessicurl would suit you better than Bounce Curl. The Bounce Curl cleansers are great, but the conditioners and styling products have a lot of oils in them so wouldn’t suit your hair type, from your description. I hope that helps! I’ve got a 20% discount code for Jessicurl, use CURLYCAILIN20 and a 10% discount code for Bounce Curl, use CURLYCAILIN10. Have a fab day! xoxo
OMW – thank you for explaining it all in simple easy to follow steps – the different steps, product suggestions and then the different options simple step by step! What a lifesaver! My hair is more wavy than curly, but still get take away steps and a few products to look into. Thank you!!!
Aww that’s so lovely to hear Sue! Yes, I felt like this was missing from all the information that was out there, when I started out my journey two years ago. I’m so glad it’s helped you too.
How do you know if you need more protein??
Hi Angela, I’ve got a dedicated post on this, you can see it here> https://curlycailin.ie/protein-moisture-balance/
Hi Gabriella! I have been enamored with your blog ever since discovering it while researching CG influencers–I’m also half-Irish/half-Italian, and your “before” pics are like looking in a mirror for me!
Thank you so much for your helpful and digestible posts–as a stressed and working college student, I don’t have time for the frills of most influencer blogs, and I love that you get right to the heart of the issues and offer solutions the second before I feel like asking a question. I’ll definitely be back on your site for encouragement all the time as I begin and follow through with this crazy journey!
Awwwww Amanda!!!!! What a lovely thing to say, and a great way to start my day as I’ve just sat down with a cup of coffee! Thanks so much for those kind sweet words. And yes, I don’t hit publish until like I’ve been able to answer every possible question that someone might have about whatever it is I’m talking about. So glad you love the blog! And I’m so honoured to be a part of your curly journey. Gabriella x
The product to recommend are any of them cruelty free and vegan ?
You need to do your own research into the brands and products mentioned. There are lots of great cruelty free and vegan brands out there, you’ve just got to do your own research. I believe Noughty, Jessicurl and Boucleme are great brands to start with. Hope that helps!
Does the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo work as a reset shampoo?
It depends, if you’re doing the final wash, or have been swimming in the pool or sea, or live in a hard water area, then it won’t be enough to clarify that kind of build up from the hair. But for everything else, then yes! I suggest you read my post on Clarifying for more detailed info. https://curlycailin.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/ Hope that helps x
I love your blog and I’ve learned so much. I have a question, since you are from Ireland! I started CGM about 7 months ago. My hair was doing ok, no real problems. I went to Ireland for two weeks and during that time, my hair did so well. Good curls, no frizz, lasted 3-4 days even with all the wind. I came back to the United States and used the very same products but my hair did not do anywhere near as well as it did while visiting your beautiful country. I stayed in hotels during that time. Since the products did not change, but my hair did, in your opinion, what could I do to replicate my Ireland hair?
Hi Donna, so glad you had a wonderful time (and great curl days!) when you were in Ireland. Because Ireland generally has very hard water, most of the hotels have water softening systems – which you may not have back at home. So that could be what’s making the difference. It could also be due to weather and climate, combined with the products you’re using. Dew points, humidity etc. Hope that helps x
Hi Gabriella,
Thanks for a very informative post.
I’m realizing from your post that I may need low poo with my hair type rather than using my regular conditioner for co-cleansing. It’s taking me weeks to sort out my hair being over moisturized & that could be part of the problem. Sooo I was trying to order the Bouncecurl Moisturising Shampoo on their website as you mentioned elsewhere it’s good for protein but shipping alone (to Ireland) is coming to $24.33! Yikes! Does that sound right to you & how do you order your bouncecurl products?
Many thanks!
Máire
Hi Máire, oh goodness yes, if you’ve got over moisturised hair stop co washing with your conditioner asap! You can order Bounce Curl from Naturalistic Products which is based in the UK, quick shipping times and no custom duties etc. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2qF0lw8 Hope that helps, I just ordered some on Saturday so I’m pretty sure it’s still in stock.
Love the info here! Just started this week more or less. Thought I was starting last week but then after reading soooooo much information I was using NOT curly girl friendly products . Went out today and bought what I could find and restarted . But. Got home and found I didn’t get a leave in conditioner ♀️ My hair is thick, wavy and takes forever to dry (haven’t quite figured out what type of hair I have) Do I actually need this? Since I’m just starting I’m sticking to lower priced products if I can then will build my supply as I can in time.
Today’s routine was
Suave Clarifying shampoo
Suave coconut conditioner
Giovanni 50-50 conditioner
Pantene curl mousse
Giovanni LA gel
Also bought but have’t used
As I am co wash
Diffused hair on cool and I did see more “curl” than wave yay!
Sleeping on satin pillowcase tonight and we shall see what happens.
Love love love your site!
Hi Jane, thanks so much! So you’ve got 2 cleansers there and a co wash. I recommend using the Suave Clarifying Shampoo once a month, and the As I Am Co wash on the wash days in between. Then use EITHER the Suave or Giovanni Conditioner – you don’t necessarily NEED a leave in conditioner, you could just use a tiny amount of either of those conditioners at the end, OR simply not completely rinse them out of your hair. Stop rinsing when the water is a milky colour, rather than clear. HOWEVER, I absolutely LOVE the Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner and haven’t been without a bottle in my routine since I started the CG method 2.5 years ago. It’s the best on the market, and affordable! The mousse and gel you have are both winners there, check out this post: https://curlycailin.ie/the-lmg-method/ on my LMG method of how I style my hair and you sound like you’re all set with all the products you need! YAY!
I am just starting this, as in just started researching today. I think I have determined that I have low porosity. As of right now, I wash my hair everyday using just normal Suave shampoo and conditioner (which I am now planning on switching) and a big tooth comb. I also use Diva Curls Light Defining Gel every time my hair is wet. I have a couple questions before I get started:
1. Will my hair get gross when I first make the transition to only washing my hair once a week?
2. On the days that I don’t wash my hair, should I not get it wet in the shower?
3. Any suggestions for things that I could combine with the Diva Curl Light Defining Gel that work super well?
Hi Heidi, Okay first things first, don’t feel that in order to follow the CG method you have to now only wash your hair once a week. I have washed my hair twice a week for as long as I can remember, long before the CG method, and I continue to wash my hair twice a week now, almost 3 years into the CG method. It’s what works best for you, the ultimate goal of following this method is to have healthy, hydrated, defined curls, not to just wash your hair once a week. So if washing twice or even three times a week is what works best for you, then continue to do that. Washing more than three times a week though will cause your hair to dry out, so I would aim to wash for twice a week, but no more than three times a week. On the days that you don’t wash your hair, you can avoid getting it wet in the shower, but you can let the steam hydate your hair, again, whatever works best for you. And finally, I’m not actually a huge fan of the Devacurl gels, I have lots of other gels and styling products that I love and use more and recommend in various posts under my “What to Buy” tab. Hope that helps x
Heya lovely, great post and I will most definitely bring taking all of these tips onboard.
I started the CG method back in July but gave up after just 2 months as I couldn’t find the right help with products etc.
4 weeks later I’m ready to give it another a go and this time want to stick at it!!
Can you let me know what you use to soften the cast after styling?
Thank you xx
Hi Sarah, I don’t use anything to soften the cast after styling. I simply scrunch out the crunch with my hands. Some people use a silk scarf to minimize frizz, other people like to use a little bit of oil on their hands – I don’t do either. It’s about trial and error and finding what works for you. x
Thanks for this post you are so amazing! Can’t wait to start this method. I was wondering about washing. If I use this routine and style my hair after I wash it, do I need to wash the styling products out of my hair each day? I was recommended the Deva curl gel. Should I leave it in my hair until the next time I wash it? And if I want to apply it each day should I just wet my hair and apply it without washing my hair? Thanks!!
Hi Sarah, you don’t need to wash the styling products out of your hair each time after washing. Personally, I would recommend a different gel. There are much better options out there, and more affordable than the Devacurl Gel. Such as Jessicurl Spiralicous Gel, Aussie Instant Freeze, Giovanni LA Natural Gel and Boucleme Curl Defining Gel. Hope that helps x
Magistral job, Gabriella! No one could explain it better. I wish I had this pst before, since I first started cgm journey. But great source to study!! Thank you so much for your dedication. Chiara, Italy
I’m starting my CG method soon an I was wondering after you do your first hair clarify and deep conditioning how should you dry your hair? Should I air dry or like Defuse and style?
Totally up to you, I prefer to diffuse my hair as I live in Ireland where it’s very damp and cold and I would get ill if I went around with wet hair – as my hair takes a long time to dry. I also prefer the volume and definition I get with diffusing. But I only ever use the medium heat or low heat setting. Hope that helps x
Hi, I’m new to the CG method. I’ve been trying to research as much as I can bf I start. I did the porosity test, and found that I my thick hair is low-medium porosity. Also, after reading your post on protein and moisture,I do feel that I’m over moisturized
I want to make sure that I start the CGM correctly.
1) Do I do the last wash on one day, and then the next time I need to wash use the clarifying/ loo-poo shampoo? Or do I do it in the same day?
2) For low / medium porosity hair that’s over moisturized… Can I use the Pantene mouse and Aussie gel for styling… Do I need the custard?
Sorry this is a novel… I’m abit lost
Thanks for your help,
Ashley
Hi Ashley, welcome to the CG family! Okay so for the first wash, do a clarifying sulfate wash, and then the NEXT time you wash your hair use a CG friendly co wash or low poo. For hair that’s over moisturised, personally I think a deep conditioner with protein in it is better, as that has a better chance of penetrating the hair shaft, especially if it’s used with heat. Aka, it’s a better, more effective way of getting protein in the hair. I suggest taking some time to browse around my site and read the different articles, especially the ones on the CG Basics tab so you feel more confident and comfortable with getting started and knowing what to do.
Hi Gabriella:
I’ve been following CGM since April and am thrilled with how it’s going… And have been since day one. I feel like this is the holy grail – the solution I’ve been searching for for all these years. You were one of my first sources of information and I still like to re-read your blogs from time to time. Thank you for being such a great resource!
OK, so my question… I get my hair coloured (every 5 weeks); and after looking into it, I learned that my salon’s Redkin dye has silicones in it. I bring all my own products to the salon and have been bringing a sulfate shampoo (Live Clean hydration) to my appointments to get those silicones out. Is that what I should do? Is there a less harsh option, like clarifying shampoo you’d suggest? I appreciate any advice you might have.
Hi Laura, Thanks so much for your kind sweet words! So glad you’re having such great results from this method, and that my content has been helpful along your journey. Okay so when it comes to getting your hair coloured, I advicse to clarify your hair before you get it coloured, use Olaplex during the treatment and deep condition afterwards. Bounce Curl do a great clarifying shampoo that is colour safe, its called Clarifying Shampoo and you can get 5% off using my code CURLYCAILIN10. Then you can bring your own, silicone-free products with you to rinse the colour out and condition. If you use the Redken with silicones, you’re going to have to clarify again afterwards – which isn’t advised as it will fade the colour. Hope that helps x
Really enjoyed this post, so many good recommendations! I also have a little bit of a question: I have low porosity hair which gets build up super easily, which would be better for my hair kinky curly or bounce curl? (I’m also loving reading through all your amazing articles and getting some great product refs and information on curly hair that I honestly had no idea about! Between you and Hanzcurls I’m covered on curly girl knowledge!)
Hi Lexi, thanks so much. It’s up to you really and what you personally prefer. I prefer Bounce Curl as it’s not as drying as Kinky Curly, and gentle enough for regular, weekly use. I woulnd’t say the same about the Kinky Curly Come Clean shampoo. Hope that helps x
Hi. I’m so glad I have found you. Some great advice. I have persuaded my 16 year old daughter to follow CGM for her curls and she has been (loosely) for a year or so. I say loosely in that she uses all the correct products but her routine, well, I shall say is very haphazard – she is a teenager after all and everything takes too much time. It usually ends up in a loose bun! I want to put together a box of some of the more expensive products for Christmas and wondered what you would suggest. Her curls are 3a-ish, thick, dull, dry, the hair at the scalp doesn’t wet easily, yet the rest does. It looked lovely after the one time I got her to do a rice rinse and flaxseed gel is good too. Any advice on products – to clean and style. Thanks so much
Hi Nicola, that’s so lovely of you! My mum used to crack an egg in my hair, throw some olive oil on it and wrap it in a Tesco plastic bag and that was about it! ha ha. I’ve just posted my A-Z Black Friday Guide for Curly Girls, and there’s lots of my favourite brands and products in there which would make a lovely present, and with lots of savings too. I’ll link the post here for you, hope that helps: https://curlycailin.ie/a-z-black-friday-guide-for-curly-girls/
Thank you so much for such a well laid out, informative article!
I’m currently 1 month in to dealing with the nightmare that is Telogen effluvium. After extensive googling of the damned condition I ended up finding articles about the CG method which I had NO IDEA ABOUT… Turns out I’ve been washing my hair wrong for 27 years ha!
I’ve always had thick, long 2B/2C (even some 3A) waves and curls, and they’ve always been a defining part of who I am amongst friends and strangers alike! I’m hoping that switching to CG friendly products will help with what I’m going through (goodbye to my staple John Frieda Range which is packed with silicones and sulphates). I know it won’t help with the hair shedding I’m experiencing now (I’m told there’s really nothing to do but to ride it out and take some supplements if I want to) but at least I now have something to look forward to and a clear goal of getting my damaged hair back in shape when this is all over!
After a full week of being lost in CG articles wondering what to buy, what is clarifying?, and how should I style?, this has put it all so plainly for me. I can’t thank you enough!
Onto the Black Friday shopping!
Aww Charlotte! I’m so sorry you’re going through that, but so glad you found my site and are finding my content helpful. I would definitely recommend the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, it’s a detox, chelating clarifying shampoo that will get rid of all the product build up on your hair. But also great if you live in a hard water area, or swim in the ocean/pool. It may not be the main reason for your hair loss, but it can contribute. As the root is suffocated and weighed down with all the build up, causing it to fall out. So definitely try that. Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor oil would also be great for you, it’s the best one on the market, hands down. And would really help for scalp health and hair growth and retention. You only need one or two drops and massage it into your scalp, especially the areas where you’ve lost the most hair. Really hope that helps lovey, and enjoy Cyber Weekend shopping! xoxo
Wondering if you have heard anything about this deva curl damage/hair loss issue that I keep seeing all over the internet and social media. I ignored it for awhile, but now my hair dresser, who has been using deva products on me for years has expressed her concern. Thoughts?
Hi Michelle, Deva Curl are aware of this and have conducted an internal review with the support of an independent, consumer products testing company and report that the independent tests found absolutely no safety issues and that DevaCurl products meet and exceed quality and safety standards. I have never experienced any of the curl damage or hair loss issues that some people are talking about. However, I will point out and advise you to use their products correctly, as advised on their bottle. I know the person at the heart of this “issue” was not using the products correctly. I hope that helps, please feel free to contact Deva Curl directly if you have any other questions or concerns, [email protected]
Your blog is the most comprehensive, one-stop resource I’ve found for curly-care. In particular, I really appreciate your emphasis on what works for you vs. a complete write off of a product that doesn’t meet your needs, and your encouragement to readers of things to keep in mind to find what could work better for them. I’m hitting a plateau trying to restore my curl pattern and you’ve helped me realize that I might be headed to hydral fatigue. Your blog has been so helpful in seeing with new eyes how I can take better care of myself. THANK YOU!
Aww thank you so so much Sarah! That’s made my day! Hope you get your hygral fatigue/over moisturised hair sorted soon. Just a quick FYI, it took me months of weekly modified rice water treatments to get my hair back to full bouncy, defined health after hygral fatigue, so don’t expect one protein treatment to fix it. Have a great day x
Hi – just looking into this for my hair. It all sounds really expensive and wondering two things: anything budget that works (full time job, two kids, big mortgage, lots of commitments) and what do you take and how do you manage on a holiday when you have limited luggage allowance?
Hi Jen, I totally get it, I’m a single mum with 2 young kids, both of whom have curly hair too. Yes, it’s totally do-able on a budget! Some great brands such as As I Am, Giovanni and Pantene are all great. I’ll be doing a dedicated post on how to do the curly girl routine on a budget, coming in the new year, and for holidays too. So stay tuned, or if you’d prefer to subscribe so you’ll get the posts and notifications straight into your inbox, you can do that by clicking here: https://www.curlycailin.ie/subscribe
Do you have a good acv recipe and directions for clarifying?
I don’t like to use ACV to clarify personally, there’s too much risk of that going wrong for me. I have a dedicated post on clarifying, and all the different options available here: https://curlycailin.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/
I am just about to start my journey with my hair so I am very new here. I haven’t used any of the cosmetics and I am planning to start.
My question is: Do you apply them one by one on wet hair, or on dry hair?
Do you blow dry your hair or leave them to dry naturally?
Thanks
Hi Emilia, no worries, everyone starts somewhere so I hear ya! I apply my products one by one on wet hair and then I use my hair dryer and diffuser to dry my hair. I rarely let my hair air dry naturally – mainly because I live in a cold climate, but also because I prefer the volume that diffusing gives me. Hope that helps x
I won’t go into how appreciative I am of the simplicity of your posts! CG is HARD but you simplify it without dumbing it down too much. THANK YOU 100 for that!
Few questions, but first:-
My hair is VERY dry and VERY frizzy (probably due to the keratin straightening treatments I’ve had done to it as well dying (but no bleach)) so since starting CG (6 weeks should) I’ve done a deep condition with every wash I.e once a week. I alternate between a protein deep conditioner and a moisturizing one each time. I use the Devacurl no poo followed by the Shea moisture Manuka and Mafura hydration masque one week and the following week I use the Aveda be curly co wash followed by the black castor strengthen and repair masque.
FYI my hair is between 3b-3c curls but I do have some stragglers that are limp and almost wavy or straight. I assume those are the leftovers from my keratin straightening days because the root is curly but the ends are straight.
For the life of my I can’t figure out my Hair porosity but I think I would be a medium-high porosity just by virtue of what it’s gone through and also because my hair is VERY dry and stringy and the protein masks have added more bounce and curly.
Oil tends to sit ON my hair leaving a gunky film. I have the same effect when I use the sheet moisture coconut and hibiscus smoothie.
1) I think ideally I need to wash my hair twice a week because my curls get gunky and less bouncy they stick out funny and lump together awkwardly AND the hairs closer to my scalp get matted down and feel very product-y. If I do wash twice a week can I deep condition twice a Week?
2) should I follow my deep conditioner with a leave in or skip the leave in step?
3) when I try to avoid applying products to my roots (like every blog under the sun preaches!) I find that I’m frizzing up more. What products can be applied to the scalp and which should I avoid applying to my scalp?
4) I’m experimenting between air drying and diffusing and found that air drying produces less frizz BUT I’m a working mother and I don’t have 4 hours to wait for my hair to fully dry. Am I not applying enough product or using the wrong products or am I diffusing incorrectly?
5) I use the Devalcurl light defining gel and notice from your comments that you are not a fan, can I ask why?
Hi, wow that is a long comment! First of all, I don’t recommend any of the products you’re using and haven’t found them to be good for the hair, so first up I’d recommend switching those out for better products. You’ll find recommendations and reviews throughout this blog. From what you’ve described throughout your comment, it sounds like you need to do a really good clarifying wash, to get off all the heavy oils, butters, moisturizing agents and gunk and film like residue you mentioned off your hair. It’s stopping your hair from being able to get hydrated and moisturised properly. I suggest starting off by reading this post on clarifying: https://curlycailin.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/