Is the Curly Girl Method Right for You? Here’s How to Find out

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Have you ever looked at your unruly waves or curls in the mirror and wondered if there’s a better way to care for them? Enter the curly girl method, the trendsetting approach that’s rewriting countless frustrated hair stories into celebrations of healthier, bouncier locks.

Yet, amidst the confident smiles and success stories, one cannot help but wonder if the curly girl trend is the right fit for you. Sporting loose waves or tight coils? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you decide whether this popular hair care system is your ticket to bouncy, defined spirals.

What is the Curly Girl Method?

Ever heard someone say, “Something good always seems to come from something bad?” Well, this is one of those times.

The story begins in Leicester, England, when a twirly-haired girl is born into a middle-class household. Growing up is the same as in any other home, except for one colossal fuzz — the other six family members all had straight hair.

Until her teenage years, she attempted to tame the jumbled loops atop her head to conform to what she thought was the “right way to handle curls.” The solutions were either shortlived or outright didn’t work. Not even apprenticing at a neighborhood hair salon provided the insight she desperately needed to care for textured hair without having to straighten it.

A year shy of 18, she embarks on a journey of discovery around the globe to explore the natural beauty of curls. When she arrives in New York from Asia, she’s taken aback by the diverse mix of multicultural women going through the same curly hair chronicles she’s facing — An epiphany that drove her to devote her life to designing healthier and safer solutions for textured hair maintenance.

This was Lorraine Massey, renowned hairstylist, author and inventor of the curly girl method (CGM). The technique, first brought to light in her book “Curly Girl: The Handbook” promotes hair-friendly products and techniques tailored to embrace rather than fight natural textures. It challenges the West’s long-standing — albeit askew — criteria that elevate straight hair as the ideal beauty standard. What started as a niche approach has blossomed into a community of millions, with social media hashtags dedicated to “curl journeys” amassing billions of views.

Get Lorraine Massey’s Curly Girl: The Handbook on Amazon

Benefits of CGM

Over 56% of Americans have natural texture, yet many women struggle with maintaining healthy, defined texture. Sixty-eight percent of curly-haired women cite frizziness as their reason for going straight, while 58% of the coily hair bunch blame dryness. 

To uphold appreciation for the hair’s natural state, CGM encourages ditching harsh, chemical products and damaging heat styling tools in favor of gentle cleansing, deep hydration and natural styling techniques. User reviews highlight the following benefits:

• Significant improvements in hair health.
• Better moisture retention.
• Enhanced curl definition.
• Helps repair years of damage caused by harsh styling tools and chemical treatments.

Many people who try the method experience a noticeable improvement in curl definition and overall softness after a few months.

Are You a Good Candidate for the Curly Girl Method?

The difference between straight and corkscrew strands is straightforward. You know, the standard four classifications — Type 1 straight, Type 2 wavy, Type 3 curly and Type 4 coily. A subcategory A, B or C is assigned to each number to describe how loose to tight the spirals are — A.

But do you know that most people have more than one curl pattern on their heads? While there’s nothing wrong with this, it can make it challenging to define your exact hair type. Imagine having 3A around the temples, 3B in the back and 2C at your crown. Believe it or not, many successful CGM followers say they didn’t even know they had curly hair until they started this approach. 

If you’re unsure of your hair type and texture, consider these telltale signs to determine whether this method is for you:

• You have volume that seems impossible to control.
• Your hair feels perpetually dry or frizzy. It worsens with exposure to humidity, no matter how much conditioner you use.
• Waves that appear when your hair is wet but disappear as it dries.
• Your naturally bouncy mane lacks definition and easily falls flat.
• You frequently use heat tools and notice breakage or damage.
• Traditional shampoos leave your scalp feeling stripped or irritated.
• Your hair takes forever to absorb moisture or it gets greasy quickly.

Beyond these visible signs, consider your hair’s history. If you’ve always battled with traditional hair care methods or found that standard styling techniques don’t give you the desired results, you might be a perfect candidate for this method.

In addition, if you’ve been struggling to find products that truly work for your natural texture, the method can introduce you to curl-friendly formulas that enhance and protect your hair’s health.

Environmental factors also play a role in determining if this method might work for you. Conventional anti-frizz products might be fighting a losing battle if you live in a humid climate. CGM works with humidity rather than against it by using products and techniques that help your hair maintain its moisture balance regardless of the weather.

How to Start the Curly Girl Method

The foundation of this hair care revolution is surprisingly simple. Here’s how to get started:

1. Ditch the Sulfates and Silicones

The first step is to swap the traditional shampoo for a sulfate-free cleanser. While you have sulfates to thank for the foamy lather and dirt-removing capability, they strip your hair’s natural oil when used too frequently. Conversely, silicones are moisturizing agents responsible for reducing frizz. Too much and this compound coats the hair shaft, resulting in buildup and dullness. A good rule of thumb is to wash curly locks every 2-5 days. However, consider the condition of your hair and your activity level to find your sweet spot.

Replace chemical-based shampoos with low-poo or co-wash alternatives to gently cleanse without disrupting your hair’s natural moisture balance. Prioritize organic ingredients like jojoba oil, sunflower seed extract, aloe vera or apple cider vinegar — the list is longer — which cleanse without irritating your scalp or excessively drying the hair.

Consider purchasing products that come in a bundle, like the Curly Girl Hair Shampoo, Conditioner and Moisturizing kit. It may take time for your scalp to adjust, but once it does, your curls will appear more hydrated and defined.

Get the Curly Hair trio on Amazon

2. Master the Art of Conditioning

Look for a silicone-free conditioner rich in moisture-retaining ingredients like grapefruit seed extract, avocado oil and cucumber. Apply generously and apply the squish-to-condish technique — scrunching water and conditioner into your hair — to boost absorption and curl formation.

Get Curly Girl’s Conditioner on Amazon

3. Say Goodbye to Heat and Brushing

Hair care tools and processes that use heat are harmful to hair. Experts recommend staying within 200-300° Fahrenheit, but most women in the curly and coiled bracket believe that using heart-styling tools set to the highest temperature and applying heat for longer delivers better outcomes. Over time, the damage becomes irreversible. Instead, consider air-drying your tresses. For extra pizzazz, when about 80–90% of the hair dries, use a heatless curling headband or apply traditional rollers overnight.

Swap the regular brush for a wide-tooth comb or fingers to prevent disrupting curl patterns. Brushing disrupts the natural shape of your trestles and can lead to split ends and unnecessary breakage. If you need to detangle, apply the conditioner and gently work through knots with your fingers or a detangling brush designed for curly hair.

4. Plop It Up

Plopping is another recommended practice in the curly girl modus operandi. In this technique, you wrap wet hair in a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel to minimize frizz and encourage curl formation. It’s a simple but effective trick that aims to transform your curl definition overnight.

On no-wash days, apply your curl-nourishing products and leave your hair in a plop for up to an hour. This gives your mane ample time to soak up excess water, resulting in shinier and more defined curls.

Get the Curly Girl Curl Styling Cream & Curly Girl Towel combo on Amazon

5. Gel is Your Best Bud

Many shy away from styling gels, fearing a crunchy texture. However, applying an alcohol-free gel to wet hair locks in moisture and prevents frizz. Once dry, scrunch out the gel cast for soft, defined curls.

Choose gels with flaxseed, aloe vera or marshmallow root for a strong yet flexible hold. If you prefer a lighter hold, switch to the Curly Girl curl styling cream, which has hydrating properties to help define those waves and spirals minus the stiffness.

From Frizz to Fabulous

The curly girl method isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. If you love sleek, straight styles or frequently use heat tools, CGM may not align with your hair care routine or goals. However, this method could be a game-changer if you crave healthier, more defined curls.

The best way to find out is to give it a try. Commit to a few weeks, track your progress and watch your natural texture transform. You’ll fall in love with your curls like never before.