If you have curly hair, you know it can sometimes be a struggle to get your curls to do what you want. I have been on a slow journey to find a routine that would work for my hair to help prevent damage/breakage/frizz and to accentuate my natural curl pattern. This is my experience so far with the Curly Girl Method:

I have long, naturally curly hair which I’ve gone back and forth between wearing curly and straightening for years. I used to straighten my hair so often that it was damaged and breaking. I decided to take a break from straightening my hair a few years ago and it had gotten a lot better but I noticed that it wasn’t as thick or healthy and it used to be.

I low key started getting concerned and started looking for more ways to help keep my hair full and healthy. I used to wear my hair in a ponytail most days, but I stopped using those regular band hair ties and opted for softer, velvet hair ties to keep my hair from snapping. That did help a little, but I also started wearing my hair in a half-up/half-down with a clip to be even gentler. I got a satin pillowcase and gave myself random trims every so often.

I felt like my hair was getting better, but it still wasn’t as thick or healthy seeming as it used to be. I started following the r/curlyhair subreddit and learned about the Curly Girl/Guy Method (CG Method).

WHAT IS THE CURLY GIRL METHOD

Sulfates are harsh detergents in a lot of hair products; they’re what give your shampoo those lavish bubbles so your hair can feel squeaky clean. But those sulfates are really drying and damaging to your hair, stripping it of its natural oils. So we use conditioners and styling products to add moisture back in, but those products often have silicones in them. Silicones basically just coat the hair to make it appear smooth, shiny, and conditioned. But silicones aren’t water-soluble and create a barrier on the hair that prevents it from getting enough hydration. So we use sulfates to remove the silicones and the cycle just repeats, making hair dry and unhealthy.

The CG method is a much gentler, healthier way to wash and style hair without harsh sulfates or silicones. On the subreddit, so many people have had success with their curly hair becoming less frizzy, more curly, and healthier so I decided to give it a try.

CG METHOD GUIDE

To get started with the CG method, you cleanse your hair one final time with a sulfate shampoo that does not contain silicones. You want to get out all the silicone build-up from your hair. From there on out, you wash your hair with sulfate-free and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. Use CG gel or other styling products to your wet hair and dry.

There is a lot more information on the subreddit — products to use, tips, and just more details. I was really excited to try out this new method and bring my curls back to life, so I bought some of the DevaCurl products (CG approved) back in April during the Sephora sale. I went through two of the 32 oz. shampoos and conditioners without noticing much of a difference. These products aren’t inexpensive so I was extra disappointed in the results.

HOW I CARE FOR MY HAIR

Recently, I decided to give the CG Method another try. I want my hair to be healthy, and strong so I get that it may take some time and investment. I bought everything I needed to do the CG method the right way; I was all in.

Product List

• DevaCurl No-Poo Original Cleanser
• DevaCurl One Condition Original Conditioner
• Wide Curly Brush for wet hair
• DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel Strong Hold
• LA Looks Sport Gel (less expensive)
• Microfiber Hair Towel
• Blow Dryer
• DryBar Diffuser
• DevaCurl Super Cream Styler
• Sleeping Scarf

Step-by-Step

I wash my hair with the no-poo cleanser, really focusing on the roots and then letting it travel down the rest of my hair with the water. No-poo shampoo doesn’t have sulfates, so it doesn’t lather up and it’s weird getting used to. The no-poo feels almost minty and tingly on my scalp which is kind of nice and refreshing.

Next, I use the the conditioner to coat all of my hair and help me to detangle. I’ll massage my scalp and then run my fingers through to work out any knots. While my hair is still coated in conditioner, I’ll use my brush to comb through. I start at the ends and work my way up to the roots. With curly hair, the only time I can really brush it is when it’s wet, otherwise it’d get all frizzy.

After I rinse out all of the conditioner, I turn off the water and flip my hair over while it’s soaking wet. Then I take a ton of gel — so much gel it’s crazy — and I slather it all over my wet hair with my hands pressed together like praying hands 🙏. I’ll scrunch my wet hair with the gel in it to help my natural curl to start to form. This was a step that I didn’t really do right when I tried the CG method the first time; I didn’t use enough gel and my hair would end up frizzy.

Then I’ll step out of the shower and gently scrunch my hair with the microfiber towel to help it dry but without taking out the gel or messing up the curl. Then, I take a small amount of the supercream and just graze it over the top of my hair to tame any potential frizz before it comes.

Next, I try to let my hair air dry for as long as possible, but since it’s been colder out I hate having wet hair all day so I use a diffuser to gently dry it. I bought this diffuser to help add volume to my hair while helping it dry faster, but it didn’t fit my old blow dryer I had. I didn’t want to buy the matching $200 blow dryer so I found a less expensive one on amazon and was so happy that the attachment fit! I flip my hair over and let my curls fill the diffuser bowl and bring the dryer up to the roots on low for about 15 seconds in each area. This really cuts down on drying time and gives me so much volume.

When my hair is completely dry, it still looks wet and piecey because of all the gel I used. So, I “scrunch out the crunch” by just grabbing and scrunching my curls with my hands and it breaks the gel cast while keeping my curls frizz-free. What a difference this had made for my curls immediately and in days following my wash.

Before going to bed, I wrap my hair in a huge hair scarf to protect my curls while sleeping and it makes such huge difference.

RESULTS

So far, I am extremely happy with the CG method and the results I’ve gotten this time. I am excited to see how my curls transition as I continue and just really happy to have unhealthy sulfates/silicones out of my routine. One of my goals for the new year is to take better care of my hair and I’m glad I was able to start now and make a positive change today.