This page is for the beginners who want to start their curly journey. It will help you to get an idea about where to start, I have consolidated all the useful links that will help you to give a head start.
Curly hair is naturally dry hair and all the remedies of curly hair focus on keeping it moisturized. Use homemade hair masks, deep conditioner in market, oils like coconut oil (cold pressed ones are the best) and conditioners to replenish your hair with moisture. Moisture prevents your hair becoming frizzy and makes it softer and less prone to breakage. Long story short, moisturized hair is healthy and happy hair. As long as your hair is moisturized, it will look great!
Let’s begin….
What is Curly Girl Method (CG Method)?
How to start CG method
Check Ingredients
When you buy a product, always read product labels to find out if a product is CG friendly or not. Stay away from products containing these ingredients. In original CG method many oils are asked to avoid like castor oil. Because original CG method says to avoid shampoo (including sulfate-free) and co-wash hair. If we co-wash all the oils are hard to remove. We recommend to follow modified CG method and recommend to include shampoo in your routine. If you use shampoo then oils in products should be fine to use.
You can also check ingredients at isitcg.com
Note* In original CG method many oils and butters are asked to avoid like castor oil. Because original CG method says to avoid shampoo (including sulfate-free) and only co-wash hair. If we co-wash all the oils are hard to remove. We recommend to follow modified CG method and recommend to include shampoo in your routine. If you use shampoo then oils in products should be fine to use. And you can use product containing castor oil etc. Just make sure that products are not too heavy with butter and oil ( as some products are oil based)
Products available in India
Ashba Botanics Curly hair products
Clarify hair when needed
Preferred way is to avoid products that contain sulfates and silicones. But if you are facing hard time to find suitable products, then you should be clear about how to complement products. If you are using silicones then you should use a sulfate or sulfonate shampoo to remove the silicone build up. Many non sulfate shampoo can also be used for clarifying (if a product says so). Most sulfate shampoo also contains silicones in it to provide the conditioning effect on hair so that hair won’t feel dry after using sulfates. Choose a clarifying shampoo which does not contain silicone. So, you should use a clarifying shampoo once in a while to remove any product build up. Here is more information on clarifying.
Product application technique
The final look that you get depends on how you apply products in curly hair. Refer to the Curly/wavy Routine link where all the routine and video tutorials are explained.
Try them out and find out which one works for you. Basic idea is to apply products on wet hair. Application technique is really important. No matter how good a product is, if you are not applying it in the right manner then you will never get the desired results.
Have Patience
Please note that if you have been using heat, high heat blow drying, temporary straightening on hair and do the chemical treatments like coloring etc then there are very high chances that your hair is damaged. If you start with damaged hair then it will take time for your hair to respond to the routine. Do not compare your results with other as everyone has different hair and different level of damage or healthy hair. Be patient, follow regular deep conditioning to maintain damaged hair (include products containing protein and moisturizing ingredients for damaged hair). Avoid high heat and temporary straightening to prevent damage.
If you have done permanent straightening or smoothening then the CG method will not help to curl the straightened hair. You need to grow your hair. You can start using CG friendly products while transitioning. Trim the straightened ends once you reach a confident length where you can trim your hair and start your healthy hair journey.