I’ve been following the Curly Girl Method for going on 5 years now. There are a lot of things I’ve learned about this curly hair care technique along the way.
Here are 6 things I’ve learned about the Curly Girl Method that you might find helpful if you’re considering starting!
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Your hair’s needs will change as it gets healthier
Related to the point above, as your hair gets healthier, its needs will change. To keep your hair looking its best, pay attention to what your hair needs.
If it’s not looking great, identify your hair concerns, then do a search on the causes.
For instance, if your hair is limp and lifeless, you may need some protein.
What works for you is most important
The internet is full of Curly Girl Method advice, which is awesome! I wouldn’t have the hair I have without the advice I picked up. And I wouldn’t have a blog if I didn’t have my own curly hair tips and experiences to share.
But I’ve learned it’s really important to remember that no one’s hair is exactly like yours. If you’re struggling with a hair issue, turning to the internet and giving some tips a shot is a great place to start. But keep in mind, everyone’s hair is different, so don’t be afraid to mix and match.
Use one blogger’s technique with a product you know your hair loves. Or try a new product with a technique that’s worked for you.
No one can tell you the “right” way to care for your hair. All that matters is that you’re happy with the results. If you are, then it doesn’t matter if you modified a technique or broke a curly girl “rule.”
And if you’re not happy, keep trying new things until you are.
Scalp care is really important
In my first year, I spent most of my time focusing on my hair and not enough on my scalp.
It led to a dry flaky scalp that was both uncomfortable and visually unappealing. Luckily, I solved that problem towards the end of my first year (you can read about that here).
I’ve really come to appreciate how a little bit of regular scalp care makes a difference.
Once I got my scalp under control, I was able to maintain it with some regular care.
I made it a habit to massage a little bit of melted coconut and olive oils on my scalp 1-2 hours before each wash day. Then when I wash, I use this Cantu Scalp Soothing shampoo.
These are two small steps, but if I’ve forgotten I can feel the dryness and notice some flakes.
You will never stop listening to your hair
Even two years in, I still find myself making small adjustments to my routine.
If it’s been a while since I’ve got my hair cut, I’ve noticed an extra protein treatment can help me bridge the gap.
When my hair was looking a little weighed down, I tried switching to a lighter weight conditioner to my leave-in.
Even though I’ve found the routines and products that work well for me, it doesn’t mean I should stop paying attention to any subtle changes and make modifications accordingly.
My hair is so much stronger and more resilient
Before I started the Curly Girl Method and even in the first few years of following it, it was so easy for me to lose my curls and style.
My hair was more likely to get kinked or bent out of shape if I put it up in a bun or ponytail. It was more susceptible to frizz or the whims of the weather.
But I’ve come to realize recently that I don’t really have these problems anymore. It can handle wind, rain, and humidity better than it ever has.
And I can throw it up in a ponytail or bun and revive those curls with very little issue.
On the whole, it’s just so much stronger and more resilient than it’s ever been.
I’m so grateful I started the Curly Girl Method! It definitely took some time to get the hang of it, but it’s made my life and hair care so much easier. In the grand scheme of things, I’m really glad I took the time and effort.
It may not be a good fit for everyone, but it absolutely is for me!
I wish I started sooner
I was pretty intimidated by the Curly Girl Method when I first came across it. The whole idea of the transition was enough to scare me off.
Now that I’m this far in and I know how awesome and easy my hair can be, I kind of wish I started this whole curly girl thing sooner.
Because the truth is, if I hated it, there was nothing that said I had to stick with it. But if I liked it (which I obviously did), I could have saved myself some hair struggles.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with where my hair’s at and how I got here. But I can’t help but wish there’d been a little less hesitation on my part in the beginning.
So if you’re at all on the fence about starting the Curly Girl Method, I say, give it a shot. You can bail if you hate it, but if you like it, you’ll get to the good parts a lot sooner.
Looking for more guidance on your curly hair journey?
For beginners
If you’re new to curly hair care and looking for some help, you should check out the No-Stress Guide to Curly Hair Care!
After spending two years learning and caring for my curly hair, I wanted to create my own, in-depth guide to help fellow curlies create incredible curls in the easiest way possible.
It took me a while, but I eventually found an approach that helped me create a curly hair routine that fits into my life in the simplest way possible. And now I want to help you do the same!
For more intermediate/advanced guidance
If you’ve been on your curly hair journey for a while but still have some struggles, check out Curly Hair Problems!
After spending hours scouring the internet looking for solutions to my own curly hair problems, I found myself wishing for an easier, more comprehensive guide to the most common problems.
So that’s what I created!
Curly Hair Problems offers you 78 total solutions to the five most common curly hair care problems, including frizz, curl clumps, limp curls, product issues, and scalp issues.
Sound off: If you’ve been following the curly girl method for an extended period of time, what have you learned? And if you’re new, what are you most curious about? Tell us about it in the comments. And be sure to tell us a little about your hair type!