I’ve been following the Curly Girl Method for a year (and a few months). So I thought it would be fun to do a post on what I’ve learned!
Here are eight things I’ve learned after following the Curly Girl Method for a year.
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There are two variations
I first came across the Curly Girl Method online, however, nearly every post and video mentioned that the Method was derived from The Curly Girl Handbook.
There were so many blog posts and videos about the Curly Girl Method that I didn’t really think I needed to read the book. A few months in, I decided to check it out of the library anyway, and I’m so glad I did!
After reading the book, I learned there are two variations of the Curly Girl Method: the handbook version and the evolved internet version.
First, there’s the original version that came from the Curly Girl Handbook by Lorraine Massey. This version is a lot simpler and shares the core components with the internet version.
It preaches avoiding sulfates, silicones, heat, and drying alcohols. It also suggests co-washing, leaving some conditioner in your hair, using gel as a primary styling product, and drying your hair with a t-shirt.
Then there’s the internet version, which can be very effective but also a little more complicated. The core of the internet version is the same as the book version, but it’s grown. There seems to be a longer list ingredients to avoid (like castor oil), and added techniques (like plopping).
Personally, I prefer the more simplified book version because it fits in better with my lifestyle, but I cherry pick from the internet version when it makes sense for me.
And if you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. You can find it here, or (likely) at your local library.
You can over do it
Early on, when your hair is very dry, it’s easy to think you can never use too much conditioner. But you totally can.
This is more likely to happen first within 2-3 months when your hair starts to adjust to all the moisture you’re giving it.
For more on Moisture and the Curly Girl Method, check out this post.
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 it’s 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 bloggers 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 motified a technique or broke a curly girl “rule.”
And if you’re not happy, keep trying new things until you are.
Listening to your hair is the key to success
If you want your hair to look its best, you have to listen to it.
If you start to notice your hair is flaking, you may have some product build up. Giving your hair a wash with a clarifying shampoo might be just what it needs.
If your hair is frizzy, it needs moisture. If the season changed, this might mean that your hair needs more moisture this time of year.
I’ve found that non-curly girl products often treat symptoms, but following the Curly Girl Method has helped me pay attention to and treat the actual problem.
You don’t have to use expensive products to have great curls
I started the Curly Girl Method to get away from spending a lot of money on hair products. And while yes, you can buy more expensive products and get fabulous results, you don’t have to.
My most expensive product is $12 and even then, the cost is only that high because I buy a giant bottle.
I’m not saying I’ll never buy more expensive products. Someday I might. But I’ve learned that great curls and a budget can absolutely co-exist.
It’s okay to take baby steps, especially in the beginning
There are many layers to the Curly Girl Method.
There’s the washing, co-washing, conditioning, styling, drying, refreshing, deep conditioning, daily care, and more. But that doesn’t mean you have to tackle everything at once when you’re just starting out.
In the beginning, I started by focusing on washing, co-washing, conditioning, and styling. I already did most of these things, so it was just a matter of changing out my products and technique. Once I got used to those hair care changes, I added a new element.
I have a wavy friend who went even slower than this. She never used too much product pre-Curly Girl, so when she started, she just switched to a sulfate-free shampoo and started conditioning. She added gel and layered in the other elements one at a time.
Easing into the Curly Girl Method like this made the experience fun and prevented it from becoming overwhelming. And we’ve both had great results!
It’s a great way to get to know yourself better
This has become my favorite thing about the Curly Girl Method, aside from the curls themselves.
I feel like the more I learn to take care of my hair, the more in touch I am with myself. It’s another level of understanding I have about how to keep a part of myself happy and healthy.
I think it can be easy for people to think of hair care as vanity, but it’s not. For me, it’s the other layer of taking care of myself, which contributes to my overall health and happiness.
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: What’s one thing you’ve learned by following the Curly Girl Method? Tell us about it in the comments!
What products do you use on your hair?
I talk all about my products in my Curly Girl Method Routine post! You can find that here! The only change I’ve made since writing this is that I’m currently using Cantu’s Curl Activator as a curl cream instead of the Not Your Mother’s.
Hello! I have been learning a lot about my hair reading your posts. I’m having problems with the amount of product that I have to use. I don’t know how much product works better for my medium length hair.
Thank you for sharing all this great information!
Hey, I’m so glad I could help! How much product you need is likely going to have less to do with how long your hair is and more to do with how dry you’re hair is and where you are in the Curly Girl Method. (I use way less product now, a year and a half into the Method with long hair, than I did when I was just starting out and had short hair.) The goal is for your hair to be hydrated enough to be soft and frizz-free, without being weighed down or heavy with product build up.
If you’re looking for a guide to get you started, try this post that has my curly girl routine, complete with how much product I use. I was about a year into the Curly Girl Method when this post went up. From there, you can add more or less product based on your results. I hope this helps some!
I’ve noticed that since I’ve stopped using shampoo, or use a sulfate free shampoo, that my scalp doesn’t itch anymore and I’ve only been using the Curly Girl method for three weeks. It’s been great.
That’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!
I read just a little bit of this posting and ordered your book. I made it to the ordering process and got what looked to be a copy of the book. I messed up on saving it to iBooks, Meaning I didn’t save it. And my failed attempt resulted in the book disappearing from my iPhone. I don’t know how to recover the book. What can you do to help me?
Hey! I can absolutely help if you email: support(at)createyourownreality(dot)co! (I don’t know too much about iBooks or how to recover the book, but you should also be able to re-download it if you haven’t tried that yet. But shoot me an email and we can discuss the specifics.)