How to: wash your hair with the Curly Girl Method

The Curly Girl Method, also known as CG method, is a special method focused on keeping curly hair powerful and vital. In recent years, the Curly Girl Method has grown tremendously and more and more women are using the effective Curly Girl products. Yet we still often hear the question pass by, "How can I best wash my hair using this method?" Therefore, in this blog you will find a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to wash and care for your hair according to the Curly Girl Method. And we have immediately highlighted some of our favourite Curly Girl products especially for you. 

Starting with the Curly Girl Method

Everyone has different kinds of hair and a different kind of curl. This means that everyone has a different starting point when starting with the Curly Girl Method. First of all, it is important to know what kind of curls you have. you can learn that in our blog ''This is all you need to know about the Curly Girl Method''.

1. Hit the reset button with a reset wash

The Curly Girl Method is fundamentally a sulphate- and silicone-free method. Because sulphates and silicones can damage your curls, hairstylist Lorraine Massey developed the Curly Girl Method. Despite stressing to avoid silicones and sulphates in the Curly Girl Method, you start the method with a sulphate-rich shampoo.

We get that this may come across as crazy because sulphates are exactly what you should avoid, but let us explain: To start with the CG method, you need to reset your curls. You can do this with a deep-cleansing shampoo that is, believe it or not, sulphate-rich. This will remove all product residue from your hair and scalp. Never fear, this will be the last time you use a shampoo with sulphate in it.

Cleansing shampoos for starting with the CG method

Fortunately, at A&F Cosmetics, we have plenty of cleansing shampoos that are perfect to use when starting the CG method. For example, we have the Curlessence shampoo, Hello Fresh hair shampoo and the Mielle Sea Moss shampoo, to name a few. For more cleansing shampoo, take a look at our cleansing shampoo page.

2. Washing your hair according to the Curly Girl Method

Now that your hair is fully cleansed of all the bad substances, it's time to wash your hair with Curly Girl products. These products are all sulphate and silicone free. Curly hair is inherently drier than straight hair. Sulphates and silicones cause even more dehydration. By avoiding silicones and sulphates, your curls will be healthier than ever before!

Washing your curls with a Curly Girl shampoo is no different from washing with a normal shampoo. You start by wetting your hair. Then apply a small layer of Curly Girl shampoo and gently massage it in, from the ends to the scalp. After this, rinse the shampoo out. Make sure no residue remains that could weigh down or damage your hair. Finding the right CG shampoo is tricky, so we have listed some of our favourites.

• Pretty curly girl peppermint clean shampoo
• African Pride Detangling Shampoo
• Cantu Beauty Sulfate-free cleansing cream shampoo
• Hello Fresh hair shampoo
• Raw Shea butter deep moisturising shampoo

3. Using a Curly Girl conditioner

Using a Curly Girl shampoo is hugely important for strengthening and moisturising your curls, but a Curly Girl conditioner is perhaps even more important. A Curly Girl conditioner helps moisturise your curls even more. Especially if you are just starting out with the Curly Girl Method, it is wise to use a Curly Girl conditioner regularly, to nourish your curls even more.

When you have washed your hair with a Curly Girl shampoo, you can apply the Curly Girl conditioner immediately afterwards. If you are just starting out with the Curly Girl method, you will need to apply more conditioner to your hair at first. Apply the conditioner from the scalp and massage it, from top to bottom, throughout your hair. Some recommendations are the Pretty Curly Girl extra loving leave-in conditioner, the Pretty Curly Girl bye bye tangles & knots conditioner and the Pretty Curly Girl intense protein deep conditioner.

4. Brushing your hair Curly Girl friendly

When you have washed your hair with Curly Girl shampoo, and applied the Curly Girl conditioner, it is important to brush your hair. Do this while the conditioner is still in your hair. Curly Girl conditioner will make your hair smoother and softer. This makes it wise to brush your hair while the conditioner is still in your hair. This way, your hair is less likely to be damaged. Some brushes that are perfect for curly hair are the Star Style Hairbrush (6620) and the Star Style Hairbrush 50% hair soft (275).

When you use a Curly Girl conditioner, you don't have to wash your hair out perfectly. Conditioner residue is allowed to remain. This might be a little crazy, but your curls need it. Especially when you're just starting out with the Curly Girl Method, it's advisable not to wash out the conditioner. Your hair will absorb what is needed and you will get the excess conditioner out when you dry your hair.

5. Define your curls with Curly Girl styling

To complete your look, we recommend using a good Curly Girl styling. The products within Curly Girl styling are meant to add definition and accentuate your curls at the end of your wash. At A&F Cosmetics, you will find different products to style your curls with. We have different gels, sprays and foams from brands such as African Pride, As I Am and Aunt Jackies. Some of our favourite Curly Girl styling products are:

• Pretty Curly Girl Airy volume foam
• African Pride bouncy curls pudding
• As I Am classic curling jelly
• Aunt Jackies don't shrink - elongating curling gel

6. Dry your curls the right way

When you have fully washed, conditioned and styled your curls, it is important to dry them. However, it is important to dry your curls the right way. There are several ways to do this, such as using a hair dryer with a diffuser. A diffuser keeps your curls intact and beautiful.

Another way is to use a special towel. A normal towel is fine for drying your body, but it can damage your curls. If you want to dry your hair with a towel, use a microfibre towel. You grab the towel and either wrap your hair in it or gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair. One of our favourite towels is the Gentle curl towel. 

Shop all the essentials for the Curly Girl Method at A&F Cosmetics

The Curly Girl Method is the perfect way to keep your curls beautiful and vital. Yet it can sometimes be difficult to find the right products for it. Luckily, at A&F Cosmetics you'll find all the essentials to make your Curly Girl journey a success. 

Want to know what other products we have? Then take a look at our hair care or skin care range. Want to know more about Curly Girl products or have a question about our range? You can always contact us and we will be happy to help you!