If you ever read up on haircare and styling tips, you may have come across the curly girl method. While there are a few different approaches, overall this method involves taking care of your natural curls (or waves) by using certain products in a particular order. Most followers of the method also avoid using heat on their hair, instead preferring to dry through air drying or the ‘plopping’ method (using a microfiber towel or t-shirt which is wrapped around the hair). If you’re curious about this method and its benefits, read on to find out if it could work for your hair.
To Shampoo Or Not To Shampoo?
The first thing to note is that many (but not all) of the followers of the curly girl method avoid using standard shampoo. Some people opt for sulfate-free shampoo, while others avoid it entirely. If your hair is on the finer, straighter side, you probably won’t want to go down this route as it can lead to product build-up and lank, greasy hair. Instead, opt for a shampoo made from natural ingredients, and make sure to work it into your scalp first and then let it rinse out over your lengths.
Frizz Free Focus
If your hair is entirely straight and smooth, it’s unlikely the curly girl method will do much for you. However, if there’s even a little bit of a curl to your hair, or if you struggle with dryness and frizz, the methods used by curly girl followers could help you out. Avoid towel-drying your hair with a standard towel and invest instead in a microfiber one, to avoid frizz and dryness. Check out products including gel and curling foams, as these can encourage curls and waves to form while holding frizz at bay.
Natural Approach
There are followers of the curly girl method who continue to use heat styling, chemical dyes and intensive treatments. There are no hard and fast rules about what you choose to do with your hair, however in general the curly girl method is about adopting a more natural approach to your hair which should encourage the curls to form. If you feel like taking a break from your straighteners and hair dye, the curly girl method could help your hair return to its full health.