The Curly Girl Method, which promises to make your curls into their most defined and bouncy selves, has generated a lot of buzz among people with curly hair. This approach, created by Lorraine Massey, focuses on a particular regimen to bring out the natural curliness of curly hair without using heat or harsh chemicals. Is it, however, worth the hype? Based on actual experiences, we will examine the theory underlying the Curly Girl Method and consider if it is a success or a failure.
The Curly Girl Method is essentially about accepting and enhancing your natural curls. It entails staying away from silicones and heat styling, conditioning frequently, and using shampoos without sulfates. Supporters vouch for the method’s ability to lessen frizz and manage curls. However, not everyone gets the same outcomes. To assist you in determining whether or not this method is the best option for your curls, we’ll examine both the ideal principles and the real-world results.
Come along as we discuss the Curly Girl Method with professionals and through personal anecdotes. Whether you’re a novice with curly hair or an experienced professional searching for a new approach, knowing how to strike a balance between theory and practice can help you choose the right approach for your hair care regimen.
The Curly Girl Method offers a gentle, chemical-free routine that is friendly to curly hair, and it promises to change the lives of those who have it. Is it, however, worth the hype? This piece delves into the method’s theory as well as the actual experiences of those who have used it, examining whether or not it’s a legitimate game-changer for curl management or just another overhyped fad.
- So what is the real Curly Girl Method
- The main rules of the curly method
- My experience with KGM
- Unusual new experience
- Video on the topic
- *HEATLESS CURLS* for FRIZZY HAIR #ashortaday
- Curly Hair Products: How To Pick The Right Ones
- am I a wavy hair girl? Do I try this journey?
- Trying the Bowl Method on my confused wavy hair
- I tried the Curly Girl Method for 30 days.
- I tried the Curly Girl Method on Wavy Hair for 30 days (Type 2A Hair)
So what is the real Curly Girl Method
The "curly girl method," also known as the "curly" method, was developed by hairdresser Lorraine Massey with the intention of teaching curly girls to embrace their hair and stop fighting its inherent curlyness, allowing it to thrive in all of its curls.
Since Lorraine was the only child in her family with curly hair and everyone else had straight hair, Lorraine herself once experienced a complete lack of understanding about hair care.
This is a scientifically established fact from the perspective of genetics: if there were family members with curly hair in previous generations, this sign might reappear in their distant descendants.
I even came across references to Lorraine’s hairstyle being the target of bullying at school. Regrettably, people with curly hair don’t always feel good about themselves and sometimes they even make fun of them for it.
I won’t get into the ethical and immoral attitudes toward other people here, but I’m pretty sure every curly girl has at some point run into comments like "Just comb it!" or "Why don’t you straighten it?" or "You always go around shaggy," etc.
Not only did I not look "passed by this cup," but even with my hair styled in the smoothest ponytail, it still managed to draw attention because it swung around my head like a halo. In my school years, having perfectly straight hair was the only acceptable option. As a result, even people with naturally straight hair occasionally turned to curling irons, not to mention us "dandelions."
Let’s return to Lorraine, though. She firmly pursued her dreams of becoming a hairdresser after realizing in her adolescence that she wanted to be one. Lorraine began her career in her home England and later worked in Hong Kong and Japan before moving to Beverly Hills.
Regretfully, despite my changes, the world surrounding her remained unchanged. It was still considered ideal to have straight hair when I worked in a Beverly Hills salon. But that didn’t last long because the owner eventually returned from his trip. When he saw me, he growled and shook, saying, "Someone straighten her hair right now!" A moment later, I walked out of the salon without looking back. Lorraine Massey, "The Curly Girl’s Handbook"
Lorraine finally felt "in her element" when she relocated to New York. She was surrounded by people with various hair textures and nationalities every day. She decided then and there to embrace her curls without end and to educate other women and men about the inherent beauty of curly hair.
Thus, in the distant tower in 2001, "Curly Girl: The Handbook," the first book dedicated to taking care of curls, was published!
Furthermore, curly hair was still seen as more of an aesthetic flaw than an advantage; the world did not end. Nevertheless, the "Curly Revolution" had its foundation laid.
In a short period of time, Lorraine co-founded the beauty salon Devachan and launched her own brand of hair care products, DevaCurl. The introduction of a sulfate-free shampoo in 2002 was unprecedented because there was no comparable product at the time.
After republishing her well-known book in 2012, Lorraine parted ways with the Devachan group to launch Curly World, a new salon featuring her signature line of curly hair products.
Natural curls are no longer considered "taboo," primarily because of Lorraine Massey and her team’s efforts. A number of celebrities, including Shakira, Zendaya, Rihanna, and Sarah Jessica Parker, have stopped straightening their hair and are proud to show off their natural structure to fans. People start referring to each other more morally in general, and the media’s influence in this area lessens.
Every country on the planet is home to a diverse population of racial and national backgrounds, so it is impossible to discuss "correct" hair structure in these situations. I like how beauty is beginning to take on greater flexibility and scope!
The main rules of the curly method
Several online resources provide an approximate list of guidelines for taking care of curly hair, which is as follows:
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– for the first time, completely exclude all silicones;- before switching to KGM, you need to wash off all silicones from your hair;
– select shampoo exclusively based on the needs and condition of the scalp, scalp health is a priority;
– do not use products with drying alcohols and wax;
– refuse to comb your hair dry;
– refuse to use styling devices with very high temperatures and other procedures that are traumatic for hair. Hair can be dried with a diffuser on warm and cold settings;
– carefully moisturize the hair;
— use moisturizing leave-in products and styling products to seal in moisture in the hair;
— while sleeping, to preserve curls and prevent them from tangling, it is better to put your hair in a "pineapple" (not a tight ponytail on top of your head), or put it in a silk cap, or sleep on a silk pillowcase;
— during haircuts, avoid slicing, pointcutting, thinning and thinning.
It should be mentioned that these guidelines have been loosened in comparison to "CURLY GIRL: The Handbook" editions one and two.
When I first heard about the "curly method," combs, silicones, and sulfates were strictly forbidden. Additionally, the co-wash method with conditioner should be the only way hair is washed in general. This is why there was once an online controversy centered around the Devacurl brand.
Everything began when longtime brand ambassador Ayesha Malik, a YouTube blogger, uploaded a video in the spring of 2020 discussing how using Devacurl products continuously could cause dermatitis and hair loss. Similar complaints erupted into a veritable storm in the appeal’s comments section. Several customers started sending the brand videos of themselves with the outcomes visible in their hair. Many people were caught banging, but before visiting our site, I was unaware of what it was.
Shampoo, as you and I both know, can simply wash your hair too lightly and not completely clean the scalp, which over time causes dandruff, irritation, and hair loss. However, average girls are not familiar with such things, and when they purchased a specific product for curly hair, they obviously expected a stylish hairstyle rather than skin issues.
I apologize, but I was unable to evaluate any Devacurl items. For all known reasons, this opportunity is not available at this time. I’m hoping this is just a temporary circumstance.
I’ve read a lot of product reviews for this brand on this website and in the Russian-speaking community at large. Positive reviews dominated the reviews. The most important thing is to always select a shampoo based on the type of scalp you have.
In fact, there are still some things in the revised version that I disagree with. If you abstain from alcohol, you will lose out on ampoule care, which can often save your hair from serious damage. You run the risk of breaking your hair and having it stick at one length if you stop using silicones entirely.
In general, I’m against rigid, dogmatic systems. Every hair care routine needs to be customized to your unique needs!
My experience with KGM
My motivation to emerge from the shadows and begin writing regularly on this site was precisely the desire to comprehend the nuances of the "curly method." The curly and straight hair of DaRi, Zavitushki, Oks-zheleznyak, and other lovely people in our community never ceased to inspire me.
I had a burnt chemical paint bob on my head at the time, and it had turned into a strange, dry broom in the shape of a cone. I thought that my hair would only be saved by KGM. It’s a good thing I gave up on the notion of washing my head in the air conditioner right away. However, silicones were shamefully banished from the restroom, and the "clicking" era started with hair.
One of my early posts on this journey shows you my initial findings:
First week on CGM: my resources and application experience
And it appeared that everything went even better: my hair gleamed and dutifully spiraled, and friends and family continued to reaffirm in unison that I was a new stylist. Nothing seemed to be a sign of trouble.
Why, therefore, did I give up on KGM completely after only a few months?
Numerous factors influenced this; let’s examine them one by one:
- Firstly, I did not like the trite how curls. And all the compliments that I received for "curly" time, could not change the situation. I looked in the mirror and did not recognize myself. Some kind of curly miracle-wonder, and not an adult, self-confident woman. I even started to feel anxious about the discrepancy between my appearance and my inner state, I felt defenseless and depressed.
- Secondly, even the KGM ritual that I simplified still took too much time and effort. If the process of washing my hair has hardly changed, then drying my hair has become a real challenge. It should be noted that my hair takes a very long time to dry naturally. Even using a sieve or diffuser, I could not dry my hair in an hour,
But my biceps got much stronger from exercises with a hair dryer. During regular drying of my hair, I lift the strands from the roots with a brush and pull them upwards while blowing them with a hair dryer. Otherwise, the root zone will never dry, and I can’t stand the feeling of wet hair on my head. With KGM, the roots of my hair were constantly wet and irritated me. - Thirdly, I was never able to achieve a lasting result. One time I got lush, light curls, another time I got stuck together, stretched "worms", although I did everything the same way. Most likely, I just didn"t practice long enough, but walking around for half a year with an incomprehensible nest on my head in the hope of someday getting consistently gorgeous curls. In general, this is for someone more patient than me.
- Fourthly, as it turned out, touching my hair, combing it with my fingers or a comb is a very calming and relaxing ritual for me. Probably, this is neurosis. But I can"t help but touch my hair! And from unnecessary touches, my curls turned into a washcloth.
The "curly experiment" eventually came to nothing as a result of everything mentioned above. I’m not sorry I had such a strange experience because it made me reevaluate who I am in a lot of ways. In one way or another, the KGM era assisted me in understanding my hair’s requirements and restoring it.
Right now, I’m in complete harmony with my hair.
Nevertheless, my ability to style curls came in quite handy!
Unusual new experience
There is a friend of mine who has an opulent curly bob. I "didn’t bother her with unsolicited advice," though, because she never asked for my opinion on hair care. I’ll refer to my friend as "F" in the text for ease of use.
F recently told me that she went to a well-known "curly" salon and that the haircut and styling there totally satisfied her. She also has a big event coming up, so she needs to learn how to make curls at home immediately.
I had a diffuser under my arm and was halfway to her when I said these words.
Please hold off on making too many assumptions about the pictures and gifs that will be displayed later. Shooting was challenging because of problems with F’s apartment’s lighting and ergonomic bathroom design. Since this is the first time that F and I have collaborated on a camera, we truly made an effort to make everything appear as lovely and clear as we could. My husband’s hair could only be washed to the point where I had to use a ladle to drain the hot water.
This is the set of products I took with me. Real care minimalism. I don’t want to dwell on each product in detail, I’ll just say that they are all suitable for the classic curly method. Some of them have already appeared in my previous posts, and I want to make a separate review of the Insight mask in the future.
And this is the hair that I had to change with F.
Her hair straightens after combing and wearing an elastic band, like many curly girls’, but the potential for curling is still apparent.
We began as usual by giving her a hair wash. I purposefully brought a mild, gentle shampoo called "Angel Provence" with me, even though the instructions state that you should have used SHGO to thoroughly cleanse your hair. We are not the rules, though. Considering that F frequently uses sulfate shampoo, I had no desire to subject the poor curls to harsh cleansing.
I could feel the hair softening and starting to curl into spirals after the second soaping. Nevertheless, "Angel" is just an excellent shampoo! It is important to note that F produces very little sebum on her scalp and that it is dry. She usually washes her hair once a week, and even on the seventh day, it still looks good. This person would undoubtedly gain from a kovosh.)
Next, we began the "Insight Dry Hair" mask application. This mask was just an amazing discovery for me. Hair is instantly detangled, smoothed, and nourished. I get potent hydration and a tiny bit of nutrition from it.
It was excellent on F’s hair as well. We didn’t leave it on for very long because her back was already pleading with us both for forgiveness. I first ran my fingers over the mask before F ran a comb with unusual teeth over it.
Her hair turned into "seaweed" in an instant. F "squeezed" it slightly more likely to result in a higher moisture saturation level. I have never told anyone that I think getting into this is a good idea because I dislike the painful process of squeezing wet hair.
We thoroughly cleaned the mask off before placing the hair inside a microfiber cap. Not only did we not twist the hair, but we also did not perform any special plopping. We were able to remove extra water from the hair gently without frizzing it out.
Leave-in time has arrived!
"Natura Siberica" cream, which I used liberally. It is noteworthy to mention that F’s hair was still extremely damp at this juncture! This made it easier for the cream to coat her hair evenly. I used a comb to smooth my hair after this. In my experience with KGM, it was crucial to comb my hair right after using the cream to prevent a nest from forming on my head.
Next, I gave F’s hair a little styling cream from "Angel Provence" and created a curl using gentle, delicate strokes.
Eventually, we began drying.) I must clarify that I did not subject F to torture by making her stand with her head thrown back. She sat on the bathtub rim as soon as we started filming the actual procedure, and I arranged my hair so that she was comfortable.
Take a peek at how full, opulent curls started to emerge as soon as the hair started to dry!
This is what we came up with. F found the styling to be very pleasing.
Of course, you can see right away how much more nourished, shiny, and elastic the hair has become in comparison to the "Before" photo. I gave my diffuser to F so she could try achieving the same effect on her own.
| Aspect | Details |
| Theory | The Curly Girl Method is designed to enhance and define curls by avoiding sulfates, silicones, and heat. It promotes the use of gentle, curl-friendly products and techniques. |
| Practice | In practice, results can vary widely. Some find it transformative, achieving well-defined, frizz-free curls, while others struggle with product buildup or lack of desired curl definition. |
| Charm | For many, it’s a game-changer, providing a systematic way to care for and embrace natural curls, leading to healthier hair. |
| Disappointment | Some may feel disappointed if the method doesn"t work as expected, leading to frustration with the amount of trial and error involved. |
Opinions regarding the Curly Girl Method are as varied as the curls it seeks to smooth out. For many, it’s a game-changer that highlights the inherent beauty of curly hair and provides an avenue to appreciate and accentuate their distinct texture. The technique’s emphasis on staying away from heat, silicones, and sulfates can produce curls that are healthier, more defined, and really shine.
It is not without difficulties, though. Some people have inconsistent results or find it difficult to follow the strict guidelines. Finding the right solution for your unique curl type takes time and trial and error, so it might not be the right fit for everyone. Changing your routine and locating products that support the tenets of the method may take some time.
Ultimately, personal experiences will determine if the Curly Girl Method is a success or a failure. If you’re looking for a way to take care of and celebrate your curls, it’s worth a try. Just keep in mind that hair care is a very personal thing, and what suits one person may not work well for another. Discover what makes your curls feel and look their best by embracing the journey!
