The Curly Girl Method is a specialised routine for caring for curls, originally shared by hairdresser Lorraine Massey. Designed to make curly hair more manageable, it is now the crux of a passionate community of “curly girls” who share best practises across every pocket of the internet that you can think of: Reddit, Facebook and TikTok to name a few. Though Lorraine translated this into a simple, easy-to-digest routine, these practises have been followed for many years by people across all cultures.
Curly hair is naturally more dry than other hair types. This method consists of making small changes that will help to retain moisture and lead to healthier looking curls with less frizz.
How to follow the Curly Girl Method:
- Ideally, don’t use shampoo, use a co-wash – this is a single step that cleanses the scalp and conditions the hair
- Only brush your hair in the shower while it is wet to prevent damage
- Avoid cotton when drying the hair. Use a specialised towel or T-shirt to dry the hair without drying it out completely (this includes a technique called “plopping” which involves scrunching your hair and then leaving it to dry, wrapped)
- Avoid oils when styling your hair
- Avoid using heat on the hair
- Experiment and find a combination of gel, mousse and/or creams to style your hair, and try plopping it and then let it air dry
For those who are happy to push the boundaries a little…
- Shampoo with something free of silicones, sulphates and alcohols (known as a low-poo)
- Use a diffuser on a gentle heat to help speed up drying time
- Some silicones will wash away, so you may wish to include water-soluble silicones in your routine
Helping to navigate a few misconceptions, we spoke to Umberto Giannini’s creative director Mark Caswell. “This method will not make straight hair curly and is not for everyone,” he explains, “but for some, it gives an amazing, curl smoothing transformation almost instantly. It is more of a lifestyle choice as you have to change your whole routine – I’d recommend keeping a hair diary as you may find that day 2-3 hair will look the best. That way you can plan for special events.”
One thing to keep in mind is that curls are not all made the same and different hair textures behave differently. Many brands offer a variety of products designed to work across various curl patterns, for example offering different solutions for waves versus coils. Research and identify your curl type before you invest in your Curly Girl regime. When you think you’ve found it, you might also like to visit Curl Scan, an alphabetised website that tells you whether your hair product is Curly Girl approved.
After extensive trials, here were our favourite Curly Girl Method products, as well as some rule breakers we think you might be open to.
Bouclème curl cleanser
Offering varied curl solutions, Bouclème is a great place to start on your curl journey. We tried the 30 days to curl kit which comprised of a multi-step approach to washing and styling, but to narrow down one great front-runner, the curl cleanser is ideal. A light, zesty and refreshing cleanse, the uplifting citrus scent and soft lotion texture are ideal for anyone who wants to follow the no-shampoo rules but still feel like their scalp is truly clean. The brand also notably allows you to navigate the online shop by your curl type.
Umberto Giannini banana butter nourishing superfood co-wash
Truly smelling good enough to eat, this rich, buttery co-wash is the way to go if you want to care for your curls in as little steps as possible. Doing exactly as it says on the tin, this rich formula will act as a single step to cleanse the scalp and hydrate your hair. When brushing hair in the shower this allows for the comb to glide through effortlessly. If you like sweet smelling products and want a more deeply hydrating cleanse this is outrageously good.
Living Proof curl shampoo
Let’s talk shampoo. Technically speaking, to really go the whole way with your Curly Girl Method, you would opt out of using one. Instead, you may wish to use a co-wash, which is a conditioner that also cleanses the hair and scalp. When creating this collection, the team at Living Proof conducted 650 curl trials and found that lots of people felt a little uneasy about skipping the shampoo. With this in mind, the team created this thick, dense shampoo which cleanses the hair and scalp without compromising on curl hydration. This is an ideal choice if you want help to sculpt your curls as it floods the hair with moisture.
Dizziak hydration wash
If this co-washing concept feels alien to you, or you don’t like the thought of a thick, dense shampoo, Dizziak’s hydration wash will be your game changer. Founder Loretta has created this wash which somehow manages to keep silicones and sulphates at bay, and yet feels as light, fresh and cleansing as a regular shampoo. This is an ideal way to thoroughly cleanse the hair post-workout and won’t leave any heaviness or residue. We originally tried this back in 2020 when Bryony Gordon recommended it on a podcast and it’s been a repeat purchase ever since.
Aquis copper sure rapid dry hair wrap
Traditional towels can further dry the cuticle of an already fragile hair, and thus a plopping technique is often adapted when drying curls. Plopping is the art of gently wrapping your curls in a T-shirt or towel alternative to let them dry, and this towel from Aquis allows you to do this easily. In terms of drying time it safely dries your hair quickly, and the helpful button clasp keeps your hair in place when wrapped on your head. Feel free to continue with any household chores safe in the knowledge that your hair is secure.
Ouai curl crème
“It smells like a rose and a gardenia walked into a bar and smoked a cigarette” is the description given to this cream by Diana Pratasiewicz, director of education content at Ouai. A densely rich cream, this is ideal for instantly smoothing frizz. The brand researched curly hair extensively when creating this line, which offers fragranced and fragrance free options. It found that most people who care for curls use several products to achieve their desired finish, and thus the option to eliminate fragrance may appeal if one were to layer multiple scents. Founded by Jen Atkin, celebrity hairdresser to the likes of the Kardashian family, this is a sophisticated way to add style and scent to your hair.
Aveda sap moss weightless hydration conditioner
Though many of the Aveda ranges are suitable when caring for curls, sap moss is an especially effective option as it drenches the hair with moisture without weighing it down. If you wish to follow the tried and tested method of only brushing your hair in the shower, when wet, this conditioner will allow for your comb to gently glide through the hair with no pulling whatsoever. Take a look at Nuala Morey on Instagram, an Aveda hairdresser specialising in curls, for more insight.
Cantu avocado hydrating curl activator
When delving into Facebook groups and Instagram videos about the Curly Girl Method, there are few brands as universally recommended as Cantu. Offering a wide-range of hydrating remedies, one that stood out to enhance the definition of curls was the curl activator. Upon initially making the change to follow this method, there is a period of trial and error in which you may need to switch up techniques in order to nurture your smoothest curls. This hydrating step will allow you to hit the ground running and help even the softest wave to evolve into a well formed curl.
Denman D3 original styler 7 row
Created by John Denman in the 1930s, this instantly recognisable hair brush brand offers an impressive selection of brushes designed to work well with various curl types. The D3 brush is ideal for styling and sculpting curls, also helpful if you wish to evenly distribute product. When scouring online communities dedicated to sharing curly hair tips, this brush was mentioned time and time again. The hashtag #Denmanbrush has more than 127m views on TikTok, with lots of videos on using this with curly hair. The trick is to take small sections of hair, brushing upwards and outwards, and allow the wide-teeth of this brush to smooth and sculpt your curls.
