How to Start The Curly Girl Method?
If you’re an avid member of the curl community or ever been to the Devachan Salon, then you’ve probably already heard of The Curly Girl Method and you’re most likely a fan.
The Curly Girl Method was created by Lorraine Massey, the founder and owner of Devachan Salon and Spa located in Soho, NYC. Lorraine’s passion for healthy curly hair inspired her to write her book, Curly Girl: The Handbook and her method took the curly world by storm.
The Curly Girl Method promises healthy defined curls by eliminating damaging habits from your hair care routine such as harsh shampoos, combs and heat styling.
Conditioner and gel are the only two products you will need on this routine. Eliminating damaging techniques and products, while feeding curls optimum moisture are the heart and soul to this method.
Although many curlies in the community have raved about The Curly Girl Method providing incredible results for their hair, you should feel free to modify the routine to suit your own hair.
6 Products to Avoid While Doing The Curly Girl Method:
When starting this routine it is important to note that many common hair care products and techniques we were taught growing up have actually been the cause of our damaged curls.
You can consider The Curly Method as a “hair diet” for your curls, a detox from these bad habits and products.
No Shampoo
It’s best to avoid most [clarifying shampoos], which contains sulfates and other detergents that can be harsh and drying to curls.
If parting from shampoo may be difficult for you, you can opt in for a sulfate free or “low poo” alternative.
No Combs
Use your fingers to detangle your curls with conditioner instead. While using your fingers you are aware of the tangles and can gently work your way through knots, preventing breakage and frizz.
Finger detangling will also help massage moisture into your hair and thoroughly ensure every curl is covered.
No heat styling
Heat styling can be very damaging to curls, causing moisture loss, breakage, and loss of curl pattern.
No non-water soluble silicones
Silicones prevent moisture from penetrating hair strands by coating the hair in a thick film causing hair to become dehydrated.
No alcohol
Alcohol is found in many popular hair care products today, however it’s a very drying products as well.
No Fragrance
Fragrances may smell nice but those chemicals used to make that strong scent can actually dry out your hair and irritate your scalp and skin.
3 Steps for The Curly Girl Method?
The curly girl method requires only a few steps! Wash day will definitely be cut in half.
Remember, you may switch out products as you choose, as long as they are Curly Girl Method approved products.
Step 1- Cleanse
Grab your conditioner cleanser, or co-wash and use your fingertips to gently scrub and stimulate your scalp. The friction will lift build up, residue and sweat from your scalp to be washed out.
Pump up the volume! Essential amino acids provide easy and complete absorption of nutrients into hair’s innermost layers. Cleanse and rebuild each strand to a visibly fuller, lighter, and glossier finish, for hair that resists shedding, breakage and is larger than life!
Sulfate and Paraben Free.
The Benefits:
•QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
•BENTONITE CLAY: plumps, strengthens and protects hair.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: Wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse. CONDITIONER: After cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
How often to cleanse hair?
Wavy hair- Should use a regular shampoo once a week.
Curly hair- Co-wash hair once a week or every 10days.
Coily hair - Cleanse with a co-wash as little as possible. However I recommend every two weeks and when need be.
Step 2- Condition
Use your fingers to detangle and smooth conditioner all over hair in sections.
How to condition hair?
Wavy hair - Rinse the conditioner out of your hair for a few seconds. You may choose to leave a bit of conditioner as a leave-in.
Curly hair- Rinse conditioner out completely or leave in, depending if your curls need extra moisture.
Coily hair - Cover hair in a plastic cap and apply heat for 15 minutes for a deep conditioning treatment. Rinse completely or leave a bit of conditioner In.
Give your hair the ultimate reset with our Deep Repair Treatment. Formulated with the perfect balance of strength and hydration, this intensive mask revives dry, damaged strands while keeping them soft, defined, and healthy. Infused with keratin protein and rich moisturizers, it works from the inside out to repair, fortify, and restore your hair’s natural beauty.
Features:
Deeply hydrates while reinforcing strands with protein
Infuses keratin to strengthen and protect against breakage
Restores elasticity so curls clump, pop, and define
Improves softness, shine, and manageability
Ideal for hair that is heat styled, color treated, or prone to dryness
Benefits:
Hair feels instantly stronger and more moisturized
Visible results, curls spring back with bounce and definition
Keeps straight naturals and curly girls alike protected from heat and stress
Perfect for weekly deep treatments or paired with a steam treatment for maximum absorption
When your hair needs both moisture and strength, the Deep Repair Treatment delivers. It’s the key to keeping your strands resilient, hydrated, and full of life.
What’s inside:
SUNFLOWER OIL + MALACHITE: restore moisture, shine, and resilience while protecting hair from environmental stressors.
RHASSOUL: a mineral rich clay, makes this a great treatment for even finer textured hair.
How to Use:
Apply to clean towel dried hair and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse. Tip: Focus on mid-lengths to ends to help prevent split ends.
Step 3- Style
While hair is still wet bend over forward and blot hair dry by cupping curls in your hands with a towel. Try not wring or disturb your curls, as it may cause frizz.
For a wash and go style, grab your gel and scrunch your curls starting from your ends and working your way towards the scalp. Clip your roots for more added volume. Then let your hair air dry.
The curly girl method recommends low manipulation hairstyles for all hair types. If you prefer to style your hair other than a wash and go, you may do so, just try to avoid heat.
Meet the curl game changer: our Versatile Styling Cream. This unique gel-cream hybrid combines the hydration of a cream with the hold of a gel, giving you long lasting definition without the drying effects of alcohol-based stylers. It’s the perfect finishing layer for a frizz-free, shiny wash and go that lasts.
Features:
Provides long lasting hold and definition
Infuses moisture while locking in style
Prevents frizz and dryness with a nourishing formula
Works as the perfect topper over the Amplifying Foam
Benefits:
Keeps curls moisturized and defined for days
Smooth, touchable hold. No crunch or flaking
Reduces frizz and shrinkage for a polished look
Suitable for all textures, especially curly and coily hair
The Versatile Styling Cream is the ultimate styler for juicy, defined curls that last. All while keeping your hair soft, moisturized, and frizz-free.
What’s Inside:
• PUMPKIN SEED PROTEIN: provides flexible strength and manageability to hair.
• KAOLIN CLAY EXTRACT: provides hold without stickiness and absorbs negative oils to prolong the hairstyle.
How to Use:
Apply to damp hair. Do not rinse out. Style as usual. For sleek, controlled looks, apply to damp hair and allow to air dry. Apply generously for more hold. Repeat on dry hair if desired.
Say goodbye to frizz and hello to definition with our Amplifying Foam. This lightweight styling foam delivers a perfect balance of moisture and hold, smoothing each strand while enhancing your natural curl pattern. Its buildable formula makes it ideal for fine hair or anyone looking for soft, bouncy curls without crunch or residue.
Features:
Provides lightweight, buildable hold without stiffness
Adds moisture and shine for frizz-free curls
Smooths and defines curls for a polished wash and go
Perfect alone for fine hair or as the first layer in your wash-and-go routine
Benefits:
Keeps curls light, juicy, and defined
Layers easily with creams and gels
Moisturizes while styling for healthier looking curls
Ideal for wash and go styling, twist outs, and roller sets
The Amplifying Foam is your go-to for effortless curl definition that feels as good as it looks.
What’s Inside::
• QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft, plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
• BENTONITE CLAY: strengthens and protects the hair.
How to Use:
After shampoo and conditioner, apply sparingly to towel dried hair. Style as usual. Amplifying foam is very concentrated so use sparingly.
If you need to reboot your curly hair routine or want to detox your hair from harsh products and manipulation why not give The Curly Girl Method a try?