Curly Girl Method – Here's what you need to know about caring for curls

Do you have curly hair and have never heard of the CG method, also known as the Curly Girl Method? Then we'd be happy to explain what it is and how it works in this blog. Although we find the name a bit outdated, as there are not only curly girls, of course. We prefer to speak of 'the Curly People Method'. In this blog, we'll refer to it as the CG method so that you can easily find other tips on the internet.

How does the CG method work?

The Curly Girl method consists of three phases:

• Washing
• Drying
• Styling

If you want to start with this method, it's good to begin with a final wash. This essentially means washing your hair with a shampoo that thoroughly cleanses all products from your hair and scalp. Your hair will then be 'clean' enough to start anew, so to speak, and begin a new hair care method for your curls.

Please note! A shampoo bar is not suitable for the final wash; for this, it's better to use a shampoo with more powerful cleansing agents (you might have a tester lying around somewhere or a bit left in a bottle, you can use that up and then switch to plastic-free showering 😉)

If you haven't cared for your hair according to the CG method before, we first look at your hair and curl type. This assessment is important so that you buy CG products that best suit your curls.

Do you already know your hair type and curl type? Then you can immediately start with the final wash. After the final wash, it's time to perform the Curly Girl method. For the CG method, you basically use the following products:

• Shampoo Bar for curly hair
• Conditioner Bar for curly hair
• Hair Mask Bar for curly hair
• Leave-in conditioner
• Styling product

Washing curls

You start by washing your hair with a Shampoo Bar and then apply a conditioner. Rub/massage the Conditioner Bar over your curls and let it sit for a while. To save water and time, you can lather your body with a Body Bar and brush your teeth with a sustainable toothbrush in the meantime. Once the conditioner has absorbed and been rinsed out, you're done with the showering part. For deep nourishment of your curls, replace the conditioner bar with a hair mask once every 1 to 2 weeks.

For extra care, you can apply a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair (here you massage some conditioner into your curls again after drying your hair). It may be that your hair becomes heavy from it, but that's just a matter of trying it out with your own curls. We advise against using both conditioner and hair mask on the scalp and roots because your curls can lose their elasticity and fall flat.

Washing curls

You start by washing your hair with a Shampoo Bar and then apply a conditioner. Rub/massage the Conditioner Bar over your curls and let it sit for a while. To save water and time, you can lather your body with a Body Bar and brush your teeth with a sustainable toothbrush in the meantime. Once the conditioner has absorbed and been rinsed out, you're done with the showering part. For deep nourishment of your curls, replace the conditioner bar with a hair mask once every 1 to 2 weeks.

For extra care, you can apply a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair (here you massage some conditioner into your curls again after drying your hair). It may be that your hair becomes heavy from it, but that's just a matter of trying it out with your own curls. We advise against using both conditioner and hair mask on the scalp and roots because your curls can lose their elasticity and fall flat.

Combing curls

Preferably not! But if you really want to comb your hair, it's best to do this while washing your hair and with a conditioner or hair mask in your hair. This way, you pull on your hair as little as possible.

Drying curls

Dry your curls with a smooth microfiber towel or an old smooth T-shirt. Towels are rough and damage your hair and absorb too much moisture. Also, with a towel, your hair 'gets tangled', which creates knots. Do you like to blow-dry your hair? Then leave the standard hairdryer aside and choose a hairdryer with a diffuser, so that your hair is not damaged. Hang upside down for a moment, hair in the diffuser, and blow elasticity into your curls.

Styling curls

Most people use a gel, wax, or mousse for this, so that the curl stays beautiful all day long. Make sure you don't rub the hair styling products into your hair, but gently massage them in. This way, no hair breaks off and you don't rub the curl out of your hair. If you have extremely dry hair, you can choose to use pure coconut oil as a deep conditioner in addition to a Conditioner Bar or Hair Mask Bar.

Beautiful curls = good ingredients

CG products are free of harmful ingredients that reduce the resilience of your curls. All shampoobars.nl products (for curly hair) are free of the following substances:

• Silicones
• Sulfates
• Mineral oils
• Wax
• Drying alcohol

The shampoo bars for curly hair contain, among other things:

Wheat germ protein (Hydrolyzed wheat protein)

Wheat germ oil is a natural ingredient that helps restore the structure of your curls. The oil is rich in vitamin E and helps to style hair with normal to high elasticity (too much moisture but too little protein). If you suffer from dry and frizzy curls, it may be that your hair cuticles are too open. Moisture can easily enter but can just as easily escape. Wheat germ oil offers a solution here because it restores the structure of your hair and makes it soft and shiny.

Shea butter

Shea butter hydrates and has protective and healing properties. It helps dry curls absorb moisture and, for example, stimulates skin regeneration. Shea butter creates a natural protective layer (without weighing it down!) that helps the hair retain moisture and protects against harmful influences such as smoke and exhaust fumes.

Coconut oil

A pure and natural oil that provides extra nourishment to your curls. Coconut oil makes frizzy hair soft and shiny again. It helps to care for your scalp and reduces the chance of flakes on a dry scalp. It can even work as a deep conditioner if you leave coconut oil in your hair overnight.

Round of tips!

1. Use a wide-tooth comb or hairbrush such as our sustainable Bamboo version. This preserves the structure of your curls.
2. Brush your hair from bottom to top, this way your curl stays optimal and you don't brush out the bounce.
3. Need advice on the best shampoo bar for curly hair? Let us know and we'd be happy to help.
4. If possible, hang upside down while blow-drying your hair with a diffuser.
5. Go to the (curly) hairdresser regularly.
6. Do not wash your curls more than twice a week.
7. Let your hair air dry sometimes.
8. Sleep on a satin pillowcase.
9. Occasionally scrub your scalp to prevent styling products from building up on your scalp.