How to Start the Curly Girl Method – Step by Step

YESSS, You’re Totally Ready to Embrace Your Curls and Make Them Pretty!

Good news: you’re in the right place! The Curly Girl Method (CG Method) is the ultimate way to keep your curly hair healthy, bouncy, and frizz-free. It’s no curly hair secret—but how do you start caring for your natural curls the right way? Don’t worry, it’s not complicated, and I’ll guide you step by step!

What Is the Curly Girl Method?

The Curly Girl Method is a natural curly hair routine developed by Lorraine Massey, focusing on avoiding harmful ingredients and damaging hair tools. That means:
✅ No sulfates
✅ No silicones
✅ No drying alcohols
✅ No heat damage

So, what is the Curly Girl Method? It’s about using curly girl-approved hair products with gentle, moisture-rich ingredients that truly nourish your wavy, curly, or coily hair.

Why Does the Curly Girl Method Work?

Many curly hair products contain harsh ingredients that dry out and damage your curls. The Curly Girl Methodfocuses on:
>Gentle cleansing (no stripping your hair’s natural oils)
>Deep hydration (to prevent frizz and dryness)
>Natural curl definition (without harmful chemicals)

By using CG-approved hair products and the right curl-enhancing techniques, you’ll maintain your hair’s moisture balance, resulting in healthier, shinier, and more defined curls.

Step 1: What’s Your Curly Hair Type?

Before you start, it’s essential to know your curly hair type, so you can choose the right curly hair products:

• Curl Type: Are you wavy (type 2), curly (type 3), or coily (type 4)? You can even have a mix of curl types!
• Porosity: Low, normal, or high? This determines how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
• Hair Thickness: Do you have fine, medium, or thick hair?

It might sound overwhelming, but don’t worry! You know your curls better than anyone.

Step 2: The final wash – detox your curls, remove all build-up. 

Before starting the Curly Girl Method, you need to do a Final Wash—a deep cleanse with a clarifying sulfate shampoo (but without silicones). This removes buildup, silicones, and residue from your hair.

Try our Reset Shampoo—perfect for this step!

Step 3: Choosing the Best Curly Hair Products

Now for the fun part—picking your curly hair essentials! You’ll need:

• Sulfate-free shampoo (Low-Poo) or a Co-Wash  (a  cleansing conditioner). Try our Peppermint Clean Shampooor Peppermint Fresh Co-Wash!
• Silicone-free conditioner 💧 (for hydration and detangling). Many conditioners contain silicones that create an artificial “slip”—ours deeply nourish from within!
• Leave-in conditioner or curl cream 🌿 (to moisturize and protect curls).
• Curl-defining gel or mousse ✨ (for long-lasting curl hold). [Check out our hold styling products here !]

At Pretty Curly Girl, we’ve created a simple 3-step curly hair routine that makes styling your curls easy and effective. Less is more!

Step 4: Wash & Style Your Curly Hair the Right Way

Now that you have the right products, here’s how to wash and care for your curls the CG-friendly way:

1. Cleanse Your Scalp & Hair 

Use a sulfate-free curly hair shampoo and gently massage your scalp with your fingertips. If you use a co-wash, you’re cleansing with conditioner, which refreshes curls.

2. Condition & Detangle 

Apply a generous amount of silicone-free conditioner and use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle. Let it sit for maximum hydration.

Tip: Our conditioners work from the inside out, so let them sit for a few minutes to deeply nourish your curls.

3. Define & Style Your Curls 

First, apply a leave-in conditioner for curly hair. Then, scrunch in a curl-defining gel or mousse while your hair is still wet. This enhances curl definition and reduces frizz.

💡 Wavy hair (type 2)? You might not need a leave-in!

Step 5: Drying Curly Hair – No More Frizz!

Never dry your curls with a regular towel! This causes frizz and breakage. Instead:
✔ Use a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to remove excess water.
✔ Air-dry or diffuse on low heat for extra volume.

Want more volume? Diffusing creates bigger, bouncier curls compared to air-drying!

Step 6: Refresh Your Curls Between Wash Days

You don’t need to wash curly hair every day. Instead, refresh your curls using a CG-friendly refresh spray, like our Rose Water Refresh Mist. Simply scrunch and revive your curls!

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Fix Them!)

❌ Using too much or too little product – Experiment to find the right balance. If you use too much gel, scrunch out the crunch when dry!
❌ Not hydrating enough – Curls love moisture! Use a deep conditioner regularly.
❌ Giving up too soon – It takes 4-6 weeks for your curls to adjust to the Curly Girl Method. Be patient and trust the process!

FAQ – Curly Girl Method Questions Answered!

1. How long does it take to see results with the Curly Girl Method?

Most people see improvements in their curl definition and hair health within 4-6 weeks.

2. What’s the best shampoo for the Curly Girl Method?

Use a CG-friendly shampoo without sulfates—either a Low-Poo or Co-Wash.

3. How often should I wash my curly hair?

This depends on your hair type, but washing once a week is usually enough. In between washes, refresh with a curl spray or use a co-wash if needed.

Your Curly Hair Journey Starts NOW!

 

The beginning may feel overwhelming, but trust me—it’s worth it! With the right products, techniques, and a little patience, your curls will become healthier, more defined, and more beautiful than ever.

Ready to start the Curly Girl Method? Check out our Pretty Curly Girl products and give your curls the love they deserve! 

Be Pretty. Be Curly. Be You.

✔ Curly hair products
✔ Sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair
✔ Leave-in conditioner for curly hair
✔ Frizz-free curls
✔ Curly Girl Method routine
✔ How to define curls naturally