topic Re: Curly Girl Method Girls..... in Beauty

Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 01:52:56 GMT

Hi Ladies! I've been watching Curly Girl Method videos, and am jumping on the bandwagon! I have thin, fine, 2C/3A (I think!) hair. Curls out of the shower, but then they fall. I'm determined to dominate my hair and keep the curls strong! LOL

My question ..... What products work best for you? I'm already sulfate free. Have been for years. I've never used gels, though, and would love recommendations. Also, what ingredients do you look for in gels, and what do you stay away from?

A couple other questions...

...... Do you leave conditioner in before using the gel, or rinse it out?

...... Do you blot your hair before the gel, or put the gel into soaked hair?

Any other tips?

Thanks!

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

HSB1204 — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 04:40:27 GMT

It sounds like you definitely need some gel. I have 2B waves so I prefer a strong hold gel that makes my hair super crunchy. I can always scrunch it out later. One of my favorite gels is Biosilk Rock Hard Gellee. A little goes a long way. Aside from that I really like DevaCurl's Ultra Defining Gel.

I will sometimes use a leave-in conditioner. It just depends how my hair feels that day.

I've watched a lot of YouTube videos and I simply cannot do what most of these women do in their videos. I barely need to think about tangles before my hair turns into a tangled mess so after I've rinsed out my conditioner I'll wrap my hair up in an Aquis hair towel/turban for a few minutes. Then I take it out and brush my hair. I know, that's a Curly Girl Method sin but like I said, it takes nothing for my hair to turn into a tangled mess so I just can't scrunch and start styling without brushing my hair.

I then use a spray bottle with water to make my hair soaking wet. I'll start scrunching my hair and then apply a curl cream or some sort of curl defining product. I need a curl cream to enhance my waves. I have thin, fine hair so I don't need a lot (maybe a pea size or two). I like DevaCurl's Wave Maker. After that I keep scrunching for a while and then apply my gel.

Aside from the gel, what gives me the best results is diffusing my hair. I absolutely love my Xtava Black Orchid diffuser. Once my hair is completely dry I'll scrunch out the crunch.

Lately I've been experimenting with mousse/foams. I really like DevaCurl's Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam as well as the Mane Choice Super Antioxidant & Texture Beautifier Mousse (what a name!). No matter what, I always add gel as the last step, though.

The products that I like may not work for your hair at all so it's all a matter of experimenting. I learned that the hard way after buying products that others said worked for them but weren't necessarily great for my hair.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

mintedrose — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 05:22:48 GMT

I use organic shampoo and moisture hair mask in the shower. Then i use its a 10 conditioner and thats it.

All hair products such as gels and mousse are heavy and may weigh your hair down. Your hair may need protein and you can try doing a pre-poo treatment before you shower to help with that.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

TennisCaptain — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 10:15:01 GMT

Deva Curl Arc Angel Gel is the best for my hair. It does not leave a cast. I have fine, 3A hair. I've used so many gels. Until just about 6 weeks ago I tried Arc Angel. I have above my shoulder hair. I use about a heaping tablespoon size onto wet, not dripping hair. After applying, scrunch with a microfiber towel. Than, don't touch it. Wait until almost dry and diffuse hair while scrunching.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

Icegoddess — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:24:14 GMT

I wad my hair in a ball on the back of my head in the shower and wrap with a pillowcase covered by a towel. They say the nubbies on a towel mess with the curl pattern and my pillowcase isn't long enough to secure on my head. I don't like microfiber or the Aquis because I feel it pulls too much moisture out of my hair.

I use a little Raw Curls Anti-Frizz spray and some Not Your Mother's Naturals leave in conditioner that I, gasp, comb into my hair. Not Your Mother's is not curly girl friendly, but the Not Your Mother's Naturals is although I'm reading you can still get buildup from it, I think due to polyquats.

I put in Curls Creme Brulee curl cream and then scrunch in Curls Curl Goddess gel. It doesn't dry hard and need to be scrunched out. I flip my head back over and place it how I want it and make sure the part is right and my swirlies aren't showing in the back because if they are showing when it's wet, they'll be showing when it's dry. If I have the time I'll let air dry for awhile and then finish up with a diffuser. If not, I apply my makeup and then diffuse. I often use a Giovanni root lift spray before diffusing for a little volume. I have the Xtava diffuser too, but I also have a smaller one for when I go to the hairdresser or travel. It's called Bio Ionic. The key to me is a deep bowl with posts that you can use for fingers to lift the hair and the posts need to allow the air to flow through them so you're drying the roots, not just the outside.

I generally wash every other day with a cleansing conditioner but low poo once a week. My cleansing conditioner is made by Luxe Organics and I get it on Amazon. I like it specifically because I avoid ALL silicones which means the water soluble PEG's and it's really the only one I could find that didn't have the PEG's. That's a personal choice though. Matrix has a line of products that is curly girl friendly called Matrix Raw. I use the conditioner, but they don't have a cleansing conditioner in that line.

I know that's a lot of verbage, but my routine is actually quite simple. I just don't have time or the inclination for all that plopping and stuff.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:39:15 GMT

@HSB1204 Thank you for taking the time to tell me all the details! Much appreciated!

Although my hair is curlier than yours, it's also thin and fine. As a result, I've always resisted using a lot of product .... first, I don't want to weigh it down, and second, I don't want to do a lot that will stress it. But, I realize now that there are products out there that will work, and that i NEED them! I will start with a gel, and then branch out further, if needed. Maybe a curl cream would be good, and I appreciate your suggestions..

Question... what is the value you are finding of adding mousse into your routine?

Thanks again!

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:38:25 GMT

@mintedrose ... Thank you! One of the reasons I haven't used a lot of products in the past is because of my fear that they'll weigh my hair down. I'm hoping that I'll find some that will work! 🤞

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:38:44 GMT

@TennisCaptain Thank you! Your hair sounds a lot like mine. Maybe a bit curlier I'll look into the Arc Angel.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:39:45 GMT

@Icegoddess Thank you for all the details! I really apprciate the time you took to share it all, and the information! I've been sulfate free for 20 years. Now, I'm going to have to get very familiar all silicones. I'd like to be as natural as possible, while still getting the results I want.

I have a Deva Diffuser (in the shape of a hand), but I also think I have one with the fingers. Will have to look to see what I have.

Thanks again! Your response is very helpful and appreciated!

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

Bhvbum — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:42:55 GMT

I have used curly girl method now for two years, and this after at least 10 years of trying to get WEN products to work. My hair always looked frazzled as I went from one WEN product to another.

I gave up, found this on the Internet and started using it based solely on the pictures of the before and after. I actually didn’t think I had curly hair, but as I followed the method my hair got healthier and healthier. And guess what, I now have wonderful soft curls 2c/3a.

My hairdresser simply cannot believe the condition of my hair, and asks me on every visit to explain to her again what I am doing.

Google the curly girl method because everybody needs to use products that fit their hair. I use Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil intensive hydration conditioner and Cantu Moisturizing curl activator cream. LESS IS MORE!! Don’t buy a bunch of different products, start with the conditioner first and if that doesn’t work add a curl activator, then a gel. I learned the hard way and I have a basket of things that I only tried once.

And you can use the cheapest products. My hair has never been in better condition. I have color processed hair that is thin and fragile. But no more, and it is as long as it’s ever been.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

jaxs mom — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:55:37 GMT

I'm 2b/2c I use Wen cleansing conditioner and styling cream, I do use the cleansing conditioner as leave in also. I occasionallty use his texturizing spray and mousse depending on the look I want.

My order of products is on soaking wet hair in the shower styling creme then leave in, or texturizing spray, mousse, styling cream then leave in. Basically thinnest or lightest product to heaviest. Then I blot and wrap in the deva towel.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

Witchy Woman — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 14:41:18 GMT

@Bhvbum

I'd be interested in knowing what kind of cut do you have?

I've been trying to get back to my natural curls after years of smoothing and it has been a challenge.

Mostly, I think, my curl pattern and hair changed from my mid30s to now, 68.

I'm trying to give it this summer to work out, but....I'm one step away from going back to smoothing or having it all shaved off!

My hair is fine and color treated.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 17:46:30 GMT

@Bhvbum ... Thank you so much for your response! Yes, I always start slow with these things! I have a lot of curls when I get out of the shower, but they fall through the day, which is why I'm trying a gel. And, I'm about to throw a monkey-wrench into it.... A move from a humid climate to a dry one! I figure that I'll really need some help with the hold when I no longer have the humidity to help with the curl!

I'm going to look into the products you use. I've see Shea Moisture products, but haven't heard abuot Cantu.

Thanks again!

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 17:47:42 GMT

@jaxs mom Thank you! Just like face serums! Lightest to heaviest! Makes a lot of sense.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

ItsME — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 18:09:15 GMT

@Witchy Woman I've just recently fully given up smoothing my hair, and can't imagine going back to that fight!

My hair is also fine (very fine!) and I the top quarter to third is colored (just to color the gray). I get a curly cut. Not a Deva Curl specialist cut, but a cut for curly hair. My hair is between chin and shoulder length, and layered. Here's the thing.... there are layered cuts for curly hair, and different layered cuts for straight hair.

Even when I was smoothing it out, it would wave and curl during the day, and never looked good unless it was a cut for curly hair. I'm using a stylist I originally found at Super Cuts (or another one like it). The first many times I went to her, I'd go with it dried naturally, so that she would know to give me a cut for curly hair. But, there were a few times when I figured she knew me well enough that I'd go with my hair blown out. Every time I did that, she gave me a cut for straight hair! I learned my lesson!!!!

My best advise is to find a stylist who knows the difference between cuts for curly and straight hair, and make sure she/he knows that that is what you want! Good luck!

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

Witchy Woman — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:05:57 GMT

@ItsME

Thanks. Your hair sounds much like mine, including the coloring to cover gray

Here's what I've come to believe. When I was younger, my curls were effortless. No special products, just a "shag" cut and my beautiful curls. Took me all of 5 minutes to style it.

Fast forward. Curl pattern changed, hair texture changed due to coloring. I gave up dealing with it and just had the stylist smooth it.

Granted, it gave me easy care hair, but....I began worrying about getting "really old" and still going through all of this

Decided I'd try to go back to curls.

My last smoothing treatment was December 2018 and the curls are starting to return, but....so is the frizz!

I'm finding that I'll likely need to use more curl specific products and just keep working with it. Period!

As to cut, I've got a stylist that remembers "shags" so....she's given me a layered shag about to my shoulders.

In the next few weeks, I'm really going to focus on product application, finger coiling and doing some diffuser drying.

If, at the end of the summer, I still have a frizzy mess, no telling what I'll do!

I worked with a woman who DID shave her head to a fine fuzz. She said she just got tired of dealing with it.

Doubt I'll do THAT, but I can sure sympathize with her.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

HSB1204 — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:14:01 GMT

@ItsME wrote:
@HSB1204 Thank you for taking the time to tell me all the details! Much appreciated!

Although my hair is curlier than yours, it's also thin and fine. As a result, I've always resisted using a lot of product .... first, I don't want to weigh it down, and second, I don't want to do a lot that will stress it. But, I realize now that there are products out there that will work, and that i NEED them! I will start with a gel, and then branch out further, if needed. Maybe a curl cream would be good, and I appreciate your suggestions..

Question... what is the value you are finding of adding mousse into your routine?

Thanks again!

@ItsME Yes, you may be able to just get away with using some gel. It definitely takes some experimenting at first and you may not always have a great hair day but eventually you'll figure out what works for you. I would start off with a small amount of gel and work your way up if you feel like you need more.

I feel like my products are going to last forever since I have to use so little. If only they all came in travel sizes!

Sometimes instead of using a curl cream I'll just use the foam/mousse and then gel. I can get pretty nice, defined waves that way and the mousse definitely is much lighter than the curl cream. The two I mentioned in my first post come out like a foam and do have some hold. Sometimes if I'm lazy I just use the foam/mousse which of course just gives me a looser wave.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

HSB1204 — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:18:27 GMT

@Bhvbum wrote:

I have used curly girl method now for two years, and this after at least 10 years of trying to get WEN products to work. My hair always looked frazzled as I went from one WEN product to another.

I gave up, found this on the Internet and started using it based solely on the pictures of the before and after. I actually didn’t think I had curly hair, but as I followed the method my hair got healthier and healthier. And guess what, I now have wonderful soft curls 2c/3a.

My hairdresser simply cannot believe the condition of my hair, and asks me on every visit to explain to her again what I am doing.

Google the curly girl method because everybody needs to use products that fit their hair. I use Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil intensive hydration conditioner and Cantu Moisturizing curl activator cream. LESS IS MORE!! Don’t buy a bunch of different products, start with the conditioner first and if that doesn’t work add a curl activator, then a gel. I learned the hard way and I have a basket of things that I only tried once.

And you can use the cheapest products. My hair has never been in better condition. I have color processed hair that is thin and fragile. But no more, and it is as long as it’s ever been.

@Bhvbum Yes, the Cantu curl activator cream is definitely not something you want to use a lot of (unless you have a lot of hair, I guess)! It works great but you definitely have to be careful not to use too much.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

HSB1204 — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:22:38 GMT

@ItsME wrote:
@Bhvbum ... Thank you so much for your response! Yes, I always start slow with these things! I have a lot of curls when I get out of the shower, but they fall through the day, which is why I'm trying a gel. And, I'm about to throw a monkey-wrench into it.... A move from a humid climate to a dry one! I figure that I'll really need some help with the hold when I no longer have the humidity to help with the curl!

I'm going to look into the products you use. I've see Shea Moisture products, but haven't heard abuot Cantu.

Thanks again!

@ItsME You can get Cantu at Sally Beauty. Their products are very affordable.

Re: Curly Girl Method Girls.....

Ms tyrion2 — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 19:24:21 GMT

For those of you dealing with frizz, remember to apply your products to soaking wet hair and scrunch them in well. Frizz is just hair escaping from the curl pattern.

After you apply the styling products, scrunch out the excess moisture with a T shirt or microfiber towel.

These steps really help.