topic Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH? in Beauty

COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Shanus — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:11:07 GMT

I was at the mall a few weeks ago and drawn into the Aveda store by the familiar scent of my once favorite SHAMPURE products. There’s also a Be Curly line. BTW, none of these products are “Curly Girl Approved”. I purchased them anyway and decided “why not” since I had tried most other curly lines and styling products, salon and drugstore, in various combinations and still wasn’t getting great results.

Well, Aveda delivered! My wavy/curly hair is not weighed down by the shampoo, conditioner or styling products. Second day hair is easy w/ just a spritz of warm water and quick scrunch...hair doesn’t feel sticky or dirty. I’m convinced if your hair is properly moisturized, you can use whatever products you wish.

So, since I’ve always had curls and never used “special” products way before Lorraine Massey’s book/method, I’m wondering if it’s all a hoax.

What do other curly girls think?

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

HSB1204 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:17:28 GMT

I think the Curly Girl Method has some good tips and tricks but there are way too many rules. You should use what works for your hair and not what some book dictates that you should or shouldn't do.

I see women on YouTube all the time talking about how you should buy the book if you're just starting the Curly Girl Method. I disagree because that is how people end up thinking it's a horrible sin if they don't follow every step in the book. That, and not everything in the book is going to work for everyone's hair but people think there's something they're not doing right instead of realizing that maybe it just doesn't work for their particular hair type.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Shanus — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:29:07 GMT

@HSB1204 wrote:
I think the Curly Girl Method has some good tips and tricks but there are way too many rules. You should use what works for your hair and not what some book dictates that you should or shouldn't do.

I see women on YouTube all the time talking about how you should buy the book if you're just starting the Curly Girl Method. I disagree because that is how people end up thinking it's a horrible sin if they don't follow every step in the book. That, and not everything in the book is going to work for everyone's hair but people think there's something they're not doing right instead of realizing that maybe it just doesn't work for their particular hair type.

@HSB1204 ITA. I had watched YouTube videos too and the contradictions of styling products and on wet hair or towel dried, diffuser or air dry, scrunch or don’t touch....I’m embarrassed to say how many different products are lined up in my cabinet...tried only several times, but didn’t work. I’ll use what makes my hair looks its best. If a little silicone keeps the frizz down & shiny, so be it. Washing more often doesn’t seem to matter on my hair as long as shampoo is sulfate free...I don’t color it (it’s now silver), but the sulfates are drying. These past few years trying the “method” was expensive, time consuming and frustrating.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

SahmIam — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:40:31 GMT

I think that like with everything else, since each person is unique due to a combination of factors, that there is no "one size fits everyone" when it comes to anything....including how to style/take care of curly hair.

I've found that some products for curly hair weighed my hair down; some made it frizzier; some made it greasy. The biggest difference for me was changing how I applied conditioner, how I applied product and how I dried it.

I give my hair a vacation from ALL heat products the moment the weather changes to humidity plus heat. I won't pick up anything until the cool weather of late fall and the drop in humidity arrives. My hair is healthier, shinier, softer and the curl is very pronounced now compared to the rest of the year when I style it with a blow dryer, curling want, iron, etc. instead of only air drying.

All the products are the same. I was not impressed at all with the DivaCurl products. Love the Aveda styling products (not so much the shampoos and conditioners). In the end, I just buy whatever product works for my hair... most are not "curly" products.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

HSB1204 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:43:35 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@HSB1204 wrote:
I think the Curly Girl Method has some good tips and tricks but there are way too many rules. You should use what works for your hair and not what some book dictates that you should or shouldn't do.

I see women on YouTube all the time talking about how you should buy the book if you're just starting the Curly Girl Method. I disagree because that is how people end up thinking it's a horrible sin if they don't follow every step in the book. That, and not everything in the book is going to work for everyone's hair but people think there's something they're not doing right instead of realizing that maybe it just doesn't work for their particular hair type.

@HSB1204 ITA. I had watched YouTube videos too and the contradictions of styling products and on wet hair or towel dried, diffuser or air dry, scrunch or don’t touch....I’m embarrassed to say how many different products are lined up in my cabinet...tried only several times, but didn’t work. I’ll use what makes my hair looks its best. If a little silicone keeps the frizz down & shiny, so be it. Washing more often doesn’t seem to matter on my hair as long as shampoo is sulfate free...I don’t color it (it’s now silver), but the sulfates are drying. These past few years trying the “method” was expensive, time consuming and frustrating.

@Shanus Yes, everyone has their own way of styling their hair. There are so many people who are completely lost and basically rely on YouTube videos to figure out what to do with their hair. I'll admit that I too was trying to do what everyone was doing at first but it just didn't work. I also have a ton of products from experimenting just to figure out what would work.

I can see how people get frustrated when they're trying to follow all of these unrealistic instructions. It doesn't help that people on social media come up with new methods so then everyone thinks that's the thing to do. Apparently now the latest thing to do is to use three gels! I'm sorry, but if one isn't enough you're using the wrong product for your hair!

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Shanus — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:44:25 GMT

@SahmIam I’ll be saving a lot of time and money trying various new products. I also unsubscribed to the Curly Girl youtubers. 😜

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Ms tyrion2 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:51:44 GMT

No, of course it is not a hoax.

The CGM method is not all that complicated.Eliminate sulfates and silicones. Eliminate curling irons and straighteners. Avoid Terry cloth towels. All common sense.

Along the way YouTubers came up with a million other hacks that you can try or not. Product brand is all a matter of trial and error and personal choice.

Since I became serious about CGM, my curls have gone from mostly wavy to loosely curly . In sections, nice 3A curls are starting to appear.

Water soluble products and a good Devacut have made a huge difference for me. It is so noticeable that my friends have commented on how much curlier my hair is now.

@Shanus , I think you mentioned before that you never completely gave up silicones. If they work for you, great. I don't think you can completely throw out the value of CGM if you've never done it correctly.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

cotton4me — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:53:50 GMT

@Shanus wrote:

I’m convinced if your hair is properly moisturized, you can use whatever products you wish.

Agree with this. I tried the curly girl method and all types of products. They usually made my frizzy hair worse. I have chemical sensitivities and I'm now using Andalou Nautrals which work well for my hair.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Shanus — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:55:39 GMT

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:
No, of course it is not a hoax.
The CGM method is not all that complicated.Eliminate sulfates and silicones. Eliminate curling irons and straighteners. Avoid Terry cloth towels. All common sense.

Along the way YouTubers came up with a million other hacks that you can try or not. Product brand is all a matter of trial and error and personal choice.

Since I became serious about CGM, my curls have gone from mostly wavy to loosely curly . In sections, nice 3A curls are starting to appear.

Water soluble products and a good Devacut have made a huge difference for me. It is so noticeable that my friends have commented on how much curlier my hair is now.

@Shanus , I think you mentioned before that you never completely gave up silicones. If they work for you, great. I don't think you can completely throw out the value of CGM if you've never done it correctly.

@Ms tyrion2 I think you misunderstood my point that my curls weren’t bad before reading the book. I tried the method to see what the hoopla was all about. All the techniques, products, etc. didn’t change my hair for better or for worse.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

millieshops — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:07:49 GMT

Curly hair has never been my issue - neither its disadvantages nor its benefits, but with the exception of here and there some medical/scientific facts, I feel as if all the other advice is closer to opinion than fact. That doesn't mean it's not good- all opinions are not equal. DEpends on what they're based on and in the case of hair, how many different heads gave off those details. I can't believe all curly hair is alike. I just think we have to test the suggestions for ourselves keeping in mind our own hair, skin, body, etc.

I know my hair looks best when my stylist or I use fewer products, not more, and less of whatever few we choose.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Ms tyrion2 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:21:25 GMT

Indeed, all curly hair is different. I have about three different curl patterns on my own head!

I use two products to style. A creme or flaxseed curl enhancer and a gel to set the curl. One of these alone doesn't do the job. Some people need more. Some less. That is what all the YouTube videos talk about. What works best for your own particular, unique hair.

I hardly think someone watches them and tries to buy everything and do everything they suggest. Why would I try to copy someone who has a completely different curl type than me?

Caveat emptor applies here just like everywhere else!

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Icegoddess — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:49:49 GMT

@Shanus if you were wearing your hair curly all along and not using damaging flat irons and such on it, then the change in products might not make much of a difference for you.

I have never read THE Book and pretty much only do what I feel makes sense to me and doesn't require me to do weird things in the shower. Basically, I avoid all sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. I have managed to eliminate all but the drying alcohols because I insist on some hairspray. I apply my products to "towel" dried hair because I just can't abide dripping hair and plopping doesn't work for me. It only exacerbates issues with parts/cowlicks. Also, I use my Hairmax on clean hair after washing. I use a diffuser to dry. That's it. I feel it's the most healthy choice for my hair which, btw, is permed. So, I'm not naturally curly, but with the permed hair it has to be damaged and I experience some of the same problems naturally curly girls do, like frizz.

I will say I have seen some amazing transformations though using the method, so I don't think it's any sort of hoax. But, I have also seen people work for months and still be terribly frustrated and say they want to give up, and I have to say maybe they should. They/you need to do what makes you feel good about yourself. That's so much more important than spending hours on end and lots of $$$ trying to get the perfect head of curls.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

SahmIam — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:12:36 GMT

I have the book and the cd; I also visited a DevaCurl salon. What I didn't know (and now do) was the correct use of conditioner, the application of product and how to use a diffuser correctly to dry my hair. Those three things made the biggest difference for my hair. I had already eliminated sulfates due to my color (thought that didn't make a difference in the long run).

I think the book offers some excellent advice for anyone with curly hair who is lost regarding care and wants to start at square 1.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

GenXmuse — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:21:19 GMT

This “movement” is just a gimmick to make money similar to Wen. Embrace your curls and join our “tribe” and buy all our stuff.

I have curly haired friends that go to the specialized salons for that and honestly, none of the hairdresser’s curls look good and ny friend’s hair just look crunchy and balled up.

If it works for you great, but don’t let yourself be talked into because you like the message or the person behind it though.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Witchy Woman — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:21:28 GMT

@Shanus

We've had this discussion before...or a similar one.

As you may remember, I'm trying to go back to my naturally curly hair after years of smoothing.

I won't go on and on, but we've had nothing but rain here for weeks off and on and my hair is so frizzy, I cannot do anything but wet it down and start over every day.

There are curls in there, but, yikes.

In my youth, my hair was beautifully curly and no work at all. I washed it and shook it out and it was perfectly lovely. Cut it every 8 weeks.

Fast forward to my hair today.

Seems it has forgotten all that and just wants to explode into undefined fuzz.

I've bought more products than I care to admit and my last ditch effort is some moisturizing conditioner by devacurl.

If this doesn't make a difference, I'm back to smoothing.

While I don't think the CG method is a myth, I don't think everybody is going to find beautiful curls just by using certain products.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Ms tyrion2 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:32:19 GMT

@GenXmuse wrote:
This “movement” is just a gimmick to make money similar to Wen. Embrace your curls and join our “tribe” and buy all our stuff.

I have curly haired friends that go to the specialized salons for that and honestly, none of the hairdresser’s curls look good and ny friend’s hair just look crunchy and balled up.

If it works for you great, but don’t let yourself be talked into because you like the message or the person behind it though.

We will just have to disagree that it is a "gimmick"

It sounds like your friends (all of them?) Need to find another salon. balled up crunchy hair has never been my experience .

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

x Hedge — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 02:13:37 GMT

I don't care if some product is or isn't Curly Girl "approved". That phrase sounds arrogant just writing it out.

I'm capable of approving it, or not, for my hair.

I'm more concerned with how I use a product. Method of application, refreshing hair, protecting curls at night, and such.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

Icegoddess — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 13:04:35 GMT

@x Hedge wrote:
I don't care if some product is or isn't Curly Girl "approved". That phrase sounds arrogant just writing it out.
I'm capable of approving it, or not, for my hair.

I'm more concerned with how I use a product. Method of application, refreshing hair, protecting curls at night, and such.

@x Hedge "Curly Girl Approved" just means that it doesn't contain the ingredients we want to avoid. We avoid them because we feel that in the long run they are unhealthy for the hair and unhealthy hair doesn't curl well. For example, once the beauty industry discovered silicones would make hair sleek and shiny they put them in everything. The problem is, most silicones are not water soluble and need a sulfate shampoo to remove or they just build up on the hair and won't let moisturizers to do their job.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:52:14 GMT

A "myth"???

It's just recommendations for people who have traditionally not known what to do with their type of hair.

Re: COULD CURLY GIRL METHOD BE A MYTH?

LexaMom — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:58:48 GMT

I have naturally curly hair which I have been fighting all my life (well at least since junior high).. and I decided to learn to love it (along with my greys). I found CGM, was one of the fools who started watching a gazillion Youtube videos and was pulled into buying whatever the person I watched was using.

Didn't take long for me to gather a lot of different products. Then I heard about the Curl Ninja who convinced me that simpler was better, that many of the YouTubers benefitted from people trying their products and the most important thing was a non-sulfate shampoo. No need for cold showers. I returned (it was still early) many of the items I had bought on Amazon. Now I use a few DevaCurl products and I'm very happy with them. I think it is a good system but I think people get too product-crazy.