If you’re looking for tips and tricks to manage your wavy and curly hair, the Curly Girl Method might be what you need. From online forums to social media, many have shared their bowl routines and co-washing secrets.
Having naturally wavy hair myself, I remember how my tight curls and ringlets in my teens transformed into more relaxed waves. My hairdresser explained that my thick hair weighed down the curl pattern, making it less defined.
To manage these waves, I tried countless products, hoping for that magical transformation. Seeing those luscious and bouncy curls online made me feel envious of my often frizzy hair. Discovering the Curly Girl Method was a game-changer.
Curly Girl Method for Wavy Hair! IMPORTANT STEPS IN SHORT
Start with a light oil treatment using argan or almond oil to condition and detangle your hair without weighing it down. Use a gentle, sulfate-based clarifying shampoo like Pantene Lively clean to remove buildup and maintain natural moisture without silicones, done every 3-4 weeks. Condition your hair after cleansing to enhance softness, rinsing thoroughly and leaving minimal conditioner for wavy hair. Apply conditioner again with the “Squish to Condish” method, squishing it into wet hair to lock in moisture and enhance natural texture. Comb hair with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is still applied to detangle smoothly. Dry your waves using the plopping method with a microfiber towel or diffuse with heat to maintain wave definition and avoid frizz. Refresh your hair on Day 2 and Day 3 with a nourishing spray like coconut water. Once dry, scrunch out the gel cast to soften the texture. Deep condition once a week with a thick conditioner for 30-40 minutes, enhancing with olive oil and honey for extra moisture.What is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM), from the book by Lorraine Massey called Curly Girl: The Handbook, is a hair care regimen that replaces damaging habits like using harsh products and heat styling. Instead, it focuses on using specific products that are curl-friendly.
At the beginner level, CGM means cutting out drying routines, avoiding heat tools, and not towel-drying your hair. Many prefer a microfibre towel or silk pillowcase. It involves understanding your hair’s porosity level, ensuring the right protein balance, and avoiding sulfates and silicones that cause waxy buildup and weigh down your curls.
Techniques like blow drying and brushing can increase your hair’s size. The Curly Girl Method emphasizes treating and applying products to curly hair optimally. However, wavy hair might need modifications as it is typically less coarse than other curl types.
Curly Girl Method Steps For Wavy Hair
Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Begin your hair care routine with a nourishing pre-poo treatment. Lightly oil your Twisty waves using a light oil such as argan or almond. This step not only conditions but also helps to detangle your hair. It’s essential to use just enough oil to avoid a heavy head of oil, ensuring your waves remain light and bouncy. This method prepares your hair for shampooing by protecting its natural texture.
Remove Buildup With a Gentle Product
The Wavy Girl Method starts with removing buildup from wavy hair using a gentle cleanser. This cleansing step is crucial to maintain natural moisture while clearing away product buildup that weighs hair down. Using clarifying shampoo with sulphates but NO SILICONES ensures that silicones and other products do not remain on the scalp or hair.
Opt for affordable options like Pantene Lively clean shampoo, especially effective for wavies who need to clarify more often due to sebum travelling down waves more easily than curls, preventing weighting down. This routine should be done once or twice every 3-4 weeks as part of the CG steps.
Conditioning
After cleansing, it’s vital to condition your hair to enhance softness and shine. The Curly Girl Method allows you to deep condition and leave product in your hair for lasting moisture. In contrast, the Wavy Girl Method suggests rinsing your hair thoroughly and only leaving in a small amount of conditioner, if any.
This recommendation stems from understanding the consistency of the conditioner, as wavy hair types generally do not require heavy products.
Squish to Condish”
The technique known as “Squish to Condish” involves using a co-wash for a second time at the end of your shower. With your dripping wet hair flipped upside down, this method involves squishing the conditioner into your locks. This action helps curls to form and lock in the moisture from the water, enhancing the natural texture and reducing frizz.
Comb in Wet Hair
The Curly Girl Method suggests you ditch the comb and use your fingers to untangle your hair, which helps in preventing breakage and frizz. On the other hand, the Wavy Girl Method, endorsed by experts like Maine, does not completely eliminate the use of a comb.
It is recommended to comb or brush your hair while the conditioner is still applied to ensure smooth detangling. Using a wide-tooth comb yields the best results, helping distribute the conditioner evenly without ripping tangles.
Drying Your Waves with a Good Strategy
To dry your waves effectively and avoid frizz, use the plopping method with a plush microfiber towel. This technique helps maintain the definition of your waves by removing excess water gently post-wash. For those who prefer using heat, diffusing is a recommended option to add volume and enhance the natural wave pattern without causing heat damage. Always ensure to squeeze out the water softly rather than rubbing, to protect your hair’s health and style.
Refreshing with the Right Product
For those with wavy hair, oil tends to travel faster compared to curly counterparts, necessitating more frequent refreshes. On Day 2 and Day 3, simply spray the length of your hair with a nourishing liquid such as coconut water or a mixture of water and your leave-in conditioner.
Shake and scrunch to style your waves back to life. Protecting your hair with the right products is a crucial step in any routine that involves heat and styling.
Scrunch Your Waves
Once your hair is dry and a gel cast—a crunchy film—has formed, it’s time for SOTC (Scrunch Out the Crunch). This process is self-explanatory: it helps save your hair texture from being too stiff to the touch. Simply use your hands or a microfiber towel to gently scrunch your hair. This helps to break up any strands that clumped together during drying, softening the texture and enhancing the natural waves.
Deep Conditioning
While Wavies may not depend as heavily on deep conditioning as Curlies, it remains a vital step in the CG journey. Once a week, post-shampoo, apply a thick conditioner to your hair and let it seep in for 30-40 mins before washing off.
You can also enhance your regular conditioner into a deep one by adding a few drops of olive oil and a tsp of honey. Cover with a heating cap or shower cap to lock in moisture, maximizing hydration and softness.
Conclusion
While the Wavy Girl Method may not be formalized in paper or a book, following experts’ advice, using key products, and applying a little styling can help you achieve a perfect, foolproof wave. It’s a process that requires patience, but the results are well worth the effort. Embrace these techniques to enhance your natural waves beautifully.
FAQs
Does the Curly Girl Method work for wavy hair?
Yes, the Curly Girl Method can indeed work for wavy hair! If your hair leans towards the wavy side, following the strict guidelines of this method will keep it frizz-free and hydrated.
How do you make your hair curly when it’s wavy?
After showering, use a curl-enhancing product and scrunch it into your hair. To define your curls, use a Denman brush or try finger coiling to encourage curl formation. Plop your hair as it dries and use a lightweight conditioner. Also, try a hair mask once a week.
What is a good hair routine for curly wavy hair?
Start your routine by gently cleansing your wavy hair. Cleanse to remove buildup, then condition and detangle. Moisturize, protect and style your hair. Let it dry naturally, and finish by perfecting your style.
How do I start the CG method?
Begin with a reset wash to remove any product build-up from your strands. Cleanse your hair using a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. Condition and detangle your hair, then style it. Plop your hair to dry, and repeat this routine regularly.
Dive into the world of curls with Farah, a celebrated curly hair expert whose passion and expertise have transformed her into a beacon for those seeking to embrace their natural hair texture. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Farah has dedicated herself to the science and art of curly hair, making her an authoritative voice in this niche. Her deep understanding of curly hair’s unique needs and challenges allows her to craft personalized care routines and styles that not only enhance the natural beauty of curls but also promote hair health.