The Curly Girl Method 101 – Part 3: CGM FAQ
Welcome back to Part 3 of our Curly Girl 101 series. Now that you know what the Curly Girl Method is and how to do it, take some time to round out your expertise with a few tips and tricks! Swell your CGM savvy with some subtlety and insight! Continue reading below to explore our Curly Girl Method FAQ. Learn some tips to try if CGM isn’t yet working for you, how to brush and apply product like a Curly Girl pro, and where to turn for more CGM wisdom.
Does the Curly Girl Method make my hair naturally curly?
Sadly, no. The Curly Girl Method boosts your natural curl or hair pattern, but it’s primarily designed to bring out the best of your natural curls, not summon them out of straight or lightly wavy hair. CGM helps you bring fuller, healthier hair to the party, but you’ll need to provide the natural curl.
What if the Curly Girl Method doesn’t work for me?
The Curly Girl Method doesn’t deliver overnight success. It’s a process to help bring back to life the natural kink your hair has always possessed. You may need anywhere from one to four months for your curls to live up to their full potential. However, if you’ve been patient and the CGM still isn’t working for you, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you using too much or not enough product?
- Have you tried different application techniques for your product?
- Are you using any products or techniques outside your CGM that may undermine your results?
If your answer to any of these questions is either no or you’re unsure, it’s time to call in the experts. Get in touch with a curly hairdresser to fully understand what lies within your curls. Not sure who to contact? Check out Wuli Grooming’s Stockists to connect with one of our curl salons partners.
Can I brush my hair while using the Curly Girl Method?
This depends heavily on your unique hair’s many qualities. The Curly Girl Method typically discourages ordinary brushing because it disrupts your curl pattern. The best time to brush is during your CGM routine, specifically while your hair is saturated with water and conditioner. Tighter curls, however, may need a tool like a Denman hairbrush to fully distribute your product, while fine curls or wavy hair may better suit a gentle dry-brush such as a Boar Bristle before showering.
How do I know if a product will work with the Curly Girl Method?
Different types of curly hair call for different products. As we’ve mentioned previously, silicones, waxes, and mineral oils are on the blocklist for CGM, and sulphates are situational, depending on which stage of the routine you’re using them. All natural, sulphate-free curly hair products, such as our Curl Cream and Sea Salt Spray, are great additions to any CGM arsenal!
If you’re curious whether a product will vibe with the Curly Girl Method, copy and paste its ingredients at Is it CG? This helpful website will tell you whether the product is Curly Girl approved.
Alternately, follow @curlygirlapprovedproducts for more product ideas and inspiration!
How should I apply curl products while using the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method demands a careful approach to product application. A touch of trial and error can help you find an application method that works best for your hair. Here are a few simple methods to try:
- Glazing
- Praying hands
- Raking
- Roping
- Scrunching
- Scrunch and pulse
Upside-down scrunching
Bend at the waist and flip your head over, raking your hair forward and squishing conditioner from the ends up to the scalp. This process is great for hydration and pronounced curls, give a boost of vivacious volume for fine hair.
For Type 2 or Type 3 Hair
For Type 4 Hair
How do I dry my hair while using the Curly Girl Method?
Light fabric, like a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt, is the best approach. Plop and scrunch out the water with the light fabric, try a low-heat diffuser or even consider an air-dry.
How to plop your curly hair
How to scrunch your curly hair
How to diffuse your curly hair
Where can I learn more about the Curly Girl Method?
To start, check out the other parts of our Curly Girl Method 101 series to learn what you need and how to do it and hear from professional hairdressers. If you’re still after a few more CGM perspectives, however, check out the following Insta accounts:
- @curlygirlapprovedproducts
- @coffeecurlygirl
- @giofilipinohair
- @hif3licia
- @iamthatnaturalgirl
- @jaymejo
- Curly Girl Method 101 – Part 1: What is the Curly Girl Method, Anyway?
- Curly Girl Method 101 – Part 2: How to Do the Curly Girl Method
What else do I need to know about the Curly Girl Method?
Here are some handy facts to round out your Curly Girl Method mastery:
- You don’t need to use products every time – For healthy hair, sometimes a simple wash and go will work.
- You’ll see less transformation if your hair is already healthy or if you already use curly girl-approved products.
- The Curly Girl Method won’t alter the genetic makeup of your hair. Here from Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness for more handy CGM tips!
