The Complete Curly Girl Method Guide for Beginners

If you've ever looked at someone else's defined, frizz-free curls and wondered why yours don't look like that, the Curly Girl Method might be the answer. Developed by curl stylist Lorraine Massey, the CGM is a hair care approach built specifically around the needs of wavy, curly, and coily hair.

This guide covers everything you need to start — without getting overwhelmed.

What Is the Curly Girl Method?

The Curly Girl Method is built on one idea: curly hair is structurally different from straight hair and needs different care. It avoids two main categories of ingredients:

1. Sulfates — harsh detergents (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate) that strip natural oils and leave curls dry and frizzy.
2. Non-water-soluble silicones — synthetic coatings that build up on the hair shaft, block moisture, and eventually distort your curl pattern.

Instead, CGM uses gentle cleansers, moisture-rich conditioners, and styling products made without those ingredients.

Who Is the Curly Girl Method For?

The CGM works for any curl type: 2a wavy hair all the way through 4c coily hair. The specific products and techniques vary by curl type, but the ingredient rules are the same.

Step 1: The Reset Wash

Before starting CGM, you need to remove all existing silicone buildup. Use a clarifying or sulfate shampoo just this once — after this, you won't need one again.

This is called the reset wash. It gives your curls a clean slate.

Step 2: Choose Your Products

You'll need:

• A sulfate-free, silicone-free shampoo (or co-wash if your hair is very dry)
• A silicone-free conditioner for conditioning and detangling
• A leave-in conditioner (silicone-free)
• A styling product (gel, mousse, or cream — all silicone-free)

Checking labels manually is tedious. Curl Coach's ingredient scanner lets you photograph any product label and instantly flags sulfates, silicones, and other problematic ingredients.

Step 3: The Wash Day Routine

1. Wet hair fully with warm water.
2. Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends. Detangle with fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
3. Rinse the conditioner (leaving a little in is fine).
4. Apply leave-in conditioner while hair is soaking wet.
5. Apply styling product using the praying hands or scrunching technique.
6. Scrunch out excess water with a microfibre towel or a cotton t-shirt.
7. Diffuse on low heat or air dry.
8. Once fully dry, scrunch out the cast (the crunchy feeling from gel) for soft, defined curls.

What to Expect in the First 4 Weeks

Week 1-2: Your hair may feel strange as it adjusts. You might see more frizz, not less. This is the transition period as silicones leave your hair and your moisture levels balance out.

Week 3-4: Most people start to see defined curl clumps forming. Frizz reduces. Your true curl pattern starts to emerge.

Patience is the most important ingredient in CGM.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Skipping the reset wash. Silicone buildup will prevent your new products from working.
• Touching your hair while it dries. This breaks up curl clumps and creates frizz.
• Using too little product. Curly hair needs more moisture than you think.
• Giving up too early. Four weeks is a minimum. Some curl patterns take 3 months to fully emerge.

Find Your Curl Type First

Knowing your curl type (2a through 4c) tells you which techniques and product weights your hair needs. Thick, coily 4b hair needs much heavier products than fine 2c waves.

---

Not sure what your curl type is? Take the Curl Coach quiz for a personalised routine built around your curl pattern →