What is it? Where did it come from? What has it evolved to? If you’re not already familiar with it, the first question you likely have is what is the Curly Girl Method? There’s a long and short answer that. Let’s see if we can land somewhere in the middle…you can decide how deep you want to go in the history of the curly grail.

WHAT IS THE CURLY GIRL METHOD?

The curly girl method is a way to care for you naturally curly or wavy hair that allows to enhance it’s natural beauty, and break free of frizz and fighting against your God given, gorgeous locks. One important thing to remember as you travel this path: No one technique, method or product works for everyone. So, don’t let something you see, read, or hear drive you away from the idea.

THE BASICS:

• Stop using shampoo
• Fewer chemicals
• No Heat
• Daily Routines for care and maintenance.

Now, many of you want to laugh and stop reading at ‘stop using shampoo’, right? Well, don’t worry – it’s more about what is IN shampoo. It’s not that you don’t actually wash you hair…it’s what your using to do that, and how you’re doing it. There are MANY ways to cleanse your hair without using sulfate shampoos. We’ll talk more about that in a future post.

The Curly Girl Method is the jumping off point for millions of women across the world who want to embrace their natural hair, control the frizz, and STOP spending HOURS fighting what their hair really wants to be.

WHERE DID THE CURLY GIRL METHOD COME FROM?

Though many have shared ideas, methods, techniques, products, etc, to better care for naturally curly hair, when you hear ‘curly girl method’ most people are actually referring to information and techniques in a book written by Lorraine Massey & Michelle Bender: Curly Girl: The Handbook

Lorraine Massey is an accomplished professional stylist and entreprenuer. She created the widely known DevaCurl line…‘Massey founded the salon Devachan with Denis DaSilva in 1994. At one point, there were four Devachan salons, including a location in Los Angeles. The brand DevaCurl launched in 2002 with No-Poo Cleanser, a product epitomizing Massey’s haircare philosophy that harsh shampoos aren’t suitable for curls. Private equity firm Tengram Capital Partners acquired DevaCurl in 2013 and sold it to publicly-traded asset management firm Ares Management last year.’

Since it’s sale, the DevaCurl line has evolved into major mass market production and, in turn, received much scrutiny from curlies all over the world. The good news? Massey has returned to the curly world in full force with a new line, classes, and resources. You can read more about these products and resources at CurlyWorld.com

Here is the synopsis of the book:

Say no to shampoo, unplug the dryer, and kiss frizz and bad hair days good-bye. Curly Girl is the surprising bible for those with naturally curly or wavy hair and a desire to celebrate it, from Lorraine Massey, owner of the Devachan salons and products. It’s all here: Daily routines for corkscrew, Botticelli, fractal, and wavy curls. Homemade lotions and potions for locking in moisture. Expert tips on caring for African American hair. Fabulous dos for weddings and special occasions. How to trim your hair yourself, step-by-step. (Remember: It’s not what you take off; it’s what you leave on.) Recommendations for chemical-free products. And so much more: the care, the styling, the products, the remedies, the empowering, pro-curl attitude.

HOW THE CURLY GIRL METHOD HAS EVOLVED

If you do a quick google search for curly girl method, you’re going to be absolutely FLOODED with resources, articles, videos, etc. It’s absolutely mindboggling and can be quite overwhelming. So it makes total sense that I’m adding to those resources, right?

My goal is to put all of the best resources in one place for you, AND to help you to know how to determine for YOURSELF what is good information, and what is not.

Even Massey herself is continuing to learn and change some previously held beliefs about what is best for curly hair. The reality is that products are continually evolving and new ideas and techniques are always being shared. It is to Massey’s credit that she is willing to try new things and share what she learns.

Here’s a great video where Massey discusses chemicals live with YouTube viewers:

There are now hundreds of curly influencers out there…and many of them are doing an AMAZING job. Some are stylists, some are hair enthusiasts, some are young curlies just looking to explore and find their own way through the journey. Some are moms, sharing their experiences to help you find the best path to your hair. The best thing you can do is to find of of these influencers that has a curl pattern and hair texture similar to yours, and follow them almost exclusively as you begin your journey. We’ll talk more about why I recommend that in a future post, but, basically, I want you to focus on one methodology and source of information so that you don’t end up overwhelmed and confused by the entire process.

I’ll be sharing articles, videos, and the social media accounts of some of my favorites throughout this series, and I hope that you’ll find one that resonates for you.

They curly girl method is often called a ‘lifestyle’. I can’t disagree with that – as I inwardly cringe at some of the things that I see people doing to and putting into their hair. Not because I’m judging them, but because I know that they would get much better LONG TERM results with something else, or even nothing. But it’s not my hair…it’s theirs…and yours is yours and mine is mine…we will ALL make different choices of what to do with our hair, and that is what makes us uniquely us.

It’s about embracing long term results and hair health.

It’s about protecting your hair from things that disrupt your curl pattern and progress.

It’s about putting things IN your hair that that will protect and enhance your curls.

Next week, we’re going to talk about the most important thing for your curls: HYDRATION. Not just ‘water.’ But true hydration. This is perhaps one of the most important principals of the curly journey. This took me some time to work through with my hair and truly understand what it meant and how to achieve it. Most curlies don’t master this straight away, but if you START your curly journey understanding what it means, you’ll get there much faster than many who have gone before you.

I am so excited to walk through this journey with you. The more I plan and research posts, the more I realize how much there is to share and learn together! Even two years into my journey, I’m still learning things! Don’t let that keep from walking through with us…and whether you want to sprint or run through this journey, just get the ‘facts and basics’, or FULLY immerse yourself into it – I hope to provide the information and resources that you need!

Where are you on your curly journey today?

Subscribers to this series will be entered to win a hair care package from me! Details coming soon!

Much Love to you and yours!

Cindi

^{Self proclaimed Godmother of the Messy Bun Mafia.}

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