Have you heard of the curly girl method? For curly or wavy-haired girls, it’s said to be the best method out there to ensure bouncy, defined curls – minus the damage and frizz! The Curly Girl Method was created by hairstylist Lorraine Massey in her book Curly Girl: The Handbook in 2001. If you have thick, unruly, or damaged hair that never seems to sit right, this might be the perfect method for you.
How Does It Work?
Essentially, the method works by letting your hair retain its natural moisture by removing any unnecessary chemicals that build up on the hair shaft. Curly hair is more prone to dryness than straight hair, so that’s where the frizz and limp curls come from. By avoiding harsh chemicals and ingredients, your hair is able to retain all of its natural oils and slowly repair itself. When following the Curly Girl Method, many women say that their hair looks and feels completely revitalised.
There are three main steps to the method:
- Cleanse hair once a week with a low-foaming Shampoo, or just cleanse occasionally with Conditioner.
- Cut out sulfates, silicones, artificial fragrances and alcohol in all hair products.
- Avoid all heat-styling tools, brushes and normal towels to dry hair (use an old t-shirt instead!).
Everybody’s hair is different, so it might take some time to figure out what exact process and products work best for your hair. This is a great resource from Huda Beauty which outlines how often to cleanse and condition your hair depending on its type. For example: if your hair is coily instead of wavy, it needs a lot more conditioning and much less cleansing.
What Conditioner Do I Use?
For all curly-hair variations, a moisturising conditioner is important.
Here at F&F, we have a fabulous range of Natural Conditioners that don’t contain any nasties. If you’re seeking out a new conditioner (perhaps to try out the Curly Girl Method) you’re in luck! We also love zero-waste options here at Flora & Fauna, so we're big fans of Shampoo & Conditioner Bars!
Read on to find out more about our favourite Plastic-Free Conditioner Bars, along with Bamboo Hair Accessories, which make the Curly Girl Method better for you and our planet!
For Dry & Curly Hair
Amor Luminis ‘Magenta Bloom’ Conditioner Bar - is made for dry and curly hair. Enriched with argan oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter to tame your frizzy locks, soothe your scalp, and provide rich moisturise to repair and revitalise your tired tresses. It’s even soap-free, so it won’t dry out your hair.
Ethique The Guardian Conditioner Bar - Great for those with dry, damaged or frizzy hair types. Formulated with cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin B5 and zesty lime oil, it will help make your hair look smooth and lush. It can also double up as a shaving bar or an in-shower moisturiser.
Viva La Body Creamy Dreamy Curls - is for soft bouncy curls - containing castor oil, which strengthens and brings density to the hair shaft and guar to smoothe strands and leave hair looking glossy. Viva La Body Rescue Me is also super nourishing, and helps to detangle and soften hair cuticles.
For Fine & Oily Hair
Amor Luminis ‘Lola’ Conditioner Bar - If your hair tends to get oily quite quickly, this light-weight conditioning bar by Amor Luminis might do the trick. Murumuru Butter – from the Amazon Rainforest – is the key ingredient that will nourish and seal in moisture into each hair strand.
Ethique Wonderbar Conditioner Bar - This bar contains coconut oil, cocoa butter, and vanilla which hydrate without adding weight or oil. It's great for sensitive skin and can last up to 5 months with regular use. Plus, it smells fantastic.
Viva La Body Balance Bar - This conditioner bar is designed to help balance oil production giving you just enough moisture to replenish your hair and give it bounce, but not too much so it doesn't weigh it down. Castor oil strengthens the hair shaft and rosehip oil nourishes and delivers just the right amount of moisture.
How To Use Conditioner Bars
To use our conditioner bars: simply glide over your hair in the shower and massage in. Or, you can create a gentle lather with the bar in your hands and then run your hands through your hair. Simple as that! We also love that they all come plastic-free, in compostable packaging!
We also recommend using a wide-tooth comb in the shower after applying conditioner. Our Wide-Tooth Bamboo Comb by Bass Brushes is great for use in the shower, as it can be used wet or dry. The combing action helps to disperse the conditioner properly and remove any knots. We also have some great Leave-In Treatments And Conditioners, if your hair needs an extra boost of moisture post-shower! And if you need to tie your hair up, you'll need something that is extra gentle on your curly hair. We love the Kooshoo Range of Organic Rubber Hair Ties - gentle, no-snag hair ties, that are ethically made and biodegradable.
Will you be trying the Curly Girl Method? Let us know how you go in the comments below! You can shop all our Hair Products here.
For more information on Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, plus some tips and tricks around all things hair, take a look at the blogs below:
