Kristina is the founder of Lockenbox & Lockenexpertin. She has been intensively involved with the topic of curly hair care since her youth, when her straight hair suddenly turned into curls.
Those who want to tame their curls often struggle through the product jungle for years without success - thanks to our Curly Girl Method instructions, this is finally over. Whether it's low-poo shampoo, co-wash conditioner or curl cream - we show you products that will bring back your gorgeous curls. Are you ready to radically change your hair life? Then let's get started!
The Curly Girl Method – Instructions for healthy curls
Although more and more curly-haired people swear by Lorraine Massey's successful concept , getting started with the Curly Girl method without instructions is not that easy.
If you've been washing your curly hair for years using traditional methods, you'll need to learn about the new routine . This is where most people fail, because the popularity of the Curly Girl Method means there are now tons of posts online about it - often with contradictory advice.
This understandably leads to confusion among beginners. What can you do as a curly girl if you don't have time to read the curly hair expert's book yourself?
We've done the research for you and created a guide for beginners on the Curly Girl Method . Here we'll explain step by step how you can use this successful method.
- Whether care tips,
- styling tricks
- or products recommended by the Curly Girl Method.
Our instructions will give you the knowledge you need to completely transform your curls. Bounce, shine and definition – look forward to a whole new hair feeling !
What is the Curly Girl Method? - 5 principles for proper curly hair care
With the Curly Girl Method , hairstylist Lorraine Massey has written a guide for all curly-heads who want healthier, more defined hair. As a curly-hair expert herself, familiar with the daily struggle of taming frizzy hair, Massey has developed a new approach in her book. Instead of caring for natural curls using traditional methods, her routine focuses entirely on the special needs of naturally curly hair.
The Curly Girl method promises a complete hair transformation:
- accentuate curls,
- reduce frizz,
- revitalize brittle hair
This should be possible thanks to the use of curl-friendly products , which in combination with curl-friendly styling techniques will improve your hair health.
The method has changed over the years to better accommodate different types of curls. But whether you have waves, corkscrew curls or afro hair - the 5 principles of the Curly Girl Method remain the same:
- Use a silicone and sulfate-free shampoo (Low-Poo or No-Poo)
- Only use styling products without silicones or petroleum-based waxes and without drying alcohols
- Gently comb your curls with your fingers while showering and avoid using harmful brushes
- Scrunch your curls with a curl-activating cream or gel (scrunching)
- Wrap your hair in a cotton T-shirt to dry (plopping)
Who can try the Curly Girl Method?
Curls to power! The Curly Girl Method is a guide on how to keep your curls healthy. As such, it is especially suitable for people with naturally curly hair .
Expert tip: Once you start the new routine, you'll notice how your curls change over time. Instead of looking brittle and limp, they suddenly curl like crazy and are bursting with life.
However, this approach to hair care is not just for extremely curly hair. Even if your hair has a less pronounced curl pattern, you can radically change its appearance with the Curly Girl method - and tease out one or two hidden curls .
Or does the following scenario sound familiar to you: Your hair just looks "frizzy" when it's air-dried and you always reach for the straightener to get the frizz under control? But high humidity or rain immediately ruin the straightener success you had in the morning because your hair starts to curl or wave? Then there's a good chance that the Curly Girl method can transform your hair into beautiful waves or curly hair forever - because that's exactly what your thirsty hair has been longing for!
Before we get started: Take part in the curl quiz and enter the required answers. On this basis, we will calculate your hair structure and then present you with the best products for your curls from our curl box shop .
What do I need to know before starting with the Curly Girl Method instructions?
You're probably looking forward to starting with the Curly Girl Method and going through our instructions. All you need is the right equipment:
- Shampoo without silicones and sulfates
- conditioner for curly hair
- curl cream or gel
- cotton T-shirt
Once you have everything together, you can start your new hair routine. If the Curly Girl method is new to you, you should first remove all styling residue and build-up from your hair by using your old shampoo with sulfates one last time.
Once your scalp is fresh and all deposits have been completely removed , you can finally start with our Curly Girl Method instructions the next time you wash your hair.
Our step-by-step guide Curly Girl Method
Step 1: Shampoo
Wet and shampoo your curls - you're already familiar with this step from your previous hair routine. But with the Curly Girl Method, you alternate between using a sulfate-free shampoo and a co-wash conditioner (we explain the co-washing method in the last step).
A shampoo recommended by the Curly Girl Method is, for example, the Ikemian Amino Bond Shampoo , which gently cleanses your curls, strengthens the hair follicles with essential amino acids and leaves a wonderfully fragrant feeling.
- Massage the shampoo into your scalp for one minute, applying less to the lengths.
- Rinse your hair and then gently squeeze out excess water.
Step 2: Combing with conditioner
Once your curls have been freshly washed, the second step is to saturate them with a generous amount of silicone-free hair conditioner and comb them through. We love the Curl Flo | Lemongrass Conditioner for this, which nourishes the hair with provitamin B5 and strengthens it right down to the tips.
Comb the conditioner through the hair from the middle section using your fingers or a suitable curling comb like ours - Rainbow Curls | Curling Comb - to gently detangle it. Avoid the scalp .
Leave the conditioner in for 2 minutes and then rinse.
Step 3: Knead gel into the hair
Your curls are clean and well-groomed – now you can add styling products to your hair.
Prepare your hair for styling by detangling your hair thoroughly again.
The Les Secrets de Loly Kurl Potion Superfood Milk makes combing particularly easy.
First, work a curl cream or leave-in conditioner like CURLS Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner into wet hair to define curls and keep them moisturized until wash day.
Work the product into your hair from bottom to top to give it powerful definition . Tilt your head to the side or go completely upside down for more volume.
Use a spray bottle - you can find the Rainbow Curls spray bottle in the shop - if your hair needs more moisture (amount as you feel).
To give the hair hold , finally apply a curling gel such as the Pretty Curly Girl Flaxseed Styling Gel, which is also carefully kneaded into the hair .
Step 4: Micro-plopping with T-shirt towel
Goodbye towel! As a real curly girl, you wrap your hair in a T-shirt towel . Take a look at our Rainbow Curls | "Like a T-shirt" Curl Towel .
First, knead any excess liquid out of your hair so that it is not weighed down. If you feel like you have kneaded too much curl gel out of your hair, add a small amount until your hair feels hydrated.
Then spread the T-shirt towel out on a smooth surface and let your hair fall into it upside down.
Then, press it tightly against your head, tie it at the front, and then twist it back. Also known as the plopping method , this step adds extra definition to your curls .
Step 5: Air dry curls or diffuse
In the final step, you either let your hair air dry or wrap your hair turban after a few hours to style your hair.
You should use a diffuser dryer and work on a low heat setting , as heat styling at high temperatures puts unnecessary strain on the hair.
Finally, you can turn your hair upside down and gently shake it directly at the roots with your fingers or the Rainbow Curls Afro Pick to give it more volume .
Repeat the Curly Girl method every time you wash your hair
Every time you wash your hair, go through the 5 steps again - and you can look forward to beautiful curls. If you continue with the Curly Girl method, you can alternate between a low-poo shampoo and a co-wash conditioner every now and then.
Ultra-light in its formulation, the Tropikal Bliss Wasabi Co-Wash, for example, cleanses your curls in a gentle way.
The co-washing method keeps the moisture in your hair and means you don't have to shampoo it as often. But be careful: a co-wash is n't suitable for everyone .
You should be especially careful with thin hair , as it simply weighs it down. The basis for healthy hair is a healthy scalp, so focus more on mild and deep-cleansing shampoos.
If you are not sure what your hair structure is, we can put together your perfect curl routine with just a few questions. Our curl quiz will find the right products for every hair type.
Why does the Curly Girl Method work so well?
There are numerous before and after pictures on the Internet that confirm the effectiveness of the Curly Girl method. Perhaps a comparison of these pictures has motivated you to take a closer look at this special hair routine. Who doesn't dream of sexy curly hair that always looks good and is easy to style ?
If you follow our Curly Girl Method instructions, you too will soon be able to take your own before and after photos - and impress your friends and family with your transformation. But why exactly does the Curly Girl Method work so well?
Curly hair is prone to dryness and associated hair problems such as frizz or hair breakage . Conventional shampoos with silicones and sulfates further intensify this effect.
- Silicones, for example, wrap around your hair like a coat and prevent it from absorbing moisture and nutrients .
- Sulfates are valued in shampoos for their cleansing and lathering properties, but they strip your curls of their natural protective oils .
After washing with conventional shampoos , you end up with dry , hard-to-tame curly hair - a nightmare for every curly girl. If you wash without shampoo (no-poo) or with a sulfate-free shampoo (low-poo), you will gently cleanse your curly hair without stripping it of moisture - and will be rewarded with shiny curls.
If you follow the Curly Girl Method instructions , you will be combing your curls in the shower with the help of a conditioner . When wet, your curls are very sensitive and can break easily, especially if you use the wrong brush.
Using your fingers or a suitable curling brush, you can gently detangle your hair without risking breakage, while the conditioner softens it and provides your hair with extra moisture .
The promise of defined curls, which the Curly Girl Method advertises, is achieved by kneading the hair with a curl-activating gel. When scrunching, you work this into your hair from bottom to top, which gives your curls more definition and hold .
Why finish our Curly Girl Method guide by drying your curls in a cotton t-shirt? A cotton t-shirt has smoother fibers than a towel. Instead of fraying your curls, it gently absorbs excess moisture without roughening your hair structure. The result: bouncy curls!
Why we love the Curly Girl Method
At Lockenbox we are convinced of the Curly Girl method because we love hair care that is tailored to our hair type and uses natural, plant-based ingredients. They care for our curls without aggressive and unnecessary chemicals. With every new Lockenbox and in the Lockenbox online shop you can therefore be sure that no products that do not harmonize with the Curly Girl method will touch your precious mane.
We do without everything that your curls don't need to look great:
- No sulfates
- No silicones
- No drying alcohols in styling products
- No parabens
- No mineral oil-based products
- No non-washable, petroleum-based waxes
Instead, we only offer products that are specifically tailored to the care of curly hair and its needs. The result: strong, healthy and shiny curls.
What is the best way to get started with the Curly Girl Method?
If you're reading our Curly Girl Method instructions for the first time, you might be a little overwhelmed. So much exciting information at once - how can you apply it to yourself? After all, every naturally curly hair is different. So it's worth taking a closer look at the Curly Girl Method products and experimenting .
After a while, you will find a personal routine that works for you and your curls. And to make the whole thing fun, we support you with our curl box.
It is perfect for getting started with curly hair care using the Curly Girl Method, as it provides you with exactly the right products - without you having to spend a long time searching. We do the research, discover promising new products and surprise you every time with our hair care treasures.
For beginners, we also have a practical Curly Girl Starter Kit that contains the absolute must-haves that will be indispensable for your further curly hair journey.
Would you like to regularly discover great new products that bring out the best in your curls ? Then get our curl box - and treat your curls to individual care from root to tip .
Check out our other curl tips posts:
- Moisture or protein for hair | What you need to know
- Strengthen natural curls » How to get your curls back
- Maintaining a perm: How to make your curls last longer
- Your Curly Hairdresser Guide
- ABC of washing and styling methods for curly and wavy hair
- Hair Porosity » Guide for Smooth Hair
- The Ultimate Curly Girl ABC - Curly Hair Care Terms from A - Z
