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Is Your Hair Care Curly Girl Approved? Here's What to Look For
If you're serious about curl care, you've likely heard of the Curly Girl Method. If not, you will soon! Here at Wuli, we believe in Curly Girl power, but we also know that a little attention to detail is the first step toward breathtaking curls.
The Curly Girl Method requires careful consideration of the ingredients in (or not in) your hair care products, so how do you know if your products are Curly Girl friendly?
As always, if you have questions about the Curly Girl Method, we have answers. Learn more below about what makes a hair care product Curly Girl friendly, what to look for, and how to round out your CGM routine with a little help from Wuli!
What is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method is a fabulous approach to hair care, specially tailored to those of us with natural wavy, curly, or coily hair. Developed by hairstylist Lorraine Massey and introduced in her 2001 book Curly Girl: The Handbook, the Curly Girl Method (CGM) brings out the natural health and beauty of curls by eliminating harsh chemicals and heat styling in favour of gentle cleansing and moisturising techniques.
Sulphates, silicones, and drying alcohols are persona non grata for the Curly Girl Method, as they strip curls of their natural oils and lead to frizz. Instead, CGM pairs a heavy or sulphate-filled "reset" shampoo with sulphate-free cleansers or co-washing (washing with conditioner) alongside silicone-free hair styling products and conditioners.
The Curly Girl Method is incredibly popular because it's proven to improve curl definition, reduce frizz and pesky flyaways, and boost overall hair health. It embraces your natural hair texture rather than fighting against it—relatable for those of us who've struggled to manage our curls—and its customisable approach allows people to adapt its techniques to their specific hair types!
What makes a product Curly Girl Friendly?
Key ingredients to avoid
As we mentioned, sulphates, silicones, and alcohols are under the microscope in the Curly Girl Method. These are highly common among your stock-standard supermarket hair care products for a variety of reasons:
- Sulphates are a cost-effective ingredient for manufacturers. They create a rich lather and foam that many consumers associate with cleanliness and are an effective cleaning agent, removing dirt, oil, and product buildup from the hair and scalp.
- Silicones provide short-term control, heat protection, and shine. They can make hair more manageable, smoother, shinier, and easier to comb.
- Drying alcohols help products like hairsprays and styling gels dry rapidly in the hair. They also help dissolve certain oils and ingredients in hair care products to ensure consistency and prevent bacterial and mould growth, extending their shelf life.
The problem is that these ingredients give your hair a short-term boost at the expense of its long-term health. leaving your precious curls vulnerable to moisture loss, lack of definition, brittleness, dehydration, among other issues.
Key ingredients to look for
Hair care products compatible with the Curly Girl Method will enhance and maintain your hair's natural texture while promoting overall hair health. They typically contain gentle cleansing agents, like sulphate-free shampoos or co-washes, which clean the hair without removing natural oils. Using these products with these ingredients immediately after a heavy or sulphate-filled reset shampoo prevents buildup that could weigh down your curls. Instead, CGM-friendly products will more likely contain natural oils like argan, jojoba, coconut, or even shea butter.
CGM products also tend to be protein-rich, as they help strengthen hair and improve elasticity. They may also contain natural extracts and vitamins to promote scalp health and hair growth.
The Curly Girl Method aims to define and hold curls without weighing them down from product buildup. After your sulphate-rich reset shampoo, your CGM products will moisturise and nourish hair, not coat it with harsh chemicals.
How to read product labels to make your Curly Girl assessment
The ingredients on your hair care product label are usually listed in descending order of concentration, so focus on the first five or six ingredients. These will make up the bulk of the product.
Some hair care products on the supermarket shelf like to play sleight-of-hand with their ingredients lists, so don't fall for misleading product names or marketing claims—just cut straight to the ingredients list and keep an eye out for ingredients that end in:
- -cone
- -conol
- -col
- -xane
These tend to indicate silicones. Sulphates, meanwhile, can be identified by terms like sodium lauryl sulphate or ammonium laureth sulphate.
Why Wuli products are Curly Girl approved
Fun fact: At Wuli, we don't mess with harsh chemicals, so all our products are CGM-approved! Our range of cruelty-free, vegan hair care products for curly hair is the perfect way to style your curls while hydrating your hair and nourishing your scalp.
After your cleanse and condition, incorporate these Wuli products into your CGM routine:
- Sea Salt Spray: On damp hair, apply Wuli's famous Sea Salt Spray evenly. This will add texture and seal moisture. Scrunch your hair gently to distribute the product and encourage curl formation.
- Curl Cream: Next, apply Wuli Curl Cream to define and moisturise your curls. Use a small amount and rake it through your hair, followed by scrunching to enhance curl definition.
- Matte Balm or Shine Balm: Finally, use Wuli's Matte or Shine Balm on fine/flat/limp hair or curls that sit flat on top, to finish styling. This will help control frizz and add shine or texture as desired.
In short, our Sea Salt Spray adds texture without silicone, our Curl Cream defines curls without weighing them down, and our Matte/Shine Balms offer styling without drying alcohols!
Of course, you don't need to be all in on CGM to enjoy all-natural hair care! Wuli Hair Care is perfect for anyone desiring lush, healthy, hydrated hair. Shop our range of Australian-made curly hair care products today and give your curls a glow to make Bondi proud.