DO USE
START WITH A NO-POO SHAMPOO
I've been seeing the Curly Girl Method (CGM) all over YouTube and social media in the past few years, bu, it was just recently that my daughter suggested I try it myself. With self isolation because of COVID-19 I've had more opportunities to try new things - so, I tried the CGM with surprising results. According to the official CGM, my hair is in between type two: "wavy," and type three, "curly" - (the fourth type is "coily.") My hair has defined curls and, to my delight, I even spotted a few ringlets. There are a few things I feel I need to include in my new routine before I'm completely sold on the CGM. It's recommended you visit a professional stylist who has experience with curly hair for a proper curl-friendly cut and a deep hydrating treatment. For the best results you should buy the appropriate hair products made especially for curls. Although they are more expensive, you should be reducing the number of days per week that you shampoo your hair so the costs will balance out. You should be gently pulling your hair into a ponytail on the top of your head for sleeping - use a scrunchy instead of an elastic as they cause breakage and damage your curls. Each morning simply spray your curls with water to reactivate them and scrunch as usual. I think 2020 is going to be the year of natural beauty trends. Self isolation gives us the time and opportunity to experiment with our style, and the inability to visit your stylist on a regular basis has changed the way we look at ourselves. Embrace your natural beauty and make 2020 the year you found yourself. Cheers, curly girls!
GENTLE CLEANSING INGREDIENTS - cocamidopropyl betaine & decyl polyglucose EMOLLIENTS - shea butter, olive & vegetable oils PROTEINS - wheat, wheat germ or soy
Sulfates are a no-go. Most traditional shampoos contain sulfates; they are found not only in shampoos but also in many household products, like dish soap. If you've ever washed your hands with dish soap, you know how drying that can be for your hands. Since curly hair is already naturally on the dry side, it's best to avoid ingredients that further dry or strip the strands.
HUMECTANTS - panthenol, vegetable glycerine, sorbitol
CONDITION
MOISTURIZERS - amino acids & aloe vera
One pro tip is to leave a bit of conditioner on the hair rather than rinsing it all out. Leaving a little conditioner in can help hair strands trap hydration in for longer periods of time, which means frizz control and longer lasting definition.
STYLING GEL INGREDIENTS - PVP and PVP/VA
REMOVE BUILDUP - use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup once a week or try an apple cider vinegar rinse instead
CURL-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Don't be afraid to add curl-enhancement products - and add a lot. Use both a curl defining gel and a curl cream. Apply from roots to tip and blot the excess with a microfibre towel.
WHAT TO AVOID
STYLE WITHOUT HEAT OR COMBS
After products are applied and before styling, turn your head over (with a towel covering your face). Give your hair a shake turning your head up and down and side to side. After this step, you'll move into your preferred method of styling. Wavy hair textures are generally encouraged to scrunch the hair with a microfibre towel or t-shirt to soak up the excess water without causing frizz. The curly girl method recommends low manipulation for all hair types. The only thing you shouldn't do is use any heat, but if you're in a hurry, using a diffuser on low heat is an option.
Shampoo & conditioners that contain sulfates & silicones
Combs & brushes. Use fingers to detangle.
Heat from blow dryers, curling irons or curlers
Hair products that contain fragrance & alcohol
SCRUNCH THE CRUNCH
This is the step most curly girls don't know about, and it's often the reason they choose to go straight. To avoid that 90s crunchy hair (the wet look) simply scrunch your stiff curls with a microfibre towel or an old cotton t-shirt. It works! Just have faith and scrunch your curls until the softness returns.
Terrycloth towels. Use a microfibre cloth or cotton t-shirt.
SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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