Top 10 Curly Girl Method Approved Curly Hair Products
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If you have naturally curly hair, you may have heard of the Curly Girl Method.
And we know how difficult it is to find the right products for textured hair. You need to read all the ingredients carefully and read some reviews to ensure it’s worth it.
Plus, different curls need different products, so you need to search for the options out there just to find the ones suited for your hair type.
Luckily, we have here our list of approved curly girl products to help you on your journey in embracing your natural curls.
So whether you’re searching for your holy grail item to get your curls popping, or if you’re new to the Curly Girl Method, read on!
Table of Contents
What Is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM or CG Method for short) is a hair care regimen created by Lorraine Massey in her book “Curly Girl: The Handbook.”
This method is designed to help those with curly hair embrace their natural texture and work with it, rather than against it.
CGM uses products and techniques specifically designed for curly hair to enhance and define natural curls, waves, and coils.
It also means opting for sulfate-free shampoos, and avoiding products that contain harsh chemicals that can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause damage.
Instead, curly girl products typically use gentle, moisturizing ingredients that help nourish and hydrate the hair.
And aside from the products, CG method also involves specific techniques for washing, conditioning, and styling curly hair.
For example, many people who follow the Curly Girl Method choose to co-wash (wash their hair with conditioner) rather than using traditional shampoo, as this can help to keep the hair hydrated and reduce frizz.
By following this method and using the right products and techniques, those with curly hair can achieve healthy, defined curls.
How Do I Know If I’m Using Curly Girl Method Approved Products?
Here’s a guide on how to tell if the products you’re using are Curly Girl Method approved.
Understanding the Ingredients
The only foolproof way to determine whether a product is Curly Girl Method approved is to check the ingredients list.
Look for products that contain natural, nourishing ingredients like fruit extracts, avocado oil, and aloe vera.
Here are the ingredients you need to avoid:
- Sulfates: A common ingredient in most commercial shampoos that can strip off natural oils. It can dry out the hair, causing frizz and making the strands brittle and more prone to damage.
- Silicones: These give a false coat to make the hair look shiny. But it prevents moisture from penetrating the hair, which can cause dryness and damage. Look for products with water-soluble silicones like dimethicone copolyol.
- Alcohols: This ingredient can be drying to the hair, making it more prone to dryness, frizz, and breakage.
- Heavy oils and waxes: While some oils and waxes can be beneficial for curly hair, heavy waxes and oils weigh down the hair, making it look greasy and flat. They can also cause product buildup on the hair over time, leading to dullness and lack of volume.
Join Curly Girl Communities
One of the best ways to determine whether a product is Curly Girl Method approved is to look for reviews and testimonials from other curly-haired individuals.
Check out online forums and social media groups to see what other people are using and what works for them.
You could even make new friends who have the same curl type as you do and exchange experiences with curly girl products that work for you.
The Best Hair Products to Moisturize and Style Your Curls
A shampoo that reduces breakage and nourishes hair, leaving your curls refreshed and revitalized!
Key benefits: Washes away product buildup; helps reduce hair breakage; moisturizes hair as it cleanses
Features:
- Cleanses without drying out hair
- Sulfate-free formula
- Cruelty-free
For revitalized curls, look no further than the Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo!
The Cleansing Cream Shampoo is the perfect way to start your wash day routine.
Its award-winning blend of pure shea butter and essential oils produces a rich lather that conditions as it cleanses, gently removing product buildup without drying out hair.
It’s sulfate-free and is great for all types of curls. And there’s absolutely no testing on animals; it’s cruelty-free! This shampoo is a great way to refresh your scalp and curls, leaving them looking and feeling their best.
To use, simply apply a quarter-sized amount to wet hair and work into a lather. Massage into the scalp and rinse, repeating as needed.
Say hello to SheaMoisture JBCO Strengthen + Restore Conditioner — the perfect solution for damaged, brittle hair!
Key benefits: Detangles hair easily; softens hair and reduces frizz; protects hair from split ends
Features:
- Soothes the hair and scalp
- Curly-girl approved ingredients
- Sustainable products and cruelty-free
Get intense hair conditioning and nourishing moisture with this strengthening conditioner!
This conditioner is formulated with curl-loving ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil and shea butter for deep conditioning. It also contains peppermint oil to help stimulate the scalp for a soothing wash day experience!
It nourishes and strengthens hair, reducing the appearance of breakage and shedding. It’s perfect for those who regularly color, straighten, perm, or heat style their hair.
To use, simply apply to clean, wet hair and massage in. Leave on for three minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
A hydrating conditioner that smooths, defrizzes, and protects your natural curl pattern.
Key benefits: Leaves hair soft and moisturized; defines curls and reduces frizz; keeps hair hydrated
Features:
- Luscious scent
- Vegan and free from harmful chemicals
- Gives soft, bouncy curls
Say hello to shiny, bouncy curls with Maui Moisture Curl Quench and Coconut Oil conditioner!
Maui Moisture Curl Quench and Coconut Oil conditioner is a unique blend of nourishing ingredients. It also contains 100% aloe vera, which helps to keep your curls hydrated, defined, and frizz-free.
This sulfate-free, vegan formula is free from silicones, parabens, and mineral oil, and it contains no synthetic dyes, making it the perfect choice for those who want to keep their curls healthy and defined.
It’s also lightweight and does not leave any residue, so it won’t weigh your hair down, allowing you to enjoy bouncy curls after washing. Plus, it smells fantastic!
For hydrated, soft, shiny, and manageable hair, go for the tgin Butter Cream!
Key benefits: Reduces frizz and flyaways; promotes healthy hair growth; improves hair strength and luster
Features:
- Improves hair manageability
- Enhances shine
- No parabens, heavy oils, sulfates, or artificial colors
The perfect solution for dry, thirsty curls and coils!
The tgin Butter Cream’s shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E-enriched formula provides maximum hydration, promotes healthy hair growth, and improves shine and softness.
If you want smooth, controlled hair, this is an absolute must-have. Plus, it’s a great option for ethical shoppers since it contains no parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, lanolin, artificial colors, or animal testing.
Use daily or every other day as needed. Apply a small amount to hands, rub together, and work through hair. It can also be used as a setting cream to create soft, smooth, and shiny two-strand twists and twist-outs.
Say goodbye to unruly, frizzy curls and hello to perfectly defined, natural curls with Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream!
Key benefits: Helps repel humidity; smooths hair and frizz; defines curly and coily hair
Features:
- Provides a soft and natural hold
- Gives all-day moisture
- No parabens, phthalates, and sulfates
One of the best curly girl method styling products that is made to tame even the most stubborn curls!
Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream is infused with moisturizing ingredients like silk proteins and shea butter to help you get more out of your natural hair. It helps tame waves, coils, and curls while allowing them to naturally flow.
It reduces frizz, defines curls, and leaves your hair soft. Plus, it doesn’t leave flakes and it smells amazing!
To use, apply to wet or damp hair from root to end, scrunching hair as you go. Use your fingers to enhance the natural movement in your hair. Allow to dry naturally or lightly diffuse.
Tired of dealing with dry, frizzy hair that just won't cooperate? Then try SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse!
Key benefits: Controls frizz; nourishes and hydrates dry hair; helps strengthen and detangle hair
Features:
- Lightweight and doesn't leave a cast
- Moisture-rich formula
- Formulated with natural ingredients
One of the most popular curly girl approved styling products that provides beautifully styled, frizz-free hair that stays in place!
Its all-natural formula is formulated with key ingredients like coconut oil, neem oil, silk protein, and certified organic shea butter. These ingredients work together to nourish, hydrate, detangle, and strengthen hair without the crunch!
You’ll love how it enhances natural curl memory and wave pattern, giving you effortless styling options for natural, flowy waves and curls with lots of definition. Plus, it’s lightweight and leaves no residue.
With just a few pumps of this hair mousse, you can achieve shiny curls with high-impact volume and a soft finish. The best part? It has no sticky, crunchy, or flaky residue!
Are you tired of dealing with listless, lifeless curls that just won't bounce back? Look no further than this Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray!
Key benefits: Reduces frizz; softens and defines curls; rehydrates hair
Features:
- Lightweight and leaves no residue
- Long-lasting definition
- Vegan and cruelty-free
A detangler and refresher that revives curls for optimal formation.
This curl-refreshing spray features natural botanicals that nourish hair from within for the best curl formation for any hair type. It’s sulfate-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
Plus, you can use it on wet or dry hair to refresh and revive late day, second-day, or slept-in styles.
It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to revitalize their curls and add definition without weighing them down!
To use, simply spray over damp, freshly washed hair for additional moisture, especially before combing so curls have extra protection.
Spray all over your hair and cup curls with the palms of your hands to instantly revive them. Then watch your curls perk up and reform without frizz.
For an easy and effective way to increase hair thickness and keep your scalp clean and healthy, get the Flathead Products Hair Scalp Massager and Shampoo Brush!
Key benefits: Cleans the scalp; helps increase thickness; helps get rid of dandruff
Features:
- Made of high-quality food-grade silicone
- Easy swap design
- Good for wet or dry use
Get rid of dead skin, dandruff, and contaminants quickly and easily with this combination scalp massager.
Those with curls know the importance of using a scalp brush to remove product buildup and conditioner on the scalp when co-washing. This is an essential tool if you want to maintain a healthy scalp and thicker hair.
The combined scalp massager is an innovative design that efficiently gets rid of dead skin and dandruff.
Plus, it is made of high-quality materials, such as BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free food-grade silicone, so it is safe and effective to use. The unique design also makes it convenient to use the scrubber head by swapping them easily.
You may use the scalp massager and shampoo brush by applying shampoo to your head and massaging it. It’s versatile enough to be used with or without shampoo, in the shower, or even on dry hair.
This super absorbent towel is designed to cut down drying time, relieving hair stress one follicle at a time.
Key benefits: Easily absorbs water, ideal size for any hair length and hair type; hypoallergenic
Features:
- Includes a hook for hanging after use
- Super absorbent material
- Comes in different colors
Easy air-drying for any type of curl!
Curly hair needs special treatment when it comes to drying hair. Terry cloth isn’t CG-approved, so your best bet is to use an old cotton T-shirt or buy yourself this microfiber towel.
Measuring 22 inches by 39 inches, this towel is ideal for those with long and short locks alike. It also features a super absorbent microfiber material that cuts down drying time.
Plus, it’s hypoallergenic! To use, wrap on damp hair to encourage curl definition while drying. And to clean it, just machine wash in cold water and hang it to dry!
Make detangling wet or dry curly, kinky, coily, or wavy hair faster and easier than ever before.
Key benefits: Detangles wet or dry curly hair; brushes hair with less pain and breakage; ergonomic handle
Features:
- Comfortable to use
- Moving comb arms
- Unique design
Detangle your curls fast with this unique brush!
Wash days are the only times you can brush and detangle your hair, so why not get a special tool to do it? The BESTOOL Detangling Brush features a unique design.
It has eight flexible free comb arms with a control bar for 70% less detangling time and 80% less damage. It’s also comfortable to use and is flexible to make detangling less painful.
To use, go in vertically to release the tangles and then smooth and define the hair horizontally.
FAQ About Curly Hair Method Products
How often do you wash your hair with the Curly Girl Method?
It depends on your hair type and personal preference. Some people prefer to wash their hair every day, while others may only wash their hair once a week or less. Some also wash it if it feels heavy or dirty!
Listen to your hair and adjust your washing routine accordingly. You can start by washing your hair every two to three days and adjust from there.
Does CGM make your hair curly?
Curly girl products are formulated to enhance and define your natural curls, waves, and coils. So if you have naturally curly hair, the best CGM products can help bring out your curl pattern.
But if you have naturally straight hair, CGM products won’t make your hair curly. It only works best on hair that already is naturally textured or curly.
Time To Give Your Hair Some TLC With the Best Curly Girl Products
While it may be overwhelming to follow a new method to keep your curls healthy, using the right products and techniques can help you achieve beautiful, healthy curls that you’ll love showing off.
So why not give the Curly Girl Method a try? Go and choose one from our curly girl products list and embrace your journey towards sleek and defined curls.
Want more good reads about curly hair?
Check out these articles:
- The Ultimate Curl Pattern Guide: Figure Out Your Curl Type
- Rice Water For Curly Hair: How xTo Guide + Recipes
- 5 Best Curly Girl Hair Gels In 2023 + Tips To Apply Them