A couple of days ago, I reached 1 M I L L I O N hits on this website! Wow! I almost can’t put it into words, but I’m going to try for this post celebrating 1 million hits. And I’ve got a very, very special giveaway prize for you and a friend, to say thank you. Along some of my favourite photos from throughout my curly girl journey, and creating content for this blog.

This is so crazy, so insane. I feel so blessed! I get so many messages, DM’s and emails from you on a daily basis, asking me for my tips and advice, thanking me for my help along your curly journey. Telling me you almost gave up before you read one of my articles, or I’ve saved your hair, or helped you feel confident to go out the house and embrace your natural hair. I often reply back saying thank you, I’m so glad my content has helped you. When I say that I’m honoured to be a part of your curly girl (or boy) journey, I truly and sincerely mean it, with a grateful, and thankful heart.
How it all started
When I started my curly girl journey in May 2017, I joined lots of amazing Facebook Groups. As I started replying to questions in the comments, I was repeatedly told I had a way of explaining things that was really easy to understand. So that these techniques and processes in this method, seemed less daunting, less overwhelming, and actually achievable. People felt inspired. And in turn, that inspired me. That I could evoke that kind of self-confidence, achievement and inspiration in others. A few people suggested I should start a blog to write all my helpful knowledge, tips, tricks and techniques down.

Curly Cailín was born
I already had a blog, Blossom Bride. An award-winning wedding and beauty blog. So I started posting about my curly girl journey there. Much to my surprise, those posts exploded! It got to a point where my CG method hair content was doing five times better than all my other content. It seemed silly to direct all these people to a wedding blog, asking them to like and subscribe when all they wanted was curly hair content. So in February 2018, Curly Cailín was born.
Cailín means “girl” in Irish, pronounced like “Coleen“. I’m an Irish Italian girl, living in Ireland. I saw a huge gap in the market for someone like me, a blogger dedicated to following the curly girl method, outside of America. 1 M I L L I O N hits later, it has been such an incredible, amazing journey! I’ve made some wonderful friends, and I’m proud to be part of such a supportive (mostly, lets be honest and keep it real) community of incredible, inspiring women.

Since then…
I’ve tried to educate and share my knowledge and what I’ve learned, both from following the curly girl method, and five years in the blogging industry! Since starting Curly Cailín, I now make and sell my own thermal heat caps, back in stock soon! In 2019, I introduced CG Beauty: Clean. Green. Beauty. This incredible journey in just over a year, has combined all my loves, skills and passions. From curly hair, motherhood, mental health, textiles, design, making, sewing, writing, photography, modelling. But most of all, what I love most and gives me the greatest satisfaction, is teaching, helping and inspiring others.

A very special giveaway
In recent weeks, as I saw my stats climbing. Reaching closer to 1 million hits. I knew I wanted to do something special to say thank you. Something more than just a regular giveaway. When I reached out to a few curl-friends, and my followers on Instagram. What people wanted most, was my time, my advice.
So here’s what I’m going to do for this very special thank you, and giveaway. You and a friend will each get a 30-45 minute one to one curl chat and consultation with me, via Skype or Facetime etc. We can discuss your curls, products, techniques, routine, porosity, and trouble shoot any problems you’re experiencing. I’ll then give you my tips and advice, personal and specific to your hair. But wait, there’s more! I will then send you any products I recommend, from some of my favourite curly girl brands, if you don’t already have them!

How to enter
Whether you’ve followed me since the beginning, or you’ve just discovered me. Whether you’re new to the curly girl method, or you’ve been following it for a while. This giveaway is open to everyone, from all over the world! Here’s what you need to do to be in with a chance to win, what I hope is an amazing prize to say thank you.
- Subscribe to this blog
- Follow me on Instagram
- Comment on my “Celebrating 1 Million Hits” post on Instagram with what you’re struggling most with, or would like my help or advice on. (Update: I now offer this curl consultation service in my Curl Clinics, which you can find more info about here.)
- Tag a friend who you’d like to be the second winner in this giveaway. Each of you will get your own Skype/Facetime session, and my recommended products sent to each of you.

Most Popular Posts
In the fourteen months since I started Curly Cailín, here are some of the most popular blog posts, which have each had over 100,000 views! Let me know in the comments below which posts are your favourite, or have helped you the most. Let me know what other topics, techniques, products or brands you’d like me to write about next.
With over 120k hits, the most popular article on Curly Cailín is “How I get Root Volume in my Curly Hair.” In second place is my modified rice water rinse routine and results. This was a game changer in my journey and helped rescue my hair from Hygral Fatigue. In third place, My Favourite Products. This started off as a Black Friday post of deals and discounts of my favourite products. I’ve done a 2018 version of this post, to show the changes in the products I’ve come to grow and love. But this original post continues to get so many views, I’m just going to continually update it instead.

What it takes
On average, I spend about six -eight hours putting content together for each post. Photographing products, photographing my hair, writing content, editing it – I don’t tend to edit the photos, checking and double checking everything, sharing on social media, answering comments, DM’s, messages and emails. That doesn’t even include the time I take using and experimenting with each product. I always use a product for approximately a month, before I publish my thoughts on them; tips and tricks of how to use them best, and get the most out of them. You simply cannot give a full review and opinion of product after one or two uses. It’s what I call “responsible influencing.”

Other posts you should read
Here’s some posts which may not be the most read, but are really helpful, and definitely worth checking out. My post on Hair Porosity, the ways you can test it, the characteristics of each type, and the kind of products and techniques that best suit each porosity type.
How to Beat Halo Frizz, is a great post for any kind of frizz. With tips, tricks and techniques that often have nothing to do with the products you’re using. But when, where and how you’re using them, and your wash routine. This post all about clarifying, which is something I’ve found to be hugely beneficial for my hair. If you’ve got a problem and you’re trying to figure out what’s going on with your hair. Start off by clarifiying, as that will often be the solution. This post explains the different types, and what clarifying products to use, when and how often.

Glycerin 101 was another game changing post for me, figuring out this tricky ingredient has led to much more predictable, successful wash days; in any climate, environment and weather. And finally, Protein Moisture Balance. A huge struggle with lots of people following the Curly Girl Method. Whether you’ve been doing it for a few weeks, or a few years. How to find out if you’ve got too much moisture, or too much protein, and how to re-balance your hair from overload of each.
Thank you so so much for reading my content; commenting, liking, subscribing, following, interacting and engaging with me! I am truly thankful, grateful, and mindblown at each and every view, like, comment, message, follow and subscribe in my little corner of the internet. If you didn’t know, I’ve also got a YouTube channel with a couple of videos on there. I’m making it my goal this year to do more videos for that, and I know lots of you have asked for it. I’m also spending more time on Pinterest, so make sure you’re following me there. The very best of luck with this giveaway, the winners will be announced on Instagram in two weeks time, Easter Sunday 21st April 2019. Thank you, and lots of love, Gabriella xoxo
Feeling overwhelmed?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tips, advice and product recommendations. Click here for more information on my Curl Clinics™. A completely bespoke curl consultation service tailored to suit you and your hair. Designed to help get your waves and curls back and achieve your healthy hair goals. Or book in here!
Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss a post or announcement. You can follow me on Instagram @curlmaven for more bitesize content, tips and advice in my stories, highlights, reels and videos. Or Check out my YouTube channel for more washdays and tutorials. Follow me on Pinterest or check out my Facebook page. Book a ticket for my next Monthly Curl Clinic, or watch any of my previous Monthly Curl Clinics, available on my Shop.
Gratitude & Support
If you found this post or any of my content helpful, and would like to show your Gratitude & Support, you. can click here to make a donation. I’m so incredibly thankful and grateful to everyone who supports me, my content and my platform. Your support enables me to continue providing FREE, organic content, and keep my blog FREE from Google Ads. And build Curl Maven as a brand and all I’ve got planned. Thank you so much! Gabriella x
*This post may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. Which means I get paid commission on any products you purchase through my links or codes. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content and opinion is not influenced by advertisers, sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.
Yay!! Congrats! Your blog by far has been the most helpful to me on my curly girl journey! I have read every article and all are well articulated and educational. The most helpful is definitely your “modified rice water rinse”. I always get wonderful results from it. Also loved “Glycerin 101”. I have taken something helpful away from every article you’ve done! Awesome giveaway!!! So many times on this journey I’ve wished I had someone like you to be able to pick your brain with my problems, so fingers crossed!
Aww thank you so much Jan!!!!
Wow.. congratulations!! Your blog was one of the first ones I stumbled upon when I started my CG journey and it has been very helpful for me. Thanks for sharing such great content… you are really inspiring. Much love
Aww thank you so much! xoxo
Congratulations!!!!!
I can’t THANK YOU enough for all the amazing information! I started my curly hair journey December 15, and have struggling terribly until I recently discovered you on Instagram! Today actually is my FIRST day I like my hair! I have read so many of your articles and post…. the one on protein/moisture balance was an absolute game changer for me!!!!
Again thank you!! love all your posts and the time effort to educate us newbies! XOXO
Nanci
Awww thank you so much Nanci!!! That’s so wonderful to hear, and it’s so amazing to be able to help people on their curly journey! And yes, I feel like that protein moisture balance post was a game changer for me too, so glad to hear it helped you! Yay for days we love our hair! xoxo
Your hair and your content are such goals!!! Ive been trying your fingercoiling method and I think it’s working!Congrats on hitting a million. May you grow even more. Love from India. ❤️