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40 Comments

  1. Your post was so helpful and I think a few things you mentioned might help me, but I’m struggling so much with this! I’ve been doing a modified CGM since 2018. My hair starting out was so damaged and would not grow past my shoulders. Since then, I now have 100% virgin hair to my waist that I used to love! Lately, the routine is not working for me. I used to love MopTop products, and Curls Blueberry Bliss leave-in, and Moptop custard. Protein is what I craved, now it seems it only works sometimes…My hair was lightened and very fine and curled better then when it was colored than now when it’s “healthy.”

    I don’t know what has changed in my routine except I have had hard water that we soften with salt, for 2 years, and I’m also on birth control, where the first few years of doing the CGM I was not on any hormones. My hair went from fine, smooth, wavy/curly to now coarse, dry, feeling hard after some stylers are applied, and I can’t seem to retain water to save my life. So frizzy and dry! I am to the point that I don’t want to style as curly anymore because I shed so much hair in the shower and even if I damp style, that it’s so depressing to use a brush anymore. I struggle with the halo frizz, while the under layers are soft and defined. All of my hair still feels very coarse though; a substantial feeling when I run my fingers over a single strand of hair. I’m wondering if now instead of low-po I actually have a mixture of low and high porosity judging by how rough my strands feel? I have a whole collection of products but my routine lately has been:
    Malibu undo goo on clarify days, cantu shampoo normally, moptop daily conditioner, As I am leave in or Curls Blueberry Bliss, or Curlsmith oil in cream, followed by a gel. Either Moptop custard, or Curls Goddess curls gel. I get to the leave in part and scrunch upside down and it seems like all the water just gushes out! I’m left with hard hair that I have to rewet and add more regular conditioner to and some days I go without leave in or gel because of that. I feel at a loss. Should I send in for a hair analysis? That seems like my last resort..

    Sorry for the long comment. I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

    -Kajun
    2a-2b coarse, dense, low-po/high-po

    1. Curl Maven says:

      Hey there! It sounds like you might be having “flash drying” with your leave in conditioner. This might be caused by a number a things like a product having too much protein for your hair or your hair not liking a certain ingredient in the product. (aloe can cause this with many curlies) You might have to experiment a little, but try taking out the protein and or aloe in your leave in conditioner.
      Good luck!

  2. Elizabeth Smith says:

    Why are all the hair products you recommend so expensive

    1. Gabriella says:

      Hey! While I do recommend a lot of products which are a little more expensive, they are great quality and highly concentrated, which means they last much, much longer than cheaper products. I go through one bottle of (good quality, highly concentrated) conditioner a YEAR! Cheaper products often only contain moisturizing ingredients, with little-no protein – which our hair needs. BUT…I do recommend more budget friendly products throughout most of the blog posts on this site. Such as Pantene Defined Curls Mousse, Giovanni, MopTop, As I Am and Matrix Biolage.

  3. LindaBaby says:

    I am trying all these tips next wash day! My only concern is the recommendation to use a scalp massager/scrubber. I’ve used one for about six months (once a week and always with shampoo or conditioner on my head) and noticed an increase in halo frizz and, upon closer inspection, breakage. I don’t plan on using a scalp massager/scrubber again! I’m hoping the frizz calms down and the breakage regrows soon!

  4. Hi Gabrielle, could you tell me how to revive my curls in the morning. My hair is frizzy and messy in the mornings and if I put products on my hair to reduce frizz it just looks dirty!

    1. I recommend concentrating and putting your time and effort into your wash day, and then protecting your hair properly at night. That way you’ll be able to preserve the curls, reduce frizz and not have to refresh in between wash days. I don’t refresh my hair.

  5. Hey Gabriella , been reading your posts and they are very useful and I can relate. I’m a natural curly thick ringlets / coils but fine.I never had a problem or had to use products at all on my hair but since having children ( I have 3 babies under 3) think that took a toll on my hair. I’ve just not had the time for my self. My hair limp , frizzy etc between washes over doing it on the co wash but not conditioning after when’s the best time to wash hair 1st thing in the morning or evening? Many thanks.

    1. I’m a bit to start the treatments just waiting in the delivery of all the new products, I’m going to start off with the bumble followed by deep conditioner (matrix) I want to.include protein as well. What else can I try? am waiting on the blueberry mask.

      1. Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque and/or Curl Junkie Repair Me! are great options. But if you already have the Curls Blueberry Bliss Mask, I’d stick with that for now and see how you go. You don’t need all the products, just a few. That’s all that’s really needed.

    2. Hi Jade, don’t over do it on the co-washing, it sounds like you’ve over moisturised your hair which is why it’s limp, lifeless and frizzy. I suggest clarifying your hair with a sulfate shampoo such as Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, and switching to a low lathering cleanser, and don’t skip conditioner either. Make sure you’re using a good quality, lightweight one that has a good amount of protein. If you’d like any more advice or recommendations, I offer 1:1 Curl Clinics via 30 min video call, to go through your hair’s needs, what issues and struggles you’re experiencing and build a routine and products to suit your hair and budget.

  6. Shawn Traxler says:

    My hair is more wavy than curly, but whenever I have it pulled back I get the little halo of hair standing up. Looks so horrible in pictures. So I’m looking for a way to take them without too much product. I’ll have to try the upside down method. I never blow dry unless necessary and rarely straighten or even wear it down because I don’t like it in my face and its always in the way.

    1. Hydration, turn the temperature down on your shower, and the pressure, and your head. It will take a few weeks of doing that consistently every time you wash your hair to start seeing an improvement.

  7. Mindee Osno says:

    frizzy hair is not always curly. My hair is a little wavy but over the years became more frizzy and less wavy…and also thinner. A bad combo!!!!!! what do you recommend for that??

  8. I have been following the curly girl method for years now and my hair looks so much better now than it did before. Except for that halo frizz. I actually don’t have frizz on the rest of my hair. Now I understand why. I have been making all the mistakes you mention in this post. Very eye-opening. Thank you!

    1. Gabriella says:

      Ah that’s so great to hear Clara! It will take a few weeks of consistently incorporating these techniques, but you should see your halo frizz reduce more and more over time! x

  9. Thank you for this post! I am starting my CG journey and so grateful for your tips! So excited for my next wash to try my new routine!

  10. Helen Ward says:

    Thank you so much for this, I will definitely be turning down the shower heat and not blasting it out. I’m 3 months in to my CGM journey and I love your blogs!!!

  11. Hi!
    First of all, where have you been on my life?! have been trying and kinda failing at the cgm for over a year now. Probably just now getting the products that are right for me. I do have a question that I cant seem to find.. I workout alot. Almost everyday and really hard, which means a sweat alot to the point that my hair gets drenched. So I rinse my hair every day with just water. And wash w shampoo/conditioner 2x/w. But that means I have to reapply product and start from the beginning everytime. And my hair is SUPER frizzy. I also live near the beach, which is a dream, but that means lots of salt and lots of humidity daily..Do you happen to have any advice?

    1. Gabriella says:

      Hi Sammie, okay a few things here. For working out every day, if you don’t want to do a full wash and style routine every time, I suggest using a CG Friendly dry shampoo like this one from Innersense: http://shrsl.com/1jszz If that’s not something you want to do, then I suggest simplifying your styling routine and using just one or two styling products, for example a mousse and a gel. Finally, you said your hair is super frizzy and that you live near the beach – do you swim often? Whether it’s in the sea or the pool, if you do, you’ll need to regularly clarify your hair using a chelating shampoo – you can read more about that in this post:https://curlmaven.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/ because the mineral deposits build up on your hair causing frizz, dryness and limp, lifeless curls. By the sounds of it (the salt, sea breeze and water, the daily washing and styling and sweat – which contains salt and therefore drying, and the frizz) you need to do regular deep conditioning – probably once a week, and getting a heat cap (I sell them on my Etsy shop here: http://tidd.ly/f72ddd09 currently sold out but due back in stock the end of Nov 2019) would be really beneficial. Hope that helps x

  12. Thank you so much for this! I’ve been struggling with getting my natural curls back for several months, and a big issue for me is that my hair gets really greasy around the roots and around my forehead, as soon as the next morning if I’ve taken a shower the night before. I get the halo frizz too though. What should I be doing, or using, to help with that? I only use conditioner from my ears down because of the greasiness, but I’m so frustrated with how my hair looks. I’m currently using Redken All Soft shampoo, and Redken curvaceous leave in conditioner or Redken All Soft conditioner, I will usually alternate them. Thank you so much in advance!!

  13. Lilia Tarawa says:

    Kia ora Gabriella, I am just starting the CGM. I LOVE your blog. xoxo It’s been my go-to over and over while I’m getting started. I am Australian/New Zealand Māori. I just wanted to ask; Why do you recommend Aussie Instant Freeze Gel when it has Benzyl Alcohol which is a drying alcohol? I’ve seen this product recommended a lot in CGM communities. Could you enlighten me? Thank you for this blog. Look your work. Keep writing. Arohanui x

    1. Gabriella says:

      Hi Lilia, thanks so much! I’m so glad you’ve found my content helpful on your curly journey. As far as I’m aware, Benzyl alcohol is a non-volatile alcohol used as a preservative in products. It should not impact the texture or feel of your hair. – NaturallyCurly.com I’ve never found it to be drying. You want to watch out for drying alcohols such as alcohol denat., ethanol, isopropyl, propyl and propanol. Hope that helps!

  14. Absolutely love your blog!! Read almost all the posts, you write so well and clear!!
    I am just stating my cg journey and I have a couple of questions.
    How many days you go btw washes, and what you do on non wash day.
    Also I wanna get your cap for deep conditioning but I don’t have a microwave, would it work without it?
    Thank you so much for all the time and energy you put into third blog

    1. Gabriella says:

      HI Galina, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you’re finding my content helpful. I usually wash my hair twice a weeks, every 4 days or there abouts. I take my time during wash days so that I don’t have to do much on the days between. I will occasionally refresh with a little gel and water on those days, but I don’t do that very often. As for my heat caps, you do need a microwave to heat them up I’m afraid. Hope that helps and answers your questions x

  15. How long does it take you to diffuse your hair? Do you dry with a microfiber towel first? I recently discovered I have low porosity hair after trying a bunch of new products, and my hair felt really straw-like and greasy, and it introduced a lot of frizz, but I have always had problems with volume. It takes me hours to air dry OR diffuse so everything always lays flat on top.

    1. Gabriella says:

      It takes me 30-45 mins to diffuse my hair. I prefer to use a cotton towel. I suggest you read a few of my posts, because there’s already answers in my posts to lots of your questions. For eg: How to beat halo frizz, how to get root volume and protein moisture balance – that’s because you said your hair feels straw like, greasy and is very frizzy, so definitely check out that post.

  16. I tried your link to make your own thermal cap for deep conditioning but it doesnt work. Ones on amazon are not getting great reviews and was hoping your diy method would help me. I am new to the CG world with 3a hair. Can you please provide a correct link of where I can find your heat cap? Thanks so much!!!

    1. Gabriella says:

      Hiya, sorry that link is no longer available as I now make and sell my own thermal heat caps. If you’d like to know more, I can email you the details and photos if you like. x

      1. Sarah Harris says:

        Hello! I’m new to the CG method and have found your website to be SOO helpful! I am interested in your thermal heat cap as well. Can you send me more information?

        1. Gabriella says:

          Hi Sarah, Heat cap information can be found on my Etsy shop, if you click the Shop tab on my site. They are currently sold out and won’t be back in stock until the end of November 2019 x

  17. Angela Nicolaou says:

    Hi, I struggled for years with my curly frizzy hair. I’m Mediterranean, and my hair does not want to be straight no matter what I try on it. I only wash my hair once a week, but I hate the mid week as by then the curls get matted and look like dreadlocks. I absolutely hated my beach hair/holiday hair. Last summer I had a brain wave. I took an extra bottle of conditioner just for my beach bag. Before going into the sun, I’d cover my hair in conditioner – no brush just fingers. Sitting on the beach, top up the conditioner. After a swim, more conditioner. It worked wonders! No frizz on the beach! Back to the here and now, I never blow dry my hair. I always wash it before bedtime, use my usual mix of products which includes some conditioner, and sleep with it wet. I wake up with gorgeous curls, but like I said they only last for about 3 days before they become matted. I think I have to wash my hair twice a week just to keep it looking right. I just wanted to share that, and also, I too suffer from anxiety, and lately coming to terms with the fact that I’m depressed. I need to stop denying the truth and deal with it, rather than suppressing it. Thank you so much for your blog, I love it.

    1. Gabriella says:

      Hi Angela, thanks for sharing. Conditioner really is a curly girl’s best friend! I wash my hair twice a week, and have done all my life. Don’t feel pressured to only wash it once a week. You could try refreshing your day 3 curls to get an extra couple of days out of your wash day if that’s something you want to do….Thank you for sharing about your anxiety and depression, it can be a struggle, and just like the curly girl method, there’s no quick fix, but a journey. But yes, accepting it is the first step to tackling it and managing, dealing and healing from it too. Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so glad you’ve found my content helpful. xoxo

  18. Bernaningsih says:

    Thank you this artilce was very usefull as I have frizzy curly hair

    1. A very informative article with great tips. I follow most of these already, but have an issue with the doing everything upside down. My hair clings to itself and tangles, and if I rinse my hair out and add product when upside down, it sits weird when it’s time to flip it back. Am I not moisturizing enough? My hair isn’t particularly dry, but it is high porosity.

      1. Gabriella says:

        Hi Alyssa, that can be a problem at first when you try styling up side down. I will say, that this method of applying products and styling doesn’t work as well for shorter hair styles. The longer your hair, the easier it is to style your hair this way. If your hair keeps tangling, use a padded Denman Paddle Brush, makes sure you’ve applied enough conditioner, worked it through your hair and try not rinsing it completely out your hair. If those things don’t work, try parting your hair down the middle of the back of your head so your hair hangs either side of your ears/cheeks, and the front section over your forehead. Then apply products and style. No method works for everyone, it’s about finding out what works for you and little tweaks you need to make. Hope that helps xox

  19. This sounds crazy, but I teared up a little at the end reading about the little curlies underneath my hair showing me my true potential, I have tight ringlety curls underneath and wavy frizzy on top. I’m working on keeping patient through this curly process, but some days it’s so hard. I needed to read this today! Thank you for the curlspriation!

    1. Gabriella says:

      You are so welcome! I teared up a little when I read your comment! This is why I wanted to start a curly girl blog, so I could track my own journey, but share my knowledge and help other curlies too. So thank you so much, I’m glad this post helped you. Gabriella xoxo

  20. thank you for the info definitely going to try al these above-mentioned