I first came up with the analogy of The Golden Triangle of Healthy Hair in 2020. The golden triangle analogy cuts through all the complicated do’s and don’ts of healthy hair care. Instead making healthy hair simple and easy to both achieve and maintain, by incorporating the principles of the golden triangle into your products and routine. So whether you’re at the start of your curly, healthy hair journey. Or you’ve been on the healthy hair struggle bus for a while, this post is for you!
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What is the Golden Triangle of Healthy Hair?
As I’ve spoken about a lot on this blog and my social media platforms, having a healthy protein moisture balance is key to achieving healthy hair. And the hydration, shine, bounce, hold, definition, and frizz-free curls that comes with it. This protein moisture balance forms the base of The Golden Triangle for Healthy Hair. Built on a foundation of regular deep conditioning, and good quality cleansing and conditioning products. Using well thought-out, balanced formulations, using good quality ingredients. With clarifying at the top of the triangle, essential for healthy hair.
Not a lot of brands achieve this within their line of products, so you may have to mix and match to suit your hair’s specific needs, and that’s okay. Some of the brands that have nailed the protein moisture balance throughout their line is Innersense Organic Beauty – see my full review here. Use code CURLMAVEN to get 10% off Innersense at The Clean Beauty Edit in Ireland/EU and 10% off Innersense at Kiyo Beauty in the UK. Bounce Curl – see my full review here.
2 Questions I Always Ask
When people reach out to me with issues they’re experiencing with their hair, the first two questions I always ask are: 1. When was the last time you clarified? and 2: When was the last time you deep conditioned? Then I’ll ask what products they use and how regularly they clarify and deep condition. The reason, and answer, to their problems is almost always in the answers to those first two questions. They’re either not clarifying enough, properly, or ever! Or they have a protein moisture imbalance, and are using the wrong products for their hair’s needs, usually over-doing it on the moisture. I’ll try to explain why I think this is happening, so that you can avoid it.
Sponsored posts enable me to continue providing FREE content, create organic content and keep my blog FREE from Google Ads. However, this hasn’t influenced the way I’ve written about the brand or the products featured in this post.
Moisture Overload: Rookie Error
When most of us begin our curly journey back to healthy hair, and hopefully rediscover our natural curl pattern in the process. We pick up Lorraine Massey’s The Curly Girl Handbook, where there’s a strong emphasis on moisture, moisture, moisture! After all, “frizz is just a curl waiting to happen”, right?! We’re taught that curly hair is drier than other hair types, and it needs a lot of hydration and moisture! In addition to that, we’re also told to banish sulfates and shampoos, completely! And instead use a co-wash, a cleansing conditioner or just a regular conditioner to wash our hair.
Now, that is a whole other topic that I’m going to delve into another time. Because I’ve got some strong feelings and view points about co-washing. So much so, I’m going to dedicate a full blog post to it. So make sure you’re subscribed, because that’s one post not to be missed!
Co-Washing
Armed with this new information, we do a final wash before ditching our shampoos and sulfates for good, and switching to a co-wash instead. My favourite is the As I Am Coconut Cleansing Conditioner. It’s already super affordable, but you can get 20% off when you purchase it at Look Fantastic using code CURLMAVEN. We co-wash and deep condition, focusing on getting as much moisture into our hair as possible! Which at the beginning, works well. Our hair slowly becomes more and more hydrated. Frizz-free defined waves and curls begin to emerge where there was once only a dry, tangled, frizzy mess!
But before long, all too often, we start to experience itchy scalps, greasy roots, build up of oils, butters and heavy emollient, moisturising ingredients. Not to mention limp, lifeless curls that no longer seem to hold up past a few hours on wash day! And this is because the focus has only been on one aspect of that golden triangle: the moisture part. We’ve completely neglected the other two sides of The Golden Triangle for Healthy Hair: Clarifying and Protein.
But it worked well at first?!
The reason why all the co-washing and deep conditioning worked so well at first, was because the moisture levels in our hair were very low. Once those moisture levels have come up to where they need to be, we need to switch our tactics, to pivot. Our goal is still the same, we’re just approaching it from a different direction, using different products. Now that we’ve got the moisture levels up, we need to focus on maintaining a balance of both moisture and protein. Which you can read about in more detail in this post.
Step 1: Ditch the Co-Wash
Once your hair has reached optimum moisture levels, you’ll notice your hair looks and feels more hydrated, it’s no longer dry and frizzy, and you can see some waves, curls, ringlets and/or clumps! Yay! It may still get knotty and tangled. But it’s nothing a wash day, some good conditioner, a Denman Paddle Brush and a little patience can’t fix. The Denman Paddle Brush is the only and best brush I recommend, use code CURLMAVEN for 20% off. I’ve tried so many others, but this one really is the best, most gentle and best de-tangling brush for curly hair. Not to mention it’s great for creating clumps!
Once your hair is hydrated, generally frizz-free and able to hold a curl longer than a day or two. I suggest switching from a co-wash, to a “low poo” cleanser – which is essentially a low-lathering, sulfate-free shampoo. This is where we pivot. We switch our cleanser from one that focuses on moisture (co-wash) to one that focuses on cleansing (low poo). Make sense? You can still use a CG-friendly, low lathering cleanser, that doesn’t contain sulfates. In fact, I highly recommend it! I haven’t co-washed since January 2019 and my hair is thriving, growing and healthy! Here are some of my favourites that I regularly use and recommend:
- Act + Acre Hair Cleanse
- Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath or Colour Awakening Hairbath
- Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo – use code CURLMAVEN for 10% off
- Bounce Curl Moisturizing Shampoo – use code CURLMAVEN for 10% off
- MopTop Bamboo Gentle Shampoo – CURLMAVEN for 10% off
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
- Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo
*if you’re outside America, you can get 10% off Innersense and Bounce Curl at The Clean Beauty Edit in Ireland/EU and 10% off Innersense and Jessicurl at Kiyo Beauty in the UK.
Get 10% off Bounce Curl using code CURLMAVEN at all of the following distributors/online retailers:
- USA: Bounce Curl
- IRELAND: The Clean Beauty Edit – ships worldwide
- UK: Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
- Canada: Curl Warehouse
Step 2: Clarify, regularly!
The top of the golden triangle, and also key to achieving and maintaining healthy hair is clarifying, regularly. It’s essential to scalp health, hair growth and healthy hair. I cannot stress enough how important it is to clarify your hair, regularly! Ideally once a month. Think of it as wiping the slate clean and beginning the month with a fresh, clean, clarified slate. It’s also essential for hair growth! A healthy scalp is one of the most important factors for encouraging hair growth. Clarifying is one of the most effective ways of maintaining a healthy scalp. Not to mention all the other reasons why it’s a good healthy hair care practice in this post.
Clarifying vs Chelating
Whether you need to clarify with a clarifying or chelating shampoo depends on whether you live in a hard water area and/or swim in the pool or ocean. If you’re unsure about your water, check your kettle, taps/faucets and shower head. If they have a build up of crusty white-grey limescale, then you need to use Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, which is chelating, once a month to clean the same residues off your hair.
A chelating shampoo is perfect for a final wash before starting the curly girl method. And it’s also what you should use when you clarify your hair, once a month if you have hard water or swim in the pool or ocean. I use and recommend Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo – also available at Beauty Bay here, who ship worldwide. It’s a simple, clean and effective formula. The Sally’s Ion Hard Water Shampoo is a great budget alternative.
Personally I don’t think ACV rinses are as effective, and you can easily cause damage with the wrong ratio. If you don’t swim or have hard water, using clarifying shampoo’s such as Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo or Kinky Curly Come Clean or MopTop Detox Shampoo. The Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo is gentle enough for regular use, I use it twice a week. Use code CURLMAVEN for 10% off Bounce Curl (also at The Clean Beauty Edit and Kiyo Beauty) and MopTop. But I wouldn’t recommend using the Kinky Curly or MopTop ones that regularly, as they can be more drying on the hair.
The key ingredient for getting limescale and mineral deposits off the hair, as well as general product build up, is Disodium (or Tetrasodium) EDTA. Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo as with other chelating shampoos, do contain sulfates, so technically they’re not CG-friendly. But I’d actually argue that they are CG friendly! There is a need, a requirement and a benefit to using sulfates in a clean, uncomplicated formula in order to maintain healthy hair, and a healthy scalp, that’s free of build up. All of which are essential to curly hair, which is why I say it actually is friendly. Even though “technically” it’s not.
Troubleshooting: Clarify!
If you’re suffering from limp, lifeless curls that won’t hold a curl longer than a few hours on wash day. If you’ve got an itchy scalp, greasy roots or white flakes on your hair. If the products you used to get great results with, are no longer working. If you’re unsure of your hair porosity or protein moisture balance because your hair has got conflicting symptoms. The answer to all of these things is to clarify your hair, the top of the golden triangle, the first, the most important.
Clarifying your hair can often be the fix to most of the issues described above. Your hair is simply exhausted, overwhelmed and suffering from build up, unable to breathe. Weighed down so much, it can’t hold anything together: frizz, curl pattern, life in general! Clarifying your hair enables you to get a better idea of what’s really going on with your hair. What it’s trying to tell you now that it’s not suffocating under build up. Then you can move on to trouble shooting other causes of issues, which are almost always due to protein moisture balance. Or failing that, not using the right products, or enough product.
Protein Moisture Balance
Now you’ve got a regular clarifying routine in place, and your hair and scalp are able to breath and stay healthy. You can concentrate on the foundation of The Golden Triangle for Healthy Hair. Which is the protein moisture balance. I’ve got a dedicated blog post (and YouTube video) on that. So please take the time to check them out. This post is about putting it all together in a simple, clear and concise way – which hopefully makes sense and is helpful!
How to fix protein moisture balance issues
The best way to fix and balance protein and moisture in your hair, with long-lasting results, is with your cleanse and conditioning products. Styling products that are moisture or protein heavy are just quick-fix band aids. They won’t actually solve the problem or address the balance. Neither will one deep conditioning treatment! If you’re iron deficient, taking one iron tablet doesn’t suddenly rocket your iron levels back up to where they need to be. The same applies to protein and moisture in your hair. The best way to fix the balance is through regular (weekly) deep conditioning. It may take a few weeks of regular, weekly deep conditioning treatments to get your protein moisture levels balanced again. The best way to maintain that balance is with good cleansers and conditioners, that have a good balance of protein and moisture in the ingredients. Such as:
- Innersense Colour Radiance Conditioner – if you’re outside America, CURLMAVEN for 10% off at The Clean Beauty Edit and Kiyo Beauty.
- Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Conditioner
- AG Natural Boost Conditioner
- MopTop Bamboo Daily Conditioner
- Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner – CURLMAVEN for 20% off
- Curlsmith Multitasking Conditioner – CURLMAVEN for 20% off
Step 3: Deep Condition
If you need moisture, my favourite product that I use and recommend is the Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner/Conditioning Balm. Use code CURLMAVEN for 20% off. I get the 1000ml tub, which is such great value for money, especially with the discount code! It’s potent stuff though, so only use a little! If you’re in America, Sally’s GVP Conditioning Balm is the generic, cheaper version. If you need more protein, my favourite deep conditioners are Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque, and Curl Junkie’s Repair Me! (only available in America) or Act + Acre Restorative Hair Mask. I prefer to use them with my Modified Rice Water Treatment. I’ll also add a tablespoon (or two if I really need it!) of the Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment, Step 1 to it as well. If your hair is pretty balanced and you just want a good deep conditioner that has a good balance of both protein and moisture, then I use and recommend the Phyto Joba Moisturizing Mask – use code CURLMAVEN for 20% off. Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque – if you live outside America, using code CURLMAVEN for 10% off at The Clean Beauty Edit and Kiyo Beauty.
Putting it all together
Putting all that information together, in order to have healthy hair, growth, shine, hydration, hold, definition, bounce and frizz-free curls. You need to apply The Golden Triangle of Healthy Hair to both your products and routine. Clarify regulary, once a month. Using a clarifying or chelating shampoo, whichever one suits your needs, location and lifestyle. Regularly deep condition, however often you need to for your hair. Maximum once a week if you wash your hair twice a week, but at least once a month.
I clarify my hair with a chelating shampoo, followed by a modified rice water treatment once a month. At the start of every month, so I don’t forget. If I feel like my hair is frizzier than usual, or doesn’t have as much definition or long-lasting hold as usual. I’ll deep condition once a week, or a fortnight – whatever I feel my hair needs. Generally in the summer, I do my modified rice water treatment once a week. It’s about working out what works best, when works best, how often works best for your hair. But the principles of The Golden Triangle of Healthy Hair: Clarifying, Protein and Moisture, are the same.
I really hope this post was helpful and makes sense. So you can understand the principles and then incorporate them into your routine, and adapt them to suit your hair’s needs. As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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Thanks for this! Would you recommend rotating weekly deep conditioning treatments? One week moisture one week protein to get a better balance? Or could I combine the treatments into one? For example: combining a scoop of Matrix and a scoop of Hairfinity once a week? I recently dyed my hair blonde and I that that’s what’s off.
Hi Kelsey, you can do that. However the Hairfinity masque is already formulated to have both protein and moisture in it, so if you were to deep condition with that weekly you’d be fine.
isn’t the balanced protein and moisture that one you write above the photo one, and the hairfinity is the one you wrote as the more protein heavy one? thanks!
phyto one, not photo one…* idk why it auto corrected to that!
Yes! Thank you, I needed this so much. I am in Las Vegas with the hardest water so I ordered the Bumble and Bumble.
Hiya – What about if you have hard water but your hair is colour treated – mine is highlighted- as Bumble and Bumble say its not suitable
All hard water shampoos that get rid of limescale and mineral deposits from the hair are listed as not colour safe. However, that’s for regular use. It’s actually recommended that you use one of these chelating clarifying shampoos BEFORE you get your hair coloured, so there’s no build up on the hair of limescale, mineral deposits and product build up so that the colour will take better to the hair, be more vibrant and last longer. So it’s actually advisable to use the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo before you colour your hair and then deep condition afterwards.
Thanks for the post. I live in the Caribbean where the humidity is almost always high. I read your post on glycerine where you recommend using styling products without glycerine. Would the bounce curl and inner sense shampoo and conditioners still work well for me in this humidity?
Hi Tracy, the humidity is high in Ireland too. I still recommend the Bounce Curl cleansers, Innersense Conditioners and Stylers – their gel is glycerin free too.
Hi Gabriella, thanks for the post. I would like to ask further regarding Glycerin. Does Glycerin have an impact on the moisture of the hair? I mean, if I think I have over-moisturized hair, should I prefer products without glycerin in it or it doesn’t matter? Thank you very much! Mariafranca
Hi Mariafranca, Yes! If you have over moisturised hair, then you want to avoid products that are high in glycerin, especially if the dew points or humidity is high. As glycerin is a humectant and will continually attract moisture to from the environment into the hair. Hope that helps.
So.. I’m totally new to this and was researching and found this!!! My question is.. Do you use a conditioner when you co-wash? and also when you Low-poo? Or do you just recommend a deep condition
Hiya, I’ve got a post more on the basics which will explain all of those things here: https://curlmaven.ie/what-is-the-curly-girl-method/ and here: https://curlmaven.ie/how-to-build-a-curly-girl-hair-routine/ but I don’t recommend using a conditioner to co wash. You need something to cleanse your hair, a conditioner will not do that. Cowashing is only great at the start of the curly girl method – I believe – and then it suits and works better to switch to a low poo – a low lathering cleanser. I deep condition at least every month, but it differs for each person. I don’t recommend it more than once a week though.
Cailin- have you tried briogio products? If so, thoughts?
Hey.. I’m a year in now and Im definitely benefitting from low poo now instead of cowash. I’m getting lovely corkscrew curls in my inner layers now up to the back of my ears and looser curls from the top of my head. How long did it take for you to get wringlets all over or should I give up and accept its my curl pattern?
Hi Roisin, that’s most likely due to the way you’re washing your hair. See these posts for more info and details: https://curlmaven.ie/how-to-beat-halo-frizz/ and https://curlmaven.ie/get-root-volume-curly-hair/ but basically you want to turn your head upside down, turn the temperature down and turn the pressure down. All these things are beating down on the crown of your head during your shower, damaging the hair, causing frizz, breakage and pulling the natural curl pattern out. x
when you deep condition with something like biolage hydra source balm, do you mean this is when you leave it in with one of your heat cap? and how long? or do you mean you just use it as the conditioner for a few minutes in the shower? thanks?
I hadn’t diffused my hair in ages…. I wet it and diffused it upside down for 5 min and bingo… Curls in the top layer. Thanks!!
What do you know about the briogeo deep conditioning mask ? I ordered it online. Hasn’t arrived yet but wondering if I should return it ?
I have been using the innersense line for a week now. They recommended the color shampoo and conditioner because I highlight and color my hair. Is it balanced for moisture and protein like the other innersense you recommended ? I noticed they have glycerin in the ingredients and hoping that won’t be an issue w frizz come hotter weather in NY
Hi Audra, I’ve got a full blog post review on Innersense, please check that out. And as for the Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask, see this post: https://curlmaven.ie/why-im-no-longer-using-briogeo-dont-despair-repair/
Hi. Thank you so much for this blog. Your posts have given me so much information in my curly hair journey.
I’m trying to organize a schedule but I’m a bit confused with the co-wash.
I’m aiming on shampooing once a week. If so, how often should I co-wash? On co-wash days, should I do the same styling process that on shampoo days?
Lastly, I’ve been doing Olaplex on shampoo days (once a week). Should I deep condition that same day?
Thanks again for your guidance.
Hi Erika, I’d ask why are you aiming on shampooing once a week? Is the goal to wash your hair less often, or to embrace and enhance your natural waves and curl pattern? For most people, washing their hair once a week is not enough. You need to wash your hair twice, using either a low lathering, sulfate free shampoo, or a co wash. You always need to condition and style as usual. If you have bleached, highlighted or chemically treated hair, then yes I advise doing an Olaplex treatment, max once a week, min once a month. I offer 1:1 Curl Clinics, they’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues you’re experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Hi Gabriella,
I really like your blog, It is very well laid out, informative and useful. This is one of the best blogs amongst so many curly girl pages. Love your Instagram page too, your personality and sense of humour in it 🙂
I’m new to CGM started it during lockdown after straightening my hair for years. To be honest I completely forgot I am that curly… 😉
I’m still trying to figure things out especially in terms of my hair porosity and protein/moisture balance.
I hope you can help me figure out one thing if you don’t mind ?
I have tried rice water rince but results were quite disappointing, I felt it almost stretched my curls and made them dryer and stiff…
I also didn’t have a luck with Bounce Curl light cream gel which again I found after few times of using my curls seemed less defined and dry.
Would that mean my hair are protein sensitive? I’ve used protein products (mostly keratin based) for years.
I’m currently using Noughty Hello Wave shampoo, conditioner and a tiny bit of cream under the gel.
Thanks a lot !
Hi Justyna, I recommend booking in for a 1:1 Curl Clinic, as there’s a lot of questions that are specific to your hair, and everyone’s hair is different. They’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues you’re experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Hi there, I have curly hair (prob 2c/3a as I know realise!) and have only just heard of this website from friends. Up to now, I just shampoo/moisturise every 2/3 days with non curl-specific stuff. I always air-dry and am constantly trying to find a good product to style, so vary between mousse/cream/oil depending what catches my eye. How nice my curls are seems to vary constantly but lately are mostly undefined and a bit dry/frizzy. I swim in the ocean in the summer, our water is not that hard and I think my hair is low-medium porosity.
I was wondering where would be a good place to start – I’ve tried to read through as many posts here as possible I was thinking of starting with:
Clarifying – bumble and bumble Sunday shampoo x 1 a month
Cleanser – bounce curl moisturizing shampoo 2/3 a week
Conditioner – matrix biolage hydro source conditioner 2/3 a week
Styling – Pantene defined curls no 5 mousse, Aussie instant freeze gel
Would this make sense? I’ve never done a clarify or deep condition or any of that stuff before so trying to keep it simple enough to start with! Thanks
Hi Elaine, if you swim a lot regardless of whether it’s in the ocean or a pool, you will need to clarify with the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo more often than once a month, during the Summer/when you’re swimming. I don’t use oils on my hair, and don’t recommend it. The proposed routine you’ve given is all moisture and hardly any protein, which is what gives the hair the strength and the structure to curl. I suggest booking in for a 1:1 Curl Clinic, they’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues you’re experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Hi Gabriella,
thanks so much for all the information you provide (and your very funny Instagram stories :))!
I recently moved from an area with extremely hard water, where I had my whole routine figured out. Now, I live in an area with soft water (and medium / low humidity) and my curls won’t stay longer than a couple of hours on washdays. I barely get any clumping. Do you have any tips for switching from hard to soft water? I have cut back on chelating shampoos (which I had to use regularly before), but other than that I don’t know what to change.
I have noticed similar changes before while traveling, but I am going to be stuck with soft water for the time being and I miss my curls!
Thanks so much!
Hi Helena, from what you’re describing, your hair sounds over moisturised. Clarifying is not JUST for hard water and limescale, it’s beneficial for other reasons too. However, it sounds like your hair needs protein, so check out my blog post, YouTube video and IGTV on Protein Moisture Balance. Alternatively, I offer 1:1 Curl Clinics, they’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues you’re experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Love this! I am just starting my journey and am unsure of chelating/clarifying. The area I live in is not a high-water area, nor do I swim in the ocean or sea regularly (almost never!) so does that mean I should go with a clarifying shampoo? I was thinking the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo since it’s easiest to get a hold of here in Sweden (though it’s almost $40 here..!). However, since I have never chelated my hair, would you recommend Bumble and Bumble as a first chelating step on my journey? My budget isn’t too high and if I can get away with only a clarifying one I would, but at the same time I want to give my curls a fighting chance from the get go. Btw, my hair is highly porous, frizzy, and I have 2c/3a curls.
Hi Sharon, sure. From what you’re describing, you don’t need a chelating shampoo, a clarifying one will be fine to get rid of general product build up such as the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo. That’s actually gentle enough to use as your regular cleanser 2/3 times a week, but it’s not strong enough to remove silicones, metal or mineral deposits or hard water. It’s my favourite cleanser of all time. Hope that helps x
Hi Gabriela,
Your blog is very informative and has helped me a lot on my cg journey. I’m just a rookie – I started this just last week. If you could help me with couple of questions I have:
– I have fine, low porosity hair (or possibly medium porosity) (gets wet/dries reasonably fast, gets weighted down easily and styling doesn’t hold on very long)
– I have never dyed my hair but I wash (or used to wash) it everyday and blow dry it and then straighten the hair on top.
Now to my cg journey:
– I have SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo and conditioner, Matrix Biolage Hydrasource conditioner, Boucleme Curl Defining Gel and Pantene Pro-V Defined Curls Mousse
– I don’t blow dry nor straighten
– I wash every two days
The Sheamoisture products seem to weight my hair down. My hair stays very flat even though I wash and air dry my hair upside down.
– Do you think it is just because of these Sheamoisture products aren’t suitable for low porosity hair?
– Would you recommend me to by a low poo shampoo or just a co-wash (like As I Am)?
Also, I’ve used apple cider vinegar (1tbs in 250ml of distilled water) to clarify my hair. I’ve done it once and thought to clarify once a month.
– Do you think acv is good for my hair and for this purpose?
Hi Therese, there are a lot of questions here. I offer 1:1 Curl Clinics, they’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues you’re experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Hi Gabriela, I love your posts, they are very informative. Do you know anything about an online shop called the house of curls UK?
Hi Tipi, thanks so much. Yes, House of Curls is a new online shop of some of the popular American brands of curly hair care products, run by a Welsh curly girl called Claire. I’ve purchased from them and very much recommend.
Hi there, thank you for all this info. I tried to use your code on look fantastic. But it didn’t work. Any idea why?
Hi there, make sure you’re using code CURLYCAILINLF but if the product you’re trying to purchase is already discounted, the code may not work. And although my code is valid for hundreds of products on the site, it’s not a completely site-wide code. Hope that helps.
Hi Gabriela,
Just perusing your blog, and I can’t help but think that you should write an encyclopedia on beauty with an emphasis on curls. You have so much useful knowledge.
Thanks for taking the time to educate and share your experiences. The information you provide is certainly helping me on my new curly journey.
Hi Jennifer, I certainly want to write a book in the future, but an encyclopedia sounds like a lot of work! ha ha.
Hi, I’m only transitioning for the last six months and I’ve already gotten close to hygral fatigue at least twice. The first was using far too heavy moisturising deep conditioners and I’m coming out of the second one now after reading this, I thought co-washing was a basic requirement! I’m much better off now.
Because I seem to tip into over-moisturized hair so easily, I’ve been hesitant about using a heat cap with my deep conditioner – I’m not sure I really want it to work more than it already is. Would you recommend using one with less frequent deep conditioning, or do you think it would be a problem?
Don’t feel you have to use a thermal heat cap for deep conditioning if you don’t think you need it.
Hi this is such an informative post and really helps to get through all the minefield of information about the curly girl method (Ive been following it for 2 years now!)
I recently discovered that glycerin is causing me issues and have just read your blog about this and purchased a few glycerin free products but now Im wondering if Ive ordered the wrong products. Is protein an easily readable ingredient on products or does it come up as another name? I have ordered the asiam cowash, aussie instant freeze gel and about to get the jessiecurl deep conditioning treatment. Do these sound like a good combo to you?
Thanks so much for this amazing blog, its so helpful! Deb
Hi Deb, I have a post on protein moisture balance and how to spot protein in ingredients list, which you can read here: https://curlmaven.ie/protein-moisture-balance/ Most of the products you’ve mentioned there are protein free.
You said to deep condition to fix protein issues. Deep condition with what?
Hi!
What do you use the days you don’t use claryfying shampoo or Co-wash?:)
I haven’t co washed in 2 years. I use a low lathering cleanser, mostly the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo – which isn’t a clarifying shampoo in the normal sense of the word. It’s gentle enough for regular use and doesn’t get rid of hard water, limescale, metal or mineral deposits like a chelating shampoo.
Thank you so much for this post! I am struggling trying to figure out with the best deep conditioner for my hair would be as well as what I could use as a weekly shampoo and conditioner. I see that you have suggested innersense and bounce curl and I’m just wondering what would be the best way to go with those. Can I use the bounce curl clarifying to wash twice a week and then innersense for conditioner? I typically wash my hair twice a week. Do you use a leave in as well? I appreciate your help!
Hi Richelle, I offer 1:1 Curl Clinics, they’re a 30 min consultation via video where we go through all the products you’re using and the issues your experiencing. I then put together a routine and recommend products to suit your hair’s needs, your budget and any other requirements you have. If that’s something you’re interested in, please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you via email with all of the details. http://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Hey! My hair is pretty similar to yours- curl type, thickness, amount, even color! I have medium porosity- maybe slightly high porosity at times. I have never clarified and am buying the Kinky Curl Come Clean. I want to incorporate deep conditioning into my routine too but don’t know which deep conditioner to use. My hair is pretty healthy and shiny, curls stick around for days, never had split ends but I still get some frizz. I’m guessing I need something pretty balanced on protein? Do you think a deep conditioning masque from Shea Moisture be ok? I like them because their products are clean and affordable. But I know the products can be on the heavier/thick side. Innersense is clean too but pricier (I use them for shampoo+conditioner).
I don’t use or recommend Shea Moisture. There are far better products out there, made with much better quality ingredients and formulations. Even if budget is an issue or deciding factor.