CGM Hair: Everything You Need To Know About The Curly Girl Method

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Summary: In this blog learn all about the Curly Girl Method (or CGM Hair Method), where it comes from, who it's for and how to do it...

Hey there, curly girls (and guys!) Hands up if you’re loving your ‘good’ curl days, and despairing at your ‘bad’ curl days – what’s up with that, huh? 

If this sounds like you, or if you’re looking to improve the health, quality, and overall look of your curly locks, the CGM hair method may be exactly what you’re looking for. 

What Is The CGM Hair Method?

The CGM hair method was created by the ‘original’ curly girl, Lorraine Massey. She authored Curly Girl: The Handbook, a book helping curl-havers make the most of their natural hair.

It’s a completely new way of looking after your hair, that turns traditional knowledge of hair washing on its head (pardon the pun). Most people that subscribe to the CGM hair method actually refer to it more as a ‘lifestyle’ than a way of looking after their hair. A hair revolution, if you will!

While ‘curly’ hair is different from afro hair, many of the methods and products touted by CGM hair believers are borrowed from afro hair care knowledge. The CGM hair method itself is basically a set of rules to make the most of your curls; including do’s, don’t’s, and products to embrace or avoid.

But, it can be trial and error if you’re just starting out, and it’s all about finding what works best for you and your hair.

What Are The CGM Hair Rules?

The first rules of the CGM hair method are the things you should stop doing to your hair. For optimum curls, you should:

• Stop over-washing your hair (2-3 times a week is plenty!)
  
• Stop using products containing sulfates (Look for those all important sulfate-free products)
  
• Stop using heat styling altogether - air drying is best!
  
• Stop brushing your hair (use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb)
  
• Stop vigorously drying your hair with towels
  
• Stop coloring your hair

Phew! That’s a lot of habits to break! 

So, what should we be doing to support our curls? According to the Curly Girl Method, we should start:

• Co-washing! Instead of shampoo & conditioning as ‘normal’ - use a cleansing, sulfate-free conditioner in lieu of traditional shampoo. If this is too heavy for your hair, only use a shampoo with as many natural ingredients as possible
  
• Using a scalp brush
  
• Scrunching products up through the hair rather than brushing them through (FYI: applying them with your head upside down is a great tip!)
  
• Using a microfiber towel to pat dry the hair rather than blow-drying

Ta-da!

Which Products Work Well With The CGM Hair Method?

The CGM hair method is all about finding products that work for you and your hair. CGM hair takes into consideration that everyone's’ hair is different, and therefore requires different types of products. 

While there are many specific products that are CGM hair approved, it’s more about the types of products you use. This means you don’t have to despair if you can’t find something particular.

You should be on the lookout for a specific co-wash cleanser, which usually works without lathering, unlike traditional shampoos. On top of this, a moisturizing, hydrating, sulfate-free hair mask, and a natural oil are both go-to CGM hair staples!

You can also try a natural hair gel, which is ‘scrunched up’ through the hair rather than brushed through.

The more natural the better when it comes to the curly girl hair method, as these products tend to be without sulfates, parabens and other ‘nasties’ that weigh curls down and make them lose their shape. 

If you’re looking to utilize more natural products in your haircare routine - or are trying to follow the CGM hair method - try Cel’s incredible range of products for skin and hair, that are all sulfate and paraben-free!

Try Cel’s Microstem Hair Thickening Mask, to keep curls moisturized, smooth, and bouncy.

As well as protecting your curls from day-to-day damage, and strengthening each hair strand to prevent breakages, it contains glycerin: a powerful, non-toxic sugar compound that works as a moisture sponge to help keep your scalp and hair hydrated. Essential for any guy or gal with curls!