This is kind of embarrassing, but I sometimes have a hard time remembering what I'm supposed to do in the morning

Here's my remedy!




What is that? Well, I wrote down all of my steps on a piece of paper and stuck it in a snack-size ziploc bag. Now I can take my steps with me all over the bathroom, even in the shower!

Ahhh, thank you!

Wow, expensive stuff! But if it works miracles I bet it's worth every penny!

That's where I got the Abba Pure Curl Shampoo.

Hello curlies! =)

I’m writing this post because it took me forever to find all the information on this website. With no offense to anyone, the information on this site is scattered, making it difficult trying to learn about new techniques/products as they happen! Soo this is an attempt to make a post about some general techniques and ideas you can start with, a “base camp” shall we say

First, figure out your hair type - make sure to look through the pictures so that you get an accurate description! Additionally, read through this thread!

Here are ALL the steps to a CG routine. I’m emphasizing the word ALL here, because not ALL of these steps work for everyone. Becoming CG is an experimental process over a few weeks while you figure out what your hair likes best =) Trust me, in the end, it’s SO worth it. If you don’t believe me, check out the before/after thread!

Before you start becoming CG, wash your hair one last time with a clarifying shampoo so that you can start with a “clean slate,” so to speak. This will (hopefully) be the last time you use shampoo – rejoice!

1. Cowash
What does it mean to cowash? You wash your hair with conditioner. I know, it sounds gross. However, your hair doesn’t need all the nasty sulfates in your shampoo – they just strip your hair of essential oils =( If you want more convincing, most shampoos contain a sulfate called “sodium laureth sulfate.” What else has this same sulfate? DISHWASHING LIQUID. Know that horrible feeling on your hands if you ever accidentally wash your hands with dishwashing liquid? Now imagine that on a million strands of hair on your head! =( In essence, washing your hair with conditioner is enough. Just be sure to use LOTS of friction so that you “rub out” all the dirt, oil, grime, etc. =)

2. Baking soda; ACV rinse

A lot of people use baking soda and an ACV (apple cider vinegar; you can also use regular vinegar) rinse to get that “squeaky clean” feeling, and for a naturally clarifying effect. I don’t want to say anything more here that is incorrect, so I’m going to quote some nc.com users =)

3. Honey rinse

I’m not sure exactly where I found this idea/recipe, but I do know that it works! Mix a tablespoon of honey into a cup of water (that’s the ratio; multiply as needed) and pour it on to your hair. Let your hair soak for a few minutes, then rinse to get an extra shot of moisture and shine! =)

4. Condition – icequeen method

At this point, rinse everything out of your hair, and condition as you usually would. You can try the the icequeen method, created by nc.com user "icequeen."
Here’s the gist of her method:



Here is the link to a thread about her method. There are a few variations, so be sure to check those out =)

5. The “in-shower” part of your CG routine is now complete - I thought I’d throw this step in there for clarification!


6. Leave in

A lot of people just use their cowash conditioner as a “leave-in” conditioner. Basically, you scrunch a small amount of conditioner into your hair after you're out of the shower. This is step one of your "base coat" (as Rudeechick calls it).


7. Curl cream

This is step two of your base coat. Curl creams promote curl formation and give your curls extra hold. NOTE: If you use a curl cream that has humectants in it, DO NOT use it over your conditioner and skip the leave-in step. If you mix the two, you’ll be left with little white flecks all over your hair – don’t say you weren’t warned!

Side note: here are two articles about humectants – article one and article two.

8. Comb your hair with a fine-tooth comb or a denman.

I know this sounds counterintuitive, but this promotes clumping, for whatever reason! Play around with it though, because it doesn’t work for everyone.

9. Super soaker

Another revolutionary method!! Naturallycurly.com user Rudeechick created this method. Here is the link to the thread and her video!


10. Gel/mousse

This is another experimental realm. Some people like gel, some people like mousse! Search your hair type thread to find out what people with your hair are using =)

Here is a link to a wildly popular flax seed gel!

11. Plopping/plunking

Another great technique! Here is a link to the how-to article, and here is a link to a great video by Jessie of the Jessicurls brand. =) Jessie uses a special towel, but you can just use an old t-shirt!

12. Diffuse – pixiecurl method

Another technique! I’m not sure if the user “pixie curl” created this technique, but here is the link to the thread if needed, and here are the general directions:

13. For 2nd day…3rd day…etc hair!

Use the pineapple technique to “set” your hair when you sleep at night, and then spray your hair in the morning with a curl spray. (I just use water )

To continue from the quote above…

In addition! Here are some helpful links =)

Here is a link to help out with abbreviations that people on this site use.

Here is a link to start out CG on a budget.

Here is a link to the “best of the best” products available!

Here is a ink to some useful curly links.

Here is a link to great summer vs. winter seasonal changes.

Here is a link to a lot of great curly blogs!

Here is a link to the Spritz and Condish Method!

Here is a link to an article about dew points - veryyy important when it comes to styling!

*** ALSO, PLEASE ADD INFO AS NEEDED ***

This is awesome information. My curls are so mis-informed

Wow! This is a lot of information. Thanks so much for taking the time out to help out the newbies :-)

Jonsey23

umm, if I dont feel comfortable not using any shampoo, is it okay to use a shampoo that doesn't contain sulfates?
And, should i condition daily?

I do want suggestions! Thanks

I bought a shampoo that I thought was sulfate free, but I looked back over the ingredients and it has sulfates that are supposed to be milder than the regular ones used in shampoos....is it okay to use or should i ditch it?

Thank you! can I bother you one more time about conditioners? Cause i think my conditioner has proteins in that my hair doesn't like. :/

Thank you! I don't know why I thought my hair was fine, lol. But I have switched to using a conditioner with no protein and seems to be working better.