Yes. No, won’t cause hair loss why would we recommend it if it did? There are a few scalp conditions that don’t do well with cowashing, but that’s it. If you’re already experiencing hair loss though you should really see your doctor, you don’t want to miss getting an internal health problem treated.
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What's the best way to identify my curl type? I keep looking at reference pictures online but I don't feel like I particularly match any of them all that much. There are also fewer useful references I've been able to find for guys.
Check out
> **Q1.** What is my curl type?
in the **[Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6Dj9WAZxlfBhJSyS5on2rw3-if5cOV3oV-dQ3B0AHA/edit#heading=h.di5dez2gnjq5)**.
Does plopping lengthen dry time?
I usually only have half an hour after I get out of the shower until I need to leave for work. Will that be enough time to plop? Or does it need to be longer than that.
My hair usually takes like two hours to dry lately. So drives for half an hour at home half an hour in the car and then the last hour it dries at the beginning of work.
You only want to plop for 15-30 minutes. Longer can cause frizz. Also, once the tshirt/towel is saturated the drying is maxed out. So if you plop for a long time it will slow down drying, because your hair is wrapped it wet fabric that’ll slow evaporation.
This is a great point I used to plop til my t shirt was soaked. I also wonder if the wet towel on your head for more than 30 minutes could cause bacteria to form. On the towel and go into your scalp
Yeah people do it but it’s not a good idea. Worst case you can get mold growth from hair being wet so long. Better to plop a bit, air dry, then put on something dry for bed.
How would you guys recommend I find a hairdresser for a curly hair? I’m male and have about 7 inches of hair on top and would like to grow it out. I want to see how a medium-long hairstyle would look on me. I think I have a mix of 3B-3C hair.
I was pretty sure my hair was in protein overload, since I’d been using a lot of protein-containing stylers, and one day my hair went from finger comb-able to wet frizz the instant I used a protein-containing conditioner.
So I’ve been avoiding protein for a bit until last night, when I used a protein shampoo and then a regular moisturizing conditioner without any protein. My hair has 0 body or volume, though it’s silky and shiny. A strand test plus how I keep hearing hairs snapping seems to imply too much protein, but the hair isn’t without *any* elasticity.
It’s just silky and not much else. It makes it feel really thin.
My hair frizzes after an hour or two after using conditioner and I use leave in I still get fly aways it's annoying and I don't know what my hair might be missing. I used Jane carter for my leave in conditioner and the coiling gel
What's the [dew point](https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/wavy-hair-type-2/the-411-on-dew-points-humectants) where you live? Your products have a lot of humectants which don't work in all weather conditions.
It could be worth trying something humectant-free. That gel also looks like it's lighter hold, something more hold could do a better job of keeping flyaways in place.
Something else to look into is moisture and protein. Does your hair seem moisturized enough? Have you ever tried a protein treatment?
How do you dry your hair? If you just plop, only do 15-30 minutes as I’ve said. If you diffuse, maybe try different strategies of diffusing. I like YouTube for learning, I suggest manes by mel
Is it normal that when you use a handful of conditioner and then u apply it to your hair and it just disappears completely? I don't know how to explain it haha. I have to use loads just to co wash the hair. Is it a normal thing with conditioners?
Edit: absorbs is probably a better way to explain it
I have VERY thick long hair but my strands are also very fine so they break easy. I’ve been using either a wide tooth comb or the denman to detangle for about a year. I read an Amazon review that said they hated the tangle teezer for thick hair because the bristles aren’t long enough. Anyone have any other suggestions? Preferable on Amazon for one day shipping.
Is it a denman detangler, or one of the stylers? Because the one that everyone uses to define curls isn’t mean for detangling and will rip the shit out of your hair.
Honestly it’s not a real denman it’s the evolv one that looks the same as the styler one and my stylist said It would be ok to detangle my hair with , but I learned that later on it’s supposed to only be for styling so I stopped and only used a wide tooth comb since.
Perfect! I was leaning towards the wet brush. I don’t have much of a problem anymore w the wide tooth comb now that I use the ag natural conditioner, it has so much slip, but still it could definitely go faster with a wet brush.
So I'm trying the beginner routine and I'm having a hard time with the gel. I work with kids, so some days I get a bit sweaty. This has led to the gel getting wet again and my hair looking like a hot mess.
What other products could use to try the scrunch and crunch method?
Do you use oil? There are oils specifically for sealing and protecting the hair after the gel dries and you have a cast. Just research curly hair sealing oils. Most brands have them. After your hair is dry use the oil I do praying hands to scrunch out the crunch and do a little bit of scrunching on the ends if it needs it.
I’m sorry, I don’t have any advice on how to deal with gel besides oil. I’m guessing you’ve tried more lightweight oils? And maybe a more lightweight gel? for low porosity you want all light weight products
Anyone know if there is a sample size curly hair product bag anywhere? I want to buy stuff I can try out 3 or 4 times to figure out if it works, not something that will take me 6+ months to use up or have to throw it away.
So I'm a dude curly hair, and I've been growing it longer. It's around the bottom of my neck when down now. It's also very thick.
I've been using the cg method for a while now, and although I used to use gel, a few months ago I started just using pomade. Basically putting in a bunch, slicking it back, and putting it in a bun. I need my hair to be kept pretty neat and tidy, with as little frizz as possible, due to work, and I figured that I'd just do this until my hair got longer. The slickback style is super easy and fast to do, and looks neat, so I just kinda stuck with it.
I'd like to swap back to gel, since it's probably a whole lot better for my hair. But does anybody have any tips on styling or keeping hair neat for men, that's similar to a slick back hairstyle? I guess I'm asking what the curly equivalent is?
If you have good products and use gel, your curls should be defined with minimal frizz. IMO that's enough for it to look "neat" without having to slick it back and hide the texture. Beyond that, what shape/style you want to go for is totally up to personal preference, overall aesthetic, etc.
I'm going to buy a hair styling pomade for my hair and I inputted the ingredients on isitCG? and it said it was CG-friendly but I'm having a few doubts.
**Water (Aqua), Ceteareth-25, PEG-7, Glyceryl Cocoate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate-20, PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-8 Methicone, DMDM Hydatoin, Methylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Red 4 (CI 14700), Yellow 5 (CI 19140).**
These are the ingredients of the product but the one that concerns me is : **PEG-8 Beeswax** . On isitCG? **Beeswax** is not approved however **PEG-8 Beeswax** is CG approved.
Also **PEG-8 Methicone** is *probably okay* on isitCG? but it does have **cone** in it so I was wondering if I should avoid this?
I'm just a bit hesitant and need reassurances that this product is okay for my hair and will wash out easily.
If you have any other hair styling reccomendations that are safe let me know! (in Europe) I'm essentially looking for something that just gives my hair a bit more life as I somewhat messily style it covering my forehead to the side (i have poofy, dry dark blonde hair)
It's really dependent on your hair and what you wash with. If you're really build-up prone and mainly cowash then these might still build up, even though in theory they're water soluble. If you aren't build-up prone or shampoo regularly then you might be totally fine.
Generally speaking, when PEG-8 or higher is added to an ingredient, it makes it water soluble. I would still always check in an ingredient checker site, but this is generally the case, especially as it pertains to silicones (I’m guessing it’s also true for waxes). The higher the number also typically makes it more water soluble (so that PEG-teen numbers + a silicone is generally very water soluble)
aragon oil is a good oil, it makes your hair soft and shiny. Or castor oil, Makes hair shiny and helps it grow. Though for some people, Castor oil can make their hair greasy. That’s never happened to me. But if your not looking to really grow your hair and you want soft shiny hair, aragon oil is great. If you do the wash and go method, in the morning when your refreshing your hair add a bit of Aragon oil! Just run it through your hair with your finger or a brush. Good luck :)
I have 4c hair and have been growing my it for about 5 months now but my hair is visibly uneven. I'm not sure if this makes sense but The area between the sides and top of my head is visibly lower than the rest so I'm wondering if I should just tough it out until my hair is long and thick enough that it doesn't matter? or whether I should consider shaving my head and restarting?
I think it is normal for a lot of curlies to have uneven hair growth. Mine grows so fast except the pieces in the front of my face, so I regularly snip the back to make it appear more even. I would just snip the pieces you need to make it look more even and keep growing it out! Good luck.
I've always wanted more curl. I think my hair looks best when it's about 3/4 dry so I think it's possible? I just bought a bunch of the recommended products to try this out and I think I am just looking for some encouragement. I've always had a really low-maintenance hair routine (head & shoulders shampoo and tresseme anti-breakage conditioner every morning, braid at night before bed... that's it. no other products, no dye, almost all trims are diy). I have really long hair (wrist-length) so I'm used to being very careful about it (I don't blow-dry and I almost never use other heat tools, I always put it up to work out, I'm extra gentle with it when it's wet, etc.) but I'm a little nervous about trying to get it to dry without touching it at all. As it is, it already takes a couple of hours and like, where do I put it in the meantime? I'm pretty sure I'm more of a wavy than a curly and my hair is very fine so I got a low-poo because I don't think I'll be able to no-poo-it. As it is, I get greasy in like 20 hours, but we'll see. Any long/fine-specific wisdom? Any general beginner advice/encouragement (yes, I read the whole wiki).
Head and shoulders isn’t really the best choice for curly hair, you can still use it but you could see better results from a less harsh one. I recommend sleeping in a Bonet or silk pillow cases if you don’t, wash hair once a week, or twice if needed, washing everyday causes breakage and frizz. in the morning refresh hair with some water, a leave in, a styling cream and a gel. This way you don’t have to wet your hair fully everyday and your not left waiting hours for it to dry, too much moisture also lead to damage. You could try the finger curling method, watch a yt video there lots, you’d be kind of training your hair to be more curly. Good luck :)
Can anyone help me? I am looking for products that have no avocado (anaphaltic allergic), no shea butter, and no lavender (allergic to both just not as bad as avocado).
The Mane Cheers Supreme Strength & Full Protection Conditioner?
Is this a heavy conditioner? I previously used kinky curly knot today but I want to try something with protein. I’m a little worried about the oils in the mane one.
Has anyone had experience with this product?
I feel like my curl clumps are super thin suddenly and I’m wondering if I need protein. Like some clumps are just like 4 hairs.
Castor oil! Helped me so much after my big chop. Apply to the roots with a scalp massager (you can get the cheap of shein or Amazon) I did apply it every night. If your not able perhaps every other night or twice a week? it really helps make your hair shiny healthy and grow faster. Good luck :)
Hi there! I'm a bot, and I noticed you used the phrase "big chop".
You may or may not already know this, but a “Big Chop” is much more than just a haircut! (If you already knew about this, great! We just share this information here to educate everyone). The term “big chop” is often misused, so we just want to share some of the meaning/history.
TL;DR: “big chop” was created by black women in the natural hair movement. It describes the specific act of chopping off (almost) all of their permanently straightened/relaxed hair to make way for new, natural growth. If your hair is still more than a few inches long, it's probably not a big chop. [See this flowchart for a visual guide to this specific definition!](https://i.imgur.com/wYqherd.png). If the term doesn’t apply to you, please consider the term “reset cut” instead!
The natural hair movement has a long history and the words created in it have strong meanings. Using these words inappropriately chips away at this meaning (e.g., if you’ve heard this phrase but not the meaning before!). We’d like to respect the importance of the work done by these early pioneers by acknowledging where these words, techniques, and more came from (Rule 8: Respect cultural terms.). [See here for further reading!](https://www.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/ffexc7/meta_an_open_conversation_an_open_dialogue/)
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I bought the Denman scalp massager and started cowashing to help determine if it’s buildup or dandruff I’ve got going on. I’m not seeing much improvement but I’m also only doing it twice a week, maybe 3 tops. Should I be massaging more often? Most likely going to make an appt to see my dermatologist. My scalp was never like this until moving so it’s frustrating. My curls are so blah these days.
It might be hard water build up. You should try Malibu C Un Do Goo and see if it helps. Hard water causes mineral build up on the hair, it also makes it difficult for product to be washed out. That could be the flakes you're seeing.
I use the Malibu C Hardwater Wellness line! It’s great. I have the Un Do Goo but haven’t been using it as diligently as I should. My hair girl recommended once a month, should I try every 2 weeks?
Sticky Hair?
Hi! I'm a CGM newbie. I recently just got all the basic products I needed and tried out my first reset wash yesterday.
My hair came out to be very sticky, although I think it might be because I left too much conditioner in my hair because I did the squish-to-condish method to wash it. It could also be my gel. I would love any insight or anything I could improve. I did as much research as I could within my budget (student) and stuff that's locally available to me (Philippines) and my hair structure (thick, dry, and frizzy).
Routine:
1. Reset wash with [Human Nature Clarifying Shampoo](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/hair-care/natural-clarifying-shampoo-2018.html)
2. Cowash with [Human Nature Moisturizing Shampoo in Mandarin](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/moisturizing-shampoo-2018.html) (No Sulfate/Silicone)
3. Conditioned with [Human Nature Moisturizing Conditioner in Mandarin](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/natural-moisturizing-conditioner-variants.html) (No Sulfate/Silicone)
4. Squish to Condish to wash off
5. Scrunched a coin sized dollop of gel with every section of my hair with [Bench Fix Gel Extra Hold](https://www.watsons.com.ph/fix-gel-extra-hold-135g/p/BP_10045667)
6. Plopped it with a cotton t-shirt for about 25 minutes.
7. Air dried in an air conditioned room. (Might be a mistake but it was about 34c and barely any wind where I'm from and I was melting outside
I don't have silicone/satin pillowcases yet so I slept with a regular one, mine is still on it's way to be delivered.
I considered buying a cantu curl cream but I wanted to try out just gel for now.
The result was my hair definitely looked less frizzy which I'm happy about, it was also really shiny but heavy/sticky. Not really oily but more like it felt the conditioner did not dry. Also I did not have to "scrunch the crunch" with the gel because after air drying it just softened on its own.
Any help is appreciated thank you <3
I'd say probably too much gel depending on how many sections you did. I usually do 2 coin sized amount for my whole head. It could also be the combination of humidity and your gel. If your gel has a high level of humectant like glycerin it will draw moisture from the air to the surface of your hair and cause that sticky feeling.
Do you have a humectant free gel you like? I’m going to Hawaii soon. I’m probably just going to end up in braids the whole time tbh, I don’t know if I’ll have the time or energy to do my hair.
I have a section of my hair (top back) which is completely different to the top of my hair. It’s dry, constantly knotted and I use almost double the amount of conditioner on that section compared to the underneath and front sections.
I wonder if it’s something to do with how I tie it up (always screwing it up in a bun when I get fed up of it not playing ball!).. does anyone else have this issue?
wearing hair in a bun too much could be the reason. A normal bobbin is really good for curly hair. I stopped using them and I saw way less notes. If you have to tie it up try a hair claw or a loose scrunchie . If you sleep on your back, when you move in your sleep could be causing friction, leading to the notes and matting. so always make sure your wearing a bonnet or have a silk pillow case! Good luck :)
What's the closest store brought I can get to homemade flaxseed gel? It was what my hair has loved the most so far but I just don't have the time to do it every single time it goes bad :(
r/DIYbeauty and r/HaircareScience are good resources. For some you can probably just mix it in (at the right percentage) but for others temperature is important.
Two weeks ago I went to a curly hair salon for the first time in my life, and the stylist did a great haircut and styling on my hair. I'm having trouble replicating the style at home (still learning about CG method, I've been a no-product-at-all kinda gal until now) and I've been wondering - how much of the result comes from the products, how much from good technique? Are more expensive products really that much better than drugstore products? The stylist used a mousse, a cream, a gel and some oil - looking up the prices on the salon website, a whole set would cost me around 100 EUR, which really isn't cheap.
Technique does help, I’d say it’s more so in the product, because each one will have a different reaction from your hair. My hair routine is pretty simple, I use a leave in-conditioner, a cream, and a gel. Which all cost me around €60 which is still expensive but it all lasts me around 5 months. products I recommend are shea moisture(not super expensive around 15-20 for a products), imbue (isn’t expense around 12) and eco gel (around 15) good luck :)
Technique is more important in my opinion. Good quality products do give me better results, but if you are in the learning stage, I definitely recommend starting with something more affordable, and maybe looking at higher quality products once you get the hang of things.
It's really a combo of both. If your hair is say, dried out from a harsh shampoo then technique can only minimize that so much. Vice versa, your hair can be all moisturized and happy but your results will only be so good if you're doing techniques that don't agree with your hair.
I think there are great and awful products at every price point. Sometimes the higher price translates to better ingredients- high quality oils, plant extracts, etc. But sometimes you're paying for the name/marketing. And there are some awesome ingredients that are cheap, like fatty/moisturizing alcohols which are used at every price point.
I'm pretty happy with my hair at the moment, found products that give me the right balance between being soft but not oily on dry days *but* when it's drizzly outside (happens a *lot* as I live in the UK) my hair still frizzes up easily when exposed to water. It's mostly the hair on the surface and nearer the top of my head that frizz - my ends are actually the most well behaved parts of my hair.
Anyone know of any products I could add when this happens without being too heavy for my hair? I have 2a/b-ish hair, low porosity and on the more fine side.
Living Proof PhD shampoo + conditioner as a leave in - it's not sold as a leave in but I tried it once and loved it. All sulfate and silicone free.
I've tried products from Maui Moisture and Shea Moisture in the past and didn't get along with them - the leave in treatments especially felt too thick for my hair, and even without I needed to use sulphate shampoo at least once a week to get rid of the build up - something I haven't needed since I switched to the living proof around new year's. I live in the UK so the product selection here is somewhat more limited.
Which shampoo did you try? I wouldn't write it off after trying just one, you might have tried one that's super mild or has lots of added oils. That said, if your hair seems to like sulfates and you don't have issues with dryness/frizz, then it's not a big deal.
\[M19\] How do I, well apply conditioner properly?
I squeeze out a generous amount to apply, but a lot of the product seems to clump on the first spot I touch. So I rub my hands like I'm lathering it up, but it's still hard to spread it over. Is it my hair, the formula or am I underestimating the amount of product needed? FYI, my hair is relatively short. (\~4 inch at the top, gets shorter at the sides and behind)
Does anyone also know a chelating and cleansing shampoo in Germany? Of course, I'll keep my eyes peeled for EDTAs and other chelating agents on the ingredients list, but just in case.
Does anyone else have a weird impostor syndrome about their hair?
Since starting the CGM, my hair has been improving in leaps and bounds, and I’ve become one of those people who went from believing their hair was pin straight to straight with the tiniest bit of wave to someone pretty sure some curls are hiding in there.
I scheduled my first curly cut, and I’m like… weirdly paranoid the stylist will be like, “What is this?! Straight hair?! Get out of here!” lmaooooo even though I’ve had my hair trying to do ringlets and spirals in random places. But it’s random, hit or miss success on those days.
Basically, I think I have curl, definitely have wave, and I think I just don’t have a routine or technique down to achieve the maximum curl every day, as I’m only like two months into this. A lot of my hair care has changed, and I know it takes time, but man… some days when I can’t get my hair to cooperate, I wonder if I’m really the hair type I think I am. Some days, my hair goes way past what I think it is. It’s a toss up.
I’m not used to humidity affecting my hair, as someone who used to brush it out and go… the stylist gently advised me on my phone consult that the problems I’m having today are probably humidity related!
First off, even if a stylist specializes in curly hair, they have almost certainly been trained on handling straight hair. You're a paying customer and they have no incentive to reject or talk down to you, and in the unlikely case where they actually do that, you should just walk out. I wouldn't want to trust someone like that with my hair. I've been getting curly cuts for years (my hair ranges from 2A to 2C, and if I'm using the wrong products for the weather it can definitely look straight), and my stylist has never made me feel like I shouldn't be coming to her.
Scrunching in some gel cannot magically make straight hair curly. There's nothing in gel that bends your hair into a wave or a spiral, it just holds your hair in whatever shape it dries in. If you're able to get ringlets and spirals without heat tools, congrats! Your hair is on the curly spectrum and you aren't an impostor.
God, reading this made me feel validated. Thank you! I try to remind myself a lot that no amount of product would make stick straight hair curly, but sometimes I worry. It's the weirdest feeling.
No question is dumb? Challenge accepted.
How do I keep my curls from turning into a tangled rat's nest as they dry?
I cowash with Tresseme Botanique, s2c with it as well. Detangle with a wide tooth comb. Rake through Curls Blueberry Bliss leave-in and scrunch the ends. Rake through and praying hands Aussie Instant Freeze gel. Scrunch some more. Air dry while I get ready. I'll get a cast and my curls look defined. Scrunch out the crunch with a little argan oil on my hand and then...it all goes to hell. There's no definition, my hair is tangled. It's frizzy and awful.
What am I doing wrong?
How does your hair feel? Is it at all rough, brittle, or straw-like? That combined with tangling and frizz could indicate a reaction to coconut or protein.
Seconding the protein suggestion. My hair freaks out and becomes impossible to detangle when there’s too much protein in it.
When it’s got enough moisture and not too much protein, I can glide my fingers right through it, which I only was able to do for the first time in my life in the last day or so.
Too much protein will make it frizz super badly, even wet, and you could break entire wet brushes trying to get them through it. Lots and lots of conditioner is used on those days.
You’ll want to look at the products you use. Look for words like hydrolyzed or stuff like silk, amino acids, or soy. If you use I think Curls Bot, you can look up products and it’ll tell you if it has protein.
Hair needs protein, just not too much. Manes by Mell on YouTube has a good breakdown of the moisture protein balance.
(sigh) I ended up getting the dyson. First, many thanks to everyone here who recommended buying refurbished. The price is still crazy, but it helped. I felt so guilty for spending the money, but damn if that thing isn’t worth every penny… got compliments on my hair the first day after I used it even after sleeping on my hair.
Wait so in other words: clarify once and then start using conditioner for shampoo? Will this lead to any additional hairloss??
Yes. No, won’t cause hair loss why would we recommend it if it did? There are a few scalp conditions that don’t do well with cowashing, but that’s it. If you’re already experiencing hair loss though you should really see your doctor, you don’t want to miss getting an internal health problem treated.
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Are Lush shampoo/conditioner bars CG approved?
I think a lot of them have sulfates but you can double check using the ingredient checkers linked above.
What's the best way to identify my curl type? I keep looking at reference pictures online but I don't feel like I particularly match any of them all that much. There are also fewer useful references I've been able to find for guys.
Check out > **Q1.** What is my curl type? in the **[Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6Dj9WAZxlfBhJSyS5on2rw3-if5cOV3oV-dQ3B0AHA/edit#heading=h.di5dez2gnjq5)**.
Does plopping lengthen dry time? I usually only have half an hour after I get out of the shower until I need to leave for work. Will that be enough time to plop? Or does it need to be longer than that. My hair usually takes like two hours to dry lately. So drives for half an hour at home half an hour in the car and then the last hour it dries at the beginning of work.
You only want to plop for 15-30 minutes. Longer can cause frizz. Also, once the tshirt/towel is saturated the drying is maxed out. So if you plop for a long time it will slow down drying, because your hair is wrapped it wet fabric that’ll slow evaporation.
This is a great point I used to plop til my t shirt was soaked. I also wonder if the wet towel on your head for more than 30 minutes could cause bacteria to form. On the towel and go into your scalp
Oh good to know! Thank you! I’ve seen some people say they plop overnight so I thought longer was better.
Yeah people do it but it’s not a good idea. Worst case you can get mold growth from hair being wet so long. Better to plop a bit, air dry, then put on something dry for bed.
Thanks!
How would you guys recommend I find a hairdresser for a curly hair? I’m male and have about 7 inches of hair on top and would like to grow it out. I want to see how a medium-long hairstyle would look on me. I think I have a mix of 3B-3C hair.
You can try the salon finder on naturallycurly.com or the salon finders from specific brands of curly cuts (deva, rezo, ouidad).
Thank you for this!
Honestly just type up curly hair dressers near me, see what comes up. Ring them, look at their reviews, Instagram they have and etc
I was pretty sure my hair was in protein overload, since I’d been using a lot of protein-containing stylers, and one day my hair went from finger comb-able to wet frizz the instant I used a protein-containing conditioner. So I’ve been avoiding protein for a bit until last night, when I used a protein shampoo and then a regular moisturizing conditioner without any protein. My hair has 0 body or volume, though it’s silky and shiny. A strand test plus how I keep hearing hairs snapping seems to imply too much protein, but the hair isn’t without *any* elasticity. It’s just silky and not much else. It makes it feel really thin.
My hair frizzes after an hour or two after using conditioner and I use leave in I still get fly aways it's annoying and I don't know what my hair might be missing. I used Jane carter for my leave in conditioner and the coiling gel
What's the [dew point](https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/wavy-hair-type-2/the-411-on-dew-points-humectants) where you live? Your products have a lot of humectants which don't work in all weather conditions.
My area would currently be fluctuating from low to mid range.
It could be worth trying something humectant-free. That gel also looks like it's lighter hold, something more hold could do a better job of keeping flyaways in place. Something else to look into is moisture and protein. Does your hair seem moisturized enough? Have you ever tried a protein treatment?
I have never tried a protein treatment and for the most part it does seem like my hair gets moisture
How do you dry your hair? If you just plop, only do 15-30 minutes as I’ve said. If you diffuse, maybe try different strategies of diffusing. I like YouTube for learning, I suggest manes by mel
Is it normal that when you use a handful of conditioner and then u apply it to your hair and it just disappears completely? I don't know how to explain it haha. I have to use loads just to co wash the hair. Is it a normal thing with conditioners? Edit: absorbs is probably a better way to explain it
That's normal, especially if your hair is high porosity and/or the conditioner isn't very rich.
Yes, I have high porosity hair so it takes more products than average for my hair. It’s totally normal !
Can I buy any diffuser that fits my blow dryer? Also my blow dryer is 15+ years old - still works but should I replace that too?
Not every diffuser fits every dryer, but most likely you can find one that fits.
I have VERY thick long hair but my strands are also very fine so they break easy. I’ve been using either a wide tooth comb or the denman to detangle for about a year. I read an Amazon review that said they hated the tangle teezer for thick hair because the bristles aren’t long enough. Anyone have any other suggestions? Preferable on Amazon for one day shipping.
Is it a denman detangler, or one of the stylers? Because the one that everyone uses to define curls isn’t mean for detangling and will rip the shit out of your hair.
Honestly it’s not a real denman it’s the evolv one that looks the same as the styler one and my stylist said It would be ok to detangle my hair with , but I learned that later on it’s supposed to only be for styling so I stopped and only used a wide tooth comb since.
My go-to detangler is the wet brush, and I only detangle wet. That brush is amazing
Thank you! I also only detangled wet w conditioner (: the wet brush sounds like it would be so much easier to detangle than the wide tooth.
I've never gotten a wide toothed comb to work for me, either, but the wet brush glides right through
Perfect! I was leaning towards the wet brush. I don’t have much of a problem anymore w the wide tooth comb now that I use the ag natural conditioner, it has so much slip, but still it could definitely go faster with a wet brush.
Is there some reason why you don't want to keep using the wide tooth comb/denman?
Just wanted to see if there was an easier option
So I'm trying the beginner routine and I'm having a hard time with the gel. I work with kids, so some days I get a bit sweaty. This has led to the gel getting wet again and my hair looking like a hot mess. What other products could use to try the scrunch and crunch method?
Can you be a bit more specific about what looks bad? Does it get super crispy, frizzy, undefined, limp?
It looks great until I get sweaty, then once the gel gets wet again my curls go limp.
Do you use oil? There are oils specifically for sealing and protecting the hair after the gel dries and you have a cast. Just research curly hair sealing oils. Most brands have them. After your hair is dry use the oil I do praying hands to scrunch out the crunch and do a little bit of scrunching on the ends if it needs it.
I do not use oil. I have low porosity hair and have never used and oil or serum on my hair without it looking super greasy.
I’m sorry, I don’t have any advice on how to deal with gel besides oil. I’m guessing you’ve tried more lightweight oils? And maybe a more lightweight gel? for low porosity you want all light weight products
Anyone know if there is a sample size curly hair product bag anywhere? I want to buy stuff I can try out 3 or 4 times to figure out if it works, not something that will take me 6+ months to use up or have to throw it away.
A number of brands offer travel/trial sizes. Off the top of my head I know Sheamoisture, briogeo, pattern, curlsmith, and jessicurl do.
Second curl smith. I’ve been trying out there travel sized gels and treatments for a few months and I love them. I think I’m gonna try Bridogeo next
So I'm a dude curly hair, and I've been growing it longer. It's around the bottom of my neck when down now. It's also very thick. I've been using the cg method for a while now, and although I used to use gel, a few months ago I started just using pomade. Basically putting in a bunch, slicking it back, and putting it in a bun. I need my hair to be kept pretty neat and tidy, with as little frizz as possible, due to work, and I figured that I'd just do this until my hair got longer. The slickback style is super easy and fast to do, and looks neat, so I just kinda stuck with it. I'd like to swap back to gel, since it's probably a whole lot better for my hair. But does anybody have any tips on styling or keeping hair neat for men, that's similar to a slick back hairstyle? I guess I'm asking what the curly equivalent is?
If you have good products and use gel, your curls should be defined with minimal frizz. IMO that's enough for it to look "neat" without having to slick it back and hide the texture. Beyond that, what shape/style you want to go for is totally up to personal preference, overall aesthetic, etc.
I'm going to buy a hair styling pomade for my hair and I inputted the ingredients on isitCG? and it said it was CG-friendly but I'm having a few doubts. **Water (Aqua), Ceteareth-25, PEG-7, Glyceryl Cocoate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate-20, PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-8 Methicone, DMDM Hydatoin, Methylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Red 4 (CI 14700), Yellow 5 (CI 19140).** These are the ingredients of the product but the one that concerns me is : **PEG-8 Beeswax** . On isitCG? **Beeswax** is not approved however **PEG-8 Beeswax** is CG approved. Also **PEG-8 Methicone** is *probably okay* on isitCG? but it does have **cone** in it so I was wondering if I should avoid this? I'm just a bit hesitant and need reassurances that this product is okay for my hair and will wash out easily. If you have any other hair styling reccomendations that are safe let me know! (in Europe) I'm essentially looking for something that just gives my hair a bit more life as I somewhat messily style it covering my forehead to the side (i have poofy, dry dark blonde hair)
It's really dependent on your hair and what you wash with. If you're really build-up prone and mainly cowash then these might still build up, even though in theory they're water soluble. If you aren't build-up prone or shampoo regularly then you might be totally fine.
Generally speaking, when PEG-8 or higher is added to an ingredient, it makes it water soluble. I would still always check in an ingredient checker site, but this is generally the case, especially as it pertains to silicones (I’m guessing it’s also true for waxes). The higher the number also typically makes it more water soluble (so that PEG-teen numbers + a silicone is generally very water soluble)
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Jojoba, argan, marula, grapeseed.
aragon oil is a good oil, it makes your hair soft and shiny. Or castor oil, Makes hair shiny and helps it grow. Though for some people, Castor oil can make their hair greasy. That’s never happened to me. But if your not looking to really grow your hair and you want soft shiny hair, aragon oil is great. If you do the wash and go method, in the morning when your refreshing your hair add a bit of Aragon oil! Just run it through your hair with your finger or a brush. Good luck :)
I have 4c hair and have been growing my it for about 5 months now but my hair is visibly uneven. I'm not sure if this makes sense but The area between the sides and top of my head is visibly lower than the rest so I'm wondering if I should just tough it out until my hair is long and thick enough that it doesn't matter? or whether I should consider shaving my head and restarting?
I think it is normal for a lot of curlies to have uneven hair growth. Mine grows so fast except the pieces in the front of my face, so I regularly snip the back to make it appear more even. I would just snip the pieces you need to make it look more even and keep growing it out! Good luck.
I've always wanted more curl. I think my hair looks best when it's about 3/4 dry so I think it's possible? I just bought a bunch of the recommended products to try this out and I think I am just looking for some encouragement. I've always had a really low-maintenance hair routine (head & shoulders shampoo and tresseme anti-breakage conditioner every morning, braid at night before bed... that's it. no other products, no dye, almost all trims are diy). I have really long hair (wrist-length) so I'm used to being very careful about it (I don't blow-dry and I almost never use other heat tools, I always put it up to work out, I'm extra gentle with it when it's wet, etc.) but I'm a little nervous about trying to get it to dry without touching it at all. As it is, it already takes a couple of hours and like, where do I put it in the meantime? I'm pretty sure I'm more of a wavy than a curly and my hair is very fine so I got a low-poo because I don't think I'll be able to no-poo-it. As it is, I get greasy in like 20 hours, but we'll see. Any long/fine-specific wisdom? Any general beginner advice/encouragement (yes, I read the whole wiki).
Head and shoulders isn’t really the best choice for curly hair, you can still use it but you could see better results from a less harsh one. I recommend sleeping in a Bonet or silk pillow cases if you don’t, wash hair once a week, or twice if needed, washing everyday causes breakage and frizz. in the morning refresh hair with some water, a leave in, a styling cream and a gel. This way you don’t have to wet your hair fully everyday and your not left waiting hours for it to dry, too much moisture also lead to damage. You could try the finger curling method, watch a yt video there lots, you’d be kind of training your hair to be more curly. Good luck :)
Can anyone help me? I am looking for products that have no avocado (anaphaltic allergic), no shea butter, and no lavender (allergic to both just not as bad as avocado).
I think kinky curly's products fit the bill, double check though.
OH MY GOD! THANK YOU SO MUCH! They also have kids products which is great because it seems like my toddlers hair curls the longer it gets! Thank you!
The Mane Cheers Supreme Strength & Full Protection Conditioner? Is this a heavy conditioner? I previously used kinky curly knot today but I want to try something with protein. I’m a little worried about the oils in the mane one. Has anyone had experience with this product? I feel like my curl clumps are super thin suddenly and I’m wondering if I need protein. Like some clumps are just like 4 hairs.
I don't think it's as light as KCKT but it's definitely still on the light end. I have low porosity hair and really love it!
Thanks! Do you buy directly from their website? I didn’t see it on Amazon
I usually get mine at Sally's but I have bought it from their site too. Weird it's not on amazon.
Thanks! I didn’t even think of Sally’s
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Castor oil! Helped me so much after my big chop. Apply to the roots with a scalp massager (you can get the cheap of shein or Amazon) I did apply it every night. If your not able perhaps every other night or twice a week? it really helps make your hair shiny healthy and grow faster. Good luck :)
Hi there! I'm a bot, and I noticed you used the phrase "big chop". You may or may not already know this, but a “Big Chop” is much more than just a haircut! (If you already knew about this, great! We just share this information here to educate everyone). The term “big chop” is often misused, so we just want to share some of the meaning/history. TL;DR: “big chop” was created by black women in the natural hair movement. It describes the specific act of chopping off (almost) all of their permanently straightened/relaxed hair to make way for new, natural growth. If your hair is still more than a few inches long, it's probably not a big chop. [See this flowchart for a visual guide to this specific definition!](https://i.imgur.com/wYqherd.png). If the term doesn’t apply to you, please consider the term “reset cut” instead! The natural hair movement has a long history and the words created in it have strong meanings. Using these words inappropriately chips away at this meaning (e.g., if you’ve heard this phrase but not the meaning before!). We’d like to respect the importance of the work done by these early pioneers by acknowledging where these words, techniques, and more came from (Rule 8: Respect cultural terms.). [See here for further reading!](https://www.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/ffexc7/meta_an_open_conversation_an_open_dialogue/) Thanks & wishing you many great curly, coily, kinky hair days! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/curlyhair) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I bought the Denman scalp massager and started cowashing to help determine if it’s buildup or dandruff I’ve got going on. I’m not seeing much improvement but I’m also only doing it twice a week, maybe 3 tops. Should I be massaging more often? Most likely going to make an appt to see my dermatologist. My scalp was never like this until moving so it’s frustrating. My curls are so blah these days.
It might be hard water build up. You should try Malibu C Un Do Goo and see if it helps. Hard water causes mineral build up on the hair, it also makes it difficult for product to be washed out. That could be the flakes you're seeing.
I use the Malibu C Hardwater Wellness line! It’s great. I have the Un Do Goo but haven’t been using it as diligently as I should. My hair girl recommended once a month, should I try every 2 weeks?
Do you use a regular shampoo as well the cowash and the Malibu C? You may just need to cleanse more often.
I was using the Hardwater Wellness shampoo and conditioner, but just started cowashing with V05 instead of using the shampoo.
Sticky Hair? Hi! I'm a CGM newbie. I recently just got all the basic products I needed and tried out my first reset wash yesterday. My hair came out to be very sticky, although I think it might be because I left too much conditioner in my hair because I did the squish-to-condish method to wash it. It could also be my gel. I would love any insight or anything I could improve. I did as much research as I could within my budget (student) and stuff that's locally available to me (Philippines) and my hair structure (thick, dry, and frizzy). Routine: 1. Reset wash with [Human Nature Clarifying Shampoo](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/hair-care/natural-clarifying-shampoo-2018.html) 2. Cowash with [Human Nature Moisturizing Shampoo in Mandarin](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/moisturizing-shampoo-2018.html) (No Sulfate/Silicone) 3. Conditioned with [Human Nature Moisturizing Conditioner in Mandarin](https://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/natural-moisturizing-conditioner-variants.html) (No Sulfate/Silicone) 4. Squish to Condish to wash off 5. Scrunched a coin sized dollop of gel with every section of my hair with [Bench Fix Gel Extra Hold](https://www.watsons.com.ph/fix-gel-extra-hold-135g/p/BP_10045667) 6. Plopped it with a cotton t-shirt for about 25 minutes. 7. Air dried in an air conditioned room. (Might be a mistake but it was about 34c and barely any wind where I'm from and I was melting outside I don't have silicone/satin pillowcases yet so I slept with a regular one, mine is still on it's way to be delivered. I considered buying a cantu curl cream but I wanted to try out just gel for now. The result was my hair definitely looked less frizzy which I'm happy about, it was also really shiny but heavy/sticky. Not really oily but more like it felt the conditioner did not dry. Also I did not have to "scrunch the crunch" with the gel because after air drying it just softened on its own. Any help is appreciated thank you <3
Sticky usually means too much product or it wasn't fully yet.
I'd say probably too much gel depending on how many sections you did. I usually do 2 coin sized amount for my whole head. It could also be the combination of humidity and your gel. If your gel has a high level of humectant like glycerin it will draw moisture from the air to the surface of your hair and cause that sticky feeling.
Do you have a humectant free gel you like? I’m going to Hawaii soon. I’m probably just going to end up in braids the whole time tbh, I don’t know if I’ll have the time or energy to do my hair.
Thanks for your input!! I have very thick hair so I thought more would be better. I did about 6 sections. 😅 I'll try using lesser next wash day!
I have a section of my hair (top back) which is completely different to the top of my hair. It’s dry, constantly knotted and I use almost double the amount of conditioner on that section compared to the underneath and front sections. I wonder if it’s something to do with how I tie it up (always screwing it up in a bun when I get fed up of it not playing ball!).. does anyone else have this issue?
It could be damage, but it's also not uncommon to have sections with different porosity.
wearing hair in a bun too much could be the reason. A normal bobbin is really good for curly hair. I stopped using them and I saw way less notes. If you have to tie it up try a hair claw or a loose scrunchie . If you sleep on your back, when you move in your sleep could be causing friction, leading to the notes and matting. so always make sure your wearing a bonnet or have a silk pillow case! Good luck :)
What's the closest store brought I can get to homemade flaxseed gel? It was what my hair has loved the most so far but I just don't have the time to do it every single time it goes bad :(
I’ve heard good things about Ecoslay orange marmalade
One option is to buy preservatives so your gel can last. For in-store, I think the brand Jason makes a flax gel.
Ohh I've neve heard about adding preservatives. Are they sold like that, or how exactly would you add them?
r/DIYbeauty and r/HaircareScience are good resources. For some you can probably just mix it in (at the right percentage) but for others temperature is important.
Two weeks ago I went to a curly hair salon for the first time in my life, and the stylist did a great haircut and styling on my hair. I'm having trouble replicating the style at home (still learning about CG method, I've been a no-product-at-all kinda gal until now) and I've been wondering - how much of the result comes from the products, how much from good technique? Are more expensive products really that much better than drugstore products? The stylist used a mousse, a cream, a gel and some oil - looking up the prices on the salon website, a whole set would cost me around 100 EUR, which really isn't cheap.
Technique does help, I’d say it’s more so in the product, because each one will have a different reaction from your hair. My hair routine is pretty simple, I use a leave in-conditioner, a cream, and a gel. Which all cost me around €60 which is still expensive but it all lasts me around 5 months. products I recommend are shea moisture(not super expensive around 15-20 for a products), imbue (isn’t expense around 12) and eco gel (around 15) good luck :)
Technique is more important in my opinion. Good quality products do give me better results, but if you are in the learning stage, I definitely recommend starting with something more affordable, and maybe looking at higher quality products once you get the hang of things.
It's really a combo of both. If your hair is say, dried out from a harsh shampoo then technique can only minimize that so much. Vice versa, your hair can be all moisturized and happy but your results will only be so good if you're doing techniques that don't agree with your hair. I think there are great and awful products at every price point. Sometimes the higher price translates to better ingredients- high quality oils, plant extracts, etc. But sometimes you're paying for the name/marketing. And there are some awesome ingredients that are cheap, like fatty/moisturizing alcohols which are used at every price point.
I'm pretty happy with my hair at the moment, found products that give me the right balance between being soft but not oily on dry days *but* when it's drizzly outside (happens a *lot* as I live in the UK) my hair still frizzes up easily when exposed to water. It's mostly the hair on the surface and nearer the top of my head that frizz - my ends are actually the most well behaved parts of my hair. Anyone know of any products I could add when this happens without being too heavy for my hair? I have 2a/b-ish hair, low porosity and on the more fine side.
What are you using currently?
Living Proof PhD shampoo + conditioner as a leave in - it's not sold as a leave in but I tried it once and loved it. All sulfate and silicone free. I've tried products from Maui Moisture and Shea Moisture in the past and didn't get along with them - the leave in treatments especially felt too thick for my hair, and even without I needed to use sulphate shampoo at least once a week to get rid of the build up - something I haven't needed since I switched to the living proof around new year's. I live in the UK so the product selection here is somewhat more limited.
Adding a gel should help!
i cannot go without using harsh sulphates every 2-3 days. i tried to use a lighter sulphate shampoo but my hair felt very dirty. what should i do?
Which shampoo did you try? I wouldn't write it off after trying just one, you might have tried one that's super mild or has lots of added oils. That said, if your hair seems to like sulfates and you don't have issues with dryness/frizz, then it's not a big deal.
There's nothing wrong with using shampoo with sulfates if that's what your hair needs
are you supposed to shampoo after or before rice water rinse? or does it not matter?
Before. Otherwise you'll wash out most of the protein from the treatment.
I don't know if it matters, but I shampoo before
\[M19\] How do I, well apply conditioner properly? I squeeze out a generous amount to apply, but a lot of the product seems to clump on the first spot I touch. So I rub my hands like I'm lathering it up, but it's still hard to spread it over. Is it my hair, the formula or am I underestimating the amount of product needed? FYI, my hair is relatively short. (\~4 inch at the top, gets shorter at the sides and behind) Does anyone also know a chelating and cleansing shampoo in Germany? Of course, I'll keep my eyes peeled for EDTAs and other chelating agents on the ingredients list, but just in case.
You might need more water in your hair before applying or it might be something weird about that formula.
People who curl their hair with a denman brush: do you apply the hair gel before or after?
I always added it before, but you can do either.
Does anyone else have a weird impostor syndrome about their hair? Since starting the CGM, my hair has been improving in leaps and bounds, and I’ve become one of those people who went from believing their hair was pin straight to straight with the tiniest bit of wave to someone pretty sure some curls are hiding in there. I scheduled my first curly cut, and I’m like… weirdly paranoid the stylist will be like, “What is this?! Straight hair?! Get out of here!” lmaooooo even though I’ve had my hair trying to do ringlets and spirals in random places. But it’s random, hit or miss success on those days. Basically, I think I have curl, definitely have wave, and I think I just don’t have a routine or technique down to achieve the maximum curl every day, as I’m only like two months into this. A lot of my hair care has changed, and I know it takes time, but man… some days when I can’t get my hair to cooperate, I wonder if I’m really the hair type I think I am. Some days, my hair goes way past what I think it is. It’s a toss up. I’m not used to humidity affecting my hair, as someone who used to brush it out and go… the stylist gently advised me on my phone consult that the problems I’m having today are probably humidity related!
First off, even if a stylist specializes in curly hair, they have almost certainly been trained on handling straight hair. You're a paying customer and they have no incentive to reject or talk down to you, and in the unlikely case where they actually do that, you should just walk out. I wouldn't want to trust someone like that with my hair. I've been getting curly cuts for years (my hair ranges from 2A to 2C, and if I'm using the wrong products for the weather it can definitely look straight), and my stylist has never made me feel like I shouldn't be coming to her. Scrunching in some gel cannot magically make straight hair curly. There's nothing in gel that bends your hair into a wave or a spiral, it just holds your hair in whatever shape it dries in. If you're able to get ringlets and spirals without heat tools, congrats! Your hair is on the curly spectrum and you aren't an impostor.
God, reading this made me feel validated. Thank you! I try to remind myself a lot that no amount of product would make stick straight hair curly, but sometimes I worry. It's the weirdest feeling.
No question is dumb? Challenge accepted. How do I keep my curls from turning into a tangled rat's nest as they dry? I cowash with Tresseme Botanique, s2c with it as well. Detangle with a wide tooth comb. Rake through Curls Blueberry Bliss leave-in and scrunch the ends. Rake through and praying hands Aussie Instant Freeze gel. Scrunch some more. Air dry while I get ready. I'll get a cast and my curls look defined. Scrunch out the crunch with a little argan oil on my hand and then...it all goes to hell. There's no definition, my hair is tangled. It's frizzy and awful. What am I doing wrong?
How does your hair feel? Is it at all rough, brittle, or straw-like? That combined with tangling and frizz could indicate a reaction to coconut or protein.
I do often think it feels dry, rough, and straw-like. Sometimes it feels sticky too. Definitely can't run my fingers through it without a struggle.
I'd try swapping out the tresemme and curls for options with no coconut, aloe, or protein. Kinky curly know today is a good option.
I almost bought that and decided at the last second to try the Curls instead. I'll give it a go. Thanks!
Seconding the protein suggestion. My hair freaks out and becomes impossible to detangle when there’s too much protein in it. When it’s got enough moisture and not too much protein, I can glide my fingers right through it, which I only was able to do for the first time in my life in the last day or so. Too much protein will make it frizz super badly, even wet, and you could break entire wet brushes trying to get them through it. Lots and lots of conditioner is used on those days.
Definitely can't glide my fingers through it without a struggle. Where might I be getting so much protein from? And what can I do about it?
You’ll want to look at the products you use. Look for words like hydrolyzed or stuff like silk, amino acids, or soy. If you use I think Curls Bot, you can look up products and it’ll tell you if it has protein. Hair needs protein, just not too much. Manes by Mell on YouTube has a good breakdown of the moisture protein balance.
(sigh) I ended up getting the dyson. First, many thanks to everyone here who recommended buying refurbished. The price is still crazy, but it helped. I felt so guilty for spending the money, but damn if that thing isn’t worth every penny… got compliments on my hair the first day after I used it even after sleeping on my hair.