The Curly Girl Method for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide to Frizz-Free Curls
- OOF! Editorial Team
- Jun 19, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 11 minutes ago
If you're struggling with frizzy, unruly curly hair—or you're ready to embrace your natural curl pattern but don't know where to begin—this guide is for you.
The Curly Girl Method (CGM) focuses on moisture, gentle care, and low-friction drying to bring out your natural curl pattern.
Sounds simple, right?
In reality, CGM can feel confusing with conflicting advice, complicated routines, and too many product rules.
The good news?
We've cracked the curly girl code.
Keep reading for a simple, doable, step-by-step CGM routine.
XOXO,
The Editors of OOF!™
✔ We Explain the Why
Hair science that actually makes sense.
✔ The Latest Trends
So you can make them work for you.
✔ Gentle by Design
Home of the original HALO t-shirt hair towel.
What Is the Curly Girl Method (CGM)?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM)
The Curly Girl Method (CGM) is a hair care routine designed to bring out your natural curl pattern by focusing on moisture, gentle cleansing, and low-friction drying.
It avoids harsh ingredients like sulfates and silicones that cause dryness, buildup, and frizz.
Instead, CGM helps improve curl definition, reduce breakage, and create healthier, more manageable curls over time.
“It took me a lot of trial and error to figure out what actually works for curly hair. That’s exactly why I created this super-simple, step-by-step CGM routine.”
— Annaleise Hall, Co-Founder of OOF!
Before I figured this out, I was doing everything wrong…
My Curly Girl Journey With The Curly Girl Method
For years, I relentlessly straightened my curly hair.
I took so much time and so much product, but I didn't think my curls could be anything but frizzy and frustrating.
Well, I heard about the Curly Girl Method (CGM) and decided to give it a try.
At first, I’ll be honest—it was so confusing!
There was contradicting information, complex steps, and I had so many questions.
How long does it take to work?
Do you really stop using shampoo???
What products actually matter?
I jumped in and through trial and error (and more than a few bad hair days), I finally narrowed it down to a simple, doable curly girl routine.
This guide is the result.
A simple, stress-free, step-by-step Curly Girl Method routine you can actually follow.
What is the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM) is more than just a routine.
It is a different way of caring for your curly hair.
Instead of trying to control your natural texture, CGM works with your curls by focusing on moisture, gentle care, and protecting the hair cuticle.
Over time, things like heat styling, rough towels, and harsh ingredients can damage your hair. When that happens, curls can become dry, frizzy, and harder to define.
The Curly Girl Method removes those harsh habits and replaces them with techniques that support your natural curl pattern.
That is why so many people notice:
more defined curls
better moisture retention
less frizz and breakage
It is not about perfect products or strict rules.
It is about creating the right environment for your curls to form the way they are meant to.
First Things First...What to Avoid With the Curly Girl Method
When you’re just starting out with CGM, the most important thing is knowing what to avoid.
A lot of common hair products and habits can dry out your curls, cause buildup, or lead to frizz and breakage.
By removing these, you give your natural curl pattern a chance to actually form the way it’s supposed to.
Here’s your beginner-friendly “bye-bye list”:
Harsh Sulfate Shampoos
You will use a clarifying shampoo to start your journey, and anytime you feel like your hair may have build-up.
For regular washing, stick to a sulfate-free shampoo that cleans your hair without stripping away moisture.
Heat Tools
Put down the straightener and curling iron (I know, it’s hard at first!).
Excessive heat damages curl bonds, making it harder for your natural pattern to bounce back.
🧡 Pro Tip: When use a blow dryer use a diffuser on low heat. Better yet, absorb moisture with a t-shirt hair towel like our HALO and let air dry.
Silicones
Silicones can make your hair feel smooth at first, but over time they create buildup that blocks moisture from getting into your hair.
If you do use them occasionally, make sure you clarify your hair to reset.
Rough Towels
Traditional bath towels and microfiber towels can rough up your hair cuticle and lead to frizz and breakage.
Switching to a soft cotton t-shirt or t-shirt hair towel is one of the easiest ways to instantly improve your results.
🧡 Pro Tip: Switching your towel is one of the fastest ways to improve your curls. If you’re curious why, learn how cotton vs. microfiber affects frizz, breakage, and your curl pattern.
Drying Alcohols
Not all alcohols are bad.
Fatty alcohols like cetearyl and cetyl are actually moisturizing.
But short-chain alcohols can dry out your hair and scalp.
🚫 Avoid: denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or ethanol.
This is what consistent curl care can do over time:
The Beginner’s Guide to the Curly Girl Method: Step by Step
Ready to start your Curly Girl Method journey?
Keep it simple. You don’t need a million products or perfect technique.
Just be consistent with this stress-free, five-step routine.
RESET: Start Fresh
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup from silicones, oils, and products.
Repeat this step if you ever use a product containing silicone or you feel like your hair has buildup.
🧡 Pro Tip: No clarifying shampoo? An apple cider vinegar rinse can help remove buildup. Mix 1–2 tablespoons with a cup of water, pour over your scalp, then rinse.
STEP 1: Cleanse or Co-Wash
Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo or cleansing conditioner (also called a co-wash).
Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips or a silicone scalp massager for at least one minute to stimulate blood flow to the follicles.
STEP 2: Condition
Apply a generous amount of moisturizing conditioner from mid-lengths to ends.
Your hair should feel soft, slippery, and saturated.
Gently detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is still in your hair.
STEP 3: Style
Choose Curly Girl approved gels, curl creams, or mousses that are free of silicones and drying alcohols.
Look for moisturizing ingredients like aloe, glycerin, jojoba oil, or argan oil to help support soft, defined curls without making hair feel crunchy or dry.
✨ How to apply:
Work into soaking-wet hair to lock in moisture.
Scrunch the product upward (tip to root) to encourage curl formation.
Don’t be afraid to use more than you think you need — curls love moisture!
Our personal favorite for curls is mousse then followed by a gel.
STEP 4: Dry
Start by gently removing excess water using a cotton t-shirt or a soft t-shirt hair towel to reduce frizz and protect the curl pattern.
Then either:
let your hair air dry
or use a diffuser on low heat and low airflow
Avoid rough towels, which can disrupt your curl pattern and lead to frizz.
Once your hair is completely dry, lightly scrunch to soften your curls and break any stiffness from styling products.
🧡 Pro Tip: Try curly hair plopping for 10–20 minutes before drying. This helps reduce frizz, encourage definition, and set your curl pattern before air drying or diffusing.
If you’re not sure how to do it, here’s exactly how to plop your hair step by step using the HALO hair towel.
Here’s a simple visual breakdown of the Curly Girl Method steps:
Essential Curly Girl Method Products for Beginners
The right products can make a big difference when you’re starting the Curly Girl Method.
But you don’t need a cabinet full of products to see results.
A few well-chosen basics are more than enough to get started.
Reset Wash
Oli G Pure Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Removes product buildup
Allows moisture to penetrate more effectively
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
You’ll want a mild cleanser that removes buildup without stripping away natural oils.
Choose a conditioner rich in lightweight oils and butters (like coconut, argan, and jojoba).
Hydration is everything for curls!
Amika Hydro Rush Shampoo and Conditioner
Deep hydration with hyaluronic acid
Sulfate, silicone, and paraben free
Moisturizes without heavy proteins
Co-wash (No shampoo) Option
CURLSMITH Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
Deep hydration with shea butter
Sulfate, silicone, and paraben free
No shampoo needed
Curl-Friendly Styling Products
Curly Girl Method Drying
Cotton reduces friction + frizz
Supports natural curl pattern
Curly hair plopping
Frequently Asked Questions About the Curly Girl Method
Still have questions about the Curly Girl Method?
How Often Do I Wash My Hair With CGM?
It's usually recommended that you wash your hair once a week with the CGM. However, your scalp and hair may be different.
If your hair is prone to oiliness or you have low porosity hair, I would suggest cleansing every other day. For coily/kinky or high porosity hair, 1-2 times a week is best.
Will the Curly Girl Method Make My Hair Curl or Curlier?
The Curly Girl Method is designed to enhance your natural curl or wave pattern rather than create curls on hair that is naturally straight or only slightly wavy.
The main objective of CGM is to achieve healthier and more defined curls.
So, it works for wavy or curly hair but will not make straight hair curly.
Can I Brush My Hair Using the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method recommends only using a wide-tooth comb when it is saturated with conditioner to maintain the natural curl pattern and does not allow for traditional brushing, because it disturbs your curl pattern.
Tighter curls will often require a curly hair brush to detangle and distribute products for twisting, braiding, and protective styling.
What is the Best Way to Apply Styling Products Using CGM?
There are so many methods for applying product to enhance you're curls. You will probably want to experiment to find which works best for your hair.
I suggest trying one method at least 5 times before moving on to a new method. Each time, make sure to vary up how much product you use and how wet your hair is. Here is my favorite:
Upside Down Scrunching
Scrunching encourages curl clumps (which means well defined curls when dry). And if you want to do it upside down, you get the added benefit of volume if that is your goal.
After conditioning, flip your head over, rake all your hair forward, then squish in (cup and squeeze) the gel, mousse, or curl cream.
The water in your hair will help dilute and distribute the product, while all the cupping and scrunching will encourage major curl or wave formation.
Regular Scrunching
This is just like upside down scrunching, but without flipping your hair over. If your hair tends to tangle or if you have tighter coils, you will want to do avoid the flip.
How long does it take the Curly Girl Method to work?
The Curly Girl Method can take at least six weeks to really start to work.
When you start using different products and drying techniques on your waves and curls, it's normal for your hair to react differently at first.
However, as you've seen in the before-and-after photos, the majority of people see positive results when they persist with the new routine.
So, How Did the Curly Girl Method Work For YOU?!
💖 Stay Connected
OOF! is a women-owned brand focused on simple, effective hair care that actually works. We believe hair care shouldn’t be complicated.
Come hang out with us on social channels @clearlyoof where we share hair tips, routines, and real-life results from our community.
And if you’re new here, OOF! is more than just hair care.
Through WOOF! by OOF!, we support animal rescue efforts and no-kill shelters, because making life a little more beautiful should extend beyond just our hair.
