When you’re first practicing the Curly Girl Method, it is beneficial to understand what you shouldn’t do with your hair to eliminate damage. Many of the everyday hair care practices that we have embraced our entire lives are actually unhealthy for naturally curly hair and should be avoided if possible. Some of the most common products and ingredients you should remove from your hair care routine include the following:

• Shampoo
• Combs and Brushes
• Heat Styling Tools
• Sulfates
• Fragrance
• Non-Water Soluble Silicones
• Alcohol

The very first step toward embracing Massey’s popular method is forgoing the shampoo when washing your hair. This may be very difficult or feel unorthodox initially, so our stylists at the Z Hair Academy in Lee’s Summit recommend weaning yourself off of shampoo by cutting down your usage over time and opting for a sulfate-free shampoo. You may experience feelings of greasiness when you initially quit using shampoo, but over time your hair and scalp will balance out! Whether you choose to forego the shampoo altogether or reduce your usage over time, you should begin by cleansing your hair, massaging your scalp for a minimum of 60 seconds before rinsing.

After you have massaged your scalp for at least 60 seconds, use a conditioner or specially-formulated cream cleanser to remove buildup and cleanse your hair. This process is what industry experts refer to as “co-washing.” Because regular shampoos contain aggressive cleansers that strip away the natural oils from your hair, they eventually affect the overall texture of your curls. By solely utilizing conditioner, a much milder and gentler experience for your hair and scalp, your hair will remain much healthier and smooth-looking.

Now that your curls are washed, it’s time to style them! Of course, we want to help enhance their naturally beautiful shape, so it is important to find products that complement your hair type and utilize healthy ingredients. Start by squeezing any excess water from your hair and applying a leave-in conditioner with your hands. Then, scrunch your curls well and use your favorite styling mousse, gel, or pomade that locks in the hydration and seals your coils in place. Depending on how many times you choose to wash your hair, you may be able to get by styling your hair only one or two times a week!

Because heat styling tools such as curling irons and blow dryers cause significant damage to curly hair, it is best practice to let your hair air dry. If you are struggling with the time required for air drying, you may choose to use a blow dryer with a diffuser and set your dryer to the coldest setting. Our stylists recommend using a hairdryer for no longer than 20 minutes to protect your hair against heat damage!

If you are passionate about hair and desire to be successful within the beauty industry, the Z Hair Academy cosmetology program is the perfect fit! At the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit or one of our three other locations, you can start your education right away on a schedule that works for you. Get started today by speaking with a member of our Admissions team!

Get Started