Introduced to the mainstream curly community in the early 2000s by hairstylist Lorraine Massey, the Curly Girl Method is a hair method that substitutes damaging habits for those that are more beneficial to your mane. Though it’s been around for quite some time – and even dating back pre 2000s era – there are still a few people who have never heard of the method. If you’re one of the people who isn’t sure what it consists of, here are a few things to keep in mind when giving it a try.

Stay away from the don’ts.

When using the Curly Girl Method, there are certain items that you are probably used to using that will now be on the “no” list. And while it may be difficult to cut them out initially, doing so can produce incredible results for your curls. Here’s what you should avoid, according to the CGM.

• Shampoo
• Heat styling tools
• Brushes and combs
• Alcohol and fragrance-based products
• Non-water soluble silicones
• Sulfates

Products that include gentle cleansing ingredients like decyl polyglucose and cocamidopropyl betaine can be used along with shea butter, olive and vegetable oils, humectants, moisturizers, proteins and styling gel ingredients.

Know the proper steps for each hair type.

Although the method consists of cleansing, conditioning and styling (in that order) for everyone, there are certain steps that each hair type should abide by. Here’s what you should know.

Cleansing.

When washing, be sure to cleanse with the tips of your fingers – not your nails and instead of using a shampoo, use a conditioner. If you have wavy hair, however, you may use a shampoo, but only once a week. Remember to condition your hair both before and after. For curly hair, co-wash your hair with our Coco Wash Coconut Milk Conditioning Cleanser once a week or every 10 days. And for those with coily manes, you should be cleansing as little as possible and just wetting your hair in between your co-wash days.

Conditioning.

Nce in sections, smooth over your hair until your entire head has been covered in the product. If your hair is wavy, leave a little bit of conditioner in your head instead of rinsing completely. For those with curly tresses, depending on the amount of moisture your hair needs, you can either leave the conditioner in or wash it out. And lastly, for our coily girls, place your hair in cap and apply heat for 15 minutes. Be sure to rinse the conditioner out completely so as to avoid any film. Either hair type can depend on our In Control Moisturizing and Softening Conditioner to get the job done.

Styling.

Instead of wringing your hair out, bend forward and blot dry by cupping your hair in a microfiber towel. Scrunch your gel (our Don’t Shrink Elongating Curling Gel and Curl Boss Coconut Curling Gelee both work wonders!) from ends to roots starting at the nape of your head, leaving the top for last. Wavy hair donners can help their curls to form by adding pin curls or doing more scrunching, while those with curly hair should bend forward fluff from underneath the head once it’s completely dry. And lastly, if you have coily hair, you have free range to styling your mane – just avoid heat.