Hey guys! I know I've been ghost for a while but abeg, don't vex; life has been hectic! But even with all things taking up my time, I couldn't leave you all in dark about what I've been doing with my hair. So without further ado, here are some updates!
Okay, so as you all know I've been doing the Curly Girl (CG) Method since sometime around March. Well my first experience with the CG Method was horrendous. Although I can't completely blame the method for my hair constantly being a hot mess, I contribute my unruly hair to several factors:
1. I did not purchase the book.
So when I first started researching about the CG Method, I was very hesitant to buy the book because according to online sources, only a few pages were dedicated to women with kinky hair. If you're frugal like me, then you would be hesitant as well to pay $13 for a few pages of knowledge.
Take it from me guys- the internet can only tell you so much. I realized after I got a hold of the book in May that there is a lot of misinformation out there on the web. For example, on many sites this method is illustrated as a wash & go method which is not strictly the case. After reading the entire book I realized that the crux of this method is to create a healthy hair regimen for curly hair; definition is merely a byproduct.
In addition to the misinformation about this being a strictly wash and go method, there was also an underlining message that this method is not for kinky hair. The reason I say this is because for one- there are not as many kinky haired women who have tried this method and followed through (I'm guilty as well lol). Also, on certain sites like naturallycurly.com, there was a heavy emphasis on defining your type 3 curly hair in this article. Did they forget that there is a Black woman with type 4 hair on the cover?
So when I first started researching about the CG Method, I was very hesitant to buy the book because according to online sources, only a few pages were dedicated to women with kinky hair. If you're frugal like me, then you would be hesitant as well to pay $13 for a few pages of knowledge.
Take it from me guys- the internet can only tell you so much. I realized after I got a hold of the book in May that there is a lot of misinformation out there on the web. For example, on many sites this method is illustrated as a wash & go method which is not strictly the case. After reading the entire book I realized that the crux of this method is to create a healthy hair regimen for curly hair; definition is merely a byproduct.
In addition to the misinformation about this being a strictly wash and go method, there was also an underlining message that this method is not for kinky hair. The reason I say this is because for one- there are not as many kinky haired women who have tried this method and followed through (I'm guilty as well lol). Also, on certain sites like naturallycurly.com, there was a heavy emphasis on defining your type 3 curly hair in this article. Did they forget that there is a Black woman with type 4 hair on the cover?
2. My hair was in really bad shape.
Although I had overcome the dry Brillo pad feeling that my hair had the first few months of being natural, my hair was constantly plagued with dryness the majority of my natural hair journey. If I could rate my hair on how hydrated/healthy it was I would give it a 25/100 for most of my journey. Although I was able to retain length, I attribute that to gentle handling of my hair.
It never dawned on me that the cause of my dryness was equated with the ingredients I was putting in my hair. When I finally learned about what silicones actually are and how they affected my hair, I was relieved that the damage could be reversed.
Overall, my hair being in really bad shaped contributed to the tangling and dryness I experienced when I first attempted the regimen. It got so bad that I wore wigs for the first two weeks of starting this regimen because my hair was making me depressed and I didn't want to think it about it anymore.
Although I had overcome the dry Brillo pad feeling that my hair had the first few months of being natural, my hair was constantly plagued with dryness the majority of my natural hair journey. If I could rate my hair on how hydrated/healthy it was I would give it a 25/100 for most of my journey. Although I was able to retain length, I attribute that to gentle handling of my hair.
It never dawned on me that the cause of my dryness was equated with the ingredients I was putting in my hair. When I finally learned about what silicones actually are and how they affected my hair, I was relieved that the damage could be reversed.
Overall, my hair being in really bad shaped contributed to the tangling and dryness I experienced when I first attempted the regimen. It got so bad that I wore wigs for the first two weeks of starting this regimen because my hair was making me depressed and I didn't want to think it about it anymore.
So anywho, I attempted the method for a month and at the end of the month I was ready to quit, y'all. Although I knew I could never go back to a silicone-filled regimen because I learned that my hair responded better without it, man I really wanted to at times! The way I see silicones/grease is that they are the fast food of natural hair care. They fill you up for the moment but over time their damage runs its course. There were so many times in this method that I really wanted to slap on some grease or a product laced with 'cones so that my hair could feel some temporary relief (Thankfully I didn't because I didn't feel like starting all over again by stripping my hair with shampoo). In the end I decided to return to my old routine and techniques but incorporating CG friendly products.
I continued with this until a few weeks into summer when the book was bought for me by someone I hold dear to my heart (you know who you are lol thanks again!). After reading the entire book, I had a better perspective about this method and decided to give it a try again. With my trusty handbook, TRESemmé Naturals conditioner, and tub of Shea butter, I was ready to take on summer!
I wish I could tell you an elaborate story of how I went about the CG Method in the summer but truth is- I was very consistent. For the most part I cowashed my hair Monday to Friday and threw my hair in a wet bun. On the weekends I would set my hair in a braidout and seal with Shea butter. That's really it guys lol. Sounds a little disappointing but consistency and the right ingredients was all my hair really needed. Doing the aforementioned routine, my hair was more moisturized, retained more length, had less breakage, and less shedding.
I continued with this until a few weeks into summer when the book was bought for me by someone I hold dear to my heart (you know who you are lol thanks again!). After reading the entire book, I had a better perspective about this method and decided to give it a try again. With my trusty handbook, TRESemmé Naturals conditioner, and tub of Shea butter, I was ready to take on summer!
I wish I could tell you an elaborate story of how I went about the CG Method in the summer but truth is- I was very consistent. For the most part I cowashed my hair Monday to Friday and threw my hair in a wet bun. On the weekends I would set my hair in a braidout and seal with Shea butter. That's really it guys lol. Sounds a little disappointing but consistency and the right ingredients was all my hair really needed. Doing the aforementioned routine, my hair was more moisturized, retained more length, had less breakage, and less shedding.
If you are thinking about giving this method a try then I say go for it! Don't let the natural hair world limit you in what you can do with your hair. Kinky hair can define and dryness and tangles are not innate characteristics of our hair. Some of us may be years down the road with our natural hair but it's always important to be flexible with our hair to ensure that we are indeed taking care of our hair to the best abilities.
Have YOU tried the Curly Girl Method? What are your thoughts? Are you considering it?