10 Best Products for Curly Girl Method

Preventing Physical Stress

One of the key tenets of the Curly Girl Method is to reduce hair’s exposure to physical stresses. This includes tools and even scenarios that offer minimal physical stress.

For instance, CGM requires the person to reduce how often they wash their hair because the act of washing itself puts physical stress on the hair. The extent of reduction, however, varies from one person to another. Some people reduce the number of times they wash their hair to two or three per week while others make it once a week.

Similarly, the use of combs, brushes, and cotton towels is avoided because these things can put undue physical pressure on individual hair strands. Instead, CGM recommends using fingers for detangling the hair and microfiber towels or even plain T-shirts to dry it.

Avoiding Heat and Chemicals

The CGM also advocates against artificially altering the state of one’s hair. It focuses especially on two things – hot tools and chemical treatments.

Hot tools are effective at changing the texture and shape of the hair because the heat they generate breaks the natural bonds in the hair. However, this heat also ends up damaging the hair strands and weakens their structural integrity. This is why the CGM strongly advises against the use of flat irons, curling irons, and even blow driers.

The CGM is also against chemical treatments such as keratin straightening and hair coloring because the chemicals used in such techniques affect the internal bonds of each hair strands in the same way that heat does. Straightening techniques break the curling bonds while coloring techniques force dyes under the cuticle layer.

Choosing Cleaner Products

Most importantly, the CGM advises against the use of hair care products with synthetic ingredients. It specifically mentions ingredients such as sulfates in cleansing products and silicones in conditioning products along with parabens in all products.

It is also important to note that while sulfates are strictly forbidden in CGM, some people do follow their modified versions of the CGM. Typically, modified CGM versions involve reduced exposure to silicones because the users realize that their hair becomes too dry without them.

All the products listed and reviewed on this page are free of all synthetic ingredients precisely for this reason.

1. Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo (Best Shampoo)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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When it comes to sulfate-free shampoos, this Cleansing Cream Shampoo from Cantu is easily one of the most famous amongst CGM adherents. In fact, the entire Cantu brand is very popular in the CGM community because most of their products tend to be natural and specifically developed for people with very curly hair.

This product is no different since it is intended particularly for people with wavy, curly, and coily hair. It is a very effective CGM cleanser that is best used as a clarifying shampoo because of how powerfully it cleanses the scalp. The downside of this cleansing strength, though, is that this shampoo can leave your hair a bit too dry.

Its cleansing power comes from coconut-derived cleansers which are well-known substitutes for sulfates in the CGM community. The presence of these cleansers also means that this shampoo produces sufficient lather. This shampoo is not only free of sulfates but also other artificial substances such as parabens.

The coconut-based cleansers are also responsible for this shampoo’s scent. It smells distinctly tropical with special emphasis on coconut. The scent, however, is mild and shouldn’t bother anyone including those who are hypersensitive to smells.

This shampoo is very pocket-friendly too. Cantu sells it in two different sizes. It comes in a single pack and a pack of four bottles with each bottle containing 13.5 ounces of the shampoo. You should also know that these are squeeze bottles instead of bottles with dispensing pumps.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a CGM approved clarifying shampoo and don’t mind the smell of coconuts, get this one from Cantu.

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2. Pantene Pro-V Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner Kit

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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If you’re one of those people who prefer using a shampoo and conditioner instead of a cleansing conditioner or a cowash, then this set from Pantene Pro-V will be very convenient for you. Further, you would particularly appreciate this set if you’re following a modified version of the CGM where you’re allowing your hair reduced exposure to silicones. The reason why we’re specifying this upfront is that the conditioner in this set contains silicones.

Both the shampoo and conditioner are based on rose water, which is one of the best properties of this set. This set is especially popular for its scent which is predominantly rose with hints of mint and lily thrown in. It isn’t just popular because of its scent, though. It has other great qualities too.

For instance, both the shampoo and conditioner work very well together. The shampoo is a great cleanser that does a good job without depending on sulfates while the conditioner is great at moisturizing hair.

Individually, though, the two may not work that well. If you use them separately, you’ll find the shampoo to be extremely drying and the conditioner to be a bit too moisturizing, leaving your hair either straw-like or greasy.

The shampoo, as mentioned, is natural and without any artificial ingredients like sulfates and parabens. It still produces a lot of lather. Similarly, while the conditioner does contain silicones, it is free of parabens and other synthetic ingredients.

Even though this pair is popular because of its scent, there are other variants available too. The available variants are a bamboo bundle, a castor oil bundle, a biotin bundle, a jojoba oil bundle, and a rose water bundle, other than the rose water shampoo and conditioner set we’re reviewing here.

Every bundle comes with an intense rescue shot designed to help repair hair. All variants are very pocket-friendly with this pair being the most expensive on a per-ounce basis.

We should also add that every shampoo and conditioner bottle comes with a dispensing pump that makes it very easy to use in the shower.

Who’s it for: If you’re following a modified version of the CGM where you allow yourself some silicones, get this shampoo and conditioner set from Pantene Pro-V.

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3. As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner (Best Cowash)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The CGM community is divided between people who use sulfate-free shampoos along with silicone-free conditioners and people who depend on cowashes or cleansing conditioners only. If cowashing works for you, it is the perfect product to go the CGM way because it will allow you to ditch shampoos and conditioners altogether.

This will not only save you tons of money but also a lot of time as you’ll be fulfilling all your hair’s needs with a single product. The only reason cowashing doesn’t work for some CGM adherents is that it can leave the hair very dry. This can happen even with the best cowashes in the market as is evident with this one from As I Am.

It is recognized in the CGM community as one of the best but even this product’s biggest flaw is that it can leave the hair too dry. However, it does this because it is a great cleanser. It can cut through most types of buildup in the scalp, irrespective of whether the residue is from hair products or natural sebum production.

Apart from its superb cleansing properties, this product is also incredibly popular in the CGM community because of its versatility. While primarily a cleansing conditioner, you’ll also have the option of using it as a traditional or leave-in conditioner. As a leave-in, it will even add moisture to your hair and provide a decent slip that you can use to detangle your curls.

When used as a cleansing conditioner, you’ll find that this product is not only easy to spread through the hair but also to rinse out. The formula of this product is based mainly on coconut but it does contain other highly beneficial ingredients as well such as castor seed oil, tangerine fruit extract, saw palmetto fruit extract, and balsam Canada resin too.

Since it contains coconut oil and coconut fruit powder, it smells strongly of coconuts. Unless you don’t like the coconut smell, it is highly likely that you’ll like this product’s scent.

You can get this cowash in two different sizes, although the bigger one is hard to find. The bigger size is a bottle that comes with a dispensing pump and contains 32 ounces of the product. The smaller size, on the other hand, is a jar that contains 16 ounces of the product.

As is obvious, the bigger bottle is much easier to use and significantly more pocket-friendly than the smaller jar. While the bigger bottle maybe more pocket-friendly, the product, in general, is very cheap.

Who’s it for: If you want to ditch shampoos and conditioners altogether, you won’t find a better cowash than this one from As I Am.

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4. Devacurl No-Poo Decadence Milk Cleanser

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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People with the curliest, thickest, and coarsest hair tend to struggle when it comes to moisturizing their hair. The reason for this is that these hair types tend to be quite porous which prevents individual hair strands from retaining moisture.

Using a cowash on these hair types is difficult for precisely this reason. The cleansing action of the cowash ends up leaving these types of hair incredibly dry. As a result, these hair types need a cowash that not only cleanses the scalp well but also excels at moisturizing.

The No-Poo Decadence Milk Cleanser from Devacurl is the perfect example of a cowash that can benefit these hair types. It is particularly designed for super-curly hair that has difficulty retaining moisture. In fact, it is so effective that unless you have very dry hair, it will make it incredibly greasy.

Further, even if you have hair that craves moisture you can end up struggling against greasiness if you use too much of this cowash in a single wash. If this does happen to you by mistake, all you can do is rinse your hair longer and multiple times till the grease is gone.

However, it will always be better if you use this cowash sparingly to avoid greasiness. Another reason why you should use this cleansing conditioner sparingly is that it is on the expensive side of things. Although it comes in multiple sizes, all but the biggest bottles are expensive.

Even so, if you don’t use too much of this cowash every time, the bottles will last you longer. The available bottle sizes, incidentally, are three ounces, 12 ounces, and 32 ounces. Each bottle is also available in double packs and the 32-ounce double-pack is the most affordable.

Moreover, the biggest bottles are economical in the long run because they come with dispensing pumps that will give you better control over how much of the product you take for each wash.

In terms of effectiveness, no other product can be compared to this cowash when it comes to hydration. Along with hydration, this cowash also helps strengthen and nourish the hair owing to the kind of ingredients it is based on.

For instance, it is based on grape seed oil but also contains chufa milk and quinoa protein that fortify every hair strand from the inside. Because of these ingredients and its super moisturizing power, this cowash also delivers excellent slip to the hair.

This will make it easier for you to detangle your hair even if you’re one of those purists who use their fingers to detangle their hair. However, don’t expect this cowash to lather. It is purposefully designed to not create suds. This is understandable because it doesn’t contain any surfactants or synthetic ingredients such as parabens and sulfates.

Despite its detangling capabilities, it doesn’t even contain silicones. Further, this cowash will suit people of varying sensibilities too. It is vegan and cruelty-free rated making it a good choice for animal lovers. Even people dealing with celiac disease will benefit from this cowash because it is gluten-free.

The smell of this cowash, however, is divisive. While most people like its slightly floral and tropical scent, many don’t. Since scents are subjective, you’ll have to try this product to see if you like its smell. Buying the three-ounce bottles can help you do this for minimal investment.

Who’s it for: If you have super curly hair that also happens to struggle when it comes to retaining moisture, get the No-Poo Decadence from Devacurl.

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5. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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There is a reason why Maui Moisture calls this conditioner Curl Quench. It is a very strong moisturizing conditioner that can handle the driest of hair. In fact, the company categorically states that this conditioner is meant for people with very thick and curly hair. They even specify that this product is particularly ideal for very tight curls, which is a clear indication of its intense moisturizing powers.

The reason why this conditioner offers such intense conditioner capabilities is that its formula uses 100 percent pure aloe vera juice as a base. In normal quantities, aloe vera juice is a great moisturizer. However, when used as a base like in this product, its higher concentration means that its moisturizing properties get amplified.

Even so, aloe vera also happens to be an easy to absorb ingredient. This means that it is incapable of providing any slip that can be used to detangle the hair. Another downside of the fact that this conditioner uses aloe vera for the base is that it can cause allergic reactions in some people.

There are enough incidences of this that this is something that you need to be careful about. The best way to be careful would be to patch test this conditioner on the inside of your elbow before using it on your scalp.

Because this conditioner is so good at moisturizing scalp and hair, it also performs well when it comes to smoothing and de-frizzing hair. This directly results in the curls getting defined.

Since aloe vera has no real smell, this conditioner gets its scent from its second ingredient – coconut milk. It has a sweet tropical smell of coconut. The scent, incidentally, is quite strong and may not appeal to you if you like subtler fragrances.

Other than aloe vera and coconut milk, other notable ingredients in this product are papaya and plumeria extracts. It doesn’t contain any artificial substances either such as silicones or parabens. Further, it is rated to be a vegan product.

While we’re reviewing the conditioner here, this same formula is available in other variants too such as a shampoo, a curl smoothie, and a curl milk. All the variants, including this one, are competitively priced and will be within the reach of most potential buyers. You should also note that none of the variants come with dispensing pumps.

Who’s it for: If your curls tend toward extreme dryness and you’re not allergic to aloe vera, get this great conditioner from Maui Moisture.

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6. Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-in Conditioner

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Detangling and hydrating usually go hand in hand. This is understandable because most ingredients that moisturize the hair also give it the slip it needs to be detangled. However, this overlap can make it very difficult for people with normal or slightly oily hair to find a detangling agent that doesn’t weigh down their hair.

If you’re one of these people then we’ve found a product that may work well for you even on the CGM. The Quench from Aunt Jackie’s is a leave-in conditioner that is excellent when it comes to slip and restrained when it comes to moisture even though it says “Moisture Intensive” on the label. Because it is so restrained when it comes to hydration, some of you may find that it leaves your hair dry after it dries up.

However, this will only happen to those of you who have very dry hair, to begin with. If you’re one of these people who need heavy moisture, we suggest trying another conditioner or using a moisturizer after this product. Whatever you do, don’t try putting a lot of this product in your hair. If you do that, you can expect buildup in the form of flakes in your scalp.

Developed exclusively for wavy, curly, and coily hair types, this product’s lightweight formula will do wonders for your hair provided you don’t have incredibly dry hair. It will counter frizz and leave your hair soft along with loads of slip that will help you detangle with ease. The slip comes from this leave-in conditioner’s extra virgin olive oil content.

What it will not do is intensely hydrate your hair. We found this a little surprising because this product contains multiple moisturizing ingredients such as marshmallow root and shea butter. However, we think this is because these ingredients are not present in high concentrations. In fact, the thin, watery consistency of this product proves this in a way.

The smell of this leave-in conditioner is something that appeals to most users. Its scent can be best described as light and clean. However, it is also sweet and fruity so that is something you should keep in mind before pulling the trigger on your purchase.

In terms of pricing, you don’t have to worry one bit about this product. It is very competitively priced and will fit into the budgets of most people.

Who’s it for: If you want a CGM approved detangling agent that doesn’t weigh down your hair, try the Quench from Aunt Jackie’s.

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7. Garnier Fructis Smoothing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask with Avocado Extract (Best Moisturizer)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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This is a multifunctional product that is hugely useful for someone following the CGM. While Garnier Fructis describes it as a Hair Mask, we think it is best described as a hair moisturizer because it can be used as a leave-in conditioner and a normal conditioner in addition to a hair mask.

This is, in fact, its greatest quality because it ensures that this product suits the majority of users. For example, if you use it as a leave-in conditioner and it makes your hair too greasy, you can switch to using it as a normal conditioner. Similarly, if using it as a normal conditioner is not moisturizing your hair enough, you can use it as a hair mask for a deep conditioning treatment.

Most people wouldn’t even have to leave it in place for long since the company only recommends one minute for results. However, if you do leave it in your hair for a longer period, you can expect better results.

Regardless of which way you use this product, you can expect your hair to get soft, smooth, and well-moisturized. This product will even give your hair the slip that you may need to detangle your curls.

This slip, however, doesn’t come from silicones because this product’s formula is completely free of such artificial ingredients. It doesn’t even contain parabens. In fact, the company says that 98 percent of its formula is based on naturally derived ingredients and 94 percent of the product is biodegradable. It is also a vegan rated product.

The product we’re reviewing here is intended to help detangle and smooth hair but other variants are available too. These include the Damage Repairing formula with Papaya Extract, the Color Vibrancy Treat with Goji, the Nourishing Treat with Coconut Extract, and the Strengthening formula with Banana.

The one we’re reviewing is the Smoothing Treat with Avocado Extract. As a result, this product smells distinctly of avocado. However, the scent isn’t overpowering and is very likable.

This product is also available in multiple size variants. The variants are based on 3.4-ounce and 13.5-ounce jars. The variants are single jar packs, double jar packs, and kits which contain two small jars and one big jar. The jars are fine if you plan on using this product as a leave-in or mask but not great if you want to use it as a traditional conditioner. They can slip and slide from your hands in the shower.

The product inside the jar, incidentally, is very thick too. So, you can’t transfer it to another bottle easily. However, its thick consistency means that the product will not finish quickly. The fact that the product is affordably priced makes this even better.

Who’s it for: If you want the best moisturizing product that is also CGM approved, get this from Garnier Fructis.

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8. Ecoco Eco Style Gel – Olive Oil (Best Curl Gel)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The Eco Style Gel from Ecoco is very popular amongst the CGM followers. The main reason for this is that this gel offers the strongest hold possible without making the curls crunchy. This means that you can use this gel to define your curls without taking away the natural fall and bounce that gives them life.

However, this gel isn’t just about its hold. It is also a good option because it adds moisture and shine to the hair. In fact, this gel is so strong that you need to be very careful about how much you take for each application. If you take too much, you’ll face one of two problems.

The first is that you’ll find it very difficult to evenly spread it through your curls. This gel has a very thick consistency which can make it very tough to apply even in small quantities. In larger quantities, it would be very easy for the gel to clump up.

The second problem is that if this gel is used in excess it can leave behind residue. The residue would appear in the form of white flakes and can be particularly horrible if the gel is allowed to clump anywhere.

Also, you can use this gel too often without clarifying your scalp. For example, if you use it every day, you’ll see buildup very quickly.

In terms of smell, you can choose from multiple variants. The one we’re reviewing here has a minty smell even though it is based on pure olive oil. Other available options are argan oil, black, blue, clear, pink, and yellow.

You’ll also have two size options. The smaller jar will contain 32 ounces of the gel while the larger one’s capacity will be 80 ounces. The gel is very long-lasting so even the smaller jar will stay with you for a very long time. This product is generally very cheap but the bigger jar is considerably cheaper than the smaller one.

Who’s it for: If you want the strongest hold for your curls without the irritating crunchiness common with gels, get this one from Ecoco.

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9. DevaCurl Ultra Defining Hair Gel

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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This is the second Devacurl product that we’ve found to be perfect for someone following the Curly Girl Method. This shouldn’t surprise you because Devacurl is a brand that is built around the CGM.

All its products are natural and without synthetic substances such as sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Moreover, they’re designed explicitly for dry and textured hair of various types. This Ultra Defining Hair Gel, for example, is meant for wavy hair types.

The purpose of this hair gel is to help wavy-haired people turn their waves into curls without weighing down the hair. Despite being lightweight, this gel provides a very solid curl control while negating frizz and flyaway hair. In addition to providing a good hold, this hair gel even nourishes the hair from the inside by giving it access to wheat and soy proteins.

In fact, as a lightweight non-drying gel, this product has been so successful that it has won awards. The foremost of these is the Favorite Product for Wavy Hair by Naturally Curly. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that this gel is flawless.

Its biggest flaw is that it doesn’t work for everyone. If your hair isn’t the right texture or weight, it can fail to define your curls and there is no way for you to see if it will work for you without buying and trying it. On some hair types, this gel will even leave behind a residue. The residue can be sticky initially and crunchy after drying up. The residue, though, is invisible and only becomes evident on touch.

Another flaw of this curl defining gel is its scent. The company says it has a scent blend of mango and starfruit but, in practice, it comes across as grape with citrus notes. The scent, however, is very strong and can be overwhelming until it dissipates.

The good bit, though, is that it is a completely natural product as is the case with all Devacurl products. It doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, or silicones. Additionally, it is not only vegan and cruelty-free rated but also gluten-free, which makes it suitable for animal lovers and celiac sufferers alike.

This also happens to be a fairly expensive product. You can reduce the per-ounce cost by buying the biggest bottles and packs but it will still turn out to be costlier than most other curl defining gels in the market.

The bottle sizes you’ll be able to choose from are three ounces, 12 ounces, and 32 ounces. Each bottle size is available in double packs but the 12-ounce bottles can be had in four-packs too. The company also offers its 32-ounce bottle in a box with a safety seal. The 32-ounce bottles come with dispensing pumps too.

Who’s it for: If you have wavy hair that you want to turn into curls while following the CGM, get this styling gel from Devacurl.

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10. DuraComfort Essentials Super Absorbent Anti-Frizz Microfiber Hair Towel (Best Towel)

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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The Curly Girl Method requires the follower to not use cotton towels for drying the hair. The logic behind this is that cotton towels can trap and break individual hair strands. It advises two alternatives to cotton towels. These are drying the hair with cotton T-shirts or using microfiber towels.

Microfiber towels are a better option because of their absorbing power. Microfiber fabric has considerably more absorbent power than cotton towels and T-shirts. The best part, though, is that this fabric doesn’t trap and pull hair strands leading to breakage.

While there are many microfiber towels available in the market, the best and most popular in the CGM community is this one from DuraComfort Essentials. It is suitable for all hair types, including damaged and brittle hair but this is true for all microfiber towels.

What makes this product different from most of its competitors is that it comes with a specialized seam. The seam is stretchy and flexible making it easy for it to be tied into a turban. The CGM focuses on tying a T-shirt or towel turbans instead of drying the hair by rubbing or squeezing it because this method prevents breakage. The fact that this towel comes with such specialized seams makes it tailor-made for people following the CGM method.

The extra feature doesn’t even add a lot to this product’s cost. This towel remains very affordable and DuraComfort Essentials even offer a 100 percent money-back guarantee on it.

While an excellent product, though, there are certain limitations that you need to be aware of before buying this microfiber towel. The most important of these is its size. If you have particularly long or thick hair, then this towel can prove to be too small for you.

Further, this towel is only available in one color – white. This means that it is prone to getting dirty very quickly. The discoloration will push you towards washing this towel more frequently which would, in turn, shorten its life.

Who’s it for: If you want to switch to microfiber towels and would like to tie your hair in a towel turban, this is the best product you can get.

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