Struggling to control your curls? Thinking of trying the Curly Girl Method? Here we reveal what to expect and how switching to our low-poo shampoo and silicone-free conditioner can keep your curls strong and healthy.
Our Moisturising Shampoo is particularly suitable for curl types 2 and 3.
What is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method is a way of caring for curly or wavy hair using low poo shampoos (shampoo without sulphates) and silicone-free conditioners.
Without plenty of moisture, hair can be prone to frizz and some find that using sulphate-based shampoos and silicone-based conditioners further depletes the hair of moisture, causing curls to lose their elasticity, shine and bounce.
Some devotees of The Curly Girl Method opt to avoid shampoo completely and instead use water or baking soda and apple cider vinegar to cleanse their hair and scalpi. Others wash their hair infrequently using a shampoo that is completely free from sulphates.
Using a silicone-free conditioner is key for The Curly Hair Method and those following the technique are advised to thoroughly condition their hairii.
Does Green People make low poo shampoo?
The SLS-free shampoos in our organic hair care range all contain Sodium Coco Sulphate (SCS), a naturally foaming sulphate made from Coconut oil.
This is much gentler than Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and many find that it is suitable as a low poo shampoo. In fact, we have it on good authority from our very own curly girls, Emily and Iwona, who have curl types 3A and 3C, that our Moisturising Shampoo is the best natural shampoo for curly hair, even though it isn't entirely sulfate free.
All our conditioners are free from sulphates and silicones and are suitable for people following The Curly Girl Method.
Best Curly Girl Method hair products
Want to cut down your use of shampoo but are not sure which UK low-poo shampoo and conditioner is best for you? Follow our guide below to find a routine that suits your hair type:
LOW-POO SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR DRY & NORMAL HAIR
The good news is that most people will produce enough sebum to keep their hair healthy but if you have been regularly using SLS shampoo, hair dye or heat treatments, the likelihood is that your hair will be dehydrated.
To inject moisture back into curly hair, wash your hair with our Sodium lauryl sulphate-free Moisturising Shampoo.
Entirely free of SLS and alcohol, this gentle, natural shampoo contains Marshmallow which softens and helps the hair to become more slippery.
Next, apply your conditioner and comb it through the hair with a wide toothed comb to remove any tangles.
For best results choose a conditioner containing protein as this will help repair damaged cuticles and strengthen the hair shaft.
We recommend our silicone-free Quinoa & Artichoke Conditioner which features smoothing Artichoke and is rich in amino acids from Quinoa protein.
LOW-POO SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR GREASY HAIR & FLAKY SCALPS
Over shampooing is a common cause of dry, flaky scalp and if your hair is prone to looking oily, thoroughly rinsing your hair will help remove any shampoo residue.
Although the Curly Girl Method recommends baking soda, our Cosmetic Scientist, Ian Taylor, would advise using a vinegar rinse to cleanse the scalp.
This is because baking soda is alkaline and can upset the pH balance of sensitive scalps. To make a vinegar rinse, add half a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to a pint of tepid water and use this to rinse the hair. Either rinse with fresh water after the vinegar rinse, or for a more conditioning effect leave the vinegar rinse in – any vinegar smell will disappear as the hair dries.
After cleansing, nourish delicate, flaky skin by thoroughly conditioning the hair and scalp.
Silicone wax is used in many commercial conditioners and whilst this temporarily smooths the hair shafts, it can accumulate on the scalp, leaving a residue that can attract bacteria and make the scalp feel itchy.
For a silicone-free way to condition your hair and scalp, choose our Moisturising Conditioner which is packed with the soothing plant actives Neroli, Marshmallow and Chamomile. Massage it into the scalp to help calm overactive sebaceous glands then comb the conditioner through your hair.
If your hair is prone to dandruff it may be best to regularly wash your hair with our Irritated Scalp Shampoo. Designed to deliver gentle cleansing action for oily hair, it helps to relieve an itchy scalp and may help to reduce dandruff
What is the benefit of the Curly Girl Method?
Devotes of the Curly Girl have claimed that reducing their curls’ exposure to harsh hair care ingredients has left their hair feeling softer and stronger.
It is also thought that the technique can help those prone to dandruff and greasy scalps.
This is because washing the hair less frequently and using natural hair care helps balance the scalp’s production of sebum.
Of course, it’s not without its downsides. When making the switch to The Curly Girl method some find that their hair takes time to adapt to a new care regime and feels greasy in-between washesiii.
For others, the technique simply leaves their waves looking lacklustre. To combat this, we recommend gradually reducing your use of shampoo and conditioner rather than going cold turkey.
Has switching to a low-poo shampoo and silicone-free conditioner helped boost your curls? Join the conversation at @GreenPeopleUK
[i] https://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/news/a14981/shampoo-free-no-poo-method/
[ii] https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/no-poo/the-curly-girl-method-for-coily-hair
[iii] https://www.bustle.com/p/how-long-is-the-no-poo-transition-phase-it-depends-on-three-things-11467852
