How To Do The Curly Girl Method On Wavy Hair

What Is the Curly Girl Method?

The curly girl method is a styling and care guide developed by hairstylist Lorraine Massey. It involves eliminating potentially harmful haircare habits (like heat styling and using sulfates) and focusing on practices that help repair, hydrate, and enhance your curls. The goal is to minimize damage as much as possible, helping you achieve healthier-looking and feeling locks.

We’ll do a deeper dive below, but here are a few common do’s and don’ts associated with the curly girl method:

Do

• Do use sulfate-free shampoos to care for your strands.
• Do condition regularly to help keep your curls (or waves) hydrated.
• Do apply styling products to damp hair for better curl definition.
• Do experiment with different techniques (like plopping or scrunching) to help coax out your natural pattern.
• Do protect your hair overnight by sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase.

Don’t

• Don’t use products with sulfates, silicones, or alcohols.
• Don’t brush your hair when it's dry, as this can lead to frizz and breakage.
• Don’t heat-style too frequently; try to embrace air drying instead.
• Don’t over-wash your hair—aim for 1-3 times a week, depending on your hair type and lifestyle.
• Don't skip trims; regular maintenance can help keep your curls looking bouncy.

Good hair day by @pati.rodrigz.

What Products Do You Use for the Curly Girl Method?

When using the curly girl method, you typically want to apply products designed to nourish your mane without drying it out. For some quick background, waves, curls, and coils tend to be naturally drier than their straighter counterparts. As such, they usually require gentler, more hydrating formulas to help them look and feel their best.

It’s important to understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all CGM routine; it varies widely based on your hair type, density, and current damage level. Generally speaking, though, a standard curl regimen involves washing your hair with sulfate-free shampoos, cleansing conditioners, and deep conditioning treatments and then applying curl-enhancing stylers for a more defined, hydrated, and healthy-looking pattern.

What Do You Avoid in the Curly Girl Method?

When trying the curly girl method, it’s often advised to avoid products that contain sulfates, silicones, and alcohols. It’s worth noting that these ingredients aren’t necessarily “bad” for your hair, especially if they’re formulated in salon-grade formulas. However, they can make certain hair types and textures more prone to dryness, buildup, and frizz, which is why some curlies prefer to steer clear of them.

Good hair day by @kultura.community.

How Long Does the Curly Girl Method Take to Work?

Depending on your hair type and the current condition of your curls, the curly girl method can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to show noticeable results. There may also be an initial adjustment period when your hair may appear frizzier or feel different. Like with any good skincare or haircare routine, patience and consistency are key if you want lasting payoff.

Good hair day by @meinmarais_hair.

Does the Curly Girl Method Work on Wavy Hair?

With a few tweaks and the right curly girl method products on hand, this haircare technique can absolutely work on looser curl patterns. Below, we’re breaking down how to modify the curly girl method for wavy hair.

How To Do the Curly Girl Method on Wavy Hair

Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo

First, you’ll want to nix sulfates from your routine, starting with your shampoo. As mentioned, sulfates sometimes get a bad rap, but they’re actually incredibly useful in removing excess oil and product buildup from your mane and scalp. The downside, though, is that if your hair is brittle or prone to dryness, overdoing it with sulfate shampoos may make your hair look and feel drier.

While waves are usually less dry than tighter curl patterns, you’ll still want to opt for a moisturizing shampoo. Pick up a hydrating, sulfate-free option like Pureology Hydrate Shampoo if you have normal to thick hair, and reach for the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo if you have finer hair.

Pro Tip: Before switching to a sulfate-free shampoo, we recommend one final wash with a sulfate-infused one. This step is known as a “reset” shampoo and works to rid your hair of buildup (like wax and silicones) before starting a new routine. Failing to clarify your hair can make the rest of your CGM regimen less effective.

Skip the co-wash

While your curly-haired friends using this routine may opt for a cleansing conditioner instead of sulfate-free shampoo, those with wavy hair types usually fare best with the latter. That’s because the heavier, more nourishing ingredients found in cleansing conditioners can make wavy hair appear greasy and flat. The right sulfate-free shampoo formula, on the other hand, can give your waves a light cleanse and just the right amount of moisture needed for them to spring to life.

Always condition

One of the most important aspects of the curly girl method is ensuring your strands are hydrated, so a good conditioner is a must. We’re partial to the creamy and luxurious Pureology Hydrate Conditioner. Apply the recommended amount from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair and let it sit for about 60 seconds before rinsing. If your waves are fine and you’re worried about the conditioner weighing them down, use only a dime-sized amount on your ends and add more as needed. Or, you can opt for a conditioner formulated specifically for fine hair, such as Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner.

Detangle only in the shower

Try to detangle your mane in the shower to avoid disturbing your wave pattern or causing breakage. With your conditioner still in your hair, use your fingertips or a wide-toothed comb to gently remove knots or tangles. The conditioner gives your hair slip, allowing you to work through kinks more easily. For more information on how to brush your hair and which tool to use, check out our article, Types of Hair Brushes: Which Brush Is Right For You?

Apply your styling products the right way

Instead of raking styling products through your damp hair, you’ll want to gently scrunch them in. This tweak prevents you from stretching out your wave pattern for maximum definition and bounce. Here are a few of our favorite stylers to try:

• Spray: We love Matrix’s A Curl Can Dream Scrunch N' Go Defining Spray. The spritz is made with weightless ingredients like manuka honey extract and rose water and helps seal in moisture for enhanced pattern definition.
• Cream: Consider Redken’s Hydrating Curl Cream. Ideal for wavy hair types 2B and 2C, the squalane and jojoba-infused cream provides up to 72 hours of moisture, definition, and frizz control.
• Mousse: Give your waves extra body and shine with Pureology’s Style + Protect Weightless Volume Mousse. You can also apply this conditioning mousse to dry strands for a volumizing pick-me-up.
• Gel: Biolage Professional Styling Curl Defining Elixir is a medium-hold, alcohol-free formula that shapes and controls curls. Plus, it creates natural movement and adds shine without stiffness or weight.

Plop your hair

Plopping is a go-to method for drying and defining curls, and it works just as well for waves. After applying your products (and while your hair is still damp), place the ends of your hair in a cotton T-shirt or microfiber hair towel and wrap it around your head. Let it sit for a few minutes, or allow your hair to air dry completely before removing the T-shirt and tousling your strands with your fingertips. For everything you need to know about how to plop your hair, click here for our full tutorial.

Now that you know all about the curly girl method for wavy hair, you can decide if this routine is right for you.

Next Up: Curly Hair vs. Wavy Hair: What’s the Difference?

Interested in more expert styling tips? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.

Header photo credits (left to right): @kultura.community and @meinmarais_hair