Starting the Curly Girl Method is exciting, but it’s easy to make a few common mistakes along the way that slow down your progress. Here are five of the most frequent ones, and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Not Checking Every Product
Many beginners check their shampoo and conditioner but forget to check styling products, hairsprays or even leave-in treatments. A single sneaky silicone or sulfate can undo your entire routine.
Mistake 2: Skipping the Clarifying Step
If you’re switching from regular hair products to CG-friendly ones, old product buildup needs to be removed first with a clarifying wash. Skipping this step often leads to curls that still feel weighed down even after switching products.
Mistake 3: Using Too Much Product for Your Porosity
Low porosity hair gets overwhelmed easily by heavy products, leading to buildup and limp curls. Meanwhile, high porosity hair often needs more product than people expect. Using the wrong amount for your specific porosity type is one of the most common early frustrations.
Mistake 4: Expecting Instant Results
The CG method often comes with an adjustment period as your scalp and hair recalibrate, sometimes called the “CG transition.” Many beginners give up during this phase, thinking the method isn’t working, when in reality it just needs more time.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Your Curl Type Completely
Following a routine made for tight coils when you actually have loose waves, or vice versa, leads to a lot of unnecessary trial and error. Identifying your actual curl type early on saves a lot of wasted time and money.
How to Avoid These Mistakes From the Start
The easiest way to skip most of these mistakes is to start with the basics: know your porosity, know your curl type, and check your products before buying. With that foundation, the rest of the method becomes much easier to follow.