My Random Life

After a number of attempts with different products, different Curly Girl (CG) techniques over the last 3 years...here is a set of steps and products that work for me! If you're wondering what the Curly Girl method is, here's a Wiki refresher.  I've been consistently following this technique for over a year with fairly consistent results. Remember though, everyone's hair is different and the same products/techniques that worked for me may not work for you! There is a fair amount of trial and error you have to do to get the results you like. There is tons of content floating around, lots of influencers on Insta & YouTube with a large variety of tips...so it takes a lil bit if digging around to find what works for you.  The products you use should be Curly Girl approved. Check list here . It's important to use these products for a variety of reasons, primarily because they are free of sulfates, silicones, alcohol which is super important for maintaining Curly hair...

What I did differently: Did NOT use gel this time!!!  Same as last week: See notes in attempt 7!  Results - Definitely less grease!! Will see how this holds up till my next wash day! No impact on curls, they look about the same and are holding up fine. Just like last week.

What I did differently: Used organic coconut oil instead of vatika hair oil. This one doesn’t have any scent.  No Poo!!! Did not use any shampoo at all! Used baking soda instead - yes you heard me - baking soda to wash my hair!! More details below.  Used Apple cider vinegar to rinse hair after washing with baking soda. Aka ACV rinse.  Same as last week: Applied deep conditioner and left for 15 mins, Used a wide toothed comb after applying conditioner, Used a leave in conditioner after the shower, used curling cream and then applied a lil coconut oil, Emulsified gel with water before applying, dried hair wrapped in a t shirt for an hour, scrunched the crunch after drying.  Results - WOW!!! Drastically different from my previous attempts, definitely trending in the right direction. Baking soda did an amazing job of preserving oil in my hair and ACV retained the PH balance which was critical to reducing frizz. I felt like ACV added more grease to my already greasy hair ...

What I did differently: Used very very very less shampoo - less than what I did the last week.  Used a wide toothed comb after applying conditioner  Used a leave in conditioner after the shower Emulsified gel with water before applying Results - hmmm about the same as last week. Better curls in the front though! I continue to have frizz issues do I have to do more research there.  What I’ll try next:  Not dousing my hair in oil, read somewhere that it makes hair frizzy Use coconut oil instead of vatika Amla hair oil Using oil after applying curling cream (like A did) Using oil to scrunch the crunch and wait till my hair is completely dry (today it wasn’t dry in the middle and I still did it) Look for ideas to reduce frizz 😕

Another breakthrough!! What I did differently-  Applied oil for a few hours before washing (as opposed to overnight cuz I didn’t get a chance to) Scrunched my hair in the shower (with Mielle shampoo and conditioner like last week) Used praying hands method to apply curling cream and scrunched while applying Used praying hands method to apply gel (used more than last time) and scrunched while applying Let my hair wrapped up in a t shirt for over an hour  And the BIGGEST thing I did differently- SCRUNCHED the CRUNCH!!! Voila - hair was all nice and fluffy!!! There’s halo frizz - have to work on that!  What I did not do: Curl my hair with fingers like I did last week cuz that really wasn’t my favorite look.  This is after air drying with a t shirt wrap - notice the crunchy oily gel? This is after scrunching the crunch 

What I did differently-  Applied oil overnight  Used Mielle shampoo and conditioner - followed instructions and left conditioner in my hair for 15 minutes in a shower cap. Rinsed off with cold water.  Used raking method to apply lots of curling cream and twirled with a finger while applying Used raking method to apply gel (used a lot) and twirled with fingers while applying Let my hair wrapped up in a t shirt for an hour Result was a bit oily, too twirled hair that I wasn’t a fan of on the wash day. The next day it looked fabulous and I went to work like that!!! BIG deal!! What I did not do: Scrunch my hair while applying cream and gel.  Did not scrunch the crunch How it fared through the week: Day1,2,3 were curly. Day 3 in the evening I went to meet friends and I just left my hair - was a bit frizzy but was not bad at all!! Wash day! Day 2 - ummm not a fan of the crunchy look. Too crunchy at the root. 

What I did differently: Doused my hair in oil overnight Used very lil shampoo to wash hair. Washed only once, left most of the oil on my scalp.  Used cold water to rinse off conditioner  Used lot of curling cream Mediocre amount of gel Left my hair wrapped in a t shirt for more than 45mins (and it still didn’t dry!)  Here are the results - going in the right direction I think!!  I messed with my hair a bit today. In an attempt to ‘refresh’ my curls, I mixed water and leave in conditioner in a sort of spray bottle and tried to re curl a few sections. They got more frizzy 🤦‍♀️ 🙄  Working with water and gel like A recommended last week had better results. Anyhow...I know my culprit sections so I’ll work on them tomorrow and hopefully have better luck. If not, worse case scenario when I have to go to work - use a curling iron on the front three sections. Just cuz I can’t take those three sections, I don’t want to abandon my curly hair - yet!  Day 1: Day 2: no...

Ok! Had a breakthrough yesterday with styling my curly hair yesterday.  My friend A came over and helped me last night. Showed me how to apply products and style it. Man such a difference! I think I like it. I have to be patient and keep this going!!!  First things first: find your curl type! It’s important to understand what your curl type is to understand how your hair behaves and what could work for you. The process I explained below would remain the same but products will change based on your hair type.  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.allure.com/gallery/curl-hair-type-guide/amp Here’s what I did yesterday: 1. Washed my hair with my regular shampoo conditioner. Didn’t shampoo my hair twice like I normally do. That’s to help leave natural oils locked in.  2. Used my fingers to comb through my hair in the shower and remove tangles. Flipped my hair over with my head down. Also scrunched hair up to form more curls.  3. As soon as I came out of the shower I coul...

Here it is! My curly hair!!!! My friend A came over and helped me with my hair. Showed me how to apply products and style it. Man such a difference! I think I like it. I have to be patient and keep this going!!! Made sorakaya curry for lunch and had A help me with tres leches. Interesting method. Turned out great!  Made aloo cutlet, pav Bhaji for dinner. Ate A LOT of food. Whew. In food coma! 

....for my hair 😛 I washed my hair and followed the Curly Girl method instructions more carefully. And I think I’m getting the hang of this - really slowly! Well, I took 2-3 years to figure out my straight hair regime, it's unreasonable to expect curly hair regime taking any less! Figuring out that the key is having hydrated hair, and applying gel at the right time when hair is still damp but not soaking wet. I’ll plan this more carefully the next time. It’s about time I start expiring products, change shampoo conditioner etc.  Overall a good day today. Poori pitla for breakfast, beetroot curry and rasam for lunch, didn’t catch a nap, folded laundry, watched HIT - so far so good!  Here’s a pic of my hair btw - just to track as a journal