StylingTips

For many, switching to the Curly Girl method means using CG friendly products for your curls.

This makes a world of difference for most people. However, you can sometimes use certain techniques to fine-tune your curly hairstyle. For example, it can also matter how you apply the products. And sometimes you still encounter certain 'problems', such as frizz or too little volume. There are some tips and tricks that might help you with this.

Remember: all curls are different. The techniques mentioned below are in principle applicable to all hair types, but they are only examples and do not mean that they will also work for your hair. You can only find that out by trying it out. Give it your own twist, vary and combine!

The 123 gel method:

After your leave-in and/or hair cream, use three gels on top of each other. This is the order that is most commonly used.

1. Use a gel without protein and without glycerin.
2. Use a gel with protein and glycerin.
3. Use a gel with protein and without glycerin.

Divide it into soaking wet hair, one after the other. Plop it for about 15 minutes (put your hair in a shower cap or satin bonnet). Then squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel and style as desired, diffuse or air dry. Very curious to see what the effect is on your hair :)

MousseGelMousse technique
First apply a mousse, then a gel and more mousse. Distribute into wet hair, then air dry or diffuse.

Double application method:
It's essentially applying the product twice, during styling and then a second time (with wet hands) immediately after (wet) plopping.

The Smasters technique:
The idea of ​​the technique is that you apply your hair product(s) in two parts: the first part when your hair is wet after showering and the second part when your hair has dried for about 50%. Most first apply a leave in conditioner and/or cream PLUS a little gel and the rest of the gel when the hair is about 50% dry. This reduces the 'gel cast'. You can also choose to first apply only the leave-in conditioner and/or cream, and only apply the gel when your hair is approximately 50% dry. When you apply your product for the second time, wet your hands. Gently scrunch the product into your hair so that you do not loosen any clumps.

Scrunch / Scrunching
Scrunching is a movement you make with your hands, as you scoop your hair from the bottom up, while gently squeezing your hair. You can use this movement when you apply a hair product to your hair.

Praying hands
With this method, you don't distribute your styling product by raking it through your hair, but by rubbing it through your hair with your palms together, from your scalp to the ends.

Squish to Condish
Squish to Condish is a method you use while applying conditioner in the shower. After (co)washing your hair, tilt your head forward. Make sure your hair is really dripping wet. Apply enough conditioner so that your hair feels like smooth seaweed. Distribute well through your hair. When you rinse, catch the water and conditioner that runs out of your hair in your hands. You scrunch this back into your hair. Keep doing this until your hair no longer drips.

Scrunch Out the Crunch (SOTC)
If you use gel and your hair has dried, you usually have a 'gel cast' ('crunch', hard gel curls). This 'cast' helps your curls maintain their shape and is not a big deal. Once your hair has dried COMPLETELY (not before), you can remove this 'cast' by scrunching it out: Scrunch Out the Crunch. Some use no product while SOTCing, others put a little leave-in conditioner or oil on their hands and then scrunch the 'crunch' out of their hair. Some do not SOTC with their bare hands, but with a T-shirt or microfiber cloth.

Popping
Blowing involves drying your hair in a cotton cloth (for example a T-shirt) or a microfiber cloth. You let your hair fall upside down on the cloth and then wrap the cloth around your head. How long you have to pop differs for everyone, it's a matter of trying it out. Some people pop twice; after applying their leave in conditioner they pop for the first time, then they apply gel and then they pop a second time.

Diffuse
If you want to blow dry your hair, it is best to use a diffuser. You can diffuse in different ways. For more volume, you usually blow-dry while bending your head forward and siphoning your hair from left to right. You rest your hair in the diffuser and then press the diffuser against your scalp. You can of course also just stand up straight and you can also diffuse your hair while letting it hang instead of pushing it against your head. Whatever you do; don't set your hairdryer too hot. Only turn on the diffuser once you have placed your hair in the diffuser. You then no longer move the diffuser. Once you have blow-dried that part of your hair sufficiently, turn off the blow-dryer and then remove the diffuser. You only turn the diffuser on again when you have placed the next section of your hair in the diffuser. You can combine diffusing with clipping.

Clipping
With the help of clips (duckbill clips, clips, etc.) you can create more volume on top of your head (at your hair roots/roots). Duckbill clips are usually used. You can also use them to create a looser curl by attaching the clips to the bottom of your hair. You put the clips in your hair after you have used your hair products and your hair is still wet. You can diffuse your hair while you have clips in your hair, or you can let it air dry.