Curly Hair Routine

Just getting started with your curly hair routine? We understand the challenge that you’ve taken up and kudos to you. First things first. You’re on the right track to give your hair a healthy and nourishing journey, so congratulations for that. In this blog, we take you through our routine, which we’ve been following for the last 3 years. It has helped us in reduction of frizz, controlling hair fall, reducing
dandruff and giving us shapely and defined curls.

Note: All the products mentioned in this method should be CG SAFE (Curly Girl safe).

Step 1 – PREPOO

Prepoo or pre shampoo or champi is the first step to prepare your hair for the washday. Apply any oil (homemade or store bought) on your hair and scalp and gently massage it in. Post this, you can also use a shower cap or a Manetain heat cap to help with deeper penetration of the oil in your scalp. Wear it for 20-45 minutes. This step is optional, but a good oil champi and the heat cap naturally add to the nourishment of the hair.

Step 2 – CLEANSE

There are 3 common cleansers under the CG method

- Clarifying shampoo
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Co-wash (Conditioning wash)

Clarifying shampoo – Clarifying shampoo completely cleanses you scalp and hair of all the product build up and help to start your cg method on a clean slate. It is generally used only once or twice a month to get rid of all the product build up from your scalp. Among the three cleansers listed, this creates the highest
amount of foam and can cause the hair to feel dry. It is advisable to follow up with deep conditioner.

Moisturising shampoo – As the name suggests, this is a moisturizing shampoo can be used for gentle cleansing of the scalp and hair once or twice a week.

Co-wash/Conditioning wash – This a non-foaming moisturizing hair cleanser that has a cream like texture. Co-washes are super gentle on your scalp and is recommended to be used for your mid-week washday for best results. Co washes too have cleansing ingredients, but these ingredients will not dry out your scalp. Since it’s safe to use daily, it is a good product to use if you workout daily.

So, the whole idea is to switch among the 3 different types of cleansers as per your hair’s needs and the time of your wash. If you are starting the CG method for the first time, it is recommended to start the method on a clean slate i.e use a clarifying shampoo. If your hair feels product heavy or has product build up, you reach out for a clarifying shampoo. On the other days, you use the moisture
shampoo and co-wash. Not using the clarifying shampoo too often also helps in reduction of hair fall and the scalp getting too dry.

Step 3 – CONDITION – Conditioner, Deep Conditioner

This is the most important step in the curly hair routine - a curly girl cannot skip this step! Conditioners and masks are those products that really help in combatting dryness and frizz – 2 main issues faced by someone with curly hair.

A conditioner helps you detangle, moisturize and strengthen your hair. Divide your hair into two sections. Take a pea sized amount of the product and emulsify on your palm and apply on one section of your hair. Make sure that your hair is dripping wet before you apply the conditioner. Add some water and rake your hair with the conditioner. After adding water, if you feel the need, add more
conditioner. Repeat the same process on the other section.

Deep conditioner or mask is a more concentrated performance-oriented conditioner. This product is very potent and helps in rebuilding the hair and improving the overall health of your hair. It is recommended to leave in the deep conditioner for at least 25 to 30 mins with a flaxseed heat cap over it to get the best results. The indirect heat helps with opening of the cuticles and deeper penetration of the product into the hair shaft. Ideally, the deep conditioning should be done once a week.

Step 4 - STYLING – Leave in, curl cream, curl enhancer, gel, foam, mousse.

Styling products are used post hair wash and these are meant to be left in your hair. Using styling products is equivalent to using skincare products for your skin. These products help retain more moisture, enhance your curl pattern and help seal in the moisture.

Step 5 - DRYING – Plopping using microfiber bonnet/turban towel, airdry/diffuse.

After the hair has been styled, the next step is to dry your hair in the right manner. Using regular towels can strip out moisture and create frizz. Therefore, it is recommended to use softer fabrics such as microfiber and combed cotton that are super gentle on your hair and keeps frizz and dryness at
bay. This step of putting your hair in a turban towel/towel bonnet is called plopping. Plopping helps in removing excess products and taking the right amount of water from your hair. Post this step, you can either air dry or diffuse your hair on low heat.

Some styling products leave a slight cast once your hair is dry. This can be easily broken by flipping your hair upside down and breaking the cast in the scrunching motion. This is called SOTC – Scrunching out the crunch. To keep your hair smooth, you can also use a light oil to scrunch out the crunch.

Step 6 – POSTWASH – Night-time routine
To protect your styled hair overnight, it is recommended to use hair accessories made from Satin/Silk such as bonnets and pillowcases. These materials help in reducing the friction and retaining moisture in the hair and therefore helping you extending your washday results.

We hope we’ve helped you break down the steps easily. Most of the products that you need to get on the curly journey are available on Manetain.

DM us or write to us to ask for any questions.