My journey with the Curly Girl Method
When I first heard about the Curly Girl Method , I thought, "How difficult can it be? Just put some gel in it and that's it, right?"
But I soon found myself in a world full of terms like popping, squish to condish , and scrunching . I felt like I was learning a foreign language.
And honestly? The first time I tried the poof method , I used an old t-shirt of my partner's. He wondered where that shirt had gone days later. But the next day I had soft, defined, frizz-free curls for the first time.
Since then, I've collected, tried out, and adapted techniques. In this article, I'm sharing 28 Curly Girl techniques , explained in simple, easy-to-understand language, so you can get started right away.
Why techniques are so important
Curls are beautiful, but they need a little care. Without the right approach, they quickly become frizzy, dry, or lifeless. With the right techniques, you can:
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define your curls better
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Reduce lint
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Keep your hair looking beautiful longer.
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get more volume or get more shine
The best part? You don't have to be an expert. If I can learn it, so can you.
28 Curly Girl Techniques (A–Z)
Here's the overview, with explanations as if your friend is standing next to you in the bathroom.
Afro Pick (Picking)
Want volume? Use an afro comb and gently push your curls upwards at your hairline.
Bowl Method
Take a bowl of water, add conditioner or product, and dip your hair in it. Then, scrunch it in. You'll get beautiful curly bundles.
Clumping
Squeeze your wet hair so that loose strands come together to form one thicker curl bundle. Larger bundles = more definition.
Diffuse
Take your hairdryer with diffuser, place your curls in the bowl and dry them gently. Don't move them too much, that prevents frizz.
Dry Refresh
Are your curls a little lifeless on day 2? Put a drop of oil or cream in your hands and refresh your dry hair.
Finger Coiling
Want extra tight curls? Wrap individual strands around your finger and release. A bit time-consuming, but the result is worth it.
Finger Detangling
Instead of a brush: use your fingers to loosen tangles. Much gentler on your hair.
Glazing (Glass)
Place your hands full of product flat on your hair and smooth it over. This way you distribute the product without creating frizz.
Hair Flip
Tilt your head forward or to the side. Your curls will immediately look airier and fuller.
Hover Styling
Hold your diffuser just above your curls, without touching them. They will dry calmly and remain frizz-free.
LOG Method
Layering works! First leave-in or styling cream, then oil, and then gel. Perfect for retaining moisture.
Micro-ploppen
After styling, gently squeeze out excess water and product from your curls with a dry microfiber cloth. This will help them dry faster and prevent them from feeling too heavy.
Pineapple
Sleep hack! Make a loose high ponytail on top of your head with a satin scrunchie. This will keep your curls in style.
Popping
Wrap your wet hair in a T-shirt or microfiber towel on your head. Let it sit for a while and see how your curls dry more beautifully.
Praying Hands
Apply product to your hands, place your hair between them, and smooth it down as if you're praying. No frizz, just shine.
Pulsating
Rhythmically squeeze your curls up and down with product in your hands. This allows the products to penetrate more deeply.
Rake & Shake
Comb your fingers through your hair (raking) and shake your hands loosely at the end. This will activate the curl.
Raking
Distribute the product through your fingers as if you were combing your wet hair. This way, every strand gets some of the product.
Root Clipping
Place small clips at your hairline and let your hair dry like that. Result: extra lift and volume.
Root Fluffing
Insert your fingers or a pick at the roots of your hair and gently shake. This adds air and volume to the top.
Scrunch Out the Crunch
Are your curls stiff from gel? Gently squeeze them loose for soft, supple curls.
Scrunch Out the Drip
Gently squeeze the water out of your curls after showering. This way you'll drip less and your hair will dry faster.
Scrunching
Grab your curls from the bottom and squeeze upwards. This helps your curls find their natural shape.
Sectioning
Divide your hair into sections with clips. Apply product section by section. Don't forget a single strand!
Shingling
Carefully apply the product strand by strand to your hair. It takes some time, but you'll get super tight curls.
Squish to Condish
Squeeze conditioner and water together into your curls, as if you're squeezing a sponge. Deliciously nourishing.
Wet Plopping
This is my secret weapon! You wet your hair, apply styling products, and put a shower cap over it. Leave it on for 5–10 minutes so the products really absorb. Then you can micro-plop to remove excess water. Result: better distributed products and much more definition.
Wet Refresh
Spray some water on your curls, squeeze them back into shape, and voila: a fresh look without having to wash your hair again.
Tips to get started
When I first started, I made the mistake of trying everything at once. My bathroom looked like a laboratory 😅.
👉 My advice:
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Choose one technique at a time and see what it does to your hair.
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Take pictures of your results. Sometimes you can see the difference better in a picture than in the mirror.
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Combine smartly. Scrunching + popping + diffusing can be a golden combination.
Conclusion
There are tons of Curly Girl techniques, but you don't have to do them all at once. Experiment, discover what works for your hair, and build your own routine.
What I've learned? My curls thank me when I give them attention. And yours will too ✨
👉 Want to use the right products to make these techniques work even better? Then take a look at our Amazing Curls collection, specially developed for curls, combining luxury and simplicity.