Curly Girl vs. Tightly Curly method

[Embyra]

Embyra Have you seen a lot of growth in your year?

I am using the cg method too. My problem is leaving too much condish in and having white curls even after it drys. It only looks normal the next day. I am going to try using gel for a while until I can get rid of this halo on my front left side and in the back.

Missigirl growth was never a problem with me so i see no difference using cg regarding that
the biggest difference was the frizz factor my hair isnt coily its very big and bushy think rudy huxtable

Now my curls are present during and after my cowash instead of being a mass of FRIZZ

I never leave conditioner in i rinse it out and apply my oils and leave in i cowash with tresemme naturals when i first joined the forum and read about this i was like eeewwww conditioner washing but its important to get a conditioner with gentle cleansers in it

I also learnt it doesnt matter whether the shampoo is sulphate free as long as it produces a foam and lather it WILL frizz my hair the exact same way a sulphate shampoo would

I use ecostyler gel the book reccomends using a clear gel the only people i have seen get away with using conditioner only are people with fine hair

thick hair like mine leaving conditioner in as your styler you are probably going to end up with mats unless you wash your hair everyday

 

[FindingMe]

OK, so I know nobody asked me, but I use Suave Naturals Coconut as a co-wash, and Pure Fiji (it's more expensive than drugs--don't ask!) Coconut conditioner. which I rinse out. Instead of leaving in a rinse out conditioner (which left my hair dull, but defined), I use Giovanni Direct Leave In and Queen Helene Royal Curl as a styler. I dry it under a hooded dryer for 25 - 30 minutes (or air dry if I have time--rarely happens). My hair looks consistently awesome with this method. I may not change for YEARS! LOL. I do use oils for daily conditioning. At this point, I can make this last about 3 days, solid. I've also used the Giovanni Direct Leave-in for twist outs ala Chime. Great results as long as I don't touch the individual strands in the two-strand twists once I untwist--no finger coming after it's dry or...it just ain't pretty.

Cherokee-n-Black: which oils?


Ladies, this method is working so well for me. I am on week 3 of strict CG using Deva products and my hair is noticeably different. I will post pics later tonight if I have time. Week 1 is my siggy.

 

[greenandchic]

Kinda did a TCM on my hair today after rinsing out my DC, after an overnight henna.

I used L'Oreal EverCreme mixed with jojoba oil on my hair, put it in a ponytail and twisted the length to keep the tangles down until i'm able to twist it for stretching later.

The conditioner is pretty thick (comes in a tube), but mixed with oil it works pretty well. My hair was slightly white, but it wasn't anything a few seconds with a hand dryer could not fix.

 

[faithVA]

Cowashed tonight with Nature's Gate Chamomile conditioner. Not sure if this is a good conditioner to use but I guess its ok. Then I played around with a small section of hair to see what it might look like. After cowashing you can see some curl but its mostly on the ends. The roots are crazy fuzzy. For the most part my hair is a nice puff of fuzziness. So I took a small section and applied a lot of AO White Camellia too it. I will need way more moisture. My curls don't really clump even with a lot of conditioner on it. They sort of run wildly away from each other.

Then I tried some gel and pretty much the same thing. I could tell if I were to let it continue to dry it would be a very nice tight afro in about 30 minutes.

Tomorrow going to cowash again with the Natures Gate Chamomile and then leave the White Camellia in and see how that goes. Not trying to do a wash and go just trying to get more moisture over time.

 

[Shay72]

@Embyra & @Shay72: What type of oil do you use? Do you guys wear WnGs or style some other way mostly? Does this help with control or add more moisture than without using oil? Does it make your hair feel oily a little afterwards after dry?

I've narrowed my oils/butters down to the following for my HOTs and oil rinses:
Gleau oil, Silk Dreams Nourish, Silk Dreams Pre, Shi Naturals Pre Poo Buttercream, Hairveda's Cocasta Oil, Hairveda's Vatika Frosting, Hemp Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Grapeseed oil

I'm strictly a washngo girl

For me oil adds moisture, a little shine, and I believe it helps to define my curls/coils. I'm 4a.

Primarily I feel my hair always feels moisturized. When it doesn't it's probably a new conditioner that I am trying out that is not moisturizing enough.

As someone mentioned I have fine hair so I am able to get away with just leaving conditioner in. I only use gel when I'm in the mood and will most likely have to use it come spring & summer. But this fall and winter I have been fine without having to use it.

 

[Missigirl]

@Missigirl growth was never a problem with me so i see no difference using cg regarding that
the biggest difference was the frizz factor my hair isnt coily its very big and bushy think rudy huxtable

Now my curls are present during and after my cowash instead of being a mass of FRIZZ

I never leave conditioner in i rinse it out and apply my oils and leave in i cowash with tresemme naturals when i first joined the forum and read about this i was like eeewwww conditioner washing but its important to get a conditioner with gentle cleansers in it

I also learnt it doesnt matter whether the shampoo is sulphate free as long as it produces a foam and lather it WILL frizz my hair the exact same way a sulphate shampoo would

I use ecostyler gel the book reccomends using a clear gel the only people i have seen get away with using conditioner only are people with fine hair

thick hair like mine leaving conditioner in as your styler you are probably going to end up with mats unless you wash your hair everyday

Thank you! I was wondering about leaving the conditioner in. I have curls except for the halo which seem to be getting smaller. I bought the clear gel but not sure I am going to like it. The eco styler has a better hold. I am thinking about just leaving in olive oil and trying eco styler on top of that.

 

[faithVA]

Cowashed this morning with Natures Gate Chamomile and then used the White Camellia as a leave-in. It was just a big pile of fuzz. Coated my hair with an oil blend and sealed with castor oil. There's not WNG in my near future

Next week I am going to cowash with the White Camellia to see if there is a difference. And going to cowash every 4 days instead of every 2. I think it takes my hair some time to adjust and absorbe moisture from products.

Right now my hair feels pretty good. I may have a good twist out.

So for now just going to focus on cowashing and not on the tightly curly method so much.

 

[greenandchic]

I just got back from the gym and I saw a curly haired woman in the locker room using the TCM. Her hair was probably 3b and neck length/bob. She used Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner and was coiling her curls around her fingers and let it set. My guess is she was going to fluff out her hair when it's dry. I was too shy to ask. LOL

 

[HanaKuroi]

What is tcm?

 

[*Frisky*]

Cowashed this morning with Natures Gate Chamomile and then used the White Camellia as a leave-in. It was just a big pile of fuzz. Coated my hair with an oil blend and sealed with castor oil. There's not WNG in my near future

Next week I am going to cowash with the White Camellia to see if there is a difference. And going to cowash every 4 days instead of every 2. I think it takes my hair some time to adjust and absorbe moisture from products.

Right now my hair feels pretty good. I may have a good twist out.

So for now just going to focus on cowashing and not on the tightly curly method so much.

You know alot of naturals get that "wash and go" look but that have to use a diffuser and I had forgot about that. Sometimes I just automatically assume they let their hair air dry which some are and can get great results. I'm not quite there yet hahaha

 

[greenandchic]

What is tcm?

TCM = Tightly Curly Method

 

[HanaKuroi]

TCM = Tightly Curly Method

We have so many acronyms on here! I knew what tcm meant last week. I had a brain reset. Thanks

Turner classic movies was stuck in my head.

 

[FindingMe]

Here is my week 3 photo of being on CG for 3 weeks using Deva poducts.



Week 1 (like day 2/3) is in my siggy. HUGE difference for me. Biggest thing for me was not using tools other than my fingers on hair in front of my head. I now have curls where I had frizz before. Deva products are working well for me. I have to be honest I was surprised, bc I have super coarse, dense hair and I didn't think it would work for me. I only thought the method and products were for just the fine-haired ladies...surprise

 

[faithVA]

You know alot of naturals get that "wash and go" look but that have to use a diffuser and I had forgot about that. Sometimes I just automatically assume they let their hair air dry which some are and can get great results. I'm not quite there yet hahaha

Due to my medical condition of laziness, I am allergic to a dryer whether it be a blow dryer or a regular dryer

I guess I need to start looking for plan D

 

[larieal]

I can say I prefer the cgm over tcm. It seemed with tcm you had to do too much manipulation of your hair. I have been using tressemme naturals, Giovanni 50/50 and grape seed oil. I will say I could probably let the 50/50 go and stick with tres by itself. Now, I also just bought the one conditioner and arcangel gel from devacurl line. I LOVED IT. I will say the first day I was skeptical, but as my week went on it got better and better. I also only applied gel the gel once and it lasted all week without having to cowash again. I really like low manipulation.

 

[*Frisky*]

Due to my medical condition of laziness, I am allergic to a dryer whether it be a blow dryer or a regular dryer

I guess I need to start looking for plan D

hahahahaa..I am right there with you. I think I am going to look for a diffuser attachment for my blow dryer just to test it out. I like how my curls look after a wash and go but they just don't stay that way.

 

[FindingMe]

OK, so I know nobody asked me, but I use Suave Naturals Coconut as a co-wash, and Pure Fiji (it's more expensive than drugs--don't ask!) Coconut conditioner. which I rinse out. Instead of leaving in a rinse out conditioner (which left my hair dull, but defined), I use Giovanni Direct Leave In and Queen Helene Royal Curl as a styler. I dry it under a hooded dryer for 25 - 30 minutes (or air dry if I have time--rarely happens). My hair looks consistently awesome with this method. I may not change for YEARS! LOL. I do use oils for daily conditioning. At this point, I can make this last about 3 days, solid. I've also used the Giovanni Direct Leave-in for twist outs ala Chime. Great results as long as I don't touch the individual strands in the two-strand twists once I untwist--no finger coming after it's dry or...it just ain't pretty.

Cherokee-n-Black: Girl, you got me. I had some Giovanni stuff... I used their moisturizing poo, then 50-50 balanced conditioner and left the Direct leave-in in my hair and my hair was curlier and softer (WITHOUT ANY GEL) than it's ever been. I mean like I put it up in a bun that day and then took it down later that evening sprayed some water and it was good! Defined glossy curls galore and super soft soft soft... I put it up in my loc-soc to sleep, took it down this morning and fluffed and I'm super good to go. I keep touching it and looking in the mirror bc I can't believe it. I think it was the Direct Leave-In that my hair really loved. When I finger detangled with it in the shower, my hair literally just melted. I only tried it again bc you mentioned it above, so thanks!

I am tripping now bc I am not sure why I got such great results. I've been using Deva care products exclusively for the past 5.5 weeks and wetting my hair no less than 4 times a week. So my hair has a TON more moisture than it's ever had.
Was it bc the poo was slightly clarifying?
Was it because the conditioner was a mild protein?
Or was it just because now that my hair has appropriate moisture levels, the Direct leave-In just really works?

I really want to incorporate this Direct Leave In into my regi, but I'm not sure how. Ya'll help me, please...

ETA: I just realized the Giovanni Smooth as Silk poo has sulfates and silicones in it. Drats. So I guess I kinda jacked up my CG stint. But my hair looks so doggone good after I used it

 

[PatTodd]

The next time I detangle, I'm going to use a fine tooth comb after I feel I've detangled enough with the widetooth and see what happens.

Had to chime in here. My hair doesn't tangle per se, but since I only style it every few days to a week it does get full of shed hairs. I simply cannot imagine just using my fingers to detangle, I HAVE to use combs, plural. (No Denman for me, ever!) I wet my hair down to soften it, maybe adding a bit of conditioner, then I rinse and add lots and lots and lots of (cheapie) conditioner. I detangle first with my fingers, then with my beloved Magic Star rake, then an old fashioned medium tooth comb (think the kind our moms used to use - I also call it my rollersetting comb). I use more conditioner and the water stream as needed. Then I comb through it with a medium fine rattail comb, and finally a very fine tooth rattail, just to be sure I have gotten out all the shed hairs. If I do this every third day it takes 10 minutes, if I wait a week or longer it takes 20 or so. Basically it takes 10 minutes for every 3 days since I last styled my hair lol!!!!

 

[Vintagecoilylocks]

I have been following this thread. I have been CW for years now but was inspired to step it up. I began leaving more co in about 9 months now and just one weeks ago tried a modified TCM. I finger detangle and did not see the need to use the denaman brush. But I did the curl definition routine. It took alittle while to get the hang of it but I got through my whole head and noticed it really prevented my hair from retangling. Also my front which is pewter and grey was much more defined. My daughter complemented me on how young I looked. The definition throughout the hair was very nice. That was a Friday and I had a Lenten evening service. I wore it in a single braid. Then put it in a single braid bun for the night and had a service Saturday morning. Came home and only had to re dooodle a few of my shorties at the hair line, took a nap and was up and off to Vespers. Sunday services it stayed in the bun. Went out for brunch with visiting family and that afternoon a long memorial service for my Bishop. I never redid it once the whole weekend. By Monday, wash day it was still fresh and defined. Usually my hair is frizzy all around the edges and the hair on my nape hair line and crown is clumpy and tangly. Not this time.

So I repeated the process and just yesterday when I took it down to wash it was just as nice as the last time. I just wanted to share my experience with this modified version of TCM. I would refresh with conditioner as needed but did not disturb the definition.

My siggy was a loose bun the first time I did the method. I went natural years ago but never could achieve a defined pattern. This is a keeper for me.

 

[momi]

I have tried both and they are similar, but the outcome for me was entirely different:

Tightly Curly: I used a denman and brushed through my hair with lots of conditioner in it and then let it dry. You can either use conditioner with or without silicones. I did not like that this method it left my curls displaced and oddly shapped. My hair curls in ringlets and I got these fat wierd looking clumps. UMMM NO! And this method causes way too much shrinkage. I like my natural curls better than the wierd curls this method gave me!

Curly Girl: This method advocates no poo or low poo and using conditioner as a leave in but only combing or brushing with your fingers. I bought this book and this changed the way I styled my hair. I saw a major difference the first time. A few things:

1. I had a frizzy patch in the front that kind of waved and frizzed instead of curled. It was annoying because once I went natural I wanted to wear my hair out some! Please keep in mind that I thought this hair was heat damaged two years ago, so I used a very minimal amount of heat while I grew my hair out and it started to get more of a pattern, but still frizzy. I stopped using a brush to smooth my hair back and a few days later, this hair is not frizzing and is curling.

2. The first time I did this I did scrunch like she says to in the book with loads of conditioner in my hair, however this caused a ton of shrinkage that I usually don't have. So I modified that a little. I do scrunch, but minimally and I just apply the conditioner to my hair and run it throught with my fingers.

3. I was a little concerned with the amount of conditioner she advocates leaving in you hair, but it has been working and I squeeze out any excess. The theory is to supply your hair with a lot of conditoner and it will absorb what it needs. And I find my hair is not hard to get "wet" anymore. So before I started this method, I would stand under the shower longer because my hair took a while to feel wet. But this keep my hair moisturized and it gets "wet" fast.

I hope this was helpful. I found a ton of info on the web, but I still found buying the book to be so informative and helpful. Not to mention she really adores curls of all types and wants you to love your curls which is inspiring to me!

This was just my experience I will add!

Thanks for the summary

 

[momi]

Here is my week 3 photo of being on CG for 3 weeks using Deva poducts.



Week 1 (like day 2/3) is in my siggy. HUGE difference for me. Biggest thing for me was not using tools other than my fingers on hair in front of my head. I now have curls where I had frizz before. Deva products are working well for me. I have to be honest I was surprised, bc I have super coarse, dense hair and I didn't think it would work for me. I only thought the method and products were for just the fine-haired ladies...surprise

Off to get some Deva - your hair is beautiful!

 

[tamikachu =]]

Is anyone doing these methods with homemade products? Like shea butter, flaxseed gel, etc?

 

[Vintagecoilylocks]

Is anyone doing these methods with homemade products? Like shea butter, flaxseed gel, etc?

I started the TC modified this April. I use my own home made recipes. My base conditioner is sauve. It works and is not too expensive. Besides I have to supply my DD. I started the method on her hair and it is definately a keeper for both. However we are finger detanglers. I only apply the leave in recipe as I go along with the curl seperating. My leave in is different than the conditioner I wash with also.

 

[ParagonTresses]

I remember trying TCM when I BC'd and not liking the results although I can't remember the specifics as to why.

I've been strictly CG since the beginning of the year and have noticed how much better my hair looks and feels, very soft and more manageable. I personally still get a ton of frizz but that's just my hair, I've embraced that long ago!!

 

[faithVA]

Ok I'm ready to really try this now Last time I wasn't committed.

I bought a bottle of Tresemme Naturals. I cowashed with it, rinsed. Then I applied more, finger detangled and twisted it up. It took about two hours. My hair is not that easy to finger detangle. I just left the globs of conditioner in.

Since it is the weekend, I am thinking of doing wash 2 tomorrow and see if the finger detangling is any easier. I will know in the morning what my hair looks like with all the conditioner in it.

What I did learn tonight is
1. Put globs of conditioner in my hair before getting out of the shower even if it seems like too much. I am going to need it. I can then finger detangle in front of the mirror and just add more as I need it.

2. If its hard to get my fingers through certain sections or if it feels tangled, add more conditioner even if the hair feels like it has enough.

 

[faithVA]

Did wash day 2. Rinsed hair with water and then loaded my hair with globs of conditioner in the shower. Finger detangling was rough. No matter how long I finger detangled it didn't seem to detangle And finger detangling my roots seems impossible. The conditioner did seem to sink into my hair more and with lots of conditioner on I am starting to see some curl clumping. But obviously no real difference.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

I have been cone free since my big chop and I can def tell a difference in the moisture level of my hair vs my first BC 8 years ago Ive been strictly using Tresseme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth and Shea Moisture Curl enhancing Smoothie and Curl Milk.

I have been finger combing BUT i can already tell that finger combing is not going to work for my hair as it gets longer. I already knew that based on my past experiences with it. I thought I did a thorough finger detangle in the shower but once I used a wide tooth comb all my accumulated shed hairs were in the comberplexed So yeahfinger combing is not in the cards for me

 

[Shadiyah]

Did wash day 2. Rinsed hair with water and then loaded my hair with globs of conditioner in the shower. Finger detangling was rough. No matter how long I finger detangled it didn't seem to detangle And finger detangling my roots seems impossible. The conditioner did seem to sink into my hair more and with lots of conditioner on I am starting to see some curl clumping. But obviously no real difference.

faithVA it will get better with the detangling just take your time and pull apart and it also may mean you need a trim on those ends. Just hang in there.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA it will get better with the detangling just take your time and pull apart and it also may mean you need a trim on those ends. Just hang in there.

Thanks Shadiyah, I will do my best to take my time. My hair isn't tangly at my ends. Its actually from the root to half way down. I can easily finger detangle the bottom half. I start at the bottom and work my way up. Then I slowly try to work on the top quarter and its crazy. I do what I can and I eventually leave it alone. I think I've already lost some hair in my crown But I am hoping it gets better like you said.

 

[faithVA]

My day after update. I left all the conditioner in and twisted my hair in small twists. The conditioner soaked in and there was no evidence of conditioner in the morning. My hair feels slightly more moisturized than if I had put on my double layers of leave-in and moisturizer. To the touch it feels like it has grease in it. So my hair has a slightly coated feeling but it feels better than usual. I guess it feels like the 2nd or 3rd day after I usually twist and have misted them a few times.

I took out a twists and my twists is very, very, very defined. So defined that I wouldn't be able to wear a twist out. But I could separate the twists further and it didn't really frizz.

I am enjoying this so far. Just leaving the conditioner in, kept my hair from drying out when twisting. And I was able to twist my hair up so much faster because I wasn't applying product or detangling my hair. I was able to twist my hair in small twists in 1 hr. And my concerns about the conditioner sitting on my hair were unfounded. The Tresemme soaks right in. It may show a little but its less than when I use the SM Smoothie.

I'm going to give my hair a break today. If time permits I will do it again on Tuesday or Wednesday night.