What if the CG Method doesn't work for you?

Within our Facebook group this is one of the most frequently asked questions: "Help, what am I doing wrong?" and "Why aren't my products working?" Maybe you recognize this too. It can be quite difficult to find the perfect curl routine. It takes a lot of time and the hardest part is giving your curls (and yourself!) the time to create your own successful routine for your curls. And besides, you don't want to spend tons on new hair products every time. In this blog we will explain to you what you can do if your routine is not working (or not yet completely).

Help! my products don't work

We often shift the blame to our hair products. And this is understandable. Because if you have spent a lot of time on your hair and you have just got everything you need for the CG Method, it can be quite a disappointment. Because on Instagram and Facebook you see all those great results, why don't you have this? First of all, it is very important to realize that it is not only the products that play an important role in the success of your hair routine. Also the way of washing, styling and the tools you use for this. This brings us directly to point 1: First check your current routine.

Tip 1: Check your current routine (how do you wash/style it?)

By your routine we actually mean the way you wash your hair, how you apply your gel and whether you have all the items at home. Below we will discuss some important (and most frequently made) points with you.

Do you have all the products at home?

Some curlies who start with the CG Method have acquired all kinds of things, but not always the right ones. Grab your products and check whether you have the following products:

1. CG Shampoo: Use to cleanse (weekly). Apply the shampoo to damp hair and massage it into the scalp and distribute the shampoo evenly over the hair lengths. Then rinse it completely.
2. Conditioner: Apply over the lengths of the hair and allow it to be absorbed briefly. Then rinse it completely.
3. Mask: Apply over the lengths of the hair and allow it to be absorbed briefly.
4. Leave-in or cream (both are not necessary): Use this product on damp hair after washing and do not need to rinse.
5. Gel: this is a must have! It prevents frizz and shapes your curls.
6. Oil: Apply this when your hair is completely dry. You can use this to knead out the hard layer of the gel ( cast ), which prevents frizz and provides extra care (also for finer hair!).

The above products form the basis of the CG Method . If you have these products at home, you have already come a long way.

Use of conditioner and mask

Always use a conditioner or mask after shampooing. The shampoo opens your hair cuticles and you close them again with a conditioner or mask. Some useful tips when using these 2 products:

• Do you have fine hair? Then you could try a dirty deep co
• With these products, focus on the hair lengths when you apply them. You don't have to massage it into your scalp. If you want some nourishment on top of your head (near your roots?) then smooth it over it.
• Allow the product to absorb thoroughly, do not rinse it immediately. With a conditioner, wait a few minutes (2/3 minutes at least).
• If necessary, brush the product thoroughly, this will immediately detangle your hair and ensure that the product is distributed throughout your hair.

Brushing

Do not brush your hair dry. Do you do this regularly? Then you can damage your hair. Brush your hair while washing (if there is a conditioner or mask in your hair, for example while it is being absorbed).

Tips for styling your hair

Styling your hair is one of the most difficult steps in the beginning. There are many ways. If you are not yet completely familiar with styling your curls, we advise you to read further on this page first. At the bottom of the page we tell you step by step how to use the above 6 products and in what order.

Have you mastered this? Then you can try these tips:

1. Use little of your leave-in conditioner or cream. Start with the amount of a euro coin.
2. Do you apply products to your hair? Always distribute the product well between your hands by rubbing thoroughly several times
3. Do you have a lot of hair? or do you always notice that your hair is not styled the same everywhere after it dries? Then it is useful to make sections in your hair. You then apply products to your hair per section. You can do this with alligator clips . First divide your hair into two parts: the top part (from ear to ear) and the bottom layer. Have you applied a product? Then brush it briefly each time so that everything is well distributed.
4. Do you always run your fingers through your hair to apply a product? Then try the praying hands method . This allows you to distribute the product better over your hair by only running your fingers through it.
5. While styling, do you notice that your hair is a bit stringy or that you have very thin strands, or that it is no longer completely easy to get through? Then it is really advisable to spray your hair thoroughly with a water sprayer .
6. Have you applied all the styling products? Then completely moisten the hair lengths with a water spray. Have you done this? Then you can start 'scrunching'. Always tilt your head to the left, right and forward so that you cover all parts of your hair. Are you done and can you see the curl pattern appearing clearly? Then you take your towel and scrunch it briefly with your towel. This will remove some moisture from your hair and prepare your hair for drying.
7. Do you suffer from frizzy hair? or does it fade quickly? Then you can add a little more gel after point 6. You 'glaze' this over your hair and then scrunch it thoroughly. You can also use a second gel for this (i.e. a different gel than the first). For example 1 with more hold.

What tools do you have at home?

In addition to the right hair care and styling methods, the tools are also important in your routine. Below we list the most important ones for you:

1. Water spray: a must-have! Because if you style your hair extensively, your hair may become a bit drier because you may spend a little longer or because you may have hair that dries faster. Styling your hair works better on slightly damp hair.
2. Towel : Are you still using a cotton towel? You must put that aside immediately! These are too rough for your hair and damage your hair.
3. Section clips: to divide your hair while styling. This allows you to easily reach all parts of your hair without missing any parts.
4. Hair dryer with diffuser: We think this is one of the most important tools. Do you still let your hair air dry? Then your curl pattern may dry less nicely. With a hair dryer you have better control over this and your curls will dry better. It is safe to blow-dry your hair. The diffuser (the round head with pins) ensures an even distribution of the heat. Always blow dry on a low setting first and start at the scalp (so bend your head forward when you start. Then work your way upwards slowly. Is your hair starting to feel a bit drier? or a bit harder? Then set it to the hardest setting ( This way you'll be done faster!).

Wait with the oil until your hair is completely dry!

Wait to apply the oil when your hair is 100% dry! This is better for your hair and will keep its shape better.

Tip 2: Check your hair products

Maybe you picked up some products from the (curly) shelf at the local drugstore and started using them. This is okay. However, based on the questions asked in our group, we notice that the products do not always work well. This is mainly because the products from the curly shelves at drugstores are very heavy. Please note, this does not always have to be the case! But we see this often. But now you may be thinking, how do I solve this?

Products that are too heavy/greasy

Do you see a lot of words like 'oil' and 'butter'? Then this is a heavy product. Especially if 1 of these ingredients lists is common in the middle and somewhat higher on the list. Do you have a looser curl pattern or do you not have very thick hair? Then the products may be too heavy. It is then useful to switch. Have you found that they are too heavy? Then you can take a look at the following brands:

• Giovanni Cosmetics : Low to medium price range, ultra light products) and very popular with curl type 2, looser curl patterns and wavy's.
• Curl Jelly Gel : a very light gel that provides a medium hold. You could also use this as a second gel.
• LA Hold gel (from Giovanni Cosmetics): Provides a strong hold and has a slightly thicker (but light) substance.
• Curlsmith (top quality, higher price range): Do you have a budget for products that are in a slightly higher price range? Then these products are definitely recommended. All products have a travel size of 60ML. That makes it ideal for testing products.
• Curlsmith Strenght line (purple labels): Suitable for anyone with more damaged hair (dyed, highly porous, saggy hair, too soft hair).
• Curlsmith Shine line (white bottles): Very suitable for normal to healthy hair or for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin.

Which products do you need to adjust?

Okay, maybe you've now come to the conclusion that your products are too greasy/too heavy and therefore don't work for you. And what next? For example, start with a new shampoo, conditioner and gel. If necessary, purchase travel sizes first to test it out.

We now have many travel sizes and samples. Try a sample or travel size for the smell, substance and for a first impression.

The texture says nothing about how heavy something is, always read the ingredients list! Or check the filters on our website (we have a special filter for light products).

Another extra tip: match your conditioner to the brand of shampoo you use. The two then fit together well.

Does the brand also have a cream or leave-in? If necessary, connect it to it as well. NB! This is not mandatory of course.

Suffering from itching?

Do you suffer from extreme itching immediately after using a product? Then rinse your hair with water. That itchy feeling is actually a kind of signal: it irritates your scalp and can lead to problems. It is sometimes difficult to find out where the exact problems come from. Would you like more information about this? Then read this blog about an itchy scalp

Your shampoo

Shampoos come in different types. There are shampoos that cleanse extremely ( clarifying shampoos ) and there are mild shampoos. You can recognize strong cleansing (clarifying shampoos) by the following ingredients, among others:

• Sodium Lauryl sulfate
• Sodium C14-16 Olefin sulfonate
• Disodium 2-sulfolaurate

(They are often high on the list, in places 2 to 5). If you use this shampoo very often, your scalp may become greasy more quickly. Then switch to a more mild shampoo. Mild shampoos are best for curly hair. They clean well but don't strip your entire scalp.

Do you want to know more about shampoos? Then read how to choose the best shampoo .

Build up

Have you been following the method for quite a long time? and has it been a long time since you did a final wash? Or have you not done it at all yet? And does your hair keep falling out, frizzy or just doesn't want to stay in place? Then do a final wash and then apply a mask and continue your 'normal' routine. Who knows, this might do wonders for you.

You use the snot gel

The snot gel (no longer available) is a very well-known gel. But, this gel contains a lot of ingredients that build up on your hair. The result? Build-up, as we described above. Follow the steps we described above.

Use a hair spray

Does your hair keep falling out, even after all our tips? Then we have some concrete tips for you.

1. Use a hairspray if your hair is dry after blow dry. Then it feels a little damp again. Then you blow-dry your hair again. You will notice that your hair stays in shape a little better because it is a little stiffer. Hairspray is sometimes avoided because it is said to be sticky. But, if you don't use too much, it won't stick and can actually help you.
2. Add a protein mask to your routine or use a protein treatment . Soft hair needs some extra 'strength'. Try the Curlsmith Bond Salve or the Aunt Jackie's Rescue (both are for all types of curls/textures).
3. Use a second gel. And make sure you have a gel with a stronger hold and a second one with a lighter hold. Strong gels: 1) Boucleme Strong Hold 2) La Hold 3) Curlsmith Strong Hold and the gels with a lighter hold are: 1) Curl Jelly Gel 2) Brand5 Gel .

The latest useful tips:

1. Curl hairdresser: When was the last time you went to the hairdresser? This can really do wonders for your hair! Because maybe it was cut in a way that doesn't get everything out of your hair. Preferably go to a curl hairdresser, they cut it dry and then see how your curls fall.
2. Go test: Try everything, nothing is wrong! It's fun to do and that's how you create your own perfect routine.
3. Shop your new products at a discount: we are happy to help you with our products. So shop them with a 10% discount with the code: advice discount
4. Read our blog : We do our best to often post new blogs with problems that we often read again.
5. And finally: don't touch your hair too much. This will separate your curl pattern and cause frizz. A waste of all your hard work!

Good luck and hopefully you found this blog useful! Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments!