Hi guys

So I’ve decided to do a diary - I will try my best to post every few days to make it interesting

Growing up I had curly hair, but didn’t know how to manage it. Up til I was 11 I had long hair, so the curl got dragged, which was fine. But I always wanted short hair, so mum let me get it cut for going to high school - WAW!! Looking at pictures from 11-14 yrs old it was literally just a frizz ball! I attempted to straighten my hair by tying it back every day at one point, and tried to have a curly fringe which I attempted to straighten with tongs…its awful!! Then when I got to 14-15 I managed to “style” it better. Then straighteners came out, and it was great. Not GHD’s - these were the Babyliss ones you added water to - great - but the least bit of rain meant it went frizzy. Between 16-19 it was more or less always curly and was gorgeous. I don’t know how I done it but it was gorgeous tight curls, sometimes ringlets…perfect. Obviously I didn’t think so though. I longed for straight locks. And then I was introduced to GHD’s. They worked wonders. I didn’t straighten my hair all the time. I went through periods where I straightened my hair everyday for 2 weeks, then curly for 6 months. I ALWAYS had my hair straight for nights out. It made me look older and skinner of course!!

But recently I’ve started to miss my curls. As now I get nothing more than a wave. I hardly ever straighten my hair anymore, but it must just be soo damaged that I know need to make an effort to get my hair back to “normal”.

So I found this forum. WAW!! I didn’t realise it was going to be so complicated…but very very interesting. I made my first purchase on the emporium a few days ago and hoping this gets delivered tomorrow…sooo excited. Went through all my hair toiletries tonight and put away all the non-cg items. I’ll be honest and say I haven’t thrown them out. I’ve put them away incase my hair doesn’t take to this new way.

I took pictures a few days ago of my hair, and have been using cg-friendly conditioner since. Today I used cg-friendly conditioner and sulphate free shampoo - I have again taken pictures. I will post these pictures tomorrow, but I personally think there is a huge difference already! Hubby took the pictures and he noticed the difference too. He said he didn’t think anyone could get soo excited over hair!haha He actually prefers my hair straight, but hey-ho, my hair was curly when he met me so he has to put up with it.

Hope you enjoy reading my journey. When I’m using the new products i’ll review them and update you all on my quest to get my curls back

xx

So I didn’t co-wash my hair today. Didn’t leave the house actually because of the bad weather, so just had a duvet day!

I have attached some pictures…

First 2 with checked shirt are from day 1 - before co-washing started.

3rd pictures is after day 1 of co-washing

4th & 5th pictures are after 2 co-washing days & 1 low-poo day.

wow! what a difference already!

I know I think so too! Hopefully the emporium order will get delivered tomorrow and i can get properly started!

So the goodies came this morning! I used my existing conditioner - organix coconut, there is probably only 1 application left, then used curl junkie (woohoooo) leave-in conditioner, micro-fibrer towelled it for 10mins, then used darcys Shea butter, them a tiny drop of mop top anti-frizz gel on top.

Question - the Shea butter is really heavy - do you guys only use it when using your hair dryer with it? I don’t normally diffuse unless going out, but felt like I needed the heat to activate the Shea butter. Should I maybe have softened it more in my hands? Again I used a really tiny amount. The Shea butter has also wee white bits in my hair, is this a sign it needed moulded more loin my hands?

Having said all this, my hair is so so soft & frizz free. It’s the first day I’ve dried my hair with a hair dryer since using this forum - I try to let it dry itself most days. But I used the method advices for drying with a diffuser and have to say I noticed my curls looking more defined straightaway. I’ll be honest & say I didn’t really believe the hype with “switching the hair dryer on and off at a certain time & having it diffuser at the head”...but I do now!! Waw what a difference.

I’ll take pictures later of the results

Hi Fee, wow what a difference in yr hair already, looks brill , I’m not au fait with everything on ths website but I think shea butter should be used on dry hair as a sealent/anti frizz remedy?? please fellow curlies let me know if I’m wrong. If you still have white bits then you are not warming it enough, I use the hard natural stuff n use just a teeny tiny smidgen, warm/melt rubbing my hands together, then put on my dry hair, round the canopy n scrunching the curls.
The pixie method is fab & makes such a difference to yr curls. I got a Babylis hooded hairdryer for crimbo (n pleanty of ‘old lady’ comments from OH) but its brillaint, just sit under for 20mins n hair dry, would highly recommend. 

If you are getting white bits in your hair with the shea butter, you are not “melting” it enough.  When applying to dry hair, it should be liquid with no bits in.  If you have pure shea butter, try blasting a little in the microwave for about 20 seconds before applying; it should be totally liquid with no bits in.

I started out using pure shea butter, but now use Darcy’s Whipped Shea Butter, and love it!  It feels gritty when you first rub it between your hands, but once it goes smooth (about 10-15 seconds of rubbing in your hands) it is ready to apply.  You don’t need much!  I only use this on dry hair, to add moisture and tame frizz.

Glad you are getting on with the pixie method, this made a huge difference to my curls!  When using a hair dryer, it is important not to over dry your hair; this method should leave it about 80% dry, which is what you want.

All the best,
Emma.

Thanks for the heads up curlies, I used the shea butter right after taking my towel off my hair, and obviously didn’t warm it up enough either….lesson learnt! Although after the blast of heat from the hair dryer it was alright!lol

I can’t believe the difference in my hair after diffusing a different way…madness!! However the top of my head was pretty flat…any ideas?

I’ve attached the pictures from today…i notice a BIG difference…woohoooo

If you air dry, clipping at the roots can help.  If you diffuse dry, try turning your head upside down to diffuse; this helps add volume!

thanks, i normally always tip my head upside down, but was just doing it the way it was done in the videos…so i’ll do that next time

So I went to a local hairdressers on Friday. I’ve been before and was happy with the cut and price I got, of course I left with straight shiny hair that time

So I asked for my hair to get put up as I was going out on Friday, the hairdresser asked me what like and I told her I wanted it up with curls, she said GHD curls, I said no my own. She seemed ok with that, saying she’ll try what she thinks and if I don’t like it she can play around with it. I was happy with the consultation, the hairdresser was really nice and approachable.

I wasn’t brave enough to ask the shampoo girl not to use shampoo, I know, I’m a wimp, but I think if people don’t know about the cg-way, then they’ll think it’s madness. So I was happy just to go along with the “normal” wash - the girl ruffled my hair dry….I couldn’t believe it!! I’ve not had that done for a looonnngg time! Anyway, the hairdresser cut my hair and cut the layers and showed me and asked if it was ok, I said I think so but its hard to tell because it bounces up, and asked if she would mind doing a dry cut…..no. She said some hairdressers don’t mind, but she gets a better line cut when its wet, and because she’s doing GHD curls it wouldn’t work. hmmm. I know what she’s saying…but my hair’s curly!! There is no line!! And so much for being ok with using my own curls - now I know what she means about doing what she thinks!! Anyway, I got her to cut another inch off because I could only guess, and would rather get more off than less. She straightened it all, then curled it. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely. I got lots of compliments on my hair. BUT. I have curly hair. I walked in with curly hair so she knew I have curly hair. So why straighten my curly hair to make GHD curls?! I don’t get it, yeah they are lovely, but why not work with my natural curls? She was really nice though, and her chat was good, at one point she asked if I straightened my hair often and I said not much these days and she replied saying that’s the best thing to do to keep my hair healthy….so why did she go against that very saying?!

At the end of the day I was happy with the finish, but I’d really really like to go to hairdressers who know about the cg-way…..I’m going to book in for my next cut at one of the places that have been recommended on here. It means I need to go into the City, and will cost a wee bit more, but I want to see what it’s like to get my curly hair looked after by someone who knows how to deal with curly hair

So that was on Friday, and I washed my hair today…it’s quite short, but I like it. It means I get a fresh start starting the cg-method with all my emporium goodies tomorrow. I don’t know if I done it right. Since basically all my hard work last week has been cancelled out with my shampoo/conditioner/mousse/hairspray (!!!) encounter on Friday, I washed my hair with my normal sulphate-free organix shampoo and conditioner today…does that mean I can start co-washing next?

Your hair is lovely…I can’t believe your hairdresser straightened it and then curled it. See my hairdresser encounter in my diary. What a load of palava….I’m pretty firm with these hairdressers now. It is after all my hair. You need to be firmer…oh dear…

Hi guys, been happily co-washing with my new products for the past week and started to notice my hair got greasy on top quite quick during the week. Didn’t think much of it but today I co-washed before going to work & as I head to bed I notice my hair looks & feels pretty heavy & greasy on top? Any suggestions? I done a brown sugar exfoliation this morning but didn’t feel or notice any difference with this. I done a treatment 5 days ago so not due another for a few days? Do you think I need to low-poo? Me no want to?!?!!

Any help much appreciated.

Just wanted to add, don’t no if it makes a difference, but when co-washing do you add the conditioner to the scalp? I was always told when shampooing & conditioning the traditional way only to condition the ends of your hair. However since there is no shampoo on your scalp when co-washing I have been using conditioner on my scalp…is this correct? Or is this wrong & why I’m getting greasy scalp soo quickly after washing my hair?

What are you using to co wash? Yes you need to give your scalp a good rub when co washing - I usually rub the co wash into my hands and start on scalp.  The greasiness could be your scalp just adapting to the new routine. For the leave in conditioner you can miss out your scalp and use it on the lengths & ends more.  Also, maybe reduce the amount of leave a little in to see if that helps.  Another thing to try is adding a squirt of low poo to your co wash.  HTH