Get To Know The Viral TikTok 'Curly Girl Method'
Published date 19 June 2025
What you should *really* be recommending to your curly hair clients.
With millions of tutorials and product recommendations flooding TikTok’s ‘For You Page’, the viral 'Curly Girl Method' is everywhere, and for a good reason! But with so much information out there, it can be extremely overwhelming for clients to know what really works for their unique curls, coils or waves. That’s why it’s essential that your clients turn to their trusted hairdresser for credible, professional guidance on what will work for their specific hair type.
We’ve created the ultimate salon-approved curly hair routine, that's inclusive to everyone, designed to help clients embrace and care for their natural curls confidently. Here’s a full breakdown of the trending routine, with a salon-approved twist, as well as retail-ready recommendations and expert tips your clients will love.
Step 1: Shampoo With A Gentle Cleanser
Always, and we mean always, recommend your curly clients a sulphate-free formula that gives their curls a deep yet gentle cleanse without stripping the natural oils from the hair. We recommend the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo, which is perfect for curly and textured hair types that need a little detox without the dryness.
Pro Tip: Teach your clients to focus the shampoo on the scalp only, as the lather will naturally cleanse the mid-lengths and ends as it rinses out. This will help to not disrupt the hair's natural curl pattern!
Step 2: Condition & Detangle
To ensure ultimate nourishment and to keep the hair conditioned, we recommend the Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Conditioner. Where bond-building meets curl care, this ultra-conditioning formula will reduce frizz, strengthen the curls, and improve their elasticity. What more could you want?
Pro Tip: Have your clients use a wide-tooth comb or fingers once the conditioner has been applied to detangle without the breakage.
Step 3: Weekly Hair Masks
Weekly hair masks are a must when your clients have curly hair, as they provide intense hydration and moisture, which curly hair often lacks. We recommend the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Hydrating Mask, which is infused with manuka honey to deeply hydrate the curls and coils without disturbing the curl pattern.
Pro Tip: Add heat once the mask has been applied by wrapping the hair in either cling film or a plastic cap, then leave a towel on the hair for 20 minutes to allow the mask to penetrate deeper.
Step 4: Leave-in Conditioner
We’re not stopping there with the conditioner! Once the hair is fully washed, have your clients use a leave-in conditioner spray for increased manageability, as well as other hair benefits from heat protectant to keep the hair hydrated. We recommend the milk_shake curl passion leave-in spray for soft, bouncy and frizz-free curls. With pracaxi oil, milk proteins, and quinoa, this lightweight mist adds an instant shine and manageability to the hair.
Pro Tip: Apply to soaking wet hair using the ‘praying hands’ method to evenly distribute the product and minimise frizz.
Step 5: Define & Style
It’s time to define and style your client's curls, which will require two products for each step. Starting with a cream, we recommend the amika curl corps defining hair cream; a hydrating curl cream that will shape and soften the hair. Next, we recommend going in with the Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Curl Jam, a lightweight gel that won’t weigh down the hair but allows a long-lasting hold and bounce.
Pro Tip: Layer the curl cream first, then add the gel on top to lock in definition and keep frizz at bay all day long.
Step 6: Dry & Finishing Touches
Drying the hair is a key step in the ‘Curly Girl' hair routine as this can add frizz and roughness to the hair if not done properly. When using a dryer, we recommend using a diffuser nozzle to maintain the curl definition. We also recommend using the Joico Curls Like Us Brush to detangle the hair while defining the curl clumps, as well as the Shed Tropic Oil Melting Hair Whip to add a rich finishing oil that melts into the hair for soft, shiny results and, of course, that extra nourishment.
Pro Tip: Always have your clients use a microfibre towel (or even a cotton t-shirt!) to scrunch out any excess water. When diffusing, do so on a low heat or air-dry completely before scrunching out any crunch. And remind your clients, keep their hands off when drying! This can also help avoid any unwanted frizz.
Extra Curly Hair Routine Tips To Share
- Always say no to sulphates, silicones, and alcohol in products, as this will only dry out the hair and leave it dehydrated.
- Recommend your clients the milk_shake curl passion leave-in spray to refresh their curls between wash days.
- Suggest sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase or using a pineapple bun to preserve curls overnight.
As a hairdresser, giving your curly clients the confidence to embrace their curls whilst building trust and loyalty with you is key. By offering the right products and professional advice, you’ll help your clients fall back in love with their natural locks, whilst also creating a new retail opportunity in your salon. Let’s cut through the noise and deliver real, manageable results that your clients can easily maintain to show off their stunning natural curls.
Don’t forget to stock up on these curly hair must-haves in-store or online at Alan Howard.
Comments
There are currently no comments, be the first to comment.