You have probably heard the term "Curly Girl Method" thrown around in beauty communities, on Instagram, or from a friend with amazing curls. But what actually is it — and does it work for hair in the UAE climate? Here is everything you need to know to get started.
What is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method — often abbreviated to CGM or CG Method — is a hair care approach developed by American stylist Lorraine Massey and published in her book "Curly Girl: The Handbook" in 2001. At its core, the method is built around one simple idea: most mainstream hair care products contain ingredients that are actively harmful to curly hair, and removing those ingredients allows your natural curl pattern to emerge and thrive.
The method has since grown into a global movement followed by millions of women with wavy, curly, and coily hair — and it has a particularly passionate following across the Middle East and UAE, where natural curl textures are extremely common.
What ingredients does the Curly Girl Method avoid?
CGM focuses on eliminating four categories of ingredients that damage or suppress natural curls:
Sulphates
Sulphates — such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) — are the harsh cleansing agents found in most mainstream shampoos. They clean effectively but strip the hair of its natural oils completely, leaving curly hair dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage. Sulphate-free cleansers clean gently without this stripping effect.
Silicones
Silicones are smoothing agents added to conditioners and styling products to make hair feel soft and look shiny. The problem is they coat the hair shaft with a layer that regular sulphate-free shampoos cannot remove — leading to build-up that weighs curls down and prevents moisture from entering the hair. Over time, silicone build-up makes curls limp and unresponsive.
Mineral oils
Like silicones, mineral oils coat the hair shaft and create build-up. They provide a temporary smoothing effect but block moisture absorption in the long term.
Drying alcohols
Short-chain alcohols like isopropyl alcohol are found in many styling products and actually dry out the hair shaft on contact. They should be avoided entirely in a CGM routine. Note that long-chain fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fine — they are actually moisturising.
What does the Curly Girl Method involve?
Rather than following a strict set of rules, CGM is better understood as a framework of principles. Most people adapt the method to their specific hair type and environment. The core steps are:
The final wash
Before starting CGM, you do one last wash with a sulphate shampoo to remove all existing silicone and product build-up. This gives your hair a completely clean slate to start from. After this, you switch to CGM-approved products only.
Gentle cleansing
Replace your regular shampoo with either a sulphate-free shampoo or a co-wash — a conditioning cleanser that cleans the scalp gently without stripping moisture. Co-washing is especially popular for curlier and coilier hair types that need maximum moisture retention.
Conditioning every wash
Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair because the twists and turns of each strand make it difficult for natural scalp oils to travel down the hair shaft. Conditioning every single wash is not optional in CGM — it is essential.
Deep conditioning weekly
A weekly hair mask or deep conditioner replaces moisture lost during the week, restores elasticity, and keeps curls soft and defined. This step is especially important in the UAE where heat, hard water, and air conditioning accelerate moisture loss.
Styling on wet hair
CGM products — leave-in conditioners and curl defining gels — are always applied to soaking wet hair, never dry or slightly damp. This is one of the most important techniques in the method. Wet hair allows products to distribute evenly, seals the cuticle with moisture locked inside, and encourages natural curl formation as the hair dries.
Air drying
Wherever possible, CGM recommends air drying rather than heat styling. If you need to dry faster, use a diffuser attachment on a low heat setting — it distributes heat gently without disrupting the curl pattern.
Does the Curly Girl Method work in the UAE climate?
Yes — but with adjustments. The UAE climate presents specific challenges that a standard CGM routine does not fully account for. The most important adaptations are:
- Add a monthly clarifying step. UAE hard water creates mineral build-up that co-washing alone cannot remove. A sulphate-free clarifying shampoo used once a month keeps the hair clear and receptive to moisture.
- Use heavier moisture products in summer. The combination of extreme heat and aggressive air conditioning in UAE summers demands more intensive conditioning than you might need in a cooler climate.
- Seal with gel to fight humidity. UAE humidity causes frizz by forcing moisture into the hair cuticle unevenly. A curl defining gel applied to wet hair seals the cuticle and creates a barrier against humidity-induced frizz.
- Adjust between seasons. The UAE cool season (October to April) is much gentler on curls than the summer. Your routine should go lighter in the cooler months and heavier on moisture in the hotter months.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people see noticeable improvement within 4–6 weeks of consistently following a CGM routine. The first few weeks can actually feel like a transition period — your hair may go through an adjustment phase as it recovers from years of sulphate and silicone use. This is completely normal. Stick with the routine for at least 6–8 weeks before deciding whether it is working for your hair.
Getting started with CGM in the UAE
The simplest way to start is with a complete CGM-approved product range designed for all curl types. Curly Girl Movement — available exclusively in the UAE through auraallure — is one of the most trusted CGM brands in the world. Every product is fully sulphate-free, silicone-free, mineral oil-free, and paraben-free.
A simple starter routine using Curly Girl Movement products:
- Final wash: Clarifying Shampoo — use this for your very first wash to remove all build-up
- Regular cleanse: Cleansing Co-Wash — for weekly gentle cleansing
- Conditioner: Conditioner Light (wavy/fine) or Conditioner Heavy (curly/coily)
- Weekly mask: Hydro Hug Hydration Hair Mask
- Leave-in: Curl Styling Milk
- Styling gel: Curl Defining Gel
Not sure which products suit your curl type? Email us at hello@auraallure.com and we will help you build the right routine for your hair.