My 'Curly Girl' Understanding

So quite some time ago, I purchased Curly Girl The Handbook by Lorraine Massey. I actually enjoyed it and took some notes here and there. It was an easy read...not too scientific and not too storyish. Well, there were a few stories, but depending on the type of reading you do or what you're looking to get out of the book, you'll skim a few of them and just look at some before and after photos.

Lorraine Massey believes in only using conditioners and gels for [curly] hair. She suggests that the conditioner (gels, pomades and glosses) you use not have silicones, parabens and obviously sulfates. In my laymen's terms and without the book in front of me, silicones coat the hair to the point of where sometimes its hard for moisture to penetrate it unless it is washed out thoroughly, sometimes being with a harsh sulfate shampoo. I personally don't really see a problem with silicones in my hair, but since I can appreciate what she's saying, I choose to use silicone-free conditioners like Garnier Fructis Pure Clean conditioner and Tresemme Naturals conditioner . 

My leave-in conditioner.

My 'washing' conditioner.

Cones...
Her method is to use a silicone-free conditioner to wash and condition your hair, thus ridding yourself of shampoo entirely. This was kind of weird to get used to but I really didn't have a choice. With my haircut being shorter than what I had hoped for and me not being able to pull it back in a ponytail since I'm trying to grow my edges out (postpartum shedding catastrophes), I have no choice but to lay off all tension and only wash and 'go.' She suggests for 2nd day wash 'n go hair, wet your whole head with water and pat dry with a t-shirt or paper towel, no conditioner added and that's it. I'm assuming this is where it helps to use a silicone-free conditioner in her eyes. If I use a gel with cones, like Fantasia IC, then I just wash with conditioner the following day and nix her 2nd day hair method, but I usually use Eco-Styler gel.
**I smooth gel on the bang and crown area -top part only- because that's where my looser texture is and it tends to frizz faster, especially in humidity.

Recipes and Videos...
She also had some directions and recipes for making your own conditioners, glosses and moisture treatments. Since I have two mobile toddlers (2 and 1), I don't have that kind of time to dedicate to becoming a mixtress and testpad but it was still good information. There were videos too--->how-to videos on scalp washing, finger combing and self-trimming. She believes in no combs or brushes. At first I was like, "say what?" but since I've been finger combing in the shower, I have had a million times less hair shedding. Its easier to comb your hair gently yet efficiently when using your fingers than with a wide tooth or denman. Please TRY IT!!!

Products Sampled...
So, the things I utilize from her book have been very helpful, time-saving and I'd like to think healthy on my hair. I did try her products, particularly the No Poo, DevaCare One Conditioner and a complimentary gel, Set Up & Above and I wasn't too impressed. I love reading product reviews from bigger named natural hair bloggers, but I am not sure how to give a review because all hair is different and reacts differently with certain products.
I did really like the DevaCare One (plus it smelled nice and flowery) but not enough for the price, like $13; especially when Garnier Pure Clean and Tresemme Naturals are so good to me and cost $4. I will probably purchase it again this summer just to switch things up a bit though.

Here's a video on finger detangling by MahoganyCurls (I truly love her):

My curls/coils are tighter than hers and it really is THAT easy! 

Haircut: 1/27/2012 - Stretched 2nd day hair

By the way, diffusers+ponytail holders=amazing!