Curly Girl Method UK: Full List of Approved Products

When I first started my Curly Girl journey, I found it quite overwhelming at times. I didn’t know which products to use or where to buy them and I certainly didn’t understand which ingredients to avoid. I, therefore, compiled a list of approved UK products so that you can make easier decisions when finding products to use for the Curly Girl Method.

So, does the UK have many Curly Girl friendly products to choose from? Absolutely!

There are many UK products that can be used on the Curly Girl Method. These range from budget conditioners and gels from drugstores such as Boots and Superdrug and more high-end products from brands such as Umberto Giannini and Cantu.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to follow the Curly Girl Method and in my personal opinion, your goal should be to only use 2 or 3 products.

Wrong products or even too many products can cause your hair to turn dry, frizzy or even damage it further. 

Please also remember that Curly Girl ‘approved’ means the same as Curly Girl ‘friendly’.

All of the products we buy in stores are made by different brands and with different ingredients, but none of them are ‘officially’ approved because the method doesn’t dictate any specific product.

‘Approved’ or ‘Curly Girl friendly’ simply means that these products do not contain any of the ‘bad’ ingredients listed by Lorraine Massey in her book, Curly Girl – The handbook and that they are completely safe to use.

If you need further information on how to follow the Curly Girl Method, I have created an easy to follow step by step guide which will take you through it.

Ingredients To Avoid

The chemicals we want to avoid on the Curly Girl Method are:

• Sulphates (SLS’s)
• Silicone
• Waxes
• Drying alcohols

These chemicals can be found in most shampoos and conditioners and can actively contribute towards damaging your hair. 

Sulphate is the lathering agent in shampoo which causes the product to create bubbles and gives you that squeaky clean feel.

Sulphates strip your hair of its essential oils, causing your hair to become dry and frizzy.

Furthermore, the lack of oils encourages your scalp to produce even more oil, contributing to building up and greasy hair.

Silicone can be found in some shampoos but mainly in regular conditioners. The silicone acts as a film around each hair strand and embalms the follicles.

This prevents moisture from penetrating your hair, causing dehydrating which in turn causes frizz.

Silicone is also not water-soluble and is only removed with, you guessed it, sulphates!

A regular shampoo and conditioner routine can, therefore, in the long run, prove to be quite damaging to curly hair.

Waxes are heavy and will weigh down your hair. Like silicone, they also coat the hair strands and will prevent moisture from entering and thus cause your hair to become dry.

Drying alcohols will dry out your hair. Simple as that.

There are some non-drying alcohols such as aminomethyl propanol, Cetearyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol which are safe to use.

If you are ever in doubt about the ingredients of a specific product, I would recommend you use curlsbot.com to identify them.

Curly Girl Method Approved UK Products

I have divided the products into the following categories:

• Conditioners
• Deep Conditioners
• Cleansers
• Gels
• Other Styling Products

The Curly Girl Method ‘technically’ doesn’t recommend the use of shampoo. However, many Curly Girls choose to use a clarifying shampoo once every month to get rid of build-up.

These are still silicone, sulphate and alcohol free so won’t harm your hair at all.

For some, co-washing is just not possible due to either work, disabilities or sensitive skin.

It is completely a personal choice and you’re free to do whatever you want. Remember, at the end of the day, the CG Method should help you, not make things worse.

I’m not going to cover shampoo in this post, but definitely check out my 2020 top recommended Curly Girl friendly shampoos.

Below you will find a few of my personal favourite, as well as a list of all the UK approved Curly Girl Method products I have been able to find.

Please note the list below is not exhaustive as I am constantly adding to it, but this is a great selection of the best and most popular choices.

The list includes cheap supermarket brands as well as high-end products and my aim is to make this product list as comprehensive as possible.

CONDITIONERS – Curly Girl Method UK Products

When choosing a conditioner product to use on the Curly Girl Method, the first thing you want to consider is whether your hair is protein sensitive, balanced or over moisturised:

Protein Overload

If you have protein sensitive hair, you’ll want to go for products which do not contain protein or coconut.

Coconut is a protein mimic and will, therefore, clog your follicles and prevent moisture from penetrating your hair.

Many brands add protein to their hair products and you can quickly experience protein overload if you are not careful.

Hair needs both protein and water to become balanced and too much of either will damage the structure of your hair.

Protein Overload Symptoms

• Dry and brittle hair
• Hair breaks easily
• Curls don’t stretch
• Hair feels like straw
• Curls won’t clump together

My Top 3 Protein-Free Conditioners

Faith in Nature Natural Aloe Vera Conditioner	Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner	Yes To Cucumbers Volumising Conditioner

Faith in Nature is a very popular Curly Girl brand as most of their conditioners are CG friendly.

The Faith in Nature Natural Aloe Vera Conditioner contains active organic aloe vera and is suitable for normal to dry hair. Even better, it’s also cruelty-free!

The Novex Mystic Black Conditioner is also a fantastic choice.

It is an intense hydration conditioner which aims to rebuild and repair the hair cuticles. This conditioner is also cruelty-free.

Finally, the Yes To Cucumbers Volumising Conditioner is budget-friendly and works for all curl types.

This conditioner is formulated to help leave hair feeling soft, shiny and manageable and is suitable for everyday use.

If you are suffering from protein overload, I would also highly recommend doing an apple cider vinegar rinse once a month as it has completely transformed my hair.

Balanced Hair

If you have balanced hair, you won’t need to worry too much about protein or moisture overload.

Your hair is healthy and is exposed to the right amount of protein and water.

However, this doesn’t mean that every product will work with your hair and you may need to experiment.

But if you have healthy, bouncy curls, I would try to use products which are very similar to what you are used to.

My Top 3 Balanced Conditioners

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner	Giovanni 50 50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner	Organic Shop Raspberry & Acai Volumising Conditioner

Shea Moisture is one of the most popular brands within the Curly Girl community.

Their Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner is a bestseller and is perfect for those with thick and curly hair.

The conditioner contains silk protein and neem oil and helps to restore moisture and smooth dry hair cuticles.

The Giovanni 50 50 Balanced Conditioner instantly nourishes and detangles hair. It helps lock in shine and works for dry and normal hair types as well as colored hair.

The Organic Shop Raspberry & Acai Volumising Conditioner is made from 99% natural ingredients and is great for increasing elasticity in your hair.

The conditioner also helps strengthen the roots of your hair, repairing damage from both chemical and heat

Moisture Overload/ Hygral Fatigue

If your hair feels limp, soft, stretchy and your curls have stopped forming, you may be suffering from moisture overload also known as hygral fatigue.

Hygral fatigue happens when the cuticles of your hair become swollen due to water retention and then deflate once water is removed from the hair.

Your hair then becomes weak and stretches more easily which leads to breakage.

Hygral fatigue or moisture overload can be caused by not using enough protein-rich products or washing your hair every day.

Best Conditioners For Moisture Overload

Noughty To The Rescue Moisture Boost Conditioner	Shea Moisture Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Conditoner	Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner

All of these products contain either protein or coconut and are Curly Girl favourites.

I suggest not washing your hair more than twice a week if you suffer from moisture overload.

List of UK Curly Girl Method Conditioner Products

Deep Conditioners – Curly Girl Method UK Products

Deep conditioners are important when your hair needs a bit of extra care.

Personally, I like to deep condition once a week for a good half hour and then I carry on with my regular routine.

You can essentially use any conditioner as a deep conditioning product, but if you require significant moisture or protein boost, I suggest you choose wisely.

My Top 3 Protein-Free Deep Conditioners

Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Crush Yogurt Mask	Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner	As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive

The  Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Crush Yogurt Mask is a weightless deep conditioner which nourishes and softens normal hair. 

It gently cleanses for healthier, stronger hair and is made from 98 percent natural ingredients. 

It’s important to protect processed and damaged hair and the Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner does just that.

Helps restore your hair’s natural beauty and provide optimal hydration for all curl types.

The As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive is a great moisturizing deep conditioner that restores strength and nourishment to your hair.

It works great on hair that easily tangles and makes curls very easy to style.

Top 3 Balanced Deep Conditioners

Novex My Curls Movie Star Hair Mask	Novex Mystic Black Masque	Noughty Intensive Care Leave-In Conditioner

List of UK Curly Girl Method Deep Conditioner Products

Cleansers – Curly Girl Method UK Products

If you follow the Curl Girl Method, you’ll know that the use of shampoo is not recommended.

This is because most shampoos contain sulphates which strip your hair of its essential oils.

To get around this, a lot of brands promote sulphate-free shampoos, otherwise known as low poo shampoos.

These are also not recommended as manufacturers add additional chemicals, some which may be even more harmful to your hair.

I wrote an article about why you shouldn’t use low poo shampoo if you’re following the Curly Girl Method. Instead, use these Cg friendly shampoos.

The best way to clean your hair from build-up and pollution is to use a sulphate free cleanser which doesn’t lather, meaning it doesn’t create bubbles.

Most cleansers will work for any hair type, but if you are protein sensitive I would recommend that you choose a cleanser without coconut or coconut oil.

My Top 3 Protein Free Cleansers:

As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner	Mixed Chicks Conditioning Cleansing Co-Wash	Curlsmith - Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash

The As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner is a real favourite amongst Curly Girls.

It leaves my hair clean and washes out all oil and product-build up which normally is very difficult to do. My hair also feels moisturised afterwards, even after colouring!

A great co-wash that really does the job without leaving hair greasy or heavy. 

The Mixed Chicks Conditioning Cleansing Co-Wash is super cleansing and is able to do just as good of a job as shampoo. It leaves hair soft and manageable and smells amazing! 

I really like that it helps separate the curls and my hair always feels soft after a wash. 

The CURLSMITH Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash is a vegan co-wash for wavy, curly and coily hair and definitely lives up to the hype.

Curls look less frizzy and feel softer and defined and this is a great alternative to harsh shampoos.

If you’re looking for a co-wash that restores damaged, limp curls and leaves hair feeling strong and healthy, this is it.

Top 3 Regular/Protein-Rich Cleansers

Cantu Natural Hair Complete Conditioning Co-Wash	Aunt Jackies Curls & Coils Moisturising Co-Wash Cleanser	Eden Bodyworks Coconut Shea Cleansing Cowash

List of UK Curly Girl Method Cleanser Products

GELS – Curly Girl Method UK Products

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Finding the right gel on the Curly Girl Method is like finding the holy grail. It is the product which will decide the fate of your day/night/refresh/curls aka basically life.

I can really only give a few recommendations as I haven’t tried every gel on this list. It’s a long list!

I don’t think you need to worry too much about protein and imbalance when it comes to gels but you can get protein-free gels.

Start out by finding the right one for you depending on your budget and how strong a hold you want and remember, you’ll always need more than you think.

Here Are Some Personal Favourites:

Umberto Giannini Scrunching Jelly	Ecostyler Olive Oil Styling Gel	Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel

One of my favorite gels is the Umberto Giannini Scrunching Jelly. It is Umberto’s best selling product and is recommended over and over again for its quality, hold, and texture.

If you’re having issues with your current gel or simply fancy trying out a more high-end brand, this one is for you.

Do be careful to not purchase other Umberto Giannini products as only a handful of them are actually Curly Girl friendly.

The first gel I ever used on the Curly Girl Method was the Eco Style Olive Oil Gel. This worked really well for me and provided a strong hold for my curls.

The only reason I started experimenting with other gels was to see if there was a cheaper brand which would work just as well.

And there was! The Boots Essentials Extra Firm Hold Gel worked just as well and I would highly recommend this gel if you’re on a budget or if your method includes double gelling.

By double gelling I’m referring to the method of adding gel on soaking wet hair, then dry with a t-shirt or microfiber towel, and then add gel again.

Doing the method this way can be a bit wasteful if you’re not careful as a lot of the gel will rub off on the towel.

I use a good handful of gel at every wash so I want something cheap and durable.

Finally, the Twisted Sista Amazing Dream Curl Gel is another popular gel and is great for tight curl patterns. It offers a lightweight feel with a strong hold.

I like to layer this gel with other products or even another gel as it doesn’t go flaky.

List Of UK Curly Girl Method Gel Products

Other UK Curly Girl Method Approved Styling Products

There’s plenty of Curly Girl Styling products you can buy in the UK and they range from mousses to sprays and creams.

Mousse

For a while, I experimented with cleanser, conditioner and mousse only but my curls did not hold. I now switch between mousse and gel and find this to be a winning combo.

Mousse can help firm your curls and give them bounce but it won’t seal in moisture the same way as gel will.

I also found it to dry out my curls a bit, but with gel, it seems to work. I also found it beneficial for combating frizz.

Recommended products:

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse	Wella Professionals Eimi Boost Bounce Curl Enhancing Mousse	Wella Shockwaves Ultra Strong Hold Mousse

Sprays

There are a couple of CGM approved sprays which can help you style and moisturise your curls at the same time.

As I Am CocoShea Spray	Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curl Refreshing Spray	Schwarzkopf Got2b TWISTED Anti-Frizz Styling Spray

The As I Am CocoShea Spray helps separate your curls after you have washed your hair.

A few sprays on wet hair before you scrunch your hair with gel will give you much smoother curls and help detangle any stubborn clumps.

If you suffer from frizz, the Schwarzkopf got2b Twisted Styling Spray can help you manage it.

Best used on damp hair and applied using the praying method (rub the product between your palms and coat each curly as you move down from scalp to ends).

This is great to use on a refresh day as well.

Creams

If you want to use a curl cream for additional definition you have a couple of options.

Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream	AS I AM Twist Defining Cream	Bouclème Curl Cream

The Cantu Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is hugely popular within the Curly Girl community, especially since you only need to use a pea-sized amount.

For best use, rub between hands with a little bit of water after co-washing and scrunch your curls. Then gel and diffuse as per usual.

One thing to note is that this curl activator cream does contain coconut oil so if you’re protein sensitive, I would stay clear as it could cause your hair to go dry and become frizzy.

For a nurturing and moisturising cream, try the AS I AM Twist Defining Cream. It contains many natural oils as well as organic extracts.

Rub a small amount between your palms before applying gel or use as a refresh product on next day curls.

UK Curly Girl Method Styling Products

And that’s it!

I hope you have found this post informational. If you have found any additional UK products which are Curly Girl friendly, then please do leave a comment below or email me via the contact form.

Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.