🚨A common mistake when starting the Curly Girl Method is exclusively co-washing (washing with a conditioner) and forgetting to clarify.
What Is Clarifying?
A cleansing wash that removes buildup from your hair and scalp.
Signs You Need To Clarify:
⚠️ hair looks dull or stringy
⚠️ hair is weighed down
⚠️ hair suddenly not looking “right”/ products stop working as effectively
⚠️ hair feels “product-y” even after washing
⚠️ hair looks dirty when it’s clean
⚠️ oily roots sooner than usual
⚠️ itchy or flaky scalp
⚠️ more frizz
⚠️ more hair loss than usual
Common Causes of Buildup:
❎ Polyquats
❎ Heavy oils
❎ Butters / Waxes
❎ Your natural oils
❎ Minerals from hard water
If you’re using these kinds of ingredients, expect to need to clarify more often.
How Often Should I Clarify?
This will depend on your hair type as well as the type and quantity of products you’re using.
There’s no one size fits all so it’s important to listen to your own hair, but expect to clarify at least once or twice a month, more often (sometimes weekly) if you have wavy, low density or naturally oily hair.
How Do I Clarify?
Look for a shampoo with ingredients: sodium alpha olefin sulfonate, c-14- 16 olefin sulfonate, sodium cocoyl glutamate or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate which is a stronger cleanser, but still approved on the CG method and won’t dry out your hair.
A great natural option is an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse to cleanse and restore PH balance.
To easily find a clarifying shampoo, go to www.thecurlcollective.co.za and select the tab for CG approved clarifying shampoos. Or, to check the one you have, go to curlscsan.com and do an advanced search for a list of CG approved clarifying shampoos.
Have questions? Please ask us!
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