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The Curly Girl Method: a step-by-step routine with compatible dm products

Lorraine Massey method · adapted for Morocco

The Curly Girl Method: a step-by-step routine with compatible dm products

Lorraine Massey's rules explained simply, with products from the dm range, from BALI CURLS to Balea PROFESSIONAL, whose ingredient lists we checked one by one: no sulfates, no silicones, no drying alcohols.

Time
30 min
Steps
10
Level
Intermediate
Essentials
493 DH

Small-budget version: 144 DH (choose it in the product list)

Discover the routine

10 products · 1.497 DH

Method published by Lorraine Massey, summarised from the sources cited below. Lorraine Massey is not affiliated with FromGermany.ma and did not choose these products.

In short

The Curly Girl Method, created by hairstylist Lorraine Massey, is a routine for wavy, curly, coily or kinky hair that has not been chemically straightened. In order: wash without sulfates (conditioner alone, known as co-washing, or a gentle shampoo), detangle only with conditioner in, apply gel to soaking-wet hair while squeezing the curls upwards (scrunching), dry without rubbing (microfibre, plopping or a diffuser), then break the gel cast once the hair is dry. Products must be free of sulfates, non-water-soluble silicones and drying alcohols: on FromGermany.ma, examples include the BALI CURLS Nourishing shampoo, the Balea PROFESSIONAL Boucles de rêve conditioner and the BALI CURLS Strong Hold gel, with budget equivalents from alverde and Balea.

Updated on 17 October 2026

Lorraine Massey's starting point is radical: give up conventional shampoo. Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, because sebum travels poorly along a strand that twists, and strong detergents make that dryness worse. So the method replaces shampoo with conditioner or a very mild cleanser, drops ingredients that build up or dry hair out, and lets curls dry with no brush and no rubbing.

Below is our adaptation with products sold on FromGermany.ma. On 17/10/2026 we read the ingredient list (INCI) of 75 curl products in our catalogue and kept only those that meet Curly Girl criteria. Among them, we favoured the specialist brands our customers in Morocco ask for most, such as BALI CURLS and Balea PROFESSIONAL, and suggest alverde and Balea as budget alternatives; the date of the check appears under each product. Lorraine Massey is not affiliated with FromGermany.ma and did not choose these products.

Step by step

The routine, step by step and in order

0 of 10 steps done

AUSSIE Shampoo Bouncy Curls, 300 ml

Step 01 of 10

Before you start: the last wash

When
The day you start the method
How often
Once only

The original version starts, once only, with a shampoo that contains sulfates but no silicone: it removes the silicones, waxes and residue left by your old products. It is the one exception to the rule, and the only product we don't offer on this page, where everything is compatible. If your old products were already silicone-free, a double wash with a compatible shampoo containing a chelating agent is enough to start.

How to: If you use a sulfate shampoo, check that no ingredient ends in -cone, -conol or -siloxane. Follow straight away with a compatible conditioner, then set aside your old products that contain silicones.

Optional

AUSSIE

AUSSIE Shampoo Bouncy Curls, 300 ml

132 DHView product

Ingredients checked on 17/10/2026: sodium cocoyl isethionate, lauramidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, all mild cleansers, plus tetrasodium EDTA, a chelating agent; no sulfate, no silicone, no drying alcohol. This is not the sulfate shampoo of the original version: it is for the starting double wash, then for the chelating wash in the “Clarify” step.

Swipe to move between steps

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Product list and prices in Morocco

Available essentials are ticked. Add or remove what you like: only ticked products go to the cart. Prices in dirhams, updated live.

The essentials

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Alternatives

What is the Curly Girl Method?

It is a way of caring for textured hair (wavy, curly, coily or kinky) in its natural state, without chemical straightening. Lorraine Massey brought it to a wide audience in 2001 with Curly Girl, written with Deborah Chiel and published by Workman, then with the revised 2011 edition, Curly Girl: The Handbook, co-written with Michele Bender, which offers routines by curl type. dm's guide cites the book under its German title, “Schöne Locken”.

The principle comes down to three ideas: cleanse without stripping, apply nothing that builds up on the strand or dries it out, and touch the curls as little as possible. Followers later added their own vocabulary (low-poo, co-wash, plopping, cast), which we explain in the steps above.

Lorraine Massey is not affiliated with FromGermany.ma and did not choose these products.

The rules of the method

Here are the rules as they appear in the book and in serious guides, including dm's. Many people apply them flexibly: the spirit matters more than the letter.

  • No sulfate shampoo: wash with conditioner (co-wash) or a gentle sulfate-free shampoo (low-poo).
  • No non-water-soluble silicones: only a strong detergent removes them, so they build up.
  • No drying alcohols in stylers (alcohol denat. or isopropyl alcohol near the top of the list).
  • Never brush or comb dry hair: detangle with conditioner in, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
  • Rinse with cool rather than hot water.
  • Apply gel to soaking-wet hair, then squeeze the curls upwards (scrunch).
  • No rubbing with a terry towel: use microfibre or a cotton T-shirt, possibly for plopping.
  • Air-dry, or use a diffuser on warm or cool air; no straightener or curling iron.
  • Once dry, break the gel cast (scrunch out the crunch).
  • One deep treatment a week, and regular trims.

Ingredients to avoid

On the pack, the INCI list runs from the most to the least concentrated ingredient. The table sums up what the method rules out, and the false alarms that are actually allowed.

FamilyINCI examplesWhy
Sulfates (cleansers)Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium coco sulfateStrong detergents: they strip the sebum curly hair is already short of.
Non-water-soluble siliconesDimethicone, amodimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclopentasiloxane, phenyl trimethiconeThey coat the strand and only a sulfate removes them: without sulfates, they build up.
Drying alcoholsAlcohol denat., alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, propanolThey evaporate fast and take water with them; a problem mainly near the top of a styler's list.
Waxes and mineral oilsParaffinum liquidum, petrolatum, cera microcristallinaPoorly soluble: like silicones, they need a strong wash to come off.
Strong cleansers grouped with sulfatesSodium C14-16 olefin sulfonateChemically it isn't a sulfate, but Curly Girl lists usually group it with them: too stripping for the method, so we rule it out.
False alarms: allowedCetyl, cetearyl, stearyl alcohol; isopropyl myristate or palmitate; benzyl alcohol; PEG-12 dimethicone; magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate; behentrimonium methosulfateSoftening fatty alcohols, esters (despite the word “isopropyl”), a low-dose preservative, a water-soluble silicone (PEG- or PPG- prefix), mineral salts, a detangling agent: none of them is a problem.

Curly Girl-friendly dm products (checked on 17/10/2026)

On 17/10/2026 we re-read the ingredient lists published by dm for 75 curl products sold on FromGermany.ma: shampoos, conditioners, masks, creams, gels, mousses, sprays and oils. Good news: several shampoos in the catalogue are sulfate-free, so co-washing is not compulsory. The products in the table contain no sulfates, no non-water-soluble silicones and no drying alcohols; we also ruled out cleansers based on sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, which Curly Girl lists group with sulfates.

Careful: “curls” on the label doesn't mean “Curly Girl”, and a range doesn't pass as a whole: even at BALI CURLS, one shampoo fails the check. The list shows curl products from the same shelf that fail, with the ingredient responsible. Formulas change: re-read the INCI on the pack you receive.

  • Shampoos with sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate in second place: BALI CURLS Bonding Repair, cantu Cream Cleanse, GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method, HASK curls + coconut oil, John Frieda Frizz Ease Boucles de rêve. “Sulfate-free” on the label, but too stripping for the method.
  • Balea PROFESSIONAL Boucles de rêve shampoo: sodium laureth sulfate (the conditioner from the same range is compatible).
  • Balea curl lotion: alcohol denat. in second place and several silicones, including dimethicone.
  • Balea PROFESSIONAL curl styling cream: dimethicone and dimethiconol.
  • Balea Overnight curl spray: alcohol denat. in first place.
  • GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method Flexi Hold gel: sodium lauryl sulfate, whereas the conditioner, mask, Air Dry cream and spray from the same range are compatible.
  • got2b Curlz Refresher spray: alcohol denat. in third place (the Curlz gel and cream are compatible).
  • AUSSIE Work That Curl leave-in cream: bis-aminopropyl dimethicone and isopropyl alcohol (the Bouncy Curls shampoo and conditioner are compatible).
  • John Frieda Boucles de rêve curl cream: silicone quaternium-18; Boucles de rêve Leave-In Styling Spray: amodimethicone, even though its description calls it silicone-free.
  • L'ORÉAL PARiS ELVITAL Dream Length Curls mask: dimethicone, amodimethicone and sodium laureth sulfate.
  • PANTENE PRO-V Locken Pur: sodium laureth sulfate and dimethicone in the shampoo, bis-aminopropyl dimethicone in the conditioner.
  • Jean&Len Lockentraum shampoo: sodium laureth sulfate.
  • wellaflex and WELLA Deluxe curl mousses: dimethicone and dimethiconol.
UseCompatible productsGood to know
Gentle shampoo (low-poo)BALI CURLS Nourishing shampoo; LANGHAARMÄDCHEN Beautiful Curls shampoo; AUSSIE Bouncy Curls shampoo; alverde Curls shampooBALI CURLS and AUSSIE contain a chelating agent, useful with hard water; the alverde one is the mildest (coco-glucoside, glutamates).
Conditioner, co-washBalea PROFESSIONAL Boucles de rêve conditioner; BALI CURLS Moisturising conditioner; LANGHAARMÄDCHEN Beautiful Curls conditioner; GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method conditioner; AUSSIE Bouncy Curls conditioner; John Frieda Frizz Ease Boucles de rêve conditioner; Balea Natural Beauty curl conditioner; alverde curl conditionerTheir alcohols (cetyl, cetearyl, stearyl) are fatty alcohols, which are allowed.
MaskBalea PROFESSIONAL 2-in-1 perfect curls oil treatment; GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method mask; BALI CURLS Deep Repair maskThe first two can also be left in, according to the maker.
Leave-in, creamBALI CURLS Hydrating Curl Cream; GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method Air Dry leave-in cream; HASK Curl Care cream; cantu curl activator cream; got2b Curlz styling cream; alverde 2-in-1 Curls balmThe very rich cantu cream is aimed more at coily and kinky hair.
Gel, mousseBALI CURLS Strong Hold Flaxseed and Curl Defining Gel; LANGHAARMÄDCHEN Beautiful Curls gel; got2b Curlz gel; Balea Crunch curl gel; BALI CURLS Volume Foam; John Frieda Frizz Ease Boucles de rêve mousseThe “magnesium sulfate” in some gels is a salt; the PEG-12 dimethicone in the John Frieda mousse is a water-soluble silicone.
Spray, refreshGARNIER FRUCTIS curl method care spray; alverde curl refresh spray; Balea PROFESSIONAL curl defining spray; LANGHAARMÄDCHEN natural curls spray; John Frieda Frizz Ease Boucles de rêve spray treatmentWater-based, for non-wash days.
OilBalea PROFESSIONAL curl hair oil; BALI CURLS Bonding OilOne or two drops are enough to break the gel cast.
Chelating wash (hard water)AUSSIE Bouncy Curls shampoo; BALI CURLS Nourishing shampooTwo lathers, every 2–4 weeks: sulfate-free, instead of overly stripping clarifying shampoos.

How to start: the last wash and the transition

On day one, if your old products contained non-water-soluble silicones or waxes, the original version calls for a “last wash” with a shampoo that contains sulfates but no silicone. It's the only sulfate shampoo in the method, and the only product we don't offer on this page; if your products were already silicone-free, a double wash with a compatible shampoo containing a chelating agent is enough. Then sort out your bathroom: any hair product containing a non-water-soluble silicone, a wax or a drying alcohol near the top of the list leaves the routine.

Then comes the transition. Scalp and lengths take time to adjust to gentler washing, as dm's guide also points out: in the first weeks, curls may look drier or less defined. Stick with the same routine long enough before judging it, changing only one product at a time. Trimming damaged ends often helps you start from a clean base.

  • Week 1: last wash (or a compatible double wash), then the full routine (gentle wash, conditioner, gel, rub-free drying).
  • Weeks 2 to 4: same routine; adjust the amount of gel and how often you wash to suit your scalp.
  • As soon as curls look heavy or dull: a double wash with a compatible shampoo containing a chelating agent, followed by a mask.

The limits of the method

The Curly Girl Method is a hairstylist's practice popularised by its followers, not a validated protocol: no study has tested it as a whole. It doesn't suit everyone, and its strictest rules are debated today, including by curl-specialist stylists and brands.

The most common drawback is build-up. Washing with conditioner alone can leave residue on the scalp, and rich creams end up weighing curls down, especially with hard water. Fine waves flatten quickly under thick products. And if your scalp itches, gets oily fast or flakes, co-washing isn't right for you: go back to a gentle shampoo and, if the discomfort persists, ask a professional for advice.

  • Heavy, dull or sticky curls: clarify, then go lighter on creams.
  • Itchy or oily scalp: switch from co-washing to a gentle shampoo, or wash more often.
  • Flattened fine waves: skip the leave-in and stick to a light gel.
  • Rough or breaking hair despite the care: some hair doesn't tolerate proteins well (keratin, hydrolyzed wheat protein); try a break from those products.
  • Relaxed, straightened or heavily bleached hair: the method is aimed at natural hair; ask your hairdresser.

The Curly Girl Method in Morocco

In Morocco, tap water is often hard. The calcium and magnesium it carries settle on the strand and add to cream residue, which can dull and weigh down curls. The method-friendly answer: every 2 to 4 weeks, a double wash with a sulfate-free shampoo containing a chelating agent, such as the tetrasodium EDTA in AUSSIE Bouncy Curls or the tetrasodium iminodisuccinate in BALI CURLS Nourishing, followed by a mask.

Climate matters too. On the coast, from Tangier to Agadir, humidity makes curls puff up: go for a strong-hold gel, such as BALI CURLS Strong Hold, and let the cast form without touching it. Inland, heat and dry air parch the lengths: step up the conditioner or leave-in, and protect your hair from the sun, which is strong all year. At the hammam, bring your own compatible products and finish with a cool rinse.

The products on this page are delivered anywhere in Morocco in 18 to 20 days, with cash on delivery. Their ingredients were checked on 17/10/2026.

The method and its sources

Who is Lorraine Massey?

Lorraine Massey is a New York-based hairstylist specialising in curly hair. Founder of the Devachan salons, then of the Spiral (x,y,z) salon and the CurlyWorld range, she popularised the Curly Girl Method with her book Curly Girl (Workman, 2001), revised and expanded in 2011 as Curly Girl: The Handbook.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Curly Girl Method routine?

A sulfate-free wash (co-wash with conditioner or a gentle shampoo), conditioner with finger detangling, an optional leave-in, then gel on soaking-wet hair scrunched upwards, rub-free drying (microfibre, plopping or diffuser) and, once dry, breaking the gel cast. A weekly mask completes the routine.

Which dm products are compatible with the Curly Girl Method?

Among the 75 curl products we checked on 17/10/2026: from BALI CURLS, the Nourishing shampoo, Moisturising conditioner, Hydrating Curl Cream, Deep Repair mask and the Strong Hold and Curl Defining gels; from Balea PROFESSIONAL, the Boucles de rêve conditioner, the 2-in-1 treatment and the curl oil; the GARNIER FRUCTIS curl method range, except the shampoo and the gel; LANGHAARMÄDCHEN Beautiful Curls, AUSSIE Bouncy Curls and got2b Curlz (gel and cream); and, on a budget, alverde Curls and Balea Natural Beauty. The table above gives the full list, plus those that fail the check. Always re-read the INCI: formulas change.

How do you get curls with the Curly Girl Method?

On clean, soaking-wet hair, apply a conditioner then a gel, smoothing it over the lengths, squeeze the curls up towards the scalp (scrunch), dry without rubbing and don't touch your hair until it's dry. This brings out the natural shape of wavy or curly hair; on straight hair, the method doesn't create curls.

Which products do you need for curly girl styling?

At minimum: a sulfate-free cleanser, a silicone-free conditioner and a gel without drying alcohol. On FromGermany.ma, for example, the BALI CURLS Nourishing shampoo, the Balea PROFESSIONAL Boucles de rêve conditioner and the BALI CURLS Strong Hold gel, which form the core of this routine; on a budget, the alverde Curls shampoo, the Balea Natural Beauty curl conditioner and the Balea Crunch gel.

How do you do curly girl styling at home?

It all happens in the shower and in the open air: gentle wash, conditioner, gel on soaking-wet hair, scrunch, then plopping in a cotton T-shirt or microfibre towel. No need for irons or rollers; a diffuser on warm air only speeds up drying.

What do people think of the Curly Girl Method?

Many people with curly hair find it useful for defining their curls, but it remains a practice, with no study validating it as a whole. Criticism focuses on its rigidity and on product build-up; hence the relaxed versions, which keep the spirit (gentleness, little handling) without banning everything.

Can you brush your hair on the Curly Girl Method?

Not when it's dry: brushing separates curls and creates frizz. Lorraine Massey advises against brushes and combs; detangle with conditioner in, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Some followers use a soft brush on wet hair full of conditioner, but that isn't the original rule.

Can the Curly Girl Method damage your hair?

The most common disappointments come from product build-up, a scalp that doesn't tolerate co-washing or fine waves weighed down, rather than from the method itself. That's why an occasional clarifying wash helps, and why it's better to adapt the routine to your hair than to follow the rules to the letter.

This routine describes how each product is used; full ingredients and directions are on each product page. If your scalp or skin is irritated, ask a health professional before starting.

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