CGM products: how to choose the right ones for the Curly Girl Method

CGM products should be free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens. That is the basic rule of the Curly Girl Method, and it applies to shampoo, conditioner, and styling products alike. The right products are the difference between curls that are defined and soft and curls that are frizzy and lifeless.

 

Choosing CGM-approved products can feel overwhelming at first. Ingredient lists are long and difficult to understand. This guide makes it simple: what to look for, what to avoid, and which products actually work for curly and wavy hair. Learn more about the basics in our complete guide to the Curly Girl Method.

What should CGM products contain?

CGM-approved products cleanse with mild surfactants from coconut or other plant-based sources. They provide moisture with botanical oils and humectants such as glycerin. They are free from drying sulfates, silicones that cause buildup, and parabens that can irritate the scalp.

What should CGM products not contain?

Ingredient Why avoid it Recognized as
Sulfates Dry out the hair and open the cuticle SLS, SLES, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
Silicones Cause buildup and weigh down curls End in -cone, -xane, -ol (non-water-soluble)
Parabens Can irritate the scalp Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Mineral oils Clog the cuticle Mineral oil, Petrolatum

CGM-approved products from FOAM

FOAM's Ocean Waves shampoo bar is free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens and is fully CGM-compatible. It cleanses gently with a mild coconut-based surfactant and is formulated specifically for curly and wavy hair.

FOAM's DREAMY hair conditioner bar is silicone-free, fragrance-free, and CGM-compatible. It provides moisture with botanical oils and smooths the cuticle without leaving buildup that interferes with curl definition.

Learn more about how to choose the right one in our CGM-approved guide to conditioner bars for curly hair.

 

The Editor's Note: When you start with CGM, you do not need to buy everything at once. Start by replacing your shampoo and conditioner with CGM-approved alternatives. These are the two products that make the biggest difference to curl definition and moisture balance.

 

Learn more about how to use CGM for your specific hair type in our guides to CGM for curly hair and CGM for wavy hair.

 

Ocean Waves shampoo bar for wavy and curly hair

Ocean Waves shampoo bar for wavy and curly hair

179 SEK
DREAMY hair conditioner bar

DREAMY hair conditioner bar

219 SEK

CGM checklist: how to recognize the right products

CGM-approved product Not CGM-approved
Free from SLS and SLES Contains Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
Free from silicones (-cone, -xane) Contains Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone
Free from parabens Contains Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Plant-based surfactants Mineral oils and petrolatum

 

Learn more about how to build a complete CGM routine in our complete guide to curly hair.

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Vanliga frågor

Is Ocean Waves suitable for the Curly Girl Method? +
Yes, the shampoo bar is free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens and is CGM-compatible. Learn more about the method in our guide to the Curly Girl Method.
Is the Duo CGM-approved? +
Yes, both products are free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens and fully comply with the Curly Girl Method.
Why can a sulfate-free shampoo bar be better than co-washing? +
A sulfate-free shampoo bar thoroughly cleanses the scalp with mild surfactants without drying out the hair. Conditioner is not formulated for cleansing and can leave residue with frequent use, especially if you use styling products.
Is Curl Defining Duo suitable for all hair types? +
Yes, the duo is formulated for curl types 2 to 4. If you have very fine curls (type 2a–2b), you can use the conditioner bar sparingly and focus on the lengths.