Advice on hair, newbie

Hello my fellow curlies! I am so glad to have found this site. For
years I’ve struggled to manage my curly hair. I have a short bob and
have always straightened it up until my last trip to Hawaii. I couldn’t
keep it straight no matter what I did. I decided my goal is to learn to
how make the best of what I’ve got. I think my hair is a 2B. But I’m
not entirely sure. This is what it like. I’d love suggestions on how to
enhance what I have. It’s pretty dry when it’s curly. Products seem to
make it hard and flaky. I also swim 3 times a week. Try to put coconut




years I’ve struggled to manage my curly hair. I have a short bob and
have always straightened it up until my last trip to Hawaii. I couldn’t
keep it straight no matter what I did. I decided my goal is to learn to
how make the best of what I’ve got. I think my hair is a 2B. But I’m
not entirely sure. This is what it like. I’d love suggestions on how to
enhance what I have. It’s pretty dry when it’s curly. Products seem to
make it hard and flaky. I also swim 3 times a week. Try to put coconut
oil in it before swimming always. Came across the curly girl method on here and decided to give ti a whirl. Right now I am using Marc Anthony Curl Conditioner, after my shower drying with tshirt and then putting in Davines OI Oil and then Davines Curl Cream. My hair feels like it has a buildup of product in it. Not sure if thats normal. Would love some suggestions on how to manage this dry mess. Thank you!
Here is my hair now:




0
Answers
First off- the products you are using all have silicons. That is the number 1 no no for curly girl method. Silicons put a coating around your hair that can only be removed with harsh sulfates Sulfates dry out your hair, which is why we avoid them. Without the sulfate shampoo, all that silicon just builds up on your hair,which you are experiencing now. It also prevents moisture and other products from penetrating into your hair.
When going CGM there are two important first steps:
Do these two steps and I am sure you will see a difference and then we can troubleshoot from there. If you want to use up the products you have before you start, pick up a sulfate shampoo as you cannot co-wash with your current conditioner and styling products.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Edit: edited some bad grammar
Low-Poo: Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Sulfate Wash: Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Rinse Out Conditioner: DevalCurl One Condition
Leave-In Conditioner: Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion
Deep Conditioner: DevaCurl Heaven In Hair
Curl Enhancer: Curl Junkie Spiral Lotion
Gel: Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel
2B/2C, fine hair, low density, mixed porosity, protein loving hair
Current products:
CGM does take a while so don't expect your curls to be at the best within a couple weeks (a lot of people do and they end up disappointed). I would say the average "transitioning" period where you trial and error to figure out your hair is about 6 months. But don't freak out! It sounds like, but it goes fast especially when you use communities like Naturally Curly to troubleshoot!
I don't have any knowledge on curl care and swimming aside from investing in a swim cap.
Low-Poo: Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Sulfate Wash: Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Rinse Out Conditioner: DevalCurl One Condition
Leave-In Conditioner: Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion
Deep Conditioner: DevaCurl Heaven In Hair
Curl Enhancer: Curl Junkie Spiral Lotion
Gel: Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel