Hello curly girls! When you first start the Curly Girl Method, you may be nervous about what to buy first. If you start researching Curly Girl approved products, you’ll soon realize that there are a TON of brands and products to choose from. You can easily find yourself shelling out a good chunk of your budget on hair care. But the truth is that you don’t have to buy pricey products to start the CG Method. You can absolutely do the Curly Girl Method on a budget. In this post, I’ll share exactly how to do that.

Here’s how to do the Curly Girl Method on a budget.

1. Track your progress.

One of the things I really struggled with when I started doing the Curly Girl Method was figuring out what products my hair liked. I would try different combinations of styling products and pray for the best. But, a week or two later, I didn’t always remember what I had used to get those amazing results. 

I’ve put together a free Hair Journal and Product Diary to help you do what I didn’t do: track your progress. If you will take 2 minutes to write down the details of each washday, you’ll have a huge head start on getting those gorgeous curls. 

In the Hair Journal, you’ll write down the details of each washday- and what your results were.

In the Product Diary, you’ll write down the products you’ve tried- and how your hair responded. The pages are sized for 8.5” x 11” paper so you can print them off and put them in a folder.

Tracking your progress will be a huge help because you’ll get to know exactly what your hair needs!

2. Start simple to do the Curly Girl method on a budget.

No matter what any Youtube or influencer says, you only need 3 products to start the Curly Girl Method. That’s important if you want to do the Curly Girl Method on a budget.

First, you need a Curly Girl-approved cleanser. I would recommend something from the SheaMoisture line because they’re budget-friendly and fairly easy to find. The SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo is a great starter shampoo. You can get it on Amazon or at Walmart or Shoppers’ Drug Mart.

Next, you need a silicone-free conditioner. My Holy Grail conditioner is the Tresemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish Conditioner. It’s moisturizing and pairs well with most shampoos. You can get it on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Dollarama (usually $4).

Last of all, you need a styling product- either gel or mousse. Mousse tends to provide more bounce and volume but can be drying. Gel provides better definition and more moisture. 

If you choose mousse, I recommend the Pantene Pro-V Curls Defining Mousse. You can get it on Amazon or at most grocery or drug stores. 

For gel, I recommend the Eco Styler Olive Oil Professional Styling Gel. You can get it on Amazon, at Shoppers’ Drug Mart, or in an ethnic hair section of a grocery store.

As you learn more about your curls, you can add in new products and experiment with different product combinations. Always try one new thing at a time. It could be a new gel or curl enhancing product. Or you could try a new technique from your favourite influencer. 

Remember to record exactly what you did in your Hair Journal. That way, you’ll have a better chance of recreating those amazing results next time!

3. Do a DIY deep treatment.

To help your curls achieve their healthiest state, you’ll want to do a deep treatment every 1-2 weeks. You can purchase deep treatment products which are excellent, such as the Jessicurl Deep Treatment.

But, if you’re on a budget, just do a DIY deep treatment. 

Although you can find lots of DIY deep conditioner recipes only, I love this simple deep conditioner recipe from Verna @themestizamuse. You simply need:

• 1/2 cup oil or conditioner (I used my regular Tresemme Coconut conditioner)
• 1/4 cup honey
• Microwaveable bowl

First, put the oil/conditioner and honey into the bowl, and microwave it for 10-second intervals until it is too hot to touch comfortably. Allow it to sit for a minute or two. Then apply it to wet hair. Put a shower cap or plastic bag on your head to trap heat, and keep it on for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly, and wash and style your hair as usual.

4. Get a diffuser attachment.

One of the key principles of the Curly Girl Method is that heat isn’t healthy for natural hair. Instead of blowdrying your curls the regular way, you’ll want to diffuse them on a cool setting. But what if your blowdryer doesn’t have a diffuser attachment? Should you go out and buy a whole new blowdryer? Definitely not!

Instead, just purchase a diffuser attachment. Amazon has quite a few universal diffuser attachments which will fit on your hairdryer’s head. Measure the diameter of your blowdryer, and choose one that will fit it.

This universal diffuser attachment will fit blowdryers with a diameter of 1.4-2.6 inches. And it’s got over 2,000 reviews on Amazon with an average of 4.5/5 stars. #curlygirlapproved

5. Do a budget-friendly rice rinse.

Another way to give your curls some extra TLC is to do a rice rinse. This provides an amazing protein called inositol to your curls. This incredible protein can actually penetrate the hair shaft and repair damage. It will also enhance your natural curl pattern. 

You can find full instructions in this post. The cost? Just 1/2 cup rice, some water, and a little time!

6. Sew your own satin pillowcase.

Many curly girls recommend using a silk or satin pillowcase to prevent frizz in your hair. But real silk pillowcases can be pricey. Honestly, my favourite pillowcases are made of buttery soft satin. And, when I switched to using a satin pillowcase, I definitely noticed that my hair was less frizzy.

If you enjoy sewing, why not sew your own satin pillowcase? You’ll save money- and make something you can be proud of!

You can get satin by the yard at Fabricville.

Here is a Youtube tutorial on how to sew a satin pillowcase.

7. Be thirsty for knowledge.

The Curly Girl Method is all about learning, experimenting, and being a student of your curls. If you are thirsty to learn, your curls will be gorgeous in 6 months!

I recommend that you find a Youtuber, blogger, or influencer that has the same curl type as you. Try some of her favourite products and techniques. 

Also, follow people with different curl types and try some of their tips and tricks. Read good blogs on curly hair, such as the Science-y Hair Blog.

Over time, your curls will change and develop into their best selves. You’ll learn to read your curls and adjust your products and techniques for their needs.

If you are new to the Curly Girl Method, take some “before” photos of your hair- front, back, and sides. One day, you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come!

Let’s Chat:

Are you new to the Curly Girl Method? If so, which of these tips was most helpful for you? If you’ve been following the CG Method for a while, please share your best tips for budget-friendly hair care in the comment section. I’d love to know!

Want to learn more?

Purchase a copy of my new ebook, Embrace Your Curls: A Manual for Curly Girls. It’s 120+ pages of information, techniques, and methods to help you have the hair of your dreams! Check it out here. (Get 30% off with code welcomecurly30.)

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!