Long seen as “hard to tame”, naturally curly hair once made many girls feel different in a negative way. However, with the emergence of the Curly Hair Method – a specialized hair care routine for curly hair – curls have gradually become a statement of individuality, identity, and authentic beauty. A quiet yet powerful revolution is taking place, beginning right in the bathroom of every girl.
When beauty does not have to be “straight”
For many years, beauty standards have often defaulted to sleek, straight hair as the ideal. Women with naturally curly hair were frequently labeled with words like “messy”, “frizzy”, or “unruly” – as if their hair were a flaw of nature. Many lived under the shadow of straighteners, chemical relaxers, and the fear of dry, damaged hair.
However, the wave of celebrating natural beauty is changing that. Today, having soft, voluminous, and healthy curls is no longer out of reach. The Curly Hair Method (CHM), with its meticulous and thoughtful care steps, is empowering women with curly hair to embrace what was once seen as a “defect”.
Curly Hair Method – not just a method, but a lifestyle
Created in the early 2000s by hair expert Lorraine Massey, the Curly Hair Method (CHM) is more than just a hair care routine – it represents a completely new way of understanding curly hair. This method eliminates all harmful ingredients like sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols, which strip curly hair of its natural moisture and elasticity.
More importantly, CHM emphasizes observation and listening to the body. Every head of curls has its own unique “genetic code”, and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Those who follow CHM learn to understand the “language” of their hair – whether it’s asking for deep hydration today, a refresh of its curl pattern, or simply a night of sleep wrapped in silk.
Small “magic” tricks creating the wonder
The Curly Hair Method operates on small but powerful principles. Instead of traditional shampooing, users switch to “co-washing” – using a non-foaming cleanser to retain moisture. Hair is detangled while still wet, using a wide-tooth comb or fingers to prevent breakage. Instead of rough-drying with a thick terry towel, curls are gently pressed with a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel.
The most remarkable part is the technique of curl definition. Among the most popular methods are “plopping” – wrapping the hair in a T-shirt to set the natural curl pattern—and “scrunching” – gently squeezing the hair while applying styling products. These seemingly simple actions can transform a frizzy mess into smooth, glossy waves that shine like silk.
Curly hair – A personal statement
More than just an aesthetic shift, the Curly Hair Method touches something deeper in its followers: self-acceptance. Caring for curly hair isn’t just about “looking better” – it’s a journey of self-love, embracing what makes one different. It’s a quiet act of defiance against rigid beauty standards, a practice of patience in accepting the unpredictable nature of curls – much like learning to understand our own emotions.
And when curly hair is properly cared for, it’s no longer something to be hidden – it becomes the most striking feature on the face, expressing a unique identity. No two curly heads are exactly alike – just like each person’s personality, experiences, and sense of self.
Communities nurturing both the hair and the soul
The Curly Hair Method hasn’t grown quietly. On platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok, millions of people share their hair care diaries, compare gels, and discuss the perfect humidity levels. Those who once lacked the confidence to wear their curls in public are now spreading that pride like wildfire. In Vietnam, the CHM community is also steadily growing – from beauty bloggers sharing hair recovery routines after years of straightening and coloring, to salons specializing in curly hair. This movement is gradually becoming a distinct branch within the beauty industry. But more than anything, it’s a space for listening – a place where everyone has the right to be themselves, without having to straighten their beautifully bold curls.
Curly hair is no longer a “problem” to be fixed – it’s an authentic expression of beauty. The Curly Hair Method, with all its gentleness and nuance, doesn’t just help millions “tame” their curls – it guides them back to themselves. In every scrunch, every drop of nourishing oil applied, there’s a quiet whisper of deep acceptance: we are most beautiful when we are truly ourselves – even in every unruly, unpatterned curl.
Taylor | Cameron Truong
