Is Garnier Ultimate Blends Curly Girl Approved? (Full Guide 2025)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

You’ve seen the promises plastered across curly hair forums—ditch the sulfates, embrace the co-wash, and watch your curls transform. But standing in the drugstore aisle staring at Garnier Blends, you’re stuck on one burning question: does this affordable line actually fit the Curly Girl Method?

The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. While some Garnier Blends products pass the CG test by avoiding sulfates and silicones, others contain ingredients that’ll break your curl-friendly streak faster than a flat iron.

Before you toss that bottle in your cart, you need to know exactly which formulas work with the method and which ones will set your progress back.

The CG Method and Curly Hair Care

Essentially, the Curly Girl Method is your roadmap to healthier, bouncier curls. This approach to curly hair care centers on CGM foundations that Lorraine Massey popularized back in 2011. The key? Ingredient avoidance matters more than you might think.

You’ll ditch sulfate shampoos, silicones, and heat styling that strip moisture and damage curl definition. Instead, you’ll embrace co-washing and deep conditioning for serious moisture retention. Garnier Fructis Final Blends offers several Curly Girl approved options that align with these principles.

The method improves curls by avoiding harsh cleansers and using conditioning products. About 58% of U.S. adults have wavy to coily hair, so you’re not alone in searching for better hair health through Garnier hair products designed specifically for textured locks.

How to Wash Curly Hair

Now that you understand the foundations, let’s talk about the actual wash process—because even with the right products, technique makes all the difference. The Curly Girl Method emphasizes gentle hair washing techniques that preserve your curl pattern while keeping strands clean and healthy. Start with a sulfate-free cleanser that respects your hair’s natural moisture. Your curly hair care routine should include:

• Scalp massage to boost circulation and remove product buildup without harsh scrubbing
• Water temperature that’s lukewarm—hot water opens cuticles and increases frizz
• Pre-poo treatment with natural oils before washing to protect moisture levels
• Clarifying washes monthly to reset buildup from Garnier Fructis Blends styling products

Curly Hair Wash Day Routine

Your wash day routine is the foundation of healthy curls. The right steps can make the difference between frizzy frustration and defined, bouncy spirals.

Here’s how to structure your wash day for the best results.

Co-wash – Washing With Conditioner Instead of Shampoo

Switching from regular shampoo to cowashing—using a cleansing conditioner instead—can transform how your curls feel. The Curly Girl Method embraces this sulfate-free approach because it cleanses without stripping away natural oils.

Your scalp health matters here: cowashing removes daily grime while keeping moisture locked in. It’s ideal for dry, textured hair types that need extra hydration. Co-washing is considered a gentle way to maintain hair health.

Just keep buildup concerns in mind. You’ll still need a clarifying wash every couple of weeks to reset your scalp and remove residue from product ingredients. Make sure your conditioner is silicone-free—nonsoluble silicones can’t be washed out without sulfates, which thwarts the purpose entirely. With the right routine, cowashing helps your curls stay soft and defined.

Deep Condition (every Now and Then)

While cowashing takes care of your day-to-day cleansing, your curls need something richer every week or two to stay truly healthy. Deep conditioning with a hair mask like Garnier Fructis Supreme Blends gives your curls intense hydration they can’t get from regular conditioner.

You’ll want to adjust your masking frequency based on how dry your hair feels—once a week works for most curl types following the Curly Girl Method. Apply your hair treatment from mid-lengths to ends, then consider heat application with a warm towel to help ingredient benefits penetrate deeper.

Protein treatments can strengthen damaged strands, but balance them with moisture-rich masks to avoid stiffness. These application techniques make all the difference in keeping your curls bouncy and defined.

Use a Leave-in Conditioner (for Curlies Rather Than Wavies)

After your deep conditioning session wraps up, curlier textures—think tight spirals and coils—benefit from locking in that moisture with a leave-in conditioner before styling. Wavies can usually skip this step since their looser pattern doesn’t need as much weight or hydration levels.

When you’re working with Curly Girl Approved formulas like those from Garnier Complete Blends, application techniques matter. Rake the product through soaking-wet curly hair from mid-shaft to ends, then scrunch upward to encourage curl definition. This product layering creates a foundation that helps with frizz control throughout your wash day routine.

The Curly Girl Method emphasizes this step for tighter textures because it seals the cuticle and preps your strands for gels or creams that follow. Your curls stay bouncy without that crunchy feel.

How to Style Your Hair

Once your curls are clean and conditioned, it’s time to lock in that definition. The styling phase is where you’ll shape your curls and help them maintain their bounce throughout the day.

Let’s break down the two key products you’ll reach for.

Apply Curl-activating Custard

Curl-activating custard is like the secret handshake of the Curly Girl Method—it’s what helps your curls truly come alive. This styling product works by locking in moisture and boosting definition, often reducing frizz by up to 79% when applied correctly.

Start with freshly washed, soaking-wet hair for the best results. Use prayer hands to glide the custard from roots to ends, making sure you’re distributing it evenly. Then scrunch your curls upward with a microfiber towel or soft t-shirt to encourage clumping.

This curl-activating custard application technique is practiced by over 60% of Curly Girl followers who layer products for maximum grip. You’ll notice your curls keeping their shape for 24 to 72 hours, depending on your hair type and the custard’s humectant content. Air drying or diffusing on low heat works best after styling. The right custard gives you bounce without stickiness or buildup.

Apply a Curl Gel

The final touch in your Curly Girl styling lineup is a good gel—it’s what seals everything in place and gives you grip that lasts. After layering your curl-activating custard, it’s time to lock in that definition. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel is a solid Curly Girl Method option that won’t weigh down your curls.

Work with soaking-wet hair for the best results. Use prayer hands to smooth the gel from mid-lengths to ends, then scrunch upward to encourage clumping. This curl gel application creates what’s called a curl cast—a temporary crunchy shell that protects your curls as they dry.

Don’t panic when your hair feels stiff. Once it’s completely dry, scrunch out the crunch by gently squeezing your curls with your hands. This breaks the cast and reveals soft, defined spirals with serious frizz control. Air dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Your curls should grip for 48 to 72 hours before needing a refresh with water or leave-in conditioner.

Drying Your Hair

How you dry your curls can make or break your entire wash day routine. The Curly Girl Method guidelines emphasize gentle hair drying methods that protect your curl pattern and minimize frizz.

Once dry, gently scrunch out any gel cast with your hands. Skip the brush and embrace your natural texture.

The Final Result

When you finally see your curls bouncing with life and definition, all those careful steps click into place like pieces of a puzzle you’ve been trying to solve for years. This is what the Curly Girl Method delivers—healthy curly hair with frizz reduction and genuine curl definition that lasts.

When your curls finally bounce with life and definition, the Curly Girl Method delivers healthy hair with lasting frizz reduction

Using Curly Girl Approved products like Garnier Fructis Complete Blends means you’re skipping the product buildup that used to weigh your curls down. Instead, you’re working with your hair’s natural texture, not against it. The long-term effects speak for themselves: softer ringlets, improved hair health, and zero heat damage.

Your curls now reflect who you really are—confident, natural, and free from endless styling sessions. That’s the final result of curly hair care done right, and it’s worth every moment you invested in learning this method.

Caring for Your Curls

Think of your curls like a garden—they need consistent care and attention to truly thrive. The Curly Girl Method isn’t just about wash day—it’s about maintaining curl hydration and scalp health between washes too.

When styling curly hair with Curly Girl Approved products, you’re investing in long-term hair health. Using curly hair products like Garnier Best Blends keeps your routine simple and effective, so your curls stay bouncy and defined without constant intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)