Be sure to spell the ingredients correctly; if you misspell something, the website may sort it into the wrong category because it doesn’t recognize it.

“Probably OK” means that the ingredients didn’t directly match ones on the “bad” list or they’re on the CG Approved list.

In addition, read the ingredient list to look for sulfates. Even if a product is labeled “sulfate-free,” it may still contain sulfate ingredients. That’s because the manufacturer is typically referring to more damaging sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Go over the ingredient list carefully to find sulfate ingredients before deciding if a product is Curly Girl approved. [3] X Research source Common sulfates include alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium or sodium xylenesulfonate, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate. Look for words or endings like “sulfate,” “sulfoacetate,” “sulfonate,” and “sulfouccinate. "

Common ingredients that fall into this category include dimethiconol, cetyl dimethicone, dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, and stearyl dimethicone. Use the same rues when buying styling products.

Look for things like soy proteins, wheat proteins, amino acids, collagen, and keratin.

Other options include sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium cocoamphodiacetate or cocoamphodipropionate or cocamphodipropionate, or ocoamphoacetate.

Also look for silicone names that have “PPG” or “PEG” in front of them. That indicates they’re water-soluble. Silicones are used to help detangle your hair, as well as to add shine. [8] X Research source

Try behentrimonium methosulfate, distearyldimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, polyquaternium 55, cetrimonium bromide, or dicetyldimonium chloride.

Hydrating oils will help you tame your curly hair.