GinaCurl Creator Gina Rivera Speaks Out

The Accusations: False, Hurtful, and Far From the Truth

In recent years, social media has become a breeding ground for lies about the GinaCurl. I’ve been accused of:

• Scamming the Black community
• Stealing an old technique from the 1970s
• Rebranding the Jheri Curl “to take the Black dollar”
• Selling a dream that doesn’t work

None of these accusations are true.
Not one.

What hurts the most isn’t just the attack on my business, it’s the attack on my integrity and the years of work, study, and testing that went into creating this system. It’s painful to watch people who have never been in my salon, never taken my course, and never touched a GinaCurl client spread lies as if they know the truth.

The Real Story: What Makes the GinaCurl Different

Let’s set the record straight.

The GinaCurl is NOT a Jheri Curl. It is not a relabeled version of a 1970s technique. It is a modernized, scientifically developed curl reforming system that emphasizes:

• Proper moisture balance
• Hair integrity
• Customized chemical strengths for each section of the hair
• No chemicals processed on the rods (a major cause of breakage in old-school perms)
• Long-term curl retention with months between touch-ups

My students know this. My clients know this.
Anyone who has done real research knows this.

That’s why women from around the world continue to return for retouches, because the results speak louder than the noise on social media.

When Misinformation Hurts Real People

While battling online trolls is exhausting, the truly heartbreaking part is what clients are experiencing.

Every week, we receive calls from people who were told they received a “GinaCurl” at a salon where:

• The stylist was not certified
• They never took my 8-week course
• They used a traditional curl perm
• They were charged GinaCurl prices

These clients walk away frustrated, disappointed, and with damaged hair all because someone lied to them.

Worse, many stylists are being misled by sales reps pushing other curly perm products. Some reps even tell stylists that the GinaCurl is “nothing special,” “just a Jheri Curl,” or that I am “a scam.” These same reps then help salons market their services as GinaCurls, a form of false advertising that has forced me to send countless cease and desist letters.

This isn’t just misinformation.
This is deception.

And clients deserve better.

Why I’m Speaking Out

I’ve stayed quiet for years, hoping the truth would rise on its own.

But silence has allowed the lies to grow.

I am speaking out now because:

• My clients deserve honesty
• My students deserve recognition for their hard work
• Future stylists deserve the correct education
• And I deserve protection from false accusations

I stand firmly by my work, my technique, and the results thousands of women have experienced.

How to Protect Yourself and Verify Your Stylist

If you’re interested in the GinaCurl or want to ensure you’re receiving the authentic technique:

• Check that your stylist is listed on our official Certified Stylist page
• Do not trust anyone claiming certification without proof
• Be wary of salons offering “GinaCurl-style,” “GinaCurl-inspired,” or “just like the GinaCurl” services
• Reach out to us with any questions, we are always happy to confirm a stylist’s status
• Ask to see product bags.

This is your hair, your investment, your peace of mind. You have every right to get the truth.

A Final Message From My Heart

Despite the noise, the hate, and the bullying, I remain committed to educating, empowering, and uplifting women of color through healthy, science-based curl care.

The GinaCurl was created with love.
It grew through dedication.
And it continues because of the women who believe in it — and in me.

Thank you to every client, every stylist, and every supporter who stands by the truth.

I see you.
I appreciate you.
And I’ll continue fighting for you.

— Gina Rivera