Up until quite recently, I was what you could call a closeted curly girl. My hair was always worn straight, or tonged if I wanted some volume. Less than a handful of people got to see me in my natural, gravitationally-enhanced state and I liked to keep it that way. My boyfriend (now husband) would openly tell me he preferred it smoothened out – but the man has an unnatural aversion to hair in general, so you could say that I kept it straight for his benefit.
To be honest, that’s what I told myself, and anybody who would ask.
After all, it’s easier to put the blame on someone else rather than admit you’re embarrassed of your own frizzed-up ‘do, right? But where did this feeling of being ashamed of being yourself even come from? Before this starts to sound like an emotional spiel, let me tell you it stemmed from those annoying little girls in school telling me my noodles reminded them of “scotch-brite” – the silvery wash that helped scrub your dishes at home. And that’s all it took for me to want to be “just like those other girls” for the next fifteen years of my life – the grass is always greener on the other side and all, right?
Cut to today. I’m thirty now and let me tell you,
I’m almost at that point where IDGAF.
Maybe it’s the age that’s finally knocked some sense into me, maybe it’s the fact that I’m now married (my husband is officially stuck with the curls by law – where’s he going to run anyway?). Whatever it is, I’d like to report that my heat-addled, thinning hair is oh-so grateful. Of course the fact that everyone on Instagram has been rooting for my curls helps (the magic of social validation).
To show appreciation during this quarantine, I took some photos of myself in my natural state and habitat (i.e. curly and on the bed). And to end, I’d like to give my fellow curly girls a little motivation through what’s called the Curly Girl Method – look it up and thank me later.
Here’s a list of dos and don’ts for when you want to let your natural ringlets flow:
- Hydration is key – use a mask often and your curls will thrive.
- Curly hair gets bogged down by sulphates and other toxins in your shampoo. Try to go for more natural products.
- You don’t need to wash your hair too often when it’s curly. My most recent record is 6 days.
- Never towel dry. Use a cotton t-shirt instead. It prevents frizz.
- Once washed and styled, don’t touch your hair till it’s about 90% dry.
