Julia Rizzo
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
As a curly girl, I’m sure you know the feeling. Maybe you’ve been traveling, or you’re out of your favorite shampoo. Maybe it’s windy, or you just didn’t have any hot water this morning.
Whatever the reason, all curly girls face it once in a while — the inevitable bad hair day.
When my hair seems to have a mind of its own, I’m tempted to grab a comb and wrestle it into a bun. Instead, I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks to help you go from fuzzy to fabulous.
Since I was little, a spray bottle has been my secret weapon. I fill it with water and add a little conditioner or frizz cream. After giving the bottle a shake, I liberally spray my hair and scrunch it to reshape my curls. This is especially effective if I already have product in my hair and it just needs a lift, like when I get home from school.
I have coarse hair, and when I’m really in a pinch, I always have a quick fix near by — hand lotion! I’ll rub a small amount on my hands and dilute it with water, and then run my fingers over my hair. I’ve done this more than once when the dry Syracuse winters turn my hair into a static-filled frizz ball! If you have fine curls that tend to be oily, try working a very small amount of baby powder into your hair, especially near the roots. The light powder absorbs the oil and reduces the shine. Using the right amount is key; gray streaks probably aren’t the look you’re going for.
Finally, accessorize! I frequently wear scarves in my hair to keep it out of my face and to disguise flyways. I’ll reach for a scarf in the morning because I’m not allowed to wear my favorite accessory — a hat — to school. Hats have enough personality to merit their own column. They’re fun, functional and come in all shapes, styles and colors. Buy a hat in a neutral color that matches your taste. You may be surprised at how often you reach for it.
Stay Curly,
Julia
Email your questions/comments to Julia.
