NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Giulia Paolucci Auva’a: My name is Giulia. I’m 27 and I was born and raised in Italy. I am the mom of a two-year-old boy and my husband is in the military—we get to travel a lot and I love it! I enjoy reading, cooking and going out.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
GPA: I hate to admit it now, but I used to wish that I had straight hair! There were very few products for curly hair, if any, when I was younger. When I was thirteen, I decided that I wanted short hair. The haircut didn’t go very well, so I put my hair in a ponytail every day and didn’t cut it again until I was sixteen. Finally I found a good stylist and she gave me a great cut. I started wearing my hair loose and curly!
NC: What is your current routine?
GPA: I wash my hair once or twice a week and always let it air dry. Right now, I am using Mizani True Textures Curl Balance Shampoo and Herbal Essences Hydralicious Conditioner. I always wash my hair upside down because it really makes a difference in terms of volume. Then I rinse my hair and use a leave-in conditioner…lots of it! Mixed Chicks or Garnier Fructis Curl Cream both work well for me.Unfortunately, here in Europe, we don’t have many of the brands available in the United States. I once tried Curly Sexy Hair and it was SO good for my hair!
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
GPA: I usually wake up and just go with whatever my hair decides to look like! If it’s too frizzy, I will wet it and use some leave-in conditioner and if my curls are having a really bad day, I’ll put my hair up in a top knot.MORE: Tammala Boyd’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
GPA: Bobby pins! I keep them everywhere—in the bathroom, in my purse, in my car, in coat pockets, etc. A good leave-in conditioner is also a must. I can’t live without Garnier Fructis Curl Calm Down Cream.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
GPA: I usually wear my hair loose. I love the added volume of a side part and side-swept hair. My go-to on a bad hair day is the top knot. It’s easy and so cute!NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
GPA: I put my hair in a loose bun on top of my head or I put it in two braids, depending on the look I’m going for.NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
GPA: I got a lot of compliments after I stopped wearing my hair in a ponytail all the time! But a lot of people asked me why I didn’t straighten my hair or why I couldn’t get it to be less voluminous. Crazy, right?
MORE: Angela Delyani’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
GPA: Getting compliments on what I think is a bad hair day! Curly hair can get crazy but with some TLC, it can also be beautiful and fun.
NC: How do you think having curly hair has impacted your life?
GPA: Growing up, I was very self-conscious about my curls! I didn’t know what to do with my hair, and it made me feel different in a way, but I have learned to embrace the uniqueness of my curls. Now I love that I don’t have to do much in the morning…I’m just ready to start my day!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
GPA: Curls are gorgeous and so are you! Love your curly hair and it will show you love in return.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
GPA: I am waiting to be reunited with my husband. He is in the military and is currently stationed in a different country. He has been gone for fifteen months and my son and I miss him very much, but in a couple of weeks we will be back together! I’m so excited. We plan to enjoy Italy, his next duty station, and do some traveling around Europe.
