NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Penny Gabrielsen: My name is Penny Gabrielsen. I am a wife, a mother of two high school boys and a full-time music teacher.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls, or have you always enjoyed and embraced your curls?
PG: I didn’t embrace my curls until after college. My poor sweet mother spent hours trying to detangle my hair, breaking several combs in the process. Sometimes she would put it all back with a giant bow, because I would never brush it. There were many tears. I spent my middle school years coveting friends’ straight hair and perfectly feathered bangs. They looked so cool gliding around the roller skating rink in their Jordache jeans, big pocket combs and glossy lips. My curly locks simply wouldn’t cooperate with that style.My hair was a bit more likable in the 80s when big hair was the trend. I would blow it dry and then use hot rollers on my “shaggy” layers. I was actually fortunate to have curl because it gave my fine limp hair much needed body and fullness. In college, I was more comfortable with letting it go natural. It certainly gave me more time to spend on my studies and work-related activities.
NC: What is your current routine?
PG: Currently, the hair diffuser and I are best friends! I just scrunch, spritz with hair spray and go. This takes only about four minutes, so I get to spend more time with my athletic boys. And because it is natural, I don’t really worry about being out in the wind or humidity.
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NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
PG: My hair is ultra-fine, so layers look best. I am sporting a shoulder-length bob at the moment.
NC: What about your hair stylists?PG: My stylist is great. She understands that my hair will shrink quite a bit. It seems to spring to life after some of the weight is removed, and she knows the perfect length for my bangs.
NC: Does having curly hair affect your everyday life?
PG: People with curly hair are sometimes labeled “cute.” I felt I had to work hard to be taken seriously by my friends and family. I have to admit that, every now and then, I will blow it dry for smoothness, especially on a date night with my husband (although he loves it curly”>. When I do straighten it, my favorite product is Joico smoothing balm. It has an incredible fragrance and tiny gold specs that sparkle in the sunlight.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
PG: I am grateful for my curls. I remember lots of friends who paid a great deal of money for a perm, but my wash-and-go hair is easy to care for and manage.
