What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
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Growing up with curly hair was different, but fun! Not only is my hair curly, but I’m a natural red head (the only one in my family!”> so it always got peoples’ attention. Almost every time I would go out I would either get a compliment on my curls/color or someone would ask me if it was natural…and I still do to this day! When I was younger I didn’t really understand why people were always commenting on my hair, but as I got older I realized how unique it is and I fell in love. I remember being a young girl at sleepovers and wanting straight hair like my friends because it seemed so much “easier” to style/keep up with. Little did I know then, embracing my curly hair could be easy!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/wavy hair?
I’ve always embraced my curls but never in the right way. I would straighten my hair maybe once a year, but everyone would always tell me that I wasn’t “Carli” without them! So I would rock the curls, but all I cared about was length and no frizz…aka long, crunchy, unhealthy curls. I remember in high school and college I would pull out the ends while styling just so they would look longer when they dried. Oh and a diffuser? I would never even think about using because a lot volume was a no no lol. I look back at pictures and cringe now! I also had no idea how to properly style and keep up with my curls so I would wash my hair every day. My curls were always there, but they weren’t living their best life until I gained some knowledge and started my curly hair journey!
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
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Receiving messages from girls saying I inspired them to rock their natural curls is extremely empowering! Especially when girls message me saying they tried products I recommended and that they love the results! I started my Instagram page just for fun to share curly hair products/tips and to show my hair journey. The fact that I can inspire, help or educated others on curly hair is such a bonus! You wear your hair EVERY DAY so every person deserves to feel confident with what they have.
How do you protect your curls at night?
A pineapple + a silk pillow case is my go to! I swear by these and recommend them to any curly girl who asks me! I’ve also been wanting to try out a puff at night but haven’t perfected this yet. Knowing how to refresh in the morning has also been a huge component of rocking day 2/3/4 curls. I get asked a lot “how do you not wash your hair everyday?” My answer is always knowing how to protect your curls at night and refresh in the morning!
Who is your curl crush?
Ahh there are so so many, how could I pick just one?! My top ones are…
Chloe Homan
Lisa Moscatelli
& Hi F3licia
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
If I had to pick one curly girl essential I would say a bomb deep conditioner OR a bomb styling product! Both of these play a huge role in curl care and getting the best curl results after a wash day.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash & style my curls 2/3 times a week! I co-wash with conditioner, really focusing on my scalp (love a good scalp massager”> and then finger detangling. I will clarify with an ACV rinse about once a month to relieve itchiness/build up. I will also deep condition every other week in the shower with a shower cap. For styling, I make sure my hair is soaking wet, section it into 3, add a leave in, apply my styler (a gel”> with praying hands, and then flip over and scrunch, scrunch, scrunch! I will sometimes scrunch with a t-shirt to remove excess water at the end- this speed up the drying process. I love air drying and forming a good cast around my curls. If I am short on time I will diffuse on low heat. My favorite part is scrunching out the crunch once my curls are dry- this literally makes them come alive!
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What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I would saying switching my products was really challenging at first. I used the same leave in and styler for years and that’s what my curls were used to. When I switched to all sulfate/silicone free products my curls went through a weird transition phase. I still love trying new products and techniques- but it does stink when one doesn’t work out and then you are left with a bad hair day. Remembering to be patient is very helpful while going through your own hair journey- every product and technique won’t work for you and that is okay!
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Styling on soaking wet hair is a game changer! This allows your curls to fully absorb the product. I used to style on damp/partially dry hair and notice a huge difference now. Also DEEP CONDITIONING! Total game changer as well- my curls are 10x more healthy, shiny and moisturized now that I deep condition. Also learning proper styling techniques has really helped me as well- but I would say before you even learn styling techniques, get rid of all unhealthy products! Good technique with bad products will not yield the results you want.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Educate yourself! There is so much information, help, advice out there! Whether it’s on Instagram or YouTube or Google…there are incredible tips out there if you look! It may not happen over night and you need to be patient in your hair journey. It takes a lot of trial and error while using new products and trying new techniques. But I can promise you that over time you will start seeing a difference and your curls will love you for it.
