Image: @curlyfitmom
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up with curls was hard. My mom tried to work with them, but she really didn’t know what to do with my curls. I remember wanting straight hair like all the other girls more than anything. As a kid my curls made me different, but I didn’t know till my mid-thirties that the difference was SOOO GOOD!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I was tired of forcing my hair. I was a tired momma of three kiddos, and I wanted my curls to be beautiful. I met an amazing woman who had gorgeous curls. I did a big chop and went ALL in embracing the curl. Took me several years to learn about the curly girl method, but the process was worth it. Even the years I was not following the curly girl method perfectly, I was learning that curls made me me.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Embracing the big, embracing the frizz, embracing my hair WITH it imperfections as truly BEAUTIFUL has been extremely empowering. To realize my curls are AWESOME when they aren’t perfectly smooth and defined has given me such freedom to just love my hair as is. I still work to learn my hair and learn more about curls, but I LOVE my hair at every stage now.
Image: @curlyfitmom
How do you protect your curls at night?
I hate sleeping with a puff! The first few nights after I wash and style, I flip my curls up on my silk pillowcase. Once my hair is a little more lived in, I use a puff cuff to pineapple my curls to sleep.
Who is your curl crush?
The curly girl community on Instagram yields new curl crushes every day! It’s so hard for me to pick one! I guess I crush on the community itself. It fills my heart with joy to be a part of it.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My thecurlyco diffuser is one thing I truly couldn’t go without! I love how bouncy it makes my curls.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My hair LOVED Inahsi Naturals! The Mint Shampoo and Conditioner, Mango Hemp Restorative Deep Conditioner, and Aloe Hibiscus Leave-in are staples in my hair care! I also have recently discovered the Treluxe curl serum which truly helps smooth and define. I also LOVE Ecoslay Orange Marmalade Curl Definer.
Image: @curlyfitmom
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Digging in and making myself learn ingredients, figure out protein and moisture balance and truly learn what is best for MY HAIR. Realizing that a failed wash day or weeks of failed wash days are just a part of the learning! They aren’t fails! They are steps to growth and discovery.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Eating for my health, drinking my daily water. Exercise, and personal development and spiritual growth. Loving your hair isn’t just about how your curls look, it’s about something deeper. Owning who you are and recognizing you are fearfully and wonderfully made as is. Practically balancing my moisture and protein has given me incredible consistency with my curls this past year.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Dig deep. Don’t just focus on just your curls. Focus on what inside is causing discontent. Follow other curly girls to learn, NOT to compare. Learn your hair. Keep learning. Research. Read. Experiment. Fail, and DON’T give up. It’s a fun and worth it journey to truly loving and embracing not just your curls, but who you were meant to be.
What’s your hair story? Share your journey with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
