What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Like most girls who grew up with curly hair, I always wanted it to be straight. Friends and family would always make comments on how I look so nice with straight hair or how I needed to brush my hair… My mom loved my curls so she never bought me a straightener and whenever a friend of mine would straighten it she would be devastated. Since flat ironing it wasn’t really an option I would just just products into it to weigh it down. It was always super flat but I liked it because it looked longer.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
A really good friend of mine with super beautiful, long, blond hair said, “You know, anyone can have long hair, but not everyone can have curly hair.” After that, I stopped focusing on having hair I didn’t have and started learning about how to take care of my own hair. Since then I have found the curly hair community and have loved being part of it.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
When I was part of a curly exclusive photo shoot. I always felt like my hair had to be straightened in order to look good in pictures.
How do you protect your curls at night?
Pineapple with a scrunchie!
Who is your curl crush?
Spisha, marisacurls, and frizzandfrillzz.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Root clips, the Curly Co diffuser, and Olaplex 3.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash once of twice a week and use Innersense Color Awakening Hair Bath and condition with DevaCurl Decadence conditioner. Right after rinsing, I apply my Innersense Quiet Curl Cream and DevaCurl Arc Angel gel to my soaking wet hair with praying hands. I then use a t shirt to scrunch out extra water and apply root clips to give my hair some lift. I wait a little to let it air dry and then I defuse with the Curl Co diffuser with my head upside-down. Once it’s dry, I remove root clips and shake and scrunch. If I feel like I need extra hold, I will smooth some extra arc angel over and add some deva curl hairspray.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
When I see all these other women with super thick and long hair I sometimes feel like my hair isn’t that great, but I just have to keep reminding myself that my curls are great in their own way!
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Using Olaplex treatments on my hair every other week has been a huge help for my hair health!
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Look for women who has a familiar texture to yours and learn how they style and take care of their hair. While I love and admire all curl types I would often feel like my hair wasn’t good enough when comparing to some women with different texture to mine. Take a lot of pictures along the way and become your own curl crush!
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
