Going to the salon was always frustrating. No one ever believed that my hair was as curly as it is, based on how straight it was when I walked in. I took that as a compliment to my stellar styling skills. But, the stylist always scolded me for the damage that they found once they really started working. I also just blew that off. ‘But look how good it looks when it’s straight! Who cares about the split ends and the fly aways...’
Finally, all the scolding got through my thick (if smooth) head, and I started wearing my hair curly more often. It probably also had something to do with the fact that I moved to an apartment without central air conditioning, which made blow outs really unpleasant when it’s 90 degrees.
I started doing some research, and talking with a friend who is even curlier than I am. I read about how to treat my hair type and what curly hair actually needs. I took the Ouidad Curl Profiler (www.ouidad.com/Curl-Profiler) and did some research on NaturallyCurly.com (www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types). It turns out that you have to super duper moisturize curls. My friend also suggested that I try sulfate- and alcohol-free hair products.
I did it. I found some new shampoo and started conditioning my hair for the first time in years (yeah, yeah, I know). I found L’Oreal’s EverStyle line and I noticed a difference pretty quickly. When hair is healthy, it always looks good. My hair curled better, now that it had the nutrients and moisture it needs. It also looked better when I would blow it out, because it was healthier. Obviously.
I’ve been playing around with other natural and sulfate-free products, and I haven’t straightened my hair in months, and I’m totally OK with it. I am really happy with the way my hair looks now that I know what to do with it and how to treat it. I think the curls suit me and my face and my personality better than straight. Not to mention it cuts my getting ready time in half, and no more worries about getting caught in the rain or fighting the humidity! I’m so glad I embraced the natural me!