It might come as a surprise, but more people have textured hair than you’d think. You might be mistaken in thinking that most of us have those silky straight tresses you see all over popular media. However, this is the result of years of image issues and straightening. So, if you have curly or wavy hair, you’re not alone. People like me used to be ashamed of our texture, but now carry it with pride.
Well, I took a look at how gorgeous Black communities own their hair and embrace their natural texture. Those gorgeous, braids, locs, and curls make these women look like queens and show how proud they are of their heritage. I wanted to see if there was a similar feeling for curly haired women from other races, but couldn’t really find much. Influencers like Spisha, however, have really started these conversations, and there is a fledgling curly girl movement. Women are putting away their hair irons after years and years of heat damage. I did the same and now stick to a curly hair routine which works well for me.
Of course, I went through a long trial period where I needed to figure out what products and methods worked best for me to improve my hair and long beard styles. After all, there is no one routine for everyone. All of us have different skin and hair types, so what works for me might not even work for my own family. Here’s what I learned through my journey of embracing my curls and carrying them with pride.
Coconut Oil is Not for Everyone
We’ve all heard the notion that coconut oil is a cure for everything. Frizzy hair? Massage with coconut oil. Dry skin? Apply coconut oil. Indigestion? Drink coconut oil. You get the idea. I also tried oiling my hair with it for months and months, but it just made it dry, and somehow soapy. I also got horrible dandruff.
However, when I switched to a mixture of castor and almond oil, my hair came to life. My point is, while these classic solutions may work for many people, they don’t work for everyone. So, you should experiment with different products and see what works well for you.
Curly Hair Maintenance is Expensive
When I started my curly hair routine, I did not realize how many products I’d need. While I cut shampoo from my haircare, I had to add things like oil mixes, curl cream, mousse, and even gel. Keeping all of these in stock can really add up, and be heavy on the wallet.
However, once I figured out my holy grail products, I’d make sure to use reasonable amounts and keep an eye out for deals and discounts. In addition, sometimes the best products are the ones you overlook. You don’t really need the complete top-tier curly hair ranges. Instead, you can opt for drugstore options, which are mor sustainable for your budget.
Buns & Braids are Lifesavers
There are many days where my hair simply refuses to cooperate. I wake up with the worst bedhead, and there are no products and techniques to tame it. This is where protective styling comes in. Buns and braids can help and can even revitalize curls.
So, when you’re not heading out, or if it’s too hot, simply plait your hair, and it’ll be much better afterward.
Hair Care is a Whole Workout
It can take anything from half an hour to one and half hour to do my curly haired routine. If I’m doing everything from oiling to deep conditioning and styling, then it takes at least an hour. In addition, I do many of these steps with my hair upside down for volume, so my neck and shoulders get a complete workout.
So, while this haircare routine is quite complex and time-consuming, it is well worth the effort. My curls have never been more gorgeous.
To sum up, while there are limited resources for women in the curly girl world, there is at least an encouraging start. Once more people come on board and embrace their natural hair, then we will truly have a thriving curly girl community. It just requires a lot of commitment and patience, but the results are truly worth it.
