Curly Hair Quarrels: Waving Hello to the Curls

Ever since I was a tweenage girl, I despised my thick, knotty, curly hair. During summer breaks, my dad brought me to work. I’d play my turquoise GameBoy Color, read, practice my sales pitch, and sign my name as “Sylvia Quinones,” a name I came up with that looked nice written in cursive.

My dad’s employees were friendly. I updated them on what was going on in the Harry Potter series when they visited my mini-office: a small room with a desk, chair, paper, and other supplies. These employees also complimented my hair very vocally. “I LOVE your hair – it’s so full and beautiful!” Were they seeing the same thing I saw on my own head?

This is the Story of a Curl

As somewhat of a tomboy, I didn’t do much with my hair. It was usually a short, above-the-shoulder cut. I didn’t know what to do with it.

But I knew one thing: my hair holds its own personal significance – it is one of two physical qualities that my mother gave me. The second being my eyes. If you’re wondering about the story of my mother, then read about that here.

Learning the Curl

Fast-forward to seventh grade – I learned I had curly hair. I knew there was always SOMETHING about this hair – I had to use special de-tangling shampoos and combs and drying my hair took forever. But I didn’t know what it was.

A hairdresser introduced me to how to care for my curls, scrunching my hair in her hands with gel, and blow-drying it. I wore my hair curly in my school pictures that year.

Fighting the Curl

Then came the high school years. I wore my hair curly every now and then, but WOW were those mornings humid! We woke up earlier than ever for high school, leaving my house before the sun came up. We’d wait outside for the classrooms to open, which meant helloooo humidity in my hair!

I remember one day when I didn’t dry my hair properly, and someone said my hair looked like “a mop.” Looking back, they were probably right. This hair is flat and heavy if I don’t dry it correctly.

So…I learned how to straighten my hair, the exact opposite of the previous revelation. There was no way I could blow-dry my hair straight on my own. I tried that once and it took 3 hours. And air-drying? Try 6 hours.

I straightened the curls right out with a nifty straightening iron a new hairdresser showed me. And yet, my curls still found a way to wave right back at me as the humid Florida air smothered my head.

With my long, straightened hair and eventually-straightened teeth, I felt more confident than ever by junior year.

Chopping the Curl

During the last semester of senior year, I chopped off those luscious locks. I had a cute little bob that made me look older (finally!) and ready for college.

I accessorized with bows that matched my eyeshadow and my jewelry. The look was a mix between preppy and emo since I attended private school and often felt confused about my “identity,” “who am I,” and other pertinent questions we ask ourselves during those years. And still….I straightened that darn curly hair.

 

 

Finally, within the last few months of school, I realized all that extra work was unimportant. I was spending WAY too much time and energy damaging my hair. Who was I impressing?

The straightening iron was pretty much frying my hair flat. Why couldn’t I just accept my hair the way it was and learn how to style it properly?

Embracing the Curl

Finally, in college, I learned to wear my hair curly, for real this time. All. the. time. And I loved it! I learned how to style it, I washed it more, I had more time to brush it and give it volume, and I got more sleep (how possible, right?), so the curls looked even healthier.

I got A LOT of sun between walking around campus, hanging out at Lake Hollingsworth, and going to the pool before class (we were  spoiled). My hair reacted to all of that very well.

 

 

 

 

Maintaining the Curly Hair

Finally, finally, finally I grew into my curly hair – literally. I let it grow and only cut it short once in the last 5 years. I style it with braids and buns and flower clips. Now, my hair is long and healthier and I am proud of it!

 

 

 

 

These are the products I use and the steps I follow 2 to 3 times a week (not sponsored). I buy these in bundles when they’re on sale, or I use my ULTA points to get them!

• Step 1: Low-Poo Delight Weightless Waves Mild Lather Cleanser (shampoo)
• Step 2: DevaCurl Buildup Buster (remove product buildup)
• Step 3: DevaCurl One Condition Delight Weightless Waves Conditioner (moisturize and prepare to de-tangle)
• Step 4: De-tangle with a thick comb (get rid of the craziness)
• Step 5: Wrap with DevaTowel Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel (keeping the moisture inside the hair)
• Step 6: Scrunch curly hair with DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler (smells great and holds well)
• Step 7: Blow-dry and scrunch!

Sure, it is quite the process. But my curly hair is a part of who I am, and I won’t let that be an insecurity any longer!

What’s something you once felt insecure about that you now fully embrace?