My curly hair journey

I’ve always had curly hair, but I never knew how to take care of it (and I still don’t). Growing up I wanted to have what all the other girls had around me-straight hair. So I straighten my hair. (Which literally took THREE HOURS,  girl, my arms were TIRED) I neglected my beautiful curls for almost four years, and I still beat myself up about it. Until I was talking to strangers on a kik group chat. They expressed their love for my curls. They made me fall in love with them. This was the first time someone ever told me my curls were beautiful, and girly, it was over with from there. I WAS EMBRACING THOSE DAMAGED FRIZZY FRIED CURLS.

I still didn’t know how to take care of them, and learning how to do so was and still is so hard. I was running a comb through them and putting crunchy moose in it until I was over at my cousin’s house, and asked him how he got his curls looking so luscious…he looked at me like ??? and said “I wet them”. I felt so stupid y’all. I was thinking to myself wow that really makes a lot of sense. So that was a start– styling my hair while it was wet. But trying to find the right products for my hair?? A MESS. It took so many trial and errors and at least 100 dollars down the drain, but mistakes make progress and I was getting there. I didn’t really have any guidance… I didn’t even know what type of curl I had until literally a week ago. (thanks Steph) My mom didn’t know anything about curly hair so she wasn’t much help. And my hairdresser?? No shade to you but please stop straightening naturally curly hair in your salon mam. Anyways, YouTube became my best friend. The spiral I go into watching hair product reviews…I’m not proud of it. So with the little information I have I’m gonna try to give my curly girls a couple of tips. 

1. PLEASE stop applying heat to your curls. EMBRACE them because I promise you so many people long for them. 
2. Use that old “paint” shirt to dry your hair when you get out the shower. SAY GOODBYE to those towels. The frizz there giving to you…
3. THROW THE SHAMPOO AWAY. It’s drying out your hair. Make co wash and conditioner your best friend. 
4. The brushes got to go too. 
5. This might be common sense but section your hair when applying products. It took me some time to realize that. It might of been my laziness but the difference it makes. Yeah it was definitely my laziness. 
6. MASSAGE YOUR SCALP GET THAT BLOOD FLOWING (Not throughout ya know a night out or anything) I know it’s so hard to keep your hands out your hair throughout the day but try. You can do it. I believe in you. 
7. Most importantly, listen to your hair. Find what works for you. Don’t give up after that 8th bottle of hair product that doesn’t work for you. You’ll find what makes your hair thrive. I promise.   

I didn’t go to cosmetology school or anything, but I wish I knew those things a little bit earlier to save myself some frizz, and I hope it can help a girly with curly locks :).