She created and runs one of the biggest curly hair Instagram accounts, @MixxxedChicks, which features men, women, and children of all ethnicities and races. She also has a page dedicated to natural hair care, @TheNaturalsLife. Meet Carol, and find out what inspired her to help other curlies embrace their texture online.

My name is Carol. I am African American and White (Belgian”>. I was raised and grew up in Europe. I work in fashion and recently moved to the DMV area. Loving my curls was not always an easy thing. My hair was an everyday struggle growing up. I grew up in a very small European town where diversity was close to non-existent.

As far as I can remember, I was always self conscious about my hair. The toughest part for me was when I reached middle school. I was the only mixed race girl of my school, which made me stand out. It drew all types of attention–the main one being my hair. I heard it all: “Poodle”, “Is that a wig?”, “Why is your hair so poofy.” I remember being ashamed of wearing my natural hair down and only feeling comfortable when it was up and secured in a bun.

This led to years of relaxing and straightening my hair. I started to embrace my natural hair and let go of my insecurities in my early 20s. I came to realize that I was beautiful just the way I was. I stopped being so self-conscious and was able to fully embrace all parts of me.

I was the only mixed race girl of my school, which made me stand out. It drew all types of attention–the main one being my hair. 

Two years ago, I started MixxxedChicks.

I wanted to create an online page that celebrates the beauty of being mixed. I also wanted to help younger MixxxedChicks that are struggling with being mixed. I went through my own share of struggles growing up and I know how hard it can be. The greatest reward for me is receiving messages from followers saying that the page has helped them embrace who they are and how the page has helped them embrace their natural hair.

I started the @TheNaturalsLife earlier this year. I want to encourage women to wear their natural hair and embrace all things that make them unique, special and beautiful. Now MixxxedChicks has over 82,000 followers and The Naturals Life has over 11,000!

There is always someone that is going to have something negative to say. When I first started my page, those type of comments used to bother me a lot and I used to reply to all of them. Now I focus on the positivity and the positivity only!

My curly hair routine

I always switch up my hair products. I just love trying out new things I am currently using cantu beauty hair products. I always pre poo my hair with coconut oil first. After deep conditioning and washing my hair, I apply Cantu Beauty Coconut Milk shine mist and their curl activator cream. I love how these products give me soft, bouncy and well moisturized curls. In the morning, I refresh my curls with Mizani Coconut Soufflé Light Moisturizing Hairdress. At night, I put my hair up in a pineapple and I sleep on a satin pillowcase.

[prodmod]

I say, wear your curls like the queen you are.

Beauty is within. It is also being your true self and being your own kind of beautiful. I see so many girls out there comparing themselves to other girls on social media! I see it everywhere and on a daily basis. “I wish I had her hair,” “I wish I had her eyes,” or “Share some pretty with the rest of us.”

Remember, you don’t have to be pretty like her you can be pretty like you! BeYouTiful. Embrace your curls, they are part of what makes you unique and beautiful. No one else has the same curls you do! Wear them like the queen that you are.

I always say, Don’t compare yourself to others. Be your own beautiful.

In 5 years I see…

Myself raising my beautiful kids. I am recently married and starting my family is definitely one of my top priorities. I am also currently working on a business plan. In 5 years time I see myself running my successful business.

You can keep up with me on my personal/hair blog page @carolsavannah. Also make sure you are following my two other Instagram pages–@MixxxedChicks and @TheNaturalsLife.