How would you best describe your hair?
Naturally Curly
What is your hair type?
3a
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I never liked my hair in its natural state. I always used really bad gels and made my hair super crunchy and hard. I would constantly straighten it, using a flat iron everyday. I never really knew what I was doing to my hair. I just always thought and was told that having straight hair was more pretty.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I started following curly hair influencers and wondered if my hair could ever look like that. I eventually got tired of straightening my hair and smelling that burnt smell on my hair. Hif3licia on instagram really inspired me to embrace my natural hair and her story of her journey and the pictures from her before and after amazed me. I wanted to see for myself if it was really possible to bring back a curl pattern from my heat and chemical damaged hair.
How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
My family has been supportive since day one ! At first they were a little skeptical, but they always cheered me on ! When I joke about straightening my hair now, my fiance always tells me absolutely not ! He loves my curly hair and brags about it all the time. I have been so lucky to have made new friends on this journey as well! Everyone is so friendly and of course we have hair in common, but so much more ! This community is filled with so many genuine and beautiful people. It has really helped me step out of my comfort zone and meet new people.
How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?
When I finally decided to embrace my natural texture, I stopped straightening my hair cold turkey. And surprisingly, it wasn’t hard for me to stop. I was always afraid to cut my hair so I never did a big chop. After a year in my journey, I got my first professional hair cut and I fell in love with it. In the beginning I slowly began the CG method, although I did cheat every once in a while when I used shampoo and conditioner. For the most part, I stuck with using DevaCurl and it worked for me.
What is your current hair regimen?
Deva Curl has been my holy grail since the beginning! In the shower I begin by detangling using Wash Day Wonder. Then, use the DevaCurl Decadence No Poo and the Orginal One Condition. When I apply the conditioner, I leave it in and wet plop. I then style with a dime sized amount of B’Leave In Curl Plumper and rake it through with my fingers. Then apply the Super Cream, but I water it down in my hands with a little bit of water so it is not so thick. Next, I add in with Arc Angel Gel for max hold. I scrunch and diffuse. Lastly, I use a little bit of Set it Free to set my hair in place and tame any frizz or fly-a-ways.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?
I apply my hair on soaking wet hair. My hair absorbs the products better and it does not build up on my scalp when it is very wet. I always flip my head down to scrunch my products and diffuse upside down as well. I diffuse on cool or low heat and on low speed to avoid more frizz. I usually take a little bit of oil in my finger tips when my hair is 100% dry, and shake my hair out at the roots for more volume.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?
Never give upon this journey and never underestimate your hair’s potential. Nobody’s curls are the same, so do not get discouraged. But when you get hair back to its healthy state, you will not regret waiting! Patience is key. Always remember to embrace who you are and whatever stage you’re in of your journey!
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
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