Hey, curly girl. You thought I didn’t know? Sure, you’re doing a good job shellacking your style to fit in with the straight-locked ladies around you, but we curlies recognize each other.
It could be the telltale wave in the back of your head that just doesn’t ever want to behave, but it’s more likely the sleep deprivation you try desperately to hide while still making sure you’ve got that extra hour in the morning to slather your hair with straightening creams and iron it into submission.
But I refuse to do that anymore, and you can, too. I know, you’re nervous to step away from the straightener after The Daily Beast article that vilified Rebekah Brooks’ red curls as a “dense tangle of vines” (as if her hair had anything to do with her appearance before Parliament). What if your locks take the freedom and run with it?
They won’t. I promise. You, too, can pull off curls in the office. Here’s how.
Because, really, there are none. Each head of bouncing curls is different. For instance, you know you’re only supposed to untangle curls (with a wide-toothed comb, never a brush) when wet, right?
Now, I don’t advocate dry-brushing—or you’ll probably end up with the triangle-shaped pouf I sported in high school—but you don’t need to follow that “rule” to the letter, either. I don’t own a comb: I use my fingers. And my aunt brushes her bouncing spirals—yes, with a brush. There’s not one “right” way, so try different methods and find out what works for you.
I have lots of hair. Lack of volume has never been my problem. Make that hair curly, and I’ve got quite the styling challenge atop my head. That’s why I’ve found two stylists in town with hair similar to mine. They understand my hair’s particular idiosyncrasies and know how to make them work for my curly style, not despite it—and trusting one of them to do my haircuts is the best way I’ve found to save myself time on a daily basis.
Instead of trying to make your curls do what you think they should do, talk with your stylist about finding a cut that works for you. It’s not straight, it never will be—but that doesn’t need to be a problem.
Let’s talk products. I’ve tried a ton, and I’m sure you have too, but playing around with different brands is really the only way to find out what works best with your hair. Give yourself a week with a product before making a judgment—I find it takes a few days for my hair to get used to something new (and same goes for a new haircut).
In college, my curly friends and I became hooked on Herbal Essences Totally Twisted shampoo, conditioner, and mousse, and I haven’t looked back. They smell great and keep my hair soft and frizz-less without that helmet-head hairspray feel. Plus, they’re inexpensive and you can find them just about anywhere, even outside the country. (Only problem: They’re not made in travel size. On occasion I’ve resorted to checking bags just to make sure I can bring my mousse with me.)
This goes for the blow dryer too. As someone who likes to be able to control all aspects of life, I know this is a hard one. And I know you’re probably thinking something like “but I just want to make sure it’s drying right, and if I don’t touch up the ends they’ll stick straight out!”
Will they? Choose a day when you don’t have to see anyone immediately and let your hair do its own thing. Once you’ve found the right cut and product, you can probably let it air dry and admire your natural curls. I now do it on a daily basis (though fortunately, my commute time allows it to dry before I get to work).
If you’re in a hurry, you can also partially dry your hair and let it do the rest on its own. Either way, lightening up on the blow dryer will help avoid the heat damage that causes frizz, which is likely what inspires your straightening sessions. Break free of the vicious cycle.
So now, what to do with your newly happy, healthy head of curls? Wear it up, down, half-up, pinned-up, however you like. You can copy your straight-tressed friends and co-workers’ styles, but they’ll be all your own when your newly freed curls steal the show.
Little brings Emily more of a thrill than taking a so-so sentence and making it shine or giving an alright paragraph more of a punch. She’s a self proclaimed word-nerd whose penchant for language took her from barista-ing in a bookstore café during college to serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in a high school just outside of Madrid after graduating with a double major in English and Spanish. Since returning to the States over a year ago, Emily has worked as Associate Editor for The Daily Muse and established a Spanish language social media presence for one of Southwest Michigan’s leading credit unions. Recently married, she, her hubby, and their crazy cat, Angel, call the shores of Lake Michigan home. Follow her on twitter @EmENickerson.
Thank you for this great post! I'm having such a hard time finding a stylist who has and can cut curly hair. Stylists don't get that you should cut curly hair while it's dry so you can see how the curls will fall. The layers don't all need to be even like they do with straight haired girls.
My blog post on how I manage my curly hair:
Although I've lived with anxiety about my curls and the image they might send, I'm attached to them. In March I started using the Deva Curl products and found a stylist who went to their training courses (Trisha at Eclips salon in McLean, Va). The author of "Curly Girl" is the head of the Deva Curl company. Her approach has changed my hair routine. I can now run my fingers through my hair. I feel much better affirming my curls.
love it! i'm a senior in college and *just* beginning to embrace my curls... and i keep getting so many compliments. it's so low-maintenance (just shower, run some gel in it, and air dry), now i feel really ridiculous for all those mornings i woke up an hour early so i could spend a ludicrous amount of time flat ironing.
