I didn’t take my curly hair seriously until I started college. In the sixth grade, I washed my hair by myself for the first time. Afterward, I tied it in a simple ponytail.
One of my friends noticed my curls and encouraged me to wear my hair curly more often. Yet, my mother disagreed. She always styled my hair herself, giving me a wash and set every other week in her salon. When we moved to New York, this routine didn’t change.
Starting the Journey to Natural Hair
Things shifted when I moved three hours away for college five years ago. Without my mom nearby to style my hair, I had to figure out a solution. I tried two hairstylists, but both left me with split ends and thinning hair.
That’s when I decided to take control of my hair care. I bought The Curly Girl Handbook, a guide recommended by YouTube guru Sunkissedalba. This book was a game changer. It taught me about my hair texture and how to care for curly hair properly.
Overcoming Damage and Mistakes
By the time I started my journey, I’d already switched to sulfate-free shampoo and was using natural hair masks. My curls began to bounce back, regaining their natural shape.
But I wasn’t free of mistakes. Frequent use of curling irons and hair dye caused more damage. I also fell into the trap of constantly trying new products. The growing curly hair market was overwhelming, and YouTube had changed. Many creators now promoted products for profit, making it harder to trust their advice.
Rediscovering Hair Health
I eventually refocused on what worked. Daily moisturizing and regular trims became my priorities. Trimming helped me get rid of damaged, dyed hair, and moisturizing prevented dryness.
Length retention used to be my main goal, but I realized long hair is meaningless if it’s unhealthy. I’ve grown to love my curls’ natural state. Straightening my hair now feels foreign, and I rarely use protective styles.
Final Thoughts on Going Natural
Transitioning to natural hair taught me a valuable lesson: hair grows back. The most important thing is to enjoy how you style it and make it your own.
If you’re just starting your journey, welcome! If you’ve struggled as I did, remember that it gets easier. With time and the right techniques, your curls can thrive. I hope my experiences inspire and motivate you.
Feel free to share your own tips or tricks for managing curly hair. Let’s learn from one another!