Curly hair comes in many different types: large curls, coily curls, kinky curls, wavy curls, small ringlets and more. It’s a hair type that’s often been admired and envied, but also misunderstood, hated and discriminated against. Women of all races can have curly locks and depending on how you’ve been brought up to view it, combined with your exposure to it, will affect your attitude towards curls.
In recent years curls have also become known as ‘natural’ hair, in general referring to a hair texture that has not been altered through the use of chemicals such as straightening, relaxing or perming. More specifically, it refers to mostly black African women, women of African descent as well as those of mixed race who choose to wear their hair free from chemicals, just as it grows from their scalp.
I am one of these women. For the longest time I just didn’t know how to care for my hair properly, but once I did the necessary research, it was like a light bulb had gone on in my head, and suddenly I was in love with my coils.
I honestly want this so much for other women too.
My biggest wish for women everywhere is that they feel comfortable enough to wear their hair in their natural state in all areas of life, be it at work, in their homes, at play, and in their places worship. Coupled with that is my wish that the notion of natural hair being unkempt or unprofessional, be eradicated. There are many reasons, based on certain events of the past, why straight hair was, and to a large degree still is, seen as the ultimate, even if that meant burning your scalp and damaging your hair with harmful chemicals.
Yes it’s true that mainstream media mostly celebrates straight hair, so I honestly believe that it’s up to us curly girls who have already come to embrace our natural hair to share the love with those who are still struggling. It’s up to us as mothers, sisters, aunts and friends to educate our children that it’s ok to be yourself and that you don’t have to look a certain way to fit in.
The same goes for the type of curl you have as there are so many different types. Just look at the collage I put together for this piece. The women in it are all gorgeous and are all rocking their unique curl pattern, from kinky curly to wavy. So why all the hair envy that I’ve been reading about so much? Even if you have the same curl pattern as someone else, other factors might still make your hair different e.g. density, individual strand width, porosity etc. Everyone deals with some type of ‘self’ issue at some point in their life, so it’s a beautiful thing when you can reach the point of loving yourself including your natural hair, frizz and all!
On Eleanor J’adore there is no discrimination no matter your race, nationality, background, religion, gender or hair type and I intend to keep things that way. Remember that old saying, “You have to be the change you want to see in the world.” So if you have a natural hair story to tell, I want to hear about it and share it with my readers.
Let’s encourage each other to embrace our natural hair whether it be coily, kinky, curly, wavy or straight for that matter. Because then it couldn’t be any easier to love your hair.
xxx
All images, except for the one in the middle, via Pinterest
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! This is everything that I stand for as well. Excellent post Eleanor
Thanks Mandy. I’m loving our like-mindedness 🙂
love this!!
Thanks for reading Hun.
Awesome, I’m a work in progress. After more years relaxing my hair than I can remember I’ve decided to embrace my natural hair. I’m so curious to see what sprouts out of my scalp. What I’ve been hiding for so long. So far I’m transitioning very newly so have a long way to go. I’m doing this for my little girls I want them to love themselves no matter what. And to see the beauty in their coils,kinks and curls
It’s great that you’re doing this for both yourself as well as your little girls Missy. I’d like to stay in touch and shoot you an email. Where can I get hold of you?
So true. It’s all about that moment when you realise how to care for your hair, then everything else follows and you fall in love with your hair <3
Agreed 🙂
So true!
Smiles!!!
<3
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Smiles!!!
Wonderful post Eleanor……….I think in so many ways your article reflects what a lot of the hair bloggers in South Africa feel.
Thank you Hun. I’m glad this piece has resonated with you. Please share it within your network if you think someone could find it useful.
I fully agree with you and great article! I def wear my natural hair with grace and pride. Although I’m not the only Black woman at my corporate office, I’m the only naturalista there and I get lots of questions from every one! I don’t mind it because I am a natural hair advocate. This Eurocentric view of beauty and what’s acceptable is dwindling day by day as women are accepting their curls, kinks, and coils. I love it!
Hello I’m a man and I would say my hair is wavy curly I usually kept it short. But then I decided to let it grow out I didn’t know what hair type I would have. My question is how do I keep frizz down it’s down to my shoulders also will straighten my hair keep frizz down?
Hello and sorry for my late reply. Thanks for reading this post! Frizz is caused by dryness so the main way to combat dryness is to make sure your hair is properly moisturised. I wouldn’t advise straightening your hair to keep frizz at bay as that can cause to more dryness and heat damage is used excessively. So if you make sure that your moisture retention routine is working for you, that will combat frizz. I hope this helps.