What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I had curls when I was a toddler, then my hair turned straight as a kid (with a few ringlets at the ends”> and then my hair turned kind of wavy-curly when I became a teenager. I often hear this from other girls with loose curls. I didn’t fight my natural texture, but I had no idea how to manage it because no one else in the family has curly hair.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy/curly hair?
Actually, I was quite happy with my curls despite the fact that I had no idea how to handle them. However, I hated my natural hair color, I kept bleaching it. I totally ruined my hair by dyeing it at home, using horrible, cheap products with sulfates, silicones and alcohol. I diffused with hot air. My ends were breaking off constantly, I could not achieve literally any hair growth for years. I had a thin, dry ball of frizz and it was shedding a lot. I realized I couldn’t go on doing this to my hair, so I decided to learn how to take care of my curls and found the curly girl method. I have been following it for 2 and a half years now and it works wonders!
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
As I mentioned earlier, my hair wouldn’t grow for years and I was incredibly frustrated over that. As my hair was getting healthier and healthier (it took a long time and I was impatient”> my hair started to transform. I wasn’t only retaining length, but my curl pattern has also changed a lot since then: my spirals and ringlets started to appear in place of the frizzy waves. I realized that ditching the hair dye and embracing my natural color was a great decision: as it was growing out, I learned to like it because of all the benefits I was experiencing.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I don’t make any fuss about it. :”> I use a satin pillowcase and put my hair in a pineapple with a satin scrunchie.
Who is your curl crush?
I have so many, it’s so hard to choose!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I have fine hair, so my hair loves protein treatments! And I can’t live without my Wet Detangler Tangle Teezer brush, it cuts down my detangling time literally into half and spares me an awful lot of breakage, too.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I follow the condition-wash-condition method: I pre-poo with an oil the previous night, I detangle with a conditioner, I shampoo and deep condition. My holy grail hair mask is the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Mask by Shea Moisture, it always gives me insane definition whenever I use it! I style with the Maui Moisture curl milk and I layer a gel on top of it. I air dry until my hair is 80% dry and after that I diffuse for volume and more bounce. I clarify on a regular basis with Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap and Charcoal Shampoo.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
In the first year I was really impatient because it took a lot of time before I started seeing noticeable progress. I was comparing myself constantly to my favorite influencers at the time who were either years ahead of me or had totally different hair types. It also took me a lot of effort to find out where to buy the hair products I was constantly hearing about because a few years ago I couldn’t find these in Hungary. (Now I shop online and also have a couple of drugstore options like Cantu and Maui Moisture.”>
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Figuring out the right balance between protein and moisture was one of the biggest favors I could do for myself. Styling with my Tangle Teezer or Denman Brush and finger coiling helped to bring back and encourage my curl formation and clumping. It also creates an even curl pattern if there are sections that need help.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Your curls give you so much personality and uniqueness! Your hair is special and makes you stand out. The most beautiful thing about this journey is that the more you invest in it, the more you will appreciate your results. We cherish what we earn. I promise that you will be proud of yourself and you will feel that it’s worth the hard work you have put into it!