Mallory Briggs: Hi! My name is Mallory Briggs and I am from San Antonio, TX. I’m excited to have the opportunity to interview with NatuarllyCurly.com. I have loved the site for so long and have utilized many tips and tricks for my curls. I am always learning new things in my curly journey…most importantly, embrace who you are!

NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?

MB: I came to really love and appreciate my curls as a freshman in high school. Before my first Winter Formal dance, my mom bought me a diffuser. I used it and my curls had never look better. We both wondered why we hadn’t tried it earlier. From that point forward, embracing my curls was easy.

NC: What’s your current routine?

MB: I shampoo and condition with the AVEDA Dry Remedy line. For styling products, I use the AVEDA Be Curly line—the style prep, the curl enhancer and the hairspray. I’m slowly adding weekly honey and coconut oil treatments to my routine.

NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what is your process?

MB: After shampoo and conditioning (I shampoo every other day”>, I use a wet comb to detangle my curls. I first add 3-4 pumps of the Be Curly Style prep, starting mid-length and going through to the ends, and then I’ll run my fingers through my hair. After this, I add the Be Curly Curl Enhancer. I use the same method as before, with a slightly larger amount. Then I flip my hair over and use a towel to scrunch my curls together and help towel dry it a little more. If need be, I’ll twist my bangs to help them curl. I flip my head back over and use my diffuser. Once my hair is mostly dry, I spritz areas where my hair tends to fall flat or get frizzy with the Be Curly Hairspray. I’ll diffuse once more, quickly, shake out the curls, fluff where I need it and I’m ready. It may sound like a long process, but I’ve done it so often that I have it down to a science and it only takes ten minutes!

NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?

MB: I LOVE big, wild hair. I really enjoy my hair being loose and down so it can move the way it wants.

NC: What are your must-have products and tools?

MB: The Be Curly Style Prep and my diffuser, hands down.

NC: What about your hair stylists?

MB: I actually work at a salon and spa. I’m an esthetician so while I know skin, I don’t know hair and I’m still learning about mine. I rely on my friends who are stylists to help me. I recently had my hair cut by a good friend/stylist at my salon who has styled and trimmed me before. She knows how my hair works and really listens to my concerns.

NC: Do you color your hair?

MB: I do color my hair, which I am not too happy about as I’ve gotten older. I get my hair color done by a stylist who uses AVEDA color. It’s a chocolate brown. No matter what color I get (and I have worn many colors”>, I always go back to my natural dark brown.

NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?

MB: Not much. I’ve started sleeping with a silk cap on but I haven’t made it a regular thing yet.

NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?

MB: Applause! Everyone really supported the idea.

NC: Did you ever chop off a significant amount of hair?

MB: I did a HUGE chop at the end of 2006, when I was in esthetics school. I went from my hair being mid-back length to a graduated bob that sat at mid-neck in the back and gradually lengthened to a little below my jawline in the front. I kept it trimmed that length for maybe a year and then began growing my hair out.

NC: Did you ever have any curly girl insecurities?

MB: Growing up in grades 3-6 I think is where I held most insecurities. I wanted to look like other girls…I didn’t want frizzy, crazy hair after playing outside! I wanted to wear ponytails without bumps! For some reason that was a “cool” thing at that time and I hated having bumps.

NC: What is the best thing about being curly?

MB: Being unique! We all have wonderful attributes about us, curly or not, but I feel the curls are the outside representation of that quality. I love feeling free, wild and different.

NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your life?

MB: It impacts almost every facet of who I am I think…in a positive way. I love when other women with curls come up to me and ask me questions or give me compliments, and it’s a daily thing. I really enjoy giving them advice and helping them understand their hair a little more, if I can.

NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?

MB: Love what you have! It will take practice and time but it is worth it. You were born with amazing curls. Work with them and enjoy them! As I grew up always hearing, “People pay a pretty penny for your type of hair, so love what you have.”

NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!

MB: My biggest decision recently has been to go natural! I was going to wait after the holidays because I like straightening my hair for pictures and doing different things with it. After getting a good cut and treatment, I thought, “Why wait!?” I’m gearing up for the holidays and am very excited to decorate my apartment like a winter wonderland. This year will be the first year I’m sending out Christmas cards with my dogs and I on the front. And yes, my hair will be curly!!