How would you best describe your hair?
Naturally Wavy
What is your hair type?
2c
Editor’s note: If you’re not sure what your hair type is, you can take our quiz!
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I had curls as a toddler, but I lost them when I was about four. Then, they started coming back right as puberty hit, and I had no idea what to do with them. I had a bad haircut when I was eleven that left me with a poof ball that brought much teasing: “Hey Laura, would you consider your hair a bush or a tree?”
Then flat irons came on the scene and were EVERYWHERE. I became a popular target for friends with straighteners. I couldn’t straighten my hair at home because it took forever, so I mostly pulled my hair back. I was even told that guys would never want to date me because guys liked straight hair best. The 2000s stunk for this curly girl. Did I mention that I even got my hair chemically relaxed? I don’t recommend it. At all. Ever.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?
I always wanted to embrace my waves, but no one seemed to know how to help and there were hardly any products that helped. The only solution anyone had was straightening my hair, and that’s not what I wanted. A hairdresser named Scott Childress was who helped me embrace my waves. My mom started going to him and raved about him. I was skeptical, but I saw him whenever I was home from college. He was a super sweet, friendly guy and he was not at all intimidated by curls. He had curly hair himself. He also did dry cuts.
How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
Pretty much everyone loves my curls. I finally felt more comfortable in my skin, knowing that my hair wasn’t this not-curly-not-straight frizz puff. The first time my hairdresser cut away most of the damage (after many months of trimming it away”> and I saw CURLS, I was simply shocked. I didn’t know my hair could ever look liked that! When I went back to college after that break, my friends were in disbelief too! In a good way :”>
How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?
I got the damage trimmed regularly–it was a slow process, but well worth it. While I started embracing my curls around 2007, I didn’t really get into the Curly Girl Method until 2016.
What is your current hair regimen?
I wash my hair every 2-3 days and try to deep condition every week. After washing my hair, I apply styling products to soaking wet hair. I have scalp psoriasis and to treat it, I use a sulfate-free dandruff shampoo after applying a thin conditioner to my ends. The conditioner on my ends prevents the dandruff shampoo from drying my hair out.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?
There’s a lot!
–The LCEG method (Leave-in, Cream, Curl Enhancer, Gel”> is a must for my waves.
–Using a t-shirt instead of a terrycloth towel.
–Applying styling products to super wet hair.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?
–Condition condition condition! Seriously, conditioner (preferably silicone-free”> is your best friend. –
Start out with a sulfate-free shampoo, silicone-free conditioner, and a good hard-hold gel to get your feet wet in the Curly Girl Method.
–Get a diffuser
–DITCH THE FLAT IRON
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
