Curly hair history

I've worn my hair curly for my whole life. I was born with naturally curly hair. I've only had my hair straightened 2 or 3 times. I have learned over the years how to better care for my curls, and how to get more CURL and less frizz. My sister, mom, and oldest daughter also have curly hair, so we encourage each other, share products and help each other. I have trimmed my mom and daughter's hair several times.

When I was younger, we always brushed my hair. When I was about 13, I began using a pick to care for my hair. I straightened my bangs all throughout high school, and I used mousse in my hair. I used to blow it dry, and I had a lot of frizz, the "big hair". I definitely used hair spray in my hair too. I did the same routine several years into my marriage, but then I started using gel more often. I began to wear my bangs curly, and I often let my hair air dry. My hair was better, but I went through several cuts of differing lengths while I had babies. My last big cut was when my youngest was about 18 months old. I cut off 8 inches and kept it short for many years.

AFTER A CURLY GIRL "DEVA" HAIR CUT

My sister gave me the Curly Girl Handbook about 10 years ago, and I began to use baby shampoo and Fruit of the Earth Aloe vera gel in my hair. I also used a spray gel by Garnier Fructis that I liked.  I liked the TreSemme shampoo and conditioner and used that for many years. I also tried the OGX brand of shampoo and conditioners, and I got decent results with those products.

I blow dry my hair much less now than I used to. Now it is usually when I need my hair to dry faster, or when it is cold outside. Many times I allow my hair to air dry for an hour and then I diffuse it dry the rest of the way. Now, I also do not rinse all of my conditioner out of my hair. Many days I squeeze the excess conditioner out of my hair and then dry it in a T-shirt on top of my head. (see below)

NOV. 2017

In order to get more volume on the top of my head (and avoid the triangle of frizzy hair), I usually put clips along my part line. I use 6 or 7 clips to pull the hair up off of my head. I have also blown my hair dry upside-down to get volume on top. My daughter and sister like to use dry shampoo to add volume, but I don't like the way the dry shampoo feels in my hair.

I used to dry my hair with a regular towel when I was younger, but I found a microfiber hair turban that I used for 6 or 8 years. Now I dry my hair by "plopping," which involved wrapping a t-shirt around your head to let the hair dry. After it dries in the plop for 10 -15 minutes, I take it out and add gel to it. Then I let it air dry.

JULY 2019

I've grown my hair out before, but I've never had it longer than a few inches down the middle of my back. I am growing it out again now, and it is longer than I have had it for maybe 5 years. It is fun to enjoy my curls more and more, and try different ways of drying and washing it. I am enjoying seeing my hair on my shoulders, which was not the case for a long time. I also have not been able to wear it up very much, since it was so short. But usually my head hurts if I wear it up too much. I do like the Lilla Rose flexis, and the invisibobble in my hair to wear now. They don't pull on my hair too much.

What about you? Have you had many different hairstyles and hairdos, or have you mostly left your hair the same for a while? Sometimes versatility is fun! Is it time for you to try something new?