Having had enough with failed attempts at making my curly hair adhere to pin-straight, frizz-free styles, I have recently been sporting my natural spiraled locks to the surprise of many. Considering that I almost always torture my hair between the scorching plates of a straightener or in the heat of a blow dryer, I am not surprised by friends that are shocked in the revelation of the delicate corkscrews that I’ve finally decided to wear in moderation to the straight styles I prefer. In this transitional period I have come to embrace both the hardships and benefits that come with having curly hair that I'm positive others with the same trait will be in agreement with.
- Combs are a necessity. Although they are commonly used by straight-haired people, brushes have a scarce presence in comparison to combs that prove to be the most efficient tool in detangling our intertwined spiral knots without breakage.
- Combing only happens when our hair is wet. If we're planning on wearing our hair naturally, we simply comb through it after the shower and don't dare to brush it once its dried in avoidance of a fluffy mass of madness that results from disturbing the curls.
- Our hair will hold a curl until the next wash. While our friends with straight hair are dependent on hairspray to hold their hair in curls after using a curling iron, we are confident that our naturally spiraled locks will retain a styled curl with little to no assistance from sprays or touch-ups until the next wash.
- Sleeping on wet curls is asking for a hectic morning. Unless we're planning on styling our hair in the morning, we take precautionary measures before going to bed to ensure that we don't wake up wearing a helmet of fuzzy, static curls. Braiding or air drying are methods that often prove to be effective.
- Humidity or rain is not our friend. Whether we chose a curly or straight hairstyle, we're bound to face frizzing and poofing if the environment decides on providing enough humidity or moisture that enhances the spirals of our natural curls.
- The baby curls on our hairline drive us crazy. Whether it be the thin, wispy curls that frame our face or the tight, short corkscrews that fall on our neck, these curls nearly refuse to straighten or adhere to the style or place we want them in.
- Despite warnings, heat is often used to tame our hair. Although our hairdressers, friends, and family advise us not to use heat on our curly locks, we find that it is the only effective method in taming our hair and the fuzzy flyaways that come with it.
- Most friends ask why we style our hair. After revealing our corkscrews, we are often asked by those with straight hair why we regularly straighten it in the first place followed by compliments on our natural look.
- We are envious of those with straight hair. After listening to our straight-haired friends wish for curly hair, we often counter their wishes by claiming our desire for naturally straight hair.
- Despite wishing otherwise, we appreciate our spiraled locks. Although we continuously claim desires for straight hair and constantly use styling methods on our curls, we couldn't imagine life without our fluffy, curly locks.
