Harsh Truths About Your Curly Hair Journey
India has seen a boom in Curly Hair awareness since the dark days of COVID19 began. With new brands and bloggers popping up every now and then in an attempt to educate the curly population about our hair, maneuvering the curly space keeps getting more and more overwhelming.
Here’s a few facts for you to know before you begin your Curly Journey that don’t benefit any brand or me, but will put you at ease as you figure things out:
1. You are definitely not going to get “perfect, defined curls” anytime soon. Be prepared for three months to a year of consistent hair care depending on how ignored/damaged your hair is when you start.
2. You don’t need a million products to start your Curly Journey. It is best to start small and simple. A hydrating shampoo, deep conditioner and a leave-in is enough. What’s more important is to ensure that these products suit your scalp and hair type.
3. Don’t overdose on information. Everyone will have a different way to style and care for their hair. Find a process that works for you and makes sense to you. Too many cooks definitely turn your brain to Khichdi. Hair care isn’t a ‘one size fits all’.
4. Your curls are not going to last for days on end. Depending on the hair type, only few people will get curls that can hold on for 3-4 days. Most curl types last only for 1-2 days. Either way, in the initial stages of your journey while you find a footing and repair your hair’s natural texture, your curls won’t last long.
5. Hair Gel isn’t a miracle product that will give you definition and hold. Gel works well when your hair’s moisture levels are high. If not (which is usually the case in the initial stages) it makes the hair dryer and more tangled. A lot of people experience increased hair fall after starting a curly routine. Excessive use of gel to keep the curls in place is usually the reason for that.
6. Heat sets you back big time. As you begin, you may be tempted to go get that blow dry or straightening for an event, or just to tame your hair. Remember, it takes about 12-14 washes for you to heal from all that heat. And that accounts for 2 months of progress. If you are still using heat tools, FORGET about natural curls.
7. Doing your curl care “here and there”, “between other products”, “whenever I can” is as good as not doing it. A simple regular routine and consistency is the key to progress. Switching back to regular/chemical products and not using your conditioner and leave-in during every wash is what is holding you back from your desired results.
8. Not all products that say “for curly hair” actually work for curly hair. With the curly boom in India, almost all brands are introducing curly hair products. It is essential to inform oneself and identify curly specific, natural and organic products that suit you.
9. All brands are marketing saying “for all curl types”. They are not. Every single brand I’ve tried has products that suit a very specific hair and scalp type. More often than not, a full range of products from a brand may not suit you. Address your concerns individually. Here’s a guide to help you in choosing products that fit your hair type:
www.curlupanddye.in/blog/haircare-a-logical-persons-practical-approach
10. ACCEPTANCE is key. In addition to all the care and products in the world, curly hair is about enhancing your natural hair and accepting it for what it is. There will be certain hair types that will just be frizzy no matter how much you try to get rid of it, others that are just flat and limp and of course many that don’t stay curly. Accept yourself for the way you are. That’s half the battle won!
I hope these pointers help to ground you in what the reality of a Curly Journey is. For more honest content, please leave a comment with your thoughts or queries, like, share and follow.
We strongly advise getting a consultation from our experts. Consider it a long term investment for your curls with high, positive yield!. To understand how a consult would help, click here.
