We have a shower and our hair looks suuuuuper long and then a few hours later, it takes its true form. Curls shrink in on themselves as they dry and it looks like our hair is super short, but then we pull it out and the length really shows.
The length gets lost in the formation of the curl as it absorbs the moisture.
Image via Imaxtree
Photo 4/11
We can't brush our hair every day
No, seriously.
Personally, my hair is brushed out and detangled properly once a week or else I look like I'm auditioning for a part in The Lion King. Curly hair has to be properly detangled when wet and more wavy hair can be finger detangled after wash day sometimes, but it's NOT a good day to brush it... especially without water and product.
Image via Imaxtree
Photo 5/11
We're extremely proud of it
This is especially true for women of color, who often internalized western beauty standards at a young age. Maybe it's been a journey, but we're proud. (Though we don't hate on the people who choose to wear weaves and wigs instead of wearing their natural hair, though. Do you, boo.)
Still... to embrace your true, natural crown is so empowering and time consuming. It's not called a "natural hair journey" for nothing.
Image via Imaxtree
Photo 6/11
Not all curls are accepted
This is a struggle for those of us who have coils and kinks. Curly hair is often shown as these beautiful beach waves that look effortless and gorgeous at all times — and they're usually shown on white women. But that isn't an accurate representation of all curls. All curl types are valid, but often Type 4s are looked at differently and we're constantly made aware of it. There's a discrimination against the kinkier curl type that has a lot to do with internalized racism and classicism, but that's a huge conversation to unpack.
Image via Imaxtree
Photo 7/11
Wash day means WASH DAY
I remember my new boo asking if we could go out a certain day and I said: "I can't; it's wash day" and he thought I was just blowing him off. When we say it takes all day, we mean it. Every now and then we do a wash and go, but this is not the standard.
We do a pre-poo, wash, deep condition, detangle, rinse, add a leave-in, put another treatment on top of that, seal with an oil of your choice and then style. This is not just "I'll wash my hair quickly" vibes. You've gotta be READY.
