Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my mom trying to tame my wild, thick, tangly curly hair before school. She would try to brush out my curls, getting the brush stuck in my hair, and causing me to cry out with discomfort and frustration. Looking back, these moments truly mark the beginning of my personal story of curly hair journey. I continually found myself wishing I were born with straight, easy-to-manage hair. Growing up in the 90s, the tools available just weren’t cutting it for my hair type and texture. From rollers that my mom used on her hair, the Conair straightener that required water to create the steam (and the signature smell I’ll absolutely never forget), and, of course, the dreaded round brush.
I still get a little PTSD to this day when I think of all the times I got that stupid round, bristle brush stuck in my hair trying to blow my hair straight. I didn’t have the patience, tools, or knowledge for how to style (or love) my hair properly. Throughout middle school, I was teased for my hair, both for its color and texture. These are painful memories that I try to forget, but that I know are not unique to me, which caused me to become overly self-conscious of my hair. I learned techniques for styling throughout high school and college; however, that helped me feel more confident. In college in the early 2000s, the brand Chi changed the game for straighteners, and between these new, effective straighteners and curling wands, and learning to barrel curl my hair, I finally found a way to tame the madness. My straightened hair with barrel curled ends worked well, but in the event of any humidity or heat, my hair reverted back to its old ways, often reminiscent of Monica in the “Friends” episode when she goes on a tropical vacation and has hair that grows larger and larger as the episode goes on.
After having my first son in 2019, I realized that the time I had to style my hair was nonexistent, and I sought better ways to embrace my natural curls. One late night, probably while awake rocking my colicky newborn, I went down the rabbit hole of all things curly girl styling. That was truly a turning point in my personal story of curly hair journey. I learned what products to use and to avoid (bye-bye silicone!), and that scrunching and styling my hair soaking wet was key to good curls. I started wearing my hair natural more often, and found that it was so much less stressful for me and saved my sanity.
In 2023, a few years into my curl discovery journey, I was told by a physician assistant student rotating with me at the hospital about a salon in Indianapolis that had stylists specifically trained to do curly cuts and work with people with curly hair. That day I booked my first appointment with my now forever curly cut stylist, Hannah Speckman, and looked forward to having my hair done by a true curly professional for the first time in my life. Hannah spent over an hour and a half with me for my first appointment, teaching me how to wash and condition my hair (double washing is key!), what products to use and in what order, how to plop my hair to help it dry without causing frizz, and how to finger curl my locks to help retrain my curls. It truly felt like a new chapter in my personal story of curly hair journey. It was, hands down, the best money and time I have ever spent, and was the most time I’d taken purely for myself since I had become a mom. Hannah taught me tricks, such as putting my hair in the coveted “pineapple bun” to sleep, using a silk pillowcase, and how to refresh my curls without causing frizz, that helped me go from washing my hair every other day in order to wear it down daily, to washing twice a week. My mind was absolutely BLOWN.
Three years later, I now get compliments on my hair and curls almost daily, and have referred countless curly-headed friends to visit Hannah for all things curly girl. I can now honestly say I love my hair for the first time in my life, and am so grateful that after 35 years of having it, I actually know the proper way to care for the hair I once wished away. My personal story of curly hair journey is still ongoing, and I hope it inspires others. While some days I do still wish that I could shower and have my hair dry completely straight, I now feel grateful to have textured, unique hair that makes me both different and beautiful. I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that one day she’ll figure it out and it will be ok… and also maybe to lay off the hot irons a bit.
If you, too, want to embrace your inner Curly Girl, I highly suggest finding a curly specialist near you! To find out more about Hannah, visit https://www.tangledupindy.com/meet-our-stylists/hannah-speckman. Ultimately, everyone’s personal story of curly hair journey will be unique, but embracing it can make all the difference.
