Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished your hair was different? Maybe you longed for sleek, straight locks instead of your wild curls, or maybe you dreamed of bouncy waves instead of your fine, flat hair. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking our hair isn’t good enough just as it is.
But here’s the thing: every hair texture is beautiful. The sooner we embrace the hair we were born with, the sooner we can discover its true potential. Of course, that doesn’t mean the journey to loving our natural texture is quick or easy – it often takes a bit of learning and a lot of self-acceptance.
The Pressure to Conform
I know that pressure to have “perfect” hair all too well. Growing up, I envied those girls who always seemed to have flawless hair. They never had to worry about frizz or flyaways. Meanwhile, my frizzy, wavy hair seemed to have a mind of its own! I straightened it, curled it, and slathered it with products, all trying to force it to be something it wasn’t.
There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with different styles and products. But for me, the constant battle against my natural texture was exhausting. What’s more, all the heat styling and harsh chemicals were actually damaging my hair!
The desire to change our hair often stems from the images we see in magazines and on social media. Those images tend to uphold very limited beauty standards. “It’s important to remember,” says Avani Yashwin, a hairstylist specializing in natural hair, “that what you see in the media often isn’t achievable, or even healthy, for your unique hair type.”
Unlearning the Negativity
The first step to embracing your natural hair is unlearning all the harmful messages you may have internalized about it. Think about the words people use to describe textured hair – messy, uncontrollable, even unprofessional. These words are rooted in outdated beauty ideals.
Instead of fighting against your hair, start thinking of it as a beautiful part of who you are. Hair comes in an incredible variety of textures, and every type deserves to be celebrated. As Swenex LLC states in their article “Embracing Your Natural Hair Texture”, our hair is closely tied to our identity and self-image.
The Self-Love Journey
Learning to love your natural hair can feel a lot like a self-love journey. Start by practicing patience and giving yourself grace. Think about your hair journey to date – perhaps you’ve been chemically treating it or damaging it with heat styling for years. It takes time for hair to recover and reveal its true potential.
Focus on finding products that enhance your natural texture, instead of fighting it. This might take some trial and error. Luckily, there are tons of helpful resources online! Experiment with different gels, creams, and leave-in conditioners to find those that tame your frizz (if frizz bothers you) and define your waves or curls. You might even try out simple techniques like “plopping”, where you dry your hair with a soft t-shirt to encourage your natural curl pattern.
Find Your Inspiration
One surefire way to ignite a love for your natural hair is to seek hair heroes! Look for celebrities or people on social media who proudly rock their natural hair in a way that inspires you. There’s something empowering about seeing the limitless potential of hair textures like yours.
As you begin your journey, try to stay positive. Avani Yashwin wisely observes that “Self-acceptance is crucial…Otherwise, you will go back to treatments.”
The Transformative Power of a Haircut
Finding a hairstylist who truly understands natural hair and your unique texture can be a game-changer. A good haircut can accentuate your curls or make your waves look their best, changing how you feel about your hair entirely. Don’t be afraid to shop around until you find someone who ‘gets’ your hair goals.
Embrace the Uniqueness
The best thing about natural hair is that it’s undeniably yours. No one else has hair quite like it! Learning to embrace it means embracing a part of yourself and your heritage. So ditch the straighteners, give your hair some much-needed TLC, and remember: your wild, wavy, curly, beautiful hair is perfect just the way it is.
