Let’s paint a little picture:
A young woman struggles with her hair constantly, just like her mother before and before that. She leaves the shower with smooth, manageable hair and lets it air dry. An hour later, it’s frizzy and puffy. The only solution? Straightening it. And she does—every week, for years.
If anyone asked, she would tell them her hair was straight but a little crazy. But is that truly the case?
People are finally done pretending their hair is straight, and curly and wavy hair routines are booming in popularity. It’s exciting and bewildering, given how much these hairstyles suffered in the 2000s and early 2010s. Back then, many curly-haired children watched movies like “The Princess Diaries,” where the main character’s makeover wasn’t complete until she ditched her glasses and straightened her curls. If not even a princess could pull off curly hair, how could they?
Straight hair was considered the norm, curls were accepted in moderation, and wavy hair was rarely discussed. This left many people in a difficult position. What do you do when your hair dries straight but becomes frizzy by morning?
People are turning to social media to reveal how wavy their hair is. It feels like one of the best-kept secrets of the beauty industry. Finally, people are done hiding. Curls and waves are back, along with some helpful hair routines for people to manage their hair once and for all.
Image Courtesy: Rizos Curls
So, what are the must-haves for healthy wavy hair? It’s safe to say it varies from person to person.
Shampoo and conditioner aren’t as important. However, it’s still critical to use them correctly. Always shampoo twice, allowing the product to cleanse your hair properly before rinsing it out. Apply conditioner only to the middle and ends of your hair for the best results. You might even consider using a hair mask to give your hair its best fighting chance before stepping out of the shower.
Nevertheless, showering is the easy part. The real focus for wavy and curly hair lies in the products used afterward. Beauty creators have started to draw attention to frizz creams, mousses, and diffusers for better results. Most also recommend adding hair oil to the ends for extra hydration.
Diffusers, in particular, are a game changer. They help dry your hair while ultimately minimizing frizz. Although some are fine with letting their hair air-dry, it often isn’t an option for those whose hair turns poofy. In those cases, diffusers are an excellent option. Many are designed specifically for wavy and curly hair, yielding beautiful results when paired with a good heat protectant.
Image Courtesy: Tymo Beauty
Popular wavy and curly hair routines exist to make wavy hair more manageable, but there are also distinct ways to style it. Some prefer a shorter look, letting their natural texture shine without being too long. Certain curly hair types are easier to maintain this way, and dead ends aren’t as big of a problem.
But if longer hair is your style, that’s perfectly fine, too! Bangs and layers are always worth trying. Many celebrities embrace this look, with one of the most notable being Taylor Swift. Her tours often feature her natural curly hair with her characteristic bangs.
As beauty trends evolve, new influences emerge, often led by content creators and prominent figures discussing the importance of diverse hairstyles.
One major influence is prominent figures discussing various hairstyles. Icons in the fashion and entertainment industries have spoken about the lack of appreciation for curly hair in the media. One example is Kat Graham, a renowned actress known for her roles in “The Vampire Diaries” and “Love in the Villa,” who opened up about the pressure to wear her hair a certain way. In “The Vampire Diaries,” she often wore wigs, and the unwelcoming environment made her feel uncomfortable with her big hair and natural curls.
Her words likely resonated with many people who have felt similar pressure to wear their hair in a “normal” or “easier” way.
Image Courtesy: Medium
Although curly and wavy hair hasn’t received much love in past decades, people are starting to appreciate their hair’s unique patterns. Hair is ultimately an art form distinct to each individual. Straightening is not inherently bad but can feel limiting if it’s your only option. Thankfully, with today’s lineup of hair care routines and products, there are more styling choices now than ever before.
So, what if your hair isn’t straight? That only means you have many other future styles to explore.
Written and Curated by: Massiel Mileo
Blog Published and Directed by: Salette Cambra
Comments