5 Reasons Why You Need a Curly Hair Specialist
This was my hair the day I finally decided to get my life right and go in for an appointment
If you read my blog post on My Natural Hair Journey, you know that my hair took a turn for the better once I found a curly hair specialist who I trusted had my and my curls’ best interests at heart. As I reflect back on my journey, I learned that sometimes, being a DIY girlie is NOT it, and it’s okay to outsource! As women, we deserve comfort, flexibility, and to look and feel like our best selves!
Most of us naturals would never attempt to do a silk press ourselves with any expectations that it would come out cute, so why do we insist on doing our own hair and then get frustrated when it doesn’t? Keep reading for five reasons why you need a Curly Hair Specialist.
You Want to be Serviced by Someone who Cares About Your Hair’s Overall Health
A curly hair specialist can educate you about proper hair care routines, including cleansing, conditioning, and styling. They offer tips on maintaining healthy, hydrated, and well-defined curls. They are also experienced in addressing common curly hair issues such as frizz, shrinkage, and uneven curl patterns.
They can provide solutions and recommendations to manage these challenges effectively. Salons specializing in curly hair often create an environment that caters to curly-haired clients like us! This may include using curly hair-friendly products, like those created by experts at Ouidad or Devacurl, and providing specialized tools while simultaneously showing you how to use them.
At my first appointment with Rebekah, she provided a non-judgmental zone where she assessed the current condition of my hair and the products I was using at the time to provide me with specific recommendations and techniques for the health of my hair moving forward. One of the biggest challenges I was experiencing was dryness and frizz, and I can vividly remember how calm and certain she was when she told me I was using too harsh of a shampoo for my hair needs. Safe to say I haven’t used that shampoo ever since!
You Haven’t Had a Haircut in Over Three Months
While there is a bit of variation in how often you should cut your hair which depends on a variety of factors such as desired length, hair health, whether or not you have bangs, and etc., the general consensus is that you should cut your hair somewhere around every six to eight weeks. If you don’t already get your ends trimmed on any regular schedule and it’s already been more than three months, then sis, what are you waiting for?
Curly hair often requires a different approach to cutting than straight hair. A specialist can provide a customized haircut that considers the natural curl pattern, resulting in a shape that enhances the curls and works well with your overall style and preferences. Curly hair specialists with advanced curly hair training in methods taught by the pros at classes like Cut it Kinky, Rezo, or Cadō, can help you to create a bomb curly look that you feel confident in, and support you in retaining length over time.
In the 2+ years since I’ve been going to the salon, I have yet to miss my scheduled cuts! I have been gradually growing out some bangs and short pieces in the front of my hair, and working my way towards a cute shape that looks intentional instead of raggedy. I have also noticed a huge decrease in the amount of shedding I experience in the shower every week. As someone who is super blonde, I can honestly say that staying on top of my ends has made a huge difference.
You’re Dissatisfied with the Current Look/Feel of Your Natural Hair
Hair dysmorphia is a real thing. While all natural hair textures and patterns are beautiful, it can sometimes be hard to accept and love the hair that grows out of our own heads and instead wish that our hair was different. To combat this misconception that the grass is always greener on the other side, we first need to understand the hair that we do have.
Specialists in curly hair are skilled educators that can demonstrate various styling techniques that enhance and define curls of a variety of patterns, textures, and densities. They can provide guidance on styling methods that work best for your specific curl pattern, ensuring the longevity of your styling, and supporting you in learning to love and care for the hair you do have, not the hair you wish you had.
I have had the same hair on my head for 28 years, and it wasn’t until I started seeing a curl specialist that I realized that I had consistent curls throughout the entirety of my head, and not just the tight coils in the back near my neck. While I do get frustrated with the extremely coarse and resistant pieces near the crown of my head (because WHYYY won’t they just behave like the rest!?), I now have the tools to manage the hair that’s on MY head, instead of wishing it was more like someone else’s.
You’ve Been Doing it on Your Own and Don’t Want to Anymore
Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by Wash Day. Now what if I told you that Wash Day does not have to take you literally all day? Seeking the expertise of a curly hair specialist can save time and effort in figuring out the best practices for curly hair care. They can streamline the process and help you achieve your desired look more efficiently.
Since they are experienced in addressing common curly hair issues such as frizz, shrinkage, and uneven curl patterns, they can provide solutions and recommendations to manage these challenges effectively so that you can have your weekends back! Because seriously, whoever told us that we needed to sleep in deep conditioner overnight clearly does not have brunch plans on Sundays.
And also, I want to live a soft life! There are many things that black women are expected to have to deal with all of the time, on their own, and my hair is not one of them. If going to the salon, getting pampered and styled for the week means I don’t have to spend 30 minutes in the shower doing it on my own, then baybeeee I’m gonna pay for convenience every time.
You Want to Look Polished and Professional
Let’s be honest, texture discrimination against curly hair in the workplace is not new, and has been a challenge that us curlies have had to deal with for a long time now. While texturism is simply racism that manifests in a different form, the root of the problem lies in the fact that textured hair has never been the standard of beauty for women.
If we’re being fully honest, we will not single-handedly eradicate hair discrimination by showing up with our hair more confidently in the workplace, but having an intentional and deliberate approach towards maintaining our signature curly look goes a long way towards building up our confidence to wear our textured hair in the first place. The more we refuse to adhere to eurocentric and normative beauty standards, the more we open the doors for other standards of beauty to become mainstream.
A well-executed curly haircut and style can boost confidence by accentuating the natural beauty of curls. A specialist understands how to work with curls to enhance your features and overall aesthetic, and lets you show up as your baddest and truest self!
Since 2021, I’ve exclusively worn my hair curly, except for a month and a half last year when I randomly decided to get some braids. I have so much less anxiety related to what I’m going to be doing with my hair for the week because I’m well equipped to style my hair in a way that I am comfortable and confident with in the workplace. It has honestly changed the game!
Hair styled by Rebekah because why should I have to do it myself!?
Overall, working with a curly hair specialist ensures that individuals with curly hair receive personalized care and attention, leading to healthier, more defined, and beautifully styled curls. I highly recommend going for it – you might just love the you that emerges.
Let me know in the comments whether or not you are thinking about finding a curl specialist that meets your needs.
