Hello gorgeous human, before you dive into this post let me just say you can do your hair however the hell you want - what works for you is the right way. Over my 6 years of styling curly hair I’ve learnt a lot and my goal is never to confuse you but to maybe help troubleshoot if you might need it. Talking about curly hair isn’t without its controversies so I will approach this topic as delicately as I can.
There’s a lot of information out there about caring for curly hair quite frankly it’s fucking overwhelming. From folks claiming you have to do XYZ or else your curls will vanish, to one-size-fits-all routines that promise miracles my god there’s a lot of noise. Today, I want to tackle a few common curly hair myths and share why I think the CG method kinda sucks.
Myth 1: Curly hair is <insert derogatory language here>
You know all the words associated with curly hair I don’t even need to say them. The way we’ve been taught to view curly hair is fundamentally wrong. Why have we been getting curly hair so wrong? It’s in the teaching of hair. Essentially curly hair dictates what you can do it and hair stylists are trained to manipulate the hair to the way they want it to sit (if you’ve ever had a cut and been unable to style it yourself after this is why) The beauty of curly hair is that its gonna do whatever the hell it wants and it doesn’t give a shit about your feelings. Maybe this is why I love curly hair so much. I love being told what to do 👀 maybe I should talk to a therapist after I’ve written this.
People assume if your hair is curly, it must be wild and unmanageable, there is fear surrounding this hair type that is unfounded. Once you understand your curl pattern, let go of what you “should” be doing, you can make your curls do pretty much anything. What I will say is that there is no short cut to figuring out what works for you hair, patience and trial and error will be you buzz words.
Myth 2: You Should Only Use One Styling Routine (Or One Brand)
Some people believe you have to commit to a single brand or styling routine to achieve perfect curls. It’s easy to think there’s a magic combination that works for everyone, but sorry friend that’s just not how curls operate.
Hair texture, porosity, and daily lifestyle all play a role in what works. What your best friend loves for her hair might weigh yours down or leave it frizzy. Don’t limit yourself to one brand. Mix and match different products that address your unique hair needs, and don’t hesitate to switch things up when the weather changes or your hair feels different.
Myth 3: The Curly Girl Method Is the Only Way
The curly girl community can be pretty wild. What started quite innocently now feels like a cult and if you’re not on board with their rules you’re not welcome. At this point I would like to say - it’s not that deep. Frizz is not a dirty word, it is simply our hairs way of responding to the environment around us.
I’m not saying don’t do CGM because it has helped so many people rediscover their hair texture and fall in. Love with their curls and I flipping live for that shit.
But avoiding sulfates, silicones, and heat styling isn’t for everyone and if you like to straighten your hair once in a while or wear your hair in a protective style to change things up, you shouldn't have to feel guilty about this.
Not all sulfates and silicones are evil. Some can be too harsh or heavy, but others can work beautifully if used correctly.
Your lifestyle matters. If you live somewhere humid, or if you regularly use heat tools, you might need different products and a more flexible routine.
Sometimes you just need a clarifying shampoo. Too much product buildup can suffocate curls, and a gentle sulfate shampoo can rescue hair when you really need a reset.
Myth 4: You Must Air-Dry Your Curls for Best Results
Air-drying is often recommended for curly hair, and yes, it can be a wonderful option to prevent heat damage. But it’s not the only way to achieve healthy, defined curls. Diffusing can help. When used correctly, a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer can add lift and definition without over-drying. Timing matters. If you have an early morning wedding or event, waiting for hair to dry naturally can be impractical. A combination of air-drying and diffusing works best for many people, especially when time is limited or you want extra volume at the roots. Heat is not the enemy if we’re prepping the hair correctly.
A note on curly wedding hair styling
Before I leave you I’d like to say - I’ve styled many beautiful heads of curls and I’m so honoured curly haired people trust me enough to style their hair on their wedding day. Wedding day curl styling is quite different to what you might expect, I work mainly on dry hair to give the most accurate and long lasting style. If you have any questions at all regarding curly wedding hair or anything you've read here, just drop me a DM, comment or email.
And finally never let anyone shame you for the hair that grows from your head and they do - send them to me because I have your back!
Alev x
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