20 Before-and-After Pictures of Real Girls Who Finally Learned to Love Their Curly Hair
-
1/12Here at Teen Vogue, we think there’s nothing more fierce than curly hair. Some of our fave celebs like Lorde, Serayah, Perrie Edwards, and Lupita proudly flaunt their born-with-it bouncy hair. However, not all curly girls feel confident in rocking their natural ‘dos. Many spend hours straightening and smoothing down their strands all to achieve a more manageable style. “Many girls don’t know how to manage their hair and, as a result, they’re super unhappy with it,” says Ezmeralda Meco, a stylist at Devachan (the curly girl mecca), in Los Angeles. Because curly hair can sometimes be unpredictable, many girls fight their texture and, in turn, end up causing a lot of damage.
“With a lot of patience and love, most of my clients learn to embrace their curls,” says Meco. “When we teach someone how to take care of their curls — whether it’s using the right products, getting a proper cut, or styling techniques – we make sure they understand their hair. They learn that having curly hair is a lifestyle, not a trend, and that by taking care of it, anyone can have amazing hair.”
We spoke to 10 girls about how and why they finally decided to ditch heating tools and show off their power curls. Their new philosophy? Go big, or go home.
-
2/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I used to straighten my hair, because it was easier to manage, and I didn't want people to continue making fun of my hair claiming that it was too big. I became a tomboy and didn't want to be seen, so straightening my hair was less attention toward me. There wasn't anyone [around me] who knew how to maintain their curls and guide me in the right direction, so it was convenient for me to simply straighten my hair.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I went to the salon one day and, although I didn't plan to cut my hair, my stylist explained to me that I had severe heat damage, and a lot had to be chopped off to bring my hair back to life. After that day, I vowed to do research and learn how to maintain my curly hair to avoid this issue repeating itself. It's been a work in progress throughout the years to bring my curls to life the way I always hoped for, but the outcome has been very rewarding. What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
The best curly advice I received was to get in the habit of doing treatments once a week to soak in all the nutrients and protein that my hair lacked. What is your go-to curly hair product?
Ever since I started using DevaCurl SuperCream I always smell tropical, and it doesn't weigh my hair down, which is what I love considering I am all for volume. The bigger the hair, the better!
-
3/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I grew up seeing beautiful women in magazines, TV, and around me — they ALL had straight hair. I wanted to be beautiful like them. I wanted a sleek ponytail that would sway in the wind when I walked. That was always my goal growing up. My senior year in high school was when I started wanting my curly hair back — it was a transition, though. It wasn't until my sophomore year in college when I REALLY put the flat iron down and made a commitment to rockin' my natural curls full time!What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I started seeing women I considered beautiful, wearing their natural curls. I was coming into my own during that time, and was really trying to understand what kind of woman I wanted to be. I knew I was unique — in many ways — and I was tired of looking like everyone else. I guess my whole life I had been "looking outward" for who to be and how to be. My curls were an avenue to break that mentality. I wanted my hair to reflect the TRUE unique and authentic me. My curls represent my desire to allow myself to just be ME. No need to manipulate or change myself, or my curls. Nonetheless, I will say I love to experiment with my hair; I change it up all the time! But I always come back to my roots — my curls! I guess more than anything, my curls give me a sense of freedom. Freedom to express myself through my hair.What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
If all else fails, COCONUT OIL!What is your go-to curly hair product?
Right now, it's DEFINITELY DevaCurl Supercream! Man, that stuff is liquid gold. One product that moisturizes and styles my hair exactly how I like — and when it comes to my hair, I'm a perfectionist! Plus, I am a full time graduate student, I work, and vlog. I love how I can just throw SuperCream on my curls right after cleansing and conditioning, and I know I'll have some bomb curls! -
4/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I wanted to fit in with what I thought was considered beautiful. I thought big, curly hair wasn’t, but now I realize beauty is what you make it!What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I grew up in Wisconsin where I wore my hair straight and then, after moving to NYC, I was inspired by the people here embracing themselves — whether it be through hair, fashion, etc.What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
Everyone's hair is different.What is your go-to curly hair product?
I currently use Deva Curl Once Condition Decadence Conditioner, and it works amazingly for my curls! I don't usually put product in my hair after washing and conditioning it, but I really like lightweight moisturizers and am a big fan of DevaCurl's SuperCream.
-
Celebrity StyleBLACKPINK's Rosé Made a Case for the Divisive Mesh Flats Trend
-
IdentityWeekly Horoscope: Make Wise Choices
-
5/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten you hair?
Honestly, I didn’t really know what my hair texture was until the past few years. I’d been getting my hair relaxed since I was 6 years old, so the idea of straightening my hair had been ingrained in me. It’s just what we did. I didn’t realize that I was fighting my curls. I didn't know anything but straight hair. And, so many old school chemical-happy hairstylists would make me feel bad when that new growth would start coming in at my roots in between relaxers. One day, I began wondering what that little bit of wave would actually look like once it grew out even more.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I decided to embrace my curls because I was tired of all the damage that straightening and styling was doing to my hair. It was lifeless. I needed to get in touch with a part of myself I’d never known. My curls had been hidden from me for so long that I was nervous about how my hair would turn out. I’m glad I took that leap.What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
I wouldn’t so much say that I’ve received great curly hair advice, because as a community we are just now getting back to embracing our natural texture. But I will say, I’ve received so much encouragement. I was absolutely shocked when I did my first hair campaign, because up until that point, my super kinky curls had never been embraced and celebrated. And, finally, someone’s telling me that my hair is beautiful! What?! Curls, we have arrived. What is your go-to curly hair product?
It’s sort of a three-way tie for my go-to curly hair product. My hair acts differently depending on the season and the climate, so I have to be prepared. I love DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler for everyday primping and perfecting. Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner is great for deep treatment after a long week of styling stress on my hair. And I can’t forget Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Castor Oil Leave-In conditioner. All these products give my hair much-needed TLC and the extra moisture my curls crave. -
6/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I wasn't always a fan of my curls; I simply thought I looked prettier and more sophisticated with straight hair. Everywhere you looked women were sporting a voluminous blow out or pin straight tresses. You never really saw natural curly hair in the media. Growing up in that generation, I preferred to have straight tresses rather than rock my natural curly locks. Having my hair blown out made me feel more attractive and more put together, and I felt it elevated my look, or that going into an interview with my straight polished hair would give me a greater chance at making a better first impression versus showing up with a curly 'do. That's right, I thought straight hair made that big of a difference in my appearance.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
About two or three years ago, I came across a fellow curly girl on social media who shared her journey of going "natural." She told her story and took us along on her journey to commit to her curls and give up the flat iron and blow dryer. I was greatly influenced by her story, and I was in awe of how she went from having these flimsy, heat damaged curls to this beautiful head of healthy, flourishing curls. I thought to myself, 'Wow, if my curls can look that good, I want in!' The more I watched her youtube videos on how she nurtured her curls back to life, I wondered if underneath all my heat damage were beautiful curls ready to be sprung. I then decided to go on my own hair journey; it was time to get my curls back and, this time around, I would own it! I finally started to see how beautiful curly hair could actually be if you just take the time to care for it. That's exactly what I did; through trial and error, I learned what products and techniques worked for my hair type. My curls were back, and they looked better than ever! I received so many compliments on my curls from people I knew, as well as from random strangers walking down the street. After learning how to truly care for my curls, I had finally started to embrace them. My curls have truly become my favorite accessory!What is the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
Every curly girl's biggest battle is the fight against frizz! The best curly hair advice I ever received is probably to apply your product on soaking wet hair. It's a crucial step in my routine as your hair will absorb the product better. This will help eliminate frizz, and give you well behaved and defined curls.What is your go-to curly hair product?
My go-to curly hair product is DevaCurl Light Defining Gel, it's definitely a "must-have!" I love the way it brings out my curl pattern. Most importantly, it does not leave you with crunchy hair like most gels do. Instead, gives me a head full of soft, bouncy curls that I love!
-
Celebrity StyleBLACKPINK's Rosé Made a Case for the Divisive Mesh Flats Trend
-
IdentityWeekly Horoscope: Make Wise Choices
-
7/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
It wasn't really a fight as much as it was I only knew my straight hair. I had no idea my hair could curl the way it does now. Coming from a Dominican home, you get a weekly wash & set and blow out and that's just what you do, so that's what I did...for my entire life, until now.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
My mom stopped chemically relaxing her hair about three years ago. It was something I've wanted to do for awhile, but I was worried about what my hair would be like. It was less about the curls and more about not wanting to put chemicals in my hair all the time. Relaxers are so damaging, and my hair was breaking off a lot! The curls were a wonderful byproduct, and I'm so happy I went for it.What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
The best curly hair advice if you're transitioning is stick with it! There will be a point at around six months of no relaxer where you want to give up. Your hair will be half natural and half straight, and it's a mess. Try lots of conditioning treatments, slicked back buns, and braids to get you through, and know that there is a beautiful light at the end of this tunnel. Once you get over the hump and start to see your natural curls, it'll all be worth it. Plus, you can still get blowouts here and there, but you'll be rid of the harsh chemicals that are no bueno!What is your go-to curly hair product?
I love DevaCurl No-Poo and One Condition to wash and condition my hair and their Styling Cream to define my curls. I also use a ton of hair oils! I bought organic, cold-pressed coconut, avocado, almond, jojoba, and castor oils, and put about two ounces of each in a glass bottle. I use the mixture for my hair, and try to do weekly detangling treatments with it. -
8/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
Straightening my hair was just something I had always considered "normal." I really had no idea that I could wear my hair any other way. I think for my mother, having three girls with long thick hair, it was just easier to manage if she kept our hair blow dried or up in a bun or French braid. I didn't really start experimenting with my hair until I was in 7th or 8th grade – that’s when I thought I was old enough to do my hair myself, I just always wanted it straight, because I wanted to mimic what I saw in magazines and on TV. What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I decided to embrace my curls by chance, and I call it my blessing in disguise. I had been relaxing and dyeing my hair since my school days and all through college. To this day, I would've probably still been relaxing and dyeing it. Around 2012, my hair was so damaged and fried from all the chemical processing and heat damage, that it was really weak and started breaking off. I was also going through a stressful period, which resulted in my hair starting to fall out. I was so upset because I had no idea what was happening with my hair, which made me stress out more, resulting in even more hair loss. I was convinced that I was going bald, so I started looking up different haircuts online that I could give myself. That’s when I came across a natural hair blog, and I saw how thick and healthy natural, un-chemically processed hair was. It really made me miss my long thick hair, and was definitely the catalyst to me giving myself the big chop and going natural. What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
"No two curls are alike." A lot of the time we might admire someone else's curly hair and want to mimic their hair routine, the products they use, and even how often they wash their hair. While it's always great to learn various technics and test out products for yourself, I've learned that there’s so many different textures and types of curly hair out there, you really have to focus on your own hair and learn your texture to see what makes it thrive and look and feel its best. You can't expect to get the same results as someone else just by using the same products they do. Once you really figure out your hair/texture it's a lot easier to create a solid hair routine you can stick to because you will easily know which products will work for your hair and which ones won't. I also stick to the rules of "no sulfate, silicones, or parabens" when I'm looking for new hair products, because those harsh chemicals can build up in your hair over time, stripping your hair of moisture and making it more susceptible to breakage and damage.What is your go-to curly hair product?
Definitely a good conditioner! I always tend to switch out my other hair products, but when I find a good conditioner, meaning: one that has good slip, makes it easy to detangle my hair, and makes my hair feel soft, I will hold onto it for dear life, and it definitely becomes a multipurpose product for me. If I had to go on a trip and was only able to bring one hair product with me, it would be conditioner. I can literally detangle my hair with it and use it as a leave-in. Some of my favorites are: Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner, Giovanni Smooth As Silk, and DevaCurl Heaven in Hair.
-
Celebrity StyleBLACKPINK's Rosé Made a Case for the Divisive Mesh Flats Trend
-
IdentityWeekly Horoscope: Make Wise Choices
-
9/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I like having variety in my hairstyles, but it was also because I wanted what I didn't have naturally.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
I realized how unique they were, and I really started to love my curl pattern and the volume. Big hair, don't care!What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
Stop over-washing, and keep your hair moisturized. Deep conditioning treatments with natural oils once a week are also a hair saver.What is your go-to curly hair product?
Grapeseed oil for my ends — especially before I cleanse my hair. I have fine, color-treated hair, so the added protection helps prevent breakage and retain length. -
10/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
Honestly, I used to feel that my curly hair was not pretty, and that when I would wear my hair natural I was, by extension, not pretty. People would sometimes tell me they liked my hair better straight, after seeing it curly and, for some reason, it would cut me so deep. I felt ashamed of having curly hair and lacked confidence in myself whenever it wasn’t “perfectly” straightened.What made you decide to embrace your curls?
Ever since I’ve been a teenager, I have struggled with having a negative view of myself. So, one day, I decided that in an effort to have a more positive view of myself, and in an effort to love myself more, I was going to embrace the things about me that made me unique and individualized instead of feeling ashamed of them. So, I started with my hair. I decided that I was going to give my natural hair a chance. I figured that if I could love my curly hair, which I had spent nearly 20 years hating, I could love just about anything about myself. Believe it or not…it worked. Loving my hair became a catalyst for teaching me how to embrace or deal with other seemingly undesirable qualities I found within myself.What is the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
When I first started on my curly hair journey, I watched TONS of YouTube curly girls nonstop. The common theme I found with all of them was that they were successful at going natural, because they didn’t let other people’s opinions of them and their hair affect their own opinion of themselves. That is also what has helped me to have confidence in my decision to go natural and be able to have the resolve to stay natural. If I like my hair and feel confident in it, it doesn’t matter if someone else doesn’t like it. It’s not their hair. Other people’s opinions of me don’t have to affect my own opinion of myself.What is your go-to curly hair product?
Devacurl One Condition Decadence is everything I could have ever dreamed of in a conditioner and more. It couldn’t be more perfect if it was designed specifically for my hair. I had been using the original DevaCurl One Condition for years, ever since my first DevaCut, and loved it! And yet, somehow they managed to make it even better for my hair! The struggle with my hair is finding products that provide enough moisture, but not so much moisture that they weigh it down and don't allow for the voluminous curls that I love. One Condition Decadence manages to moisturize and allow for volume all at the same time. I’m not sure how it’s even possible, but I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth!
-
Celebrity StyleBLACKPINK's Rosé Made a Case for the Divisive Mesh Flats Trend
-
IdentityWeekly Horoscope: Make Wise Choices
-
11/12Why did you used to fight your curls and straighten your hair?
I used to fight my curls, mainly because I was never taught how to care for my hair. I come from a family of women whose hair is stick straight, my friends all had straight hair, and I just wanted to fit in. I hated my texture, and so many times I wished my hair was just naturally silky and straight like my sisters' hair, so I wouldn't have to fight it every time it got wet or humid!What made you decide to embrace your curls?
When I decided to embrace my curls, I was looking through old middle school photos and realized what beautiful hair I had! It was so long and healthy. I wanted it back! Another big reason was cultural. My background is Pacific Islander, and in dancing hula, hair is so important. Naturally textured hair is highly appreciated! To me, embracing my hair was also embracing my culture that I love so much!What’s the best curly hair advice you’ve ever received?
The best curly hair advice I was ever given was from my hairdresser, Kendall. It wasn't some secret hair tip...in fact, it was something I have applied to many different areas in my life. "The journey to loving your natural hair is also a journey to self love," and it has never been more true. Loving what we are naturally given and gifted with helps us love who we really are, instead of hiding behind the things we are not!What is your go-to curly hair product?
My go-to curly hair product is DevaCurl SuperCream. For me, it's a no brainer! It's the BEST curly hair cream that is extremely versatile. You can mix it with other things in the DevaCurl line, it's moisturizing, defining, and light! It's my go-to before going out, the days following my wash day... Even by itself, it gives me enough hold to last all day. It's absolutely fabulous, and every curly girl needs this addition to their curly hair routine! -
12/12Want more Teen Vogue? Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!
