This weekend I have been contemplating changes. Maybe it’s just the change if the seasons or maybe I spent too much time online. I am contemplating being a curly girl. Big decision. Well, I didn’t really decide, I mean God gave me curly hair, but I haven’t ever embraced being curly. Once in a while I wear my hair curly, but for the most part, I blow dry it, or flatiron it or use hot rollers. I have thought about going curly several times, I buy curly shampoo and products, try it for one day and then go back to denying my natural texture. Why is it so difficult to admit that I have textured hair? Why am I nervous about this lifestyle? It is a lifestyle. I read the Curly Girl Handbook and it is a change of lifestyle. Can I give up my hairdryer? My flatiron? My hot rollers? What about running my fingers through my silky mane? OK, so I don’t really do that, but if my hair is curly I won’t be able to do that. Not able! If I touch my dry hair it will disrupt the curl pattern and I will turn into a fuzz ball! I’m not good with commitment. At least not committing to anything permanent regarding my appearance. Apparently embracing natural curls is more of a commitment than a perm. If you ever crack and blow out your hair it will take years for your curls to recover. Maybe it was weeks, but still, a long time. I think that is what makes me nervous. I change my hair color pretty often. I have been everything from black to platinum to cherry red, I’m not afraid of change, I’m afraid of the same.

I have already broken several important curly girl rules today. I haven’t used shampoo with sulfates since college, but I am changing my hair from red to brown and used Goldwell Color Remover (love it), but one of the main ingredients is a sulfate. Sulfates are a no-no for curlies. Also, I’m not supposed to cut my hair wet. I cut the length off yesterday when it was dry, but I couldn’t get the layers right, so after I used sulfates and shampoo oh, and I used conditioner that has some kind of ‘cone in it (also a no-no) I combed my hair (no-no) and cut it wet. I cannot be the poster child for the curly girl method. (Just so you know, I am a trained cosmetologist and do not condone cutting one’s own hair.) Well, it will be a process. Right? This will be like any other lifestyle change. I’ll have some set backs and some adjustments, but I’ve made up my mind to live as a curly girl.

Natural waves. oh my!

Blow dry and flatiron