This curly hair journey shows my transformation from damaged, straightened hair to embracing my natural curls. One of the things that mirrors my growth as a woman is my hair.
Every braid, every haircut, every wild phase — it all told a story before I even said a word.
Today, I’m partially taking you through my hair journey — not just how it looked, but how it felt. Because behind every picture is a lesson, a moment, a version of me discovering who I was becoming.
Then: The Girl Who Wanted “Perfect” Hair
Growing up, my hair pretty much stayed the same length — stubbornly at shoulder to bra-strap — no matter what I did. I started dyeing it young because I loved that “sun-kissed” look. Highlights, caramel tones, light brown shades — they made me feel vibrant.
In that first photo, my curls were still intact — soft, bouncy, and full of life.
But everything changed when I moved out of my mom’s home at 20 and began my solo journey in France. Of course, I didn’t forget my hair straightener! And that’s where it all began.
I started straightening my hair every week, and I’d go over the front pieces every single time I went out (which was often — more than twice a week back then 😅). Slowly, my hair became harder to manage. I would rip through tangles in the name of “saving time.”
I had high expectations of my hair but little patience for it. I would rip through tangles in the name of saving time.
The last image from that time shows the length my hair stayed at for years — shoulder to bra-strap. You’d think it was straightened, but no… those were my “natural” curls. Some pieces straight, others wavy or curly. Looking back at those photos, I didn’t realize how fried my hair was.
The Turning Point
Then came a moment — maybe when I started slowing down and looking inward — when I realized I was tired of patching up the damage.
My hair refused to curl. I thought my only choice was straightening, but I decided to quit heat tools to actually feel better about myself. I let my curls breathe. I watched how they moved, how they grew when I stopped forcing them. I was very inspired by the natural hair movement on Youtube and I found a lot of inspiration in trying out the curly girl method, co-wash etc.
It wasn’t easy. There were frizzy days, awkward lengths, stubborn strands, and countless product experiments. But it felt real. Photo below : curls popping but some strands still a little wavy.
This part of my hair journey with curly hair changed how I cared for myself.
Now: The Woman Who Blooms
Today, my curls feel like home.
I wear my hair in protective styles most of the time. I braid it, style it, wash it, curl it, sometimes straighten it. It has good days and bad days. My hair gets dry, but I know how to care for it, and I have the right tools.
Looking back, this hair journey with curly hair taught me patience, softness, and trust.
🛍️ Shop the Products
These are some of the products I’ve used in the past that really helped me when I started my hair journey. I switch things up from time to time, but they were total game-changers for my curls back then :
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo, Conditioner + Anti-Frizz Serum Set
- Moroccan oil Treatment
- Eco Style Hair Gel
What My Hair Taught Me
Patience.
Consistency.
And that the journey never really ends — it just grows softer, wilder, freer.
If you’re on your own curl journey, don’t rush it. Celebrate every messy bun, every wash day, every tiny curl that finally decides to pop.
Your hair doesn’t have to be perfect — just alive.
Read next → What My Hair Journey Taught Me About Self-Love.
