I am a proud curly girl. This is not a statement that has always come out of my mouth. For years I fought my curls...products, tools, tips and tricks; anything to (try to) give me straight hair! I envied Gwyneth Paltrow and all the other glossy, straight haired bitches girls. Why did I get STUCK with these curls?? It was the source of teasing, name calling and much strife. Not to mention falling victim to some horrendous cuts via the salons of Southern West Virginia (I'm over it ladies; you did the best you could). But even among the turmoil, name calling and curly madness, women would compliment my hair. I never understood it. What were these women smoking??

The tides started to shift. In high school and college, I started embracing my curls; well, most of the time. There were still days that ended with me in tears, in hair styles that looked absurd, curls all in a mess. I walked out of salons with straight up mortifying "styles". For any stylists out there, here's a bit of advice...don't ever comb curly hair (a wide toothed comb is ok when its wet); don't run your fingers through it while your drying it; always use a diffuser (a plastic one, not a sock-like one); don't "thin" my hair and never ever under any circumstances recommend a chemical straightener. Do. Not. Do. It. I've walked out of dozens of shops and immediately pulled my hair up or went home to re-wet it and style it again. After moving to Charleston, 712 Salon was recommended to me by a friend. I read their reviews on Yelp and was stunned to see a stylist there lauded for his work with curly (or curlee, if you please) hair. My curl life was about to change. There I found the amazing Larry Bragg. The man who would turn my hair into gorgeous ringlets...who would cause me to tear up after our first appointment and admit I had never felt this good, EVER, after leaving a salon. The only man (and woman or child for that matter) who I will let touch my hair. It goes without saying that I love him. Seriously, West Virginia curly girls, call him! Their number is: (304) 382-0712. Make an appointment! If you don't live around here, drive here. You can eat at Pies and Pints and go to Ulta AND Sephora (Charleston is movin' on up). Or just find a Deva stylist near you.

Larry was trained using the Deva Curl method which is an all-inclusive approach to cutting, coloring and styling. The products are fab (and I'm so desperately wanting one of their driers/diffusers combos). The Deva Curl mastermind, Lorraine Massey literally wrote the book on curls...The Curly Girl Handbook. This is the Bible of all things curl. I encourage you to check it out.

I recently added a new step to my styling and that is plopping. I know, it sounds delightfully glamorous and looks as hot as it sounds. However, it seriously cuts down on drying time like whoa for me. A little instructional and video can be found from my friends at NaturallyCurly.com. I would attempt a description but its best that I don't.  I also did a coconut oil treatment and my hair loved it!!  If you're wanting to try coconut oil, get extra virgin, non-refined.  This is what I use...

Just slather it on and let sit.  I used Deva Curl No Poo to cleanse the oil out of my hair after about 45 mins-1 hour.  It only took me one wash but I read some blogs and boards that indicated it took some ladies two or more washes with various shampoos.

Seriously, curlee girls...love your curls!! Its easier said than done, I know, but they (and you) are beautiful! This is such an Oprah moment and I apologize. I won't suggest a Gratitude Journal but if you want to start one, list your curls as Number One! Curls really are so unique and fun...straight hair is just boring! 

Feedback?  Questions?  What works for you?  What doesnt?  Let me know!!  I love all things curlee!