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Embracing my curly hair part 1

I’m always surprised when someone asks me where my kids get my curly hair.

“Really?” I want to ask. But I guess I can’t blame them. After all, most people have only ever seen my hair in its straight state.

I’ve never really regularly worn it curly in my adult life, mostly blaming that fact on my career. They prefer news anchors have a sleek and “professional” look. Which is why white or black, you rarely see anchors sporting curly locks on air.

I’ve never taken the time to straighten my hair myself. I have so much hair I just know by the time I’m done, my arms would be sore and my hair a mess. For this reason I go to the salon to get my hair straightened, or “pressed” as we called it growing up. Using a searing hot comb to pull my hair straight after it’s been washed and blow dried.

Nowadays getting my hair straightened simply replaces the hot comb with a flat iron. Works just dandy.

Since (to me) it’s a big ordeal to schedule a salon appointment ever time I want to go from curly to straight, or just when I want it to get to looking nice again, I preferred I not swim or wet my hair between most stylings. And when I plan things like my crazy 5k, I schedule hair appointments right after, to go back to straight and sleek.

hair-hike

Well, since I’m on vacation, not anchoring anymore, and couldn’t book an appointment before my trip, I decided now was the time for me to start embracing my natural hair. I feel unjust calling it a full on hair journey cause I’m not going very far and wide to change my hair back to a natural curl pattern, but it is my own journey. My little hair hike.

You may run across a lot of #naturalhair hashtags, or hear a lot of hubalub about people transitioning their hair, or even doing the “big chop.” That’s essentially cutting off the chemically relaxed or permed ends of the hair and transitioning back to your hair’s natural state. A reader recently asked if that was in the works for me. Thankfully, growing up my mom never allowed me to chemically process my hair–color or relaxer–so getting it back to it’s natural state was only a matter of getting it wet.

And here’s the result…

naturally curly twist out Well, this was after twisting off my hair into sections, letting it dry, then pulling the twists apart.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m very conservative when it comes to my hair. Aka BORING. I love pony tails and many days I’ve skipped brushing it all together. Wearing it curly requires me to do a lot more maintenance to keep it looking nice. Which is good and bad. Good because it looks super cute (I think), bad because I actually have to do my hair every day.

A friend of mine came over and helped me style the front into a parted halo braid, and I’ve been playing with the back since then. Since I’m in Utah, it’s extra dry and I’m trying to keep my hair hydrated and moisturized without having to wash it every couple of days. So I’m attempting to make one wash last several days in different styles.

I re-twisted and pulled up my hair one day.

naturally curly up doLet them down the next.

naturally curly long hair(I’m just now realizing Big T was in each of these selfies).

And I’m hoping to maybe fluff them up a bit more today and crossing my fingers it’ll be cute. Especially because I’m taking mommy and me photos with my kids today. Rebecca Loren Photography took my last two blog header photos during a shoot Lil’ J and I did with her three years ago. I’m hoping to score a new one with both my babies while I’m here in Utah. The crazy/ exciting/ scary thing to me is that I’ll be representing the curls for the first time in not only these pictures, but our family portraits we’ll be taking Friday (and my brother-in-law’s wedding photos Saturday).

I know it sounds so vain/insignificant/ lame to worry about, but it’s a big deal to me. These pictures will be hanging up forever, so I really hope I like my ‘do.

The good thing is I’m feeling more confidant than ever about my hair, I’m excited to sport my natural hair with my curly-haired kids. And I haven’t set any plans to go back to straight for the time being. I wanted to embrace my natural hair before I turn 30 and by golly, I’m going to do it now!


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C says:

What’s your hair texture? Have you researched it? It looks great curly and straight! You look more like little J with it curly though! Keep us posted on your hair journey!

So my hair seems to be more kinky than curly. I think it’s in the 4A/B range maybe? I need to look up the chart again. Lil’ Js seem to be 3B/C curls.

Liz says:

I think it looks super cute! Totally digging it. 🙂 (For the record, I like it straight, too. :))

Tonia says:

You look beautiful either way, but I’m really digging the curly!

Now….you know I’m a natural hair o holic…. well… a hair o holic period.
I love your curly dos. Your Twistout looks great! Enjoy your curly journey. Any questions, feel free. PS I chopped all my hair off!!! 🙂 eeeep

Say whaaaaaa??? Just recently?? *searching for an update*

Yep I did it on Friday. Posted about it yesterday on okdani.com and it’s also on youtube.com/whimsycurl
I’m going today to get it cut down even further. If possible. 🙂

Ashley T says:

So jealous your journey was just getting it wet. LOL but we do all have our own journeys! love love your hair!

Quiana says:

Love your look and your “hair hike!” I’m in the midst of mine and am so glad to be done with relaxers. I actually think one can do more with a natural texture and I like having options. Looking forward to seeing your new family picture!

Jacquie says:

Beautiful! You wear it well!

Sheena says:

Were the folks who asked about your kids’ curly hair of the non-brown variety? Because African American + Caucasian almost always = curly hair, lol. I LOVE your curls. We have the same texture. I gave up dealing with my loose curls after having Jayden and so the locs made their debut. I haven’t re-twisted in months though. I’ve been too busy nurturing Jayden’s.

Sidenote: Look at Big T looking like my #juicyjax with the sandy brown curls and everything!

Yes non-brown variety. Lol. And yay for hair twins!!

Can you undo the locks if you want or are they permanent until cut? They look fantastic on you!

Shelly says:

Your hair looks great in the twist-out! We may be hair twins.

You and the ‘new do’ kind of reminds me of Naptural85 (Whitney) on YouTube.

Alice Anne says:

Yay! I’m so glad you blogged about it. Hope the braid holds up for the rest of your trip. 🙂 🙂 🙂

I love your hair curly!

It’s holding up well!! Thank you!!

Girl, I’ve been on my hair journey for 2 years now although I have no intention of growing out my relaxer. But your twist out looks great!!

Grace says:

Your hair looks great!!!

It’s nice to have the best of both worlds. I’m definitely comfortable with my hair either curly or straight. I think that your do will turn out fine for your photoshoot and the family pictures. Right now, you’re still embracing having curly hair for an extended period of time, but one day you’ll wake up and you won’t feel so self conscious about it. Or maybe once you find a style that you feel is you completely it’ll just click. Keep experimenting and having fun trying out new do’s!

Mari Corona says:

Great post and share, I have curly hair too and have to go to Salon to straighten but with rollers or blow dryer. I wrap my hair on humid days and avoid any water touching my hair like the plague lol unless I want to sport the curly look.Your very beautiful and so is your family Love the pics!!!

Mrs. K says:

I like your hair curly. Curly is not so bad. It’s freeing but it does take a lot of getting used to. Best of luck. 🙂

OMG I totally feel you! I do not like to comb my hair or style it often, I’m such a pony tail or bun type of girl. Your hair looks great in these pics, and what a cute nursing photo!

Lerissa says:

Your natural hair is flawlessly BEAUTIFUL! Those large springy curls! Wow!
I love it when we let our curly hair show! It’s beautiful, it’s natural, it’s who we actually are.

You can’t change the world conforming to it 😉

Jennifer says:

I definitely love your natural hair so much better. It’s gorgeous on you.

Erika says:

I sure was jealous of that halo braid:-) I’m glad to know you had some help. Now, can you send that friend to California? My hair is shorter, so the braid shouldn’t take as long:-)

Thanks!

Dianne says:

Your hair looks FANTASTIC, don’t go back to the tyranny of straightening.

Jen- you’re so stunning no matter what you’re hair is like. I am laughing over people asking where your kids get their curls. Oh, bless some people’s ignorant (but sweet) minds! One thing I love about my hair texture is the freedom to wear it both ways. I resisted straightening it because I love my curls and felt for so long that we lived in a world where only straight hair equaled beautiful. I know that is changing and people like you (and me when I’m curly, ha) are part of that change.

The braid is SO pretty. Can you do a tutorial or pass one on? I am pretty boring, too and only just recently ventured out and did a side ponytail.

Lena says:

Your natural hair is beautiful, you need to embrace it more. I am also a newly natural, well.. I’ve big on March 20, 2013 and now I am currently 6 months natural and LOVING every part of it (if only I made this decision sooner).. But you have beautiful hair, and there are lots of forums, videos, blogs, etc.. that you can get lots of ideas from.

Emily says:

I think your naturally curly hair looks great! Hope you’re still liking it too!

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Hi! I’m Jennifer Borget

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I'm a former journalist, and lifelong creator striving to make the world a better place. This is the space where I share my journey in making the most of every day by cherishing our individuality and celebrating our differences.



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