After years of wondering and putting it off I finally agreed to let my daughter get her hair straightened. Don’t freak out, we didn’t do anything permanent. Just a blowout and flat iron appointment.

We did give it a try about a year and a half ago while we were on vacation. But without the proper tools it was pretty much a disaster and ended rather quickly.

With my daughter’s dance recital ahead of us I decided she could get her hair straightened to help make it slick back into the ballerina bun, and make it easier to go from bun to pony to side part in her different dances.

We went to a salon and I got a press at the same time–My first in 3 years! To do a length check and so we could go through the experience together.

Here’s what I’ve learned after straightening my little girl’s curly hair:

1. It hasn’t gotten much easier since I was a kid

I remember those trips to the salon that took what felt like all day. All the tugging and combing and heat and waiting. You’d think we’d come up with a faster, easier process after a couple decades but it seemed very similar to before. Lil’ J was willing to stick it out for the result, but she’s just as tender-headed as her mama and it wasn’t fun.

2. I will probably do it myself from now on.

Because of #1, I most likely will take over any straightening in the future for her hair, and possibly my own hair too when I want to occasionally give it a go. I just ordered a blow drier and I’ll probably stick to that versus a flat iron for my daughter’s hair. I was shocked to see how much heat the stylist was putting on her locks. When I realized she had the heat all the way up on the flat iron I asked her to turn it down. Don’t want to damage her pretty baby locks.

3. My husband is totally #teamcurly

Without any coaching my sweet husband was nice about my daughter’s new look, but reminded her daily that he thought her curly hair was prettier. So often kids get complimented on the opposite and I know his words stuck with her.

4. It’s ok to love your hair straight too

My daughter was in L O V E with her hair styled straight. I mean any glimpse she got of her reflection she was staring in it. She was whipping her hair back and forth. She was brushing it. She was telling strangers about it. She was all about it. And I let her have her moment. Yes, I love her curls and I want her to embrace them too, but it’s ok for her to love the versatility in her hair styles as well. After all, all it takes it a little water to reverse the process.

I’m also enjoying the change of pace with my temporarily straight locks.

5. Swimming trumps straight hair

Right after she saw the results of her hair straightening she told me she never wanted to go swimming again. She made sure to have an umbrella or some kind of cover over her head any time we were out and there was a chance of rain. But after about a week and a half, she decided having fun in the pool was way more important than having straight hair and she’s been swimming just about every day since.

We may give hair straightening another go sometime now that I own my first ever blow dryer. But I’m in no hurry. We love our curls, our hair, and all the many things it can do!

Tags: curly hair, natural hair