Growing up I used to be so embarrassed about my curly hair. Back before straighteners were a thing, I would literally use a clothes iron (don’t judge me!) to try and get my hair straight. I would envy all of my girlfriend’s that had beautiful straight and shiny hair, and I tried so hard to look like them and even burned my shoulder once ironing my hair! I still have the scar to prove it!
Given the fact that I grew up so uncomfortable in my skin hair it came as no surprise to me to read that only 4 in 10 little girls with curly hair think their hair is beautiful. What did surprise me to learn, was that only 10% of grown women in the United States feel proud of their curly locks. That’s an astonishing and SAD number, considering that 1 in 3 women HAVE curly hair!
This made me wonder…why do so many grown women lack confidence when it comes to curls? I’m reminded that it really wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I even started to embrace my curls, and part of embracing my curls meant learning how to work with them. What products to use (and what products to not use).
The thing about curly hair is that is isn’t straight hair. And, before you say, “DUH, Leah” let me explain what I mean. You can’t TREAT IT like straight hair. (I can’t tell you how many botched haircuts I’ve got because a stylist treated my hair like it was straight. Big mistake!) Oh no girl, curly hair is special and it must be treated as such. The main thing about curly hair, and what I’ve found works best for me, is keeping it hydrated! I promise that if you hydrate your curls, amazing things will begin to happen and curls you never even knew existed will start to emerge!
It would seem that Dove figured this out when they developed their Quench Absolute series of products. This collection is designed to hydrate and quench your thirsty locks. One of the biggest things I noticed was the feeling right after washing it. Usually I’ll throw a towel on my head, right out of the shower, and have to race to my products to start to nourish my locks before they dry and out and become unmanageable. The shampoo is designed to strengthen your hair from the core, and when paired with the nourishing conditioner, my hair really felt hydrated.
About once a week I like to give myself an intense restoration treatment to combat excess frizz. (Remember, frizz is just a thirsty curl!) So, I tried the Dove Quench Absolute Intensive Restoration Mask and I could immediately tell how nourished my hair felt! I’ve been finishing off with their Creme Serum lately, and am loving the finish. My only complaint is that I wished the serum came in a bigger package because I have so much hair and have to use so much of it for full coverage!
If you’re struggling with loving your curls like I once did, I highly encourage you to check out this sweet book of poems that Dove created, entitled “Love Your Curls“. Even better, buy it for a young girl in you life and give it to her to remind her that her curls don’t make her DIFFERENT, her curly locks make her UNIQUE, and SPECIAL!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
You have seriously beautiful hair!!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
You have such gorgeous curls! Hope you have a great weekend, Leah!Wishes & Reality
Love your beautiful curls! I wish my hair had any curl at all! π have a great weekend girl!<3 Shannon Upbeat Solesο»Ώ
I always hated my straight hair growing up and wanted curls π You have gorgeous hair!Traciwaltzmetoheaven.com
You have gorgeous hair girl! I LOVE those curls! I guess the grass is always greener though. I spend hours trying to curl my hair only to have it fall straight as a board the second I walk outside. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I guess you always want what you don't have! My hair is straight as a board (I've actually been asked if I flat iron it), and I use a curling iron almost every day. Your curls are wonderful. EmilyWaltz Me To Heaven
Your hair is gorgeous!! But like the old saying you always want what you can't have…. I would love your hair lol! xoxoBrooke|LookBrooke
I looove dove!HUGE Essence Makeup Haul
Lol! Chinese obsessed with curly hair! I heard a saying "Somebody's bad day may be is others best day" π We Chinese girls tried so hard to make our straight hair as curly as yours. π You are so beautiful and stylish! Great review!Gracehttp://colorandgrace.com
Lovin' your curls.So soft and tangle freeXOCheck my new post.The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin
Your hair is so gorgeous…I think that is exactly the secret, figuring out how to work with what we have π
Oh I would really love to have natural curls – my hair is always flat and boring! http://camillajulie.dk/
I am so obsessed with curly hair! I have always had very straight hair and would always admires the curls my friends would have! π Georgia | The Weekend Attic – Personal Style, Beauty and Lifestyle