striking a blow for curly tops
The clue’s in the name. I’ve always had curly hair, and for most of my life it’s been a curse. It was even worse for boys. My brother had a halo of golden curls, just like that precocious antiques boy, James Harries, who later turned into a disturbing woman. So many old ladies patted him on the head - I swear that’s what made him bald by the time he was thirty. As for me, I had ringlets. For those old enough, think Bonnie Langford. Not a good look. At twelve, attempts to tame my unruly mop into soft waves resulted in my neighbour’s rollers getting stuck in my hair and having to be cut out.
While idling away six years of the eighties as a student, I dyed it platinum blonde and cropped it at the back and sides with a pigtail down my neck, and long on top (I know, but it was the eighties). I really wanted to be a goth. But who ever heard of a curly-haired goth? Remember, this was pre-straightener days. We had crimpers – oh yes, that was a really criminal look. Crimped, bleached, naturally frizzy hair turns to candy floss.
In the nineties I became resigned to a bad hair life and expressed my individuality in colour. Copper, red, purple, black (big mistake) – you name it, I tried it. And then came the noughties and the tyranny of the hair straightener. My friends were queuing up to try theirs on me. But the result was … wrong, not me. And my hair rebelled and my curls were restored within hours. And now, never has curly hair been more stigmatised. I have friends with slightly wavy hair who won’t leave the house until they’ve straightened it. Hairdressers look at me in alarm. ‘Shall we use the straighteners?’ they ask and panic when I refuse, thinking I’ll give their salon a bad name. But, do you know what – I don’t care any more. I’ve learned to love those curls. Rather than being a slave to my hair, I wash mine, let it do its own mad thing, and spend the time writing instead.
So say it once, say it loud. I’m curly and I’m proud!
Anyone else want to come out of the curly closet?
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16 Comments
I remember that creepy boy too - curls are harder for a man I think, unless you're black - otherwise you end up with what we used to call a 'Jew-fro!'
But yeah, curly and proud - once upon a time...
Mines not so straight anymore though. I blow dry it without a brush so it sort of flicks out wherever it chooses. Not quite curly but not straight either :)
You've seen mine so I thought I would look at yours!
As my mum used to say (God rest her) you must have eaten your crusts.
Ever since I could remember I've wanted long hair. Think frustrated rocker and biker. It would only grow up, not down and it is soooo thick! It was a constant battle which was doomed to failure
Back in the eighties I had a brief fling with the mullet, gave up and joined the Army in shame to forget.
Now I just let it grow, don't even brush it. *whispers* I have been known to use product though...ahem, anyhoo.
Embrace your fluffiness!
Yours in curls
Ali
Now guys - really must draw the line at the old mullet, especially plaited ones ... fail!! Call me a cow (COW) but my hair has been very kind to me. It is not straight and its not curly, I suppose has a natural wave ... Hi! So I can straighten it or curl it with success, but to be honest - I am a wash and go kind of girl so my hair does, well, what my hair does. It has been many colours, many styles and a hell of a lot thicker in its day, but hey ho, I still have plenty of it. Have you noticed the 'fro revival anybody????
I'm part of it!!
Boo hoo
The crimpers brought back memories! I used to even crimp my fringe!
My hair does what it wants and I prefer it that way. I went to a salon once and had it slickened and shaped. I spent 4 hours of my life and £50 odd on that hair cut and I hated it! I have a friend who pops in, chops it and leaves every couple of months and it costs me £8 and a cup of coffee! I can't be doing with expensive hair products/cuts...
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