How To Embrace Your Curls This Autumn
Photo by cottonbro studio
I love the movie The Princess Diaries.
I’ve seen both the original and the sequel probably twenty times in the past ten years, and, like many other women around my age, I spent my childhood daydreaming about recreating the tremendously fun slumber party in The Princess Diaries 2.
Because I enjoy these two films so much, there’s really only one thing that I’d even dare to change about the original movies — and that would be the makeover scene where stylist Paolo prescribes Princess Mia a straightener for her wild tangle of brown curls.
The Princess Diaries isn’t unique in its somewhat negative portrayal of its frizzy-haired protagonist, though. In the 1973 film The Way We Were, strong-willed and passionate Katie (Barbara Streisand) straightens her naturally curly hair to better resemble the wealthier, well-dressed girls that her romantic interest, Hubbell, has a tendency to gravitate towards.
A Wrinkle in Time’s Meg, meanwhile, is very self-conscious about her voluminous curls, and in the most recent film adaptation, the “perfect” version of herself that Meg glimpses in one of the later scenes has lost both her curly hair and glasses.
And it’s not just in the movies where curly hair is depicted less-than-favorably. Curls are often seen as untidy and unprofessional — like the “before” picture of Mia in The Princess Diaries makeover scene. Many girls and young women on the Internet have talked about receiving more compliments when they straighten their hair, which is something that, as a fellow curly-haired woman, I can attest to. Women of color have also frequently expressed and documented the pressure to change their natural hair to better conform to Western beauty standards in various settings, including their workplaces.
However, over the course of recent years, I’ve noticed an encouraging shift online in the way that we, as women, are talking about textured hair. Barbie Dell, founder and CEO of the brand Curls Monthly, posts TikTok videos and Instagram reels encouraging women to embrace their natural curls, also providing subscribers with the opportunity to test sample-size amounts of curl products each month through her popular brand. Social media personality Greta Wilson’s viral wavy hair routine has also led to countless women taking to social media platforms to document their curly hair journeys.
I’m incredibly heartened by this transformation in the way that curly hair is being talked about online. While I didn’t grow up completely despising my curly hair, I did find myself frequently frustrated because I wasn’t really sure what products or techniques I could use to better take care of it. So, without further ado, here are some of my tips for embracing your natural hair this autumn.
01 | Learn to make peace with frizz.
Frizz is a natural part of curly hair, and personally, I don’t think that it’s worth your time, energy, or pocketbook to commit to completely eradicating it. You can minimize or manage frizz if you so desire, but there is simultaneous value in making peace with it, especially during times of high humidity when it’s probably best just to let it be.
02 | Peruse Pinterest for inspiration and encouragement.
Pinterest is a treasure trove of curly hair inspiration. I have a Pinterest board exclusively dedicated to photos of hairstyle ideas, styling routines, and product recommendations. Looking through photos of other women’s cuts and styles can also be really encouraging when you’re first embracing your natural hair.
03 | If you want a structured hair routine, check out the Curly Girl Method.
If you’re the kind of girl seeking a more organized approach to haircare, the Curly Girl Method, a process coined by curl pioneer Lorraine Massey, might be worth exploring. You can find her tips all over the Internet, and utilize her advice to create a routine that is as simple or elaborate as you want. The key, as always, is finding what works for you — your hair, your time, your budget.
04 | Invest in a bonnet to protect your curls overnight.
A satin or silk bonnet helps protect your curls from friction while you sleep, reducing frizz and maintaining curl definition. Satin pillowcases are another great way to achieve this, and you can easily find either of these items in your local beauty supply store or on Amazon.
05 | Try to avoid heat styling, and when you do pick up a flat iron, use heat protectant.
Try to limit heat styling (flat ironing, blow drying, crimping, etc.) as much as possible to maintain the health of your curls. Instead, consider using heatless curling sets, like those available from Kitsch, which are a wonderful alternative and can be held in place overnight with a bonnet.
06 | Be patient, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to immediately find what works best for you.
Embracing your natural curls is a journey. Be patient as you learn what works best for your hair (this often requires some amount of trial and error!), and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have “perfect” curls every day.
In short…
Last year, I remember seeing an array of videos pop up on my Instagram of women insisting: “if you know you know: curly hair is for the summer, but straight hair is for fall and winter” and similar variants of this.
I obviously don’t think that there’s anything wrong with wanting to switch things up and wear your hair straight from time to time, but I wanted to publish this article a couple of weeks before fall begins to encourage you to embrace your curly hair even when your social media algorithm doesn’t.
After all, some of the most iconic autumnal classics, like You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally, are on-screen testaments to the allure of curls throughout all seasons.
As the air turns crisp and the leaves become golden, remember that your curls add as much warmth and charm to the season as your favorite knit sweater or a cozy cup of cider. This year, start embracing your natural beauty with confidence, knowing that your curls are just as timeless as autumn itself.
