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What was it similar for you growing upwardly with textured pilus?

I had directly hair until the summertime before starting college when my texture completely inverse. I was mostly in a land of deprival and never took the time to care for my new texture.

Hairstylists told me they loved my curls, just and so elders from the Cambodian community, including my ain female parent, were telling me that I needed to straighten my hair because my curls were unacceptable and unsightly.

Simultaneously, I felt like I was highly fetishized and sexualized by men of other races who found my hair to be "exotic". I didn't have everyone I could look upwards to from my own community who had hair like mine, nor did I see information technology represented in the media.

I was clean-cut into believing that, as an Asian woman, I could never exist considered beautiful to my own race considering of my pilus texture, my skin color, and my body frame.

What made you decide to cover your naturally curly/wavy hair?

The year I started embracing my curls, my friend, Melanie, asked me to volunteer for her ringlet cutting class in March where she gave me a cutting specific to my texture and gave me hair intendance tips. Information technology was a very indisputable manner for me to face up what my texture really was.

At the same time, I was naturally becoming more curious near curly hair through my former colleague, Tiffany, who has beautiful curly hair. She'd permit me in on what information technology's like living with her specific texture and how she took care of it. The more nosotros talked about curls, the more I wanted to explore this office of my identity.

One 24-hour interval, I realized that I had to stop waiting for a function model who looked like me to magically appear. I decided to become my ain role model instead.

What has been the almost empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?

I'm very lucky to say that I have had many empowering moments during my natural pilus journey, and those moments are embedded in each and every single message I receive from other women who limited that they share similar experiences to mine and are appreciative that they came beyond a photo of my face up with my natural hair texture.

Information technology'south astonishing how impactful and reassuring information technology is to simply see someone else mirror the parts of yourself that you want to love and validate. Ultimately, these moments take become role of this synergy that I hope volition positively influence other people to footstep into their own light as well.

How do yous protect your curls at night?

Way before I started embracing my curls, I've been sleeping on a 100% pure non-dyed 19mm mulberry silk pillowcase I ordered from an Etsy vendor called AdorabellaBaby. Additionally, I put my hair up in a "pineapple", with either a silk or satin scrunchie.

I've tried bonnets and scarves, but I still prefer just my pillowcase and pineapple.

Who is your roll beat?

I accept so many!!! Here's a list of a FEW curl crushes including influencers, celebrities, poets and writers:

@honestlizhere, @lalahdelia, @kellyshabahzian, @spisha, @theblendedbeauty, @jannelleoshaughnessy, @curlybritt, @mamacurlee, @cleowade, @tashimrod and @iamsandraohinsta

What's your curly girl essential you lot can't alive without?

My diffuser! This item tool and drying method is my biggest difference between having a skillful hair twenty-four hours and an OUTSTANDING hair twenty-four hours. My book, bounce and definition is that much amend when I diffuse compared to when I air dry. I don't have whatever particular brand for a diffuser that I captivate over, I merely use the attachment that came with my CONAIR blow dryer.

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What is your current pilus regimen? Any favorite products you'd similar to share?

Cleansing/workout routine: I cleanse my scalp every fourth dimension I wash my hair because it's super fine and decumbent to buildup. While conditioning. I massage all my curl clumps with water and conditioner until every strand is properly coated (each clump should be smooth and slimy).

Wet styling routine: Divide my pilus into 4 (top/bottom, left/right) then finger rake leave in conditioner in each section. And then I'll finger rake in some sort of a curl foam throughout my whole head, so utilize the praying easily method to apply gel in 4 sections. Depending on time, I'll diffuse upside down with warm air or permit air dry.

Production lineup: changes every and then often merely take recently fallen in love with Briogeo'south Don't Despair, Repair Mask (deep workout), and Innersense's I Create Hold Gel and I Create Book Lotion. Two of my favorite drugstore buys are Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Gel and Miss Jessie'southward Jelly Soft Curls.

What has been the well-nigh challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?

The idea of attending a community issue organized specifically for people with curly pilus is quite unnerving for me because I'thou concerned most being judged for taking upward infinite, and I'1000 never sure if I'll feel similar I belong if I don't see other people who expect like me showing upwardly in the same room.

I was in this situation non besides long ago and had a lot of doubt about attending a particular effect. At the fourth dimension, I didn't have enough energy, confidence or headspace to take on the reality that I more than likely will be reminded of my deviation in a room total of people.

Through the encouragement from friends, I ended up going and am so grateful for it. I made some actually great connections in that location and felt similar I was at dwelling house.

I'thousand putting it out to the universe that I wish to run across more events for the curly community in southern California delight!

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge affect on your hair health?

Praying hands method will always be my favorite mode to apply products during the wet styling procedure. On my hair personally, this particular application method guarantees less frizz with the best definition and doesn't weigh my hair downwardly.

I also am very committed to deep conditioning at least every 1-2 weeks.

When I first started, I didn't have whatsoever heat or coloring damage, only information technology did have about 8 months before I started seeing ideal results. Being consistent and curious has been key to my hair health and the progress of my curls.

What'southward your advice to women who are yet struggling with loving their natural texture?

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Loving your natural texture is a pick and an effort that you accept to make every single day. It's something that you have to show up for on your own.

Just y'all never have to do any of it lone.

Thank you to the internet, there are so many resources and groups you lot can join to connect with other people who share your story or who tin help y'all learn the power of your curls.