Fashion

Weird But Normal Stuff That Happens To Curly Hair

by Melodi Erdogan

Curly hair usually has a mind of its own. Naturally, there are some particularly weird things curly hair does that are actually pretty common. Us ringlet-y folks are probably used to the constant attention and care spiraled hair requires. But the unique styling possibilities and free-spirit-vibes of it usually make all that hard work worth it. Even if sleeping on your mane wet results in insanity while frizz and humidity can become your worst enemies, and fast, curls are pretty rad.

As someone with a curly mane, I have firsthand experience with these struggles. Don't get me wrong: I absolutely adore my locks. However, it certainly took me some time to get there. I first had to learn all about the downright weird stuff it can do, like curling in opposite directions or creating a halo of frizz around my head at times. But once all my fellow curly-haired people get past some of these weird yet completely normal phenomenons, it's not too difficult to appreciate the quirks and idiosyncrasies of your ringlets.

These are 11 seemingly weird but actually normal things that often happen to curly hair. Straight-haired friends might be alarmed at the thought of product disappearing in their manes. But for a curly-haired human? It's just part of a regular day.

1. Bangs Will Become Short Curls

If you have curly hair and you're sporting bangs, you're definitely a brave soul. Curly hair is relentless, and will turn into ringlets no matter the length or thickness of your mane. Yep, those bangs are probably going to curl no matter what.

2. Straightening Doesn't Really Do Anything

If you have a curly mane, you're likely going to need to set aside at least an hour or two just to straighten your hair. But even after straightening it, there's no doubt it'll get curly again regardless. No matter how fabulous your locks look when sleek, your strands will curl when next exposed to a drop of moisture. It's just the way of the world.

3. Sleeping On Wet Hair Means Insanity In The Morning

This is a situation I experience on the regular: I go to bed after taking a shower, wake up several hours later, look into the mirror, and grow horrified. Sleeping on curly hair means waking up with lots of curls, lots of texture, and lots of volume. Apparently, curls have a fiesta when they're dried naturally in a horizontal position.

4. Product Disappears

Because of the size, volume, and texture of most curly hair, products have a tendency to just, well, disappear. Curly hair loves any added moisture, shine, or volume you can give it, seemingly absorbing any kind of product before it has a chance to do its thing. Moral of the story: You'll need a lot of product.

5. As Do Clips, Bobby Pins, And Hair Ties

Oh, and those clips and pins you use in your hair? They disappear as well. In fact, curly-haired people probably lose quite a few of these things in their manes on the regular, only to come across them days, weeks, or even months later. So those five bobby pins you were wondering about? Yeah, they're probably still in there somewhere. Good luck finding 'em!

6. Your Hair Never Looks The Same Twice

One of the major blessings and curses of having curly hair is that your mane will never look the same two days in a row. One moment, it will be frizzy beyond belief. The next you'll experience the best hair day you've ever had. Life's an adventure when you have curly hair, y'all.

7. You'll Hear That Cringe-Worthy Hair Brush Sound

You know the sound, I'm sure. That "sheeeuuuhhh" of the brush as it pulls apart your curls and rips out strands and knots that you've been avoiding for days. It's not a fun sound, and it's certainly not one you want to hear regularly. But even us curly-haired people have to brush our hair sometimes.

8. The Springing Back Into Place

I dare you to pull on your hair, bend it every which way you can, gel it, or even cut it. There's a good chance your mane will just spring back into the same default setting. Like I said, curls are relentless, and nothing will stop them from doing what they want.

9. Curls Dry In Opposite Directions

You would think that ringlets would all curl in the same direction, but it's not that easy. Your curls will likely form in whichever direction they see fit. And sometimes, that's in all directions. Waking up with a style of curls that you've never seen on your head before is a totally normal occurrence.

10. Frizz, Frizz, Frizz

Curly hair + frizz = torture. Many condolences to my fellow curly-haired people who live in hot, humid climates. There's just no way of truly dealing with the frizz. Curls will get wild, big, and even messier than they are naturally. And while I'm all for a chic, wild hair look, frizz isn't exactly my ideal method of achieving it.

11. Being Forced To Love It

Curly hair can be frustrating, agonizing, and at times wholly upsetting. But ultimately, us curly-haired humans were given these quirky manes for a reason. Until you accept your curly hair for what it is, these situations might seem weird and annoying, but they're actually 100 percent common. And, if you ask me, totally worth it if the end result is having the versatility curls can provide.

Maybe curly hair is relentless for a reason. It's like a constant reminder that ringlet-y manes are beautiful manes, no matter how crazy they might seem sometimes.

Images: Melodi Erdogan