The concept of hair journeys, something most women are familiar with, is often painted in a definitive light. You are born with one type of hair and you either rock it, or you decide to change it, but either way, the decisions surrounding hair are painted as a one-and-done kind of deal. However, in truth, hair journeys are ever-evolving. Just as we change our minds about clothes, we change our minds about our hair.
We might want our hair straight now, and in ten years decide to we want it curly. Or it could be the other way around. We might love long hair, and then decide to chop it all off and rock a short hairdo. There isn’t a right or a wrong hair journey, as we discussed with some of our favorite hair influencers.
Tally Dilbert, for example, shared that her relationship with her hair has been a journey. As a little girl, she struggled with loving her hair because she wasn’t shown how to properly care for it. “When I was 9 years old, I begged my mom to straighten my hair because I would get bullied a lot in school. Since then, I used a lot of heat on my hair every day and permed it once a month to keep it straight,” she told us, noting that when she moved to the United States, she started noticing WOC rocking their natural hair, which helped her on her journey.
“Once my hair started growing out, I started to see my curl pattern and felt so emotional,” she shared, noting that some of the products she uses include Mielle Organics, which has a great Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner and Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk, and cleansing hair rinses, like the dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse. It was with time and care, Dilbert told us, that she “started to think about myself as a little girl who was once insecure but now fully loves herself. My relationship with my hair has not been the easiest but it’s been a journey I would never regret.”
For Gabrielle Santana, her relationship with her hair evolved from the moment she started making the transition to natural hair. First, she had to “learn to be patient, love the process, change my idea of what beauty looks like.” Basically, she had to rewire her brain to see her natural hair as beautiful, a long process that took years. And products like SheaMoisture’s Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment and Ouidad’s Mongongo Oil.
“I can say that how I see my hair, and the importance I’ve given my hair has changed. While my hair is still a major part of my life, I see it as a way express myself… it’s not who I am.” Instead, taking care of her hair is self-care that she does for herself. And though Santana is happy with where she is in her hair journey, she’s sure this isn’t the end of it.
Pam Arias, meanwhile, shared that she always had frizzy hair that she wanted to tame, and learned to do so by getting keratin treatments every six months – something she now doesn’t need to do as often. “Taking care of my hair is really important to me,” she shared, adding that she has regular cuts and deep conditioning treatments.
Arias also loves to try new products, which is why she switches her go-tos frequently. Some of her favorites are Olaplex’s No.7 Bonding Oil and No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask and Ouai’s Leave In Conditioner and Detox Shampoo. She also makes sure to get regular trims every 4-6 months and gives her hair a break from hot tools.
Three women, three different types of hair, three different journeys. And of course, different products to help each of them. And above all, a shared idea, that, this hair journey isn’t over and that, hopefully, being open and honest with what they’ve gone through so far, and what they have discovered about themselves and their hair while on this journey can help others.
Hair is such a big part of feeling beautiful, feeling confident. And there are so many distinct ways for hair to be beautiful, to be healthy. These are some of the journeys, some of the stories, some of the products. We all have our own. And they are all valid.
Belleza Remix is a Remezcla platform presented by Ulta Beauty that celebrates Latine beauty through the diverse cultures, countries and rituals that make us all unique. Every Woman’s Hair Journey is Different – And They’re All Valid is just one of many stories of Latine Beauty. Shop these picks below.
