Curly Head & Beyond

After two years of transitioning back to my naturally curly hair, it is about time to reflect on this life-changing experience. The more time passes, the more I realize how this self-awakening call has impacted my journey in many different ways. And I believe it wasn’t a coincidence but an evolution waiting to unfold.

I was born with curly hair to Syrian Arab parents. I mainly inherited my afro hair texture from my father’s genes. As I grew up and my hair grew longer, I looked and was conditioned to feel different. Adults used to ask: “Where are you from? Where did you get your hair from? Why do you have such curly hair? Why do you look so different from your mother?”. Other children used to make fun of my hair and call me names. Hairdressers used to tell me: “Your hair is difficult, unmanageable, untidy, it’d be best if you make it straight…”.

All of this made me believe that my hair wasn't beautiful, and I needed to change this reality to look like other girls with straight hair and become accepted. My 18-year-old resolution was rushing to the hairdresser and straightening my hair using chemical keratin treatment and heat to kill my curls. This became my every six-months routine, in addition to blow drying my hair at the salon every single week to make it look perfectly straight. So yes, for so many years, I did a good job escaping from my childhood, hiding my natural hair, and walking among mainstream straight hair beauty.

The inner calling

In 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown phase, I stopped going to the hair salon and was genuinely searching for better hair products to help address my excessive hair fall and lifeless state without a blow-dry or chemical treatment. That simple search has opened my eyes to a whole new world; a curly hair community all around the globe that went through a similar tortured childhood/adulthood experience and now is calling women to embrace their naturally curly hair and be proud. By the time lockdown was over, I faced two paths: going for another keratin treatment or reconciling with my curly hair!

After choosing the second path, I was also faced with two options to transition back to my natural hair: keeping my hair length and gradually trimming my straight ends until my curly roots fully grow back or big chopping my hair very short to get rid of all damaged straight hair at one go. After trying the first route for one month, I realized it wasn’t meant for me and a ‘Big Chop’ was the obvious answer! Finding a hair salon that actually has experience in dealing with curly hair was a challenging mission. In a multinational city like Dubai, where shopping is a delight, luxury is on offer, and anything is available with a click of an app, it was hard to find hairdressers who were advocates of the curly hair community and had the knowledge, tools, and expertise to make the journey possible and achievable.

In July 2020, with a bold and determined mind, I went to the curly salon and cut my hair to reveal its curly roots. When I looked at the ‘new’ me in the mirror, I had tears of joy making peace with my childhood insecurities and witnessing a rebirth of my true identity: a confident woman who’s not afraid to unveil her natural beauty and walk against the mainstream with pride. My new look was a shock to my family, friends, and surroundings…and I had some awkward moments identifying with my (original) new personality too!

The trademark

The journey wasn’t straightforward, I had to do a lot of self-coaching to educate myself about my hair texture, what type it is, how it likes to be treated, and what products and styling techniques work better to bring the curl pattern to life. After two years with my natural hair journey, I became more confident with understanding its needs and taking care of it with pleasure. I am now more open to getting creative and experimenting with different cuts, styles, and colors…Who said that having curly hair can’t be fun!

This required discipline, patience, an open mind, and most importantly, self-love. Embracing my curly hair also meant accepting and loving myself for who I am and how I look and express myself. I went through a provoking self-discovery; from listening and dancing to afro music to portraying my hair in my own afro paintings. That was my way of making peace with my Afro-Arab identity that used to trigger negative childhood emotions but doesn’t bother me anymore. Now, I see it as more of a blessing and authentic footprint…And yes, I want to be and look different.

My hair has actually become my signature; wherever I go I get looks and comments of admiration, curiosity, and sometimes sarcasm. When I’m told: “Oh you’re so crazy”, I say: “Well if keeping my natural hair sounds and looks crazy, then I’m more than happy to create my own definition of sanity.” On the other hand, I feel happy when people from Africa call me ‘sister’ and give me a ‘Hi 5’ for showing off my afro hairstyle. My heart is filled with joy when I see children being taught how to love their curls, men and women wearing their natural hair with power, and male and female curly models being featured in ads and the media. Eventually, it all comes down to raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, promoting equality and cultural understanding, and realizing that the only pure race on earth is ‘humanity’.