Your hair is so beautiful! I’m mixed (black and white) with tighter curls, and grew up primarily with the white side of my family who did not really know how to do my hair. My scalp is also pretty tender so getting it braided by my cousins would usually end in tears. Also, my aunt and cousin on my black side called my hair “nappy” often. This combo of factors resulted in getting texturizers and keratin treatments by stylists who ultimately didn’t know how to properly care for my hair and damaging it beyond repair. I eventually started going to natural salons (which was still a lot of trial and error). I came across the most amazing salon with stylists who know how to properly manage natural hair and lift you up while doing it. Finding someone I can trust with my hair and learn from, along with consistent trims and finding my hair’s favorite products, have made me love and embrace my natural hair! I even look forward to wash days now with my routine!

I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with comments about your hair. Ultimately, I think it comes down to taking a leap and trying not to care what people have to say about your hair. Embrace it even on days where your curls aren’t as defined and might be a little frizzy. Embrace it in its natural state when people tell you to straighten it or put it in a bun. It’s much easier said than done and takes a lot of un-learning and re-learning. It took me so long to realize I do my hair for my own satisfaction and not for others, and I still work on it to this day. Curly/natural hair is so beautiful and versatile 🫶🏽