A couple of months ago I met my friend Phoebe for happy hour and she showed up with these gorgeous curly locks. The whole time I’ve know her she’s always had straight hair like me, and now, this amazing hair! I sat there in curl envy for a while, and then broke down and asked her how she did it.
I figured her response would be some expensive product + a time-consuming, complicated ritual involving hot rollers and curling irons — something way beyond my interest and skill level. But she confessed it was a combo of air-drying and drugstore cheapies. With an investment of less than $15, what did I have to lose? I’ve always considered myself a straight-haired girl (the straight sleek hair trend was good to me) but her recipe worked! My hair had a little body, a little curl, and the softness was a nice change-up to my routine.
I was dying to share the method on Borealis but I felt dorky asking her (as if I put everything on the blog!) But then a friend complimented my hair, and I knew I had to swallow my pride and ask. Phoebe laughed, assented, sent me her recipe, and even agreed to share some pics with you.
How to unleash your hidden curl: A secret recipe for straight-haired girls
The secret is no brushing and no touching. Basically. No brushing was extremely illuminating. The first time I just forgot to brush because I got out of the shower and got on the phone with my friend Teresa (who lives near you and has, basically, a fro). And it dried while we were on the phone. I told her about it and she was like — “OMG, never brush. Gisele says never brush.” (Hahaha).
and a dab of this (to hold the curls);
and I wrap it in this, which I think helps, but you could just pat it with a towel — this is just gentler on the curls, which is the important thing, I’m learning.
I let it air dry, but you could also dry it with a diffuser. I just haven’t gotten a handle on those yet. And Teresa says that even super curly girls have irregular curls so it’s totally legit to fix some of them with a curling iron.
My favorite part is the L’Oreal Mega Gel — the same stuff I used in junior high. It makes me feel like 1990 again every time I use it.
And I love how the recipe makes air drying — the lazy girl choice — seem purposeful and noble.
So there you have it, friends. If you’ve always considered yourself a straight girl and haven’t attempted the curl since your 8th grade perm, give it a try! Who knows what surprises your hair has in store for you.
Thanks Phoebe!
