For some people, hair is merely an afterthought. For others, hair forces them to constantly ask themselves: Am I going to feel confident today? 

It’s no secret that straight hair has been the beauty standard for decades. 

In the iconic 2001 movie The Princess Diaries, protagonist Mia Thermopolis undergoes an intense makeover. In this makeover, her naturally curly hair is straightened—a change that instantaneously “reveals” her underlying beauty.

Growing up surrounded by these so-called fairy tales instills early-on insecurities in children with curly hair. 

“When I was really young, I wanted straight hair so bad because there weren’t many resources available to understand or manage my curly hair,” said Jenna Othman (12). 

One unspoken phenomenon in the curly hair community is the “Straight Hair Dysphoria Effect.” This is the period after straightening one’s hair in which a person has to readjust to their natural curl pattern. 

“Every single time I wash my hair after having it straightened for a couple days I hate it. I never like it, and I have to get used to it again,” said Chloe Garcia (12). 

Another shared experience in the curly hair community is the sudden outpour of love one receives when they straighten their hair. 

Although these compliments are typically well-intentioned, they can reinforce the idea that true beauty lies within straight hair.

“I know some people think they look different or their face shape changes when their hair is straight, but you look the same whether you have straight or curly hair. The only thing that changes is your confidence level. If you just have the same confidence with curly hair that you do with straight hair, you would feel confident all the time,” said Othman.

In recent years, the term “hair bias” has become an important topic of discussion. Hair bias is the underlying stereotyping of curly hair—stereotyping that has historically affected black women in professional settings. 

“I feel like there is this stigma that curly hair is unprofessional or messy or less put-together,” said Othman. 

This underlying bias surrounding curly hair often leads to backhanded, demeaning comments from peers. 

“In one of my business classes, some kid asked me if I’ve ever brushed my hair. I never forgot about that comment,” said Garcia. 

Though curly hair may require more attention than straight hair, it is something to be embraced, not obscured. Whether loosely wavy or tightly coiled, curly hair tells a story of individuality, heritage, and love—wear it with pride!