As a naturally curly girl who destroyed her curl pattern with heat damage, this is how I’m trying to revive my hair years later

My relationship with my natural hair texture has been a turbulent one. Growing up, I always believed my hair was simply frizzy as, even though my parents had curly and afro hair, my habit of brushing my strands at every opportunity left me believing I was not so blessed. So, I started reaching for hair straighteners as soon as the tool went mainstream in the 90’s, heating my hair to within an inch of its life with my trusty Babyliss Convertible Styler (you may remember it, it had removable plates so you could switch between crimping and straightening as your heart desired). Then, at around age 14 I decided I wanted curls at any cost, but rather than embarking on a journey to discover my natural texture, I instead decided I needed a perm. I’m sure you can imagine how that turned out.

Fast forward 15 years and I’m now much less naïve when it comes to my hair type. Post washing, my shorter, newer strands are definitely on the wavy/curly spectrum however years of heat and chemical damage have undoubtedly taken their toll on my hair as a whole leaving my curl pattern looking far from its best. And so, I’ve made it my mission to attempt to revive it armed with products that embrace my natural texture, not work against it, and hopefully achieve the natural healthy-looking hair of my dreams.

To get some advice on how best to do so, I turned to a curly hair expert, Michelle Scott Lynch, Founder and CEO of Bouclème, “Curly hair texture is generally categorised into three main types: Wavy, curly, or coily,” she told me. “It’s worth noting that those who experience frizz generally may have a wave/curl in hiding. It's also very common for someone to have multiple curl patterns. For example, the hair on the crown of your head might be tighter or looser than around the nape of your neck or the sides. Environmental factors, hair damage or even genetics can create variations in texture. Hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause can also affect hair texture, as well as ageing and environmental damage, such as the sun or humidity, which can also lead to temporary changes in curl structure.”

Is it possible to revive your curl pattern?

“Reviving curls at home is possible, but the results depend on how damaged the hair is,” she told me. “Regular deep conditioning treatments, proper hydration, and avoiding heat styling can bring back definition however, damage (e.g. from chemical treatments) may require a salon visit for treatments or trimming damaged ends.”

If, like me, you want to attempt to revive your curls at home, Michelle has some top tips. First, the key is “hydration:, next is “regular deep conditioning” and “avoid heat styling”. Lastly, she recommends using "styling gels or creams that enhance curl definition.” So, in line with her advice, I stocked up on my favourite curly hair products, like the best shampoos for curly hair, which I’ve been using to get my hair back to its best. Keep scrolling to see the edit and hopefully next time you see me, I’ll be in my curly hair era…

Shop the best products to revive your curl pattern

1. Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

This shampoo and conditioner duo have been a long time favourite of mine for nourishing the hair without weighing it down. They contain argan oil, a hydrating oil packed with vitamin E, and the brand’s patented ocean silk technology. Whenever I use these two religiously, I always notice my hair is so much smoother and shinier.

2. Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment

3. Kitsch Satin heatless Curling Set

4. Only Curls Volumising Curl Mousse

5. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray

6. Kérastase Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu Spray

7. Noughty Little Saviour Microfibre Towel