Girls With Curls: 5 women on learning to embrace their naturally wavy hair

Yasmine Lee, 19, Part-time Model

Credit: Dress, Bottega Veneta

1/5

“My relationship with my hair has been pretty frustrating because it’s been hard trying to tame the waves. I’ve tried rebonding, but over the years, I’ve started to embrace my curls more. While my hair is difficult to maintain, especially in hot and humid Singapore, it’s something that I love about myself because I inherited curls from my mother. And with curly hair, you’ll never have to worry about adding volume or body. It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship. Still, I see my natural curls as a gift, and a reflection of my Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage and roots.”

Jemma Quie, 17, Student

Credit: Jacket, Fendi

2/5

“In the past, I had relatively straight and fine hair. Over the years it’s transitioned into the waves I have now, and I’m starting to realise that my hair might be curlier than I thought. Until recently, I didn’t really know how to manage and take care of my curls. As my curl pattern is uneven, I’m sometimes hesitant to wear it as it is, because I feel like it’s not the same ‘beautiful, big curly hair’ that people envision. I would always brush out my curls or straighten my mane as it was easier to manage. However, I’ve noticed that whenever I wear my natural hair, I get a lot of compliments. The more I look after my curls, the more I love them. If you’re struggling with embracing your curls, I’d recommend showering them with extra TLC, and you’ll start to see the beauty of your natural tresses. As a rule of thumb, don’t brush your curly hair when it’s dry. Scrunch your curls after taking shower for added movement, and use curl cream to subdue the frizz.”

Vijaiam Nathan, 34, Hairstylist at Rezocut

Credit: Dress, Longchamp

3/5

“I’ve always loved my curls, but I just didn’t know how to maintain them. I struggled to make them look neat and socially acceptable to avoid standing out in a crowd. Over the years, I’ve learnt that curls are part of my identity. When I wear my hair with confidence, the opinions of those around me don’t matter anymore. Confidence is the key. I try to pass that on to those with textured hair. It’s the same reason why I became the first Rezo (a hair cutting technique for curly hair) stylist in South-east Asia. I’ve realised that those with rich waves and curls find it hard to manage their locks because they do not know what to do with the frizz. For those transitioning from chemically straightened hair, styling their natural hair can be overwhelming. Keep your strands wellhydrated with the right products, and it’ll all be fine.”

Shannon Taylor, 24, Student

Credit: Faux fur coat and top, Loewe

4/5

“While I’ve always loved my hair, I did wonder why I had big, bouncy curls while those around me had straight, glossy strands. I even earned the nickname of ‘lioness’. As I got older, I started appreciating my hair more when those around me, like my mother, accentuated their natural waves at the salon. As someone who loves being in the water, my beachy, textured hair really suits my vibe. I like being remembered for my big, bold mane. My hair has become such a huge part of my identity. It’s what makes me different. Even though it requires some maintenance as it can get frizzy and messy, I genuinely love my mane and am very proud of it.”

Siti Meera, 30, Music Content Marketer

Credit: Top, Love Bonito. Skirt, Brunello Cucinelli

5/5

“For years, I would straighten my hair chemically. I used to think it was more beautiful that way. How my hair looks has always been a source of worry for me. I always wondered if my hair was too unruly and unprofessional. However, as I started to see more curly hair content online, I discovered how to treat my curls. It’s taken me a long time to love my hair, and I only started wearing it curly in the past five years.

I love that it’s a part of my ethnic background, and I can’t wait for more individuals in the Malay community to embrace their natural texture. I think curls are absolutely beautiful, incredibly versatile, and can be easy to manage once you’ve found your style.

My biggest tip is to look to people who have hair that’s similar to yours. There’s no point in wishing that your hair was wavier or straighter. Once you’ve found people who share a similar hair type, it’s easier to manage your expectations. There are limits to taming and controlling curly hair. Acknowledging the fact that we’re in a humid environment that works against our hair type is also a part of the process. Frizz will always be there. We just have to work with what we’ve got.”