Styling 2c/3a Curls from a Carribean perspective

Author: Chandel Perez-Rivera

Introduction

Curly Hair is a diverse topic because describing curly hair can be express in many hair types and phases. "If you know, you know..." In this blog I will be talking about styling type 2C/3A curls and its different phases during the week. However, is important to discuss my background and where my fundamental understanding on curly hair developed. Through self-care and a journey of self-acceptance, my understanding of curly hair evolved. I research many different types of hair routines through social media and tested many products from various stores and online platforms. Therefore, this experience has led me to write this blog today.

My Background

I am from a small island in the Carribean called Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has rich and diverse heritage from Spanish, African, Taino, and recently American. It is important to understand our heritage is a reflection from former and current colonialization that demonstrates in our rhetoric about identity and hair today.

(Edward Johnson: Decolonization Is Critical for Puerto Rico to Achieve Representation in Climate Negotiations - Union of Concerned Scientists 2023: ucsusa.org)

In the lates 90's and early to mid 2000's chemically straightening your curly hair was the norm. Straight hair was displayed on magazines, television, media, and movies. In an island where humidity thrives, it was vital to find and use extreme methods in eliminating any form of frizz and curls. The only form of curls accepted were created by a curling wand with an immense amount of hairspray (Eww). As a young child through my pre-teen phase, I wished for straight hair because maintenance would be easy, and I believed it would make me beautiful. "Poor girl did not stand a chance towards toxic beauty standards." My mother constantly chemically straightens her hair (la karetina), which led me to want to pursue the same treatment. However, my mother cannot afford an expensive hair treatment for her and two of daughters. This hair treatment for all of us at the time would of cost her over $1,000. Therefore, my only options in haircare were styling my own hair, which I was oblivious on because my mother was also oblivious to styling her curly hair. The lack of awareness in styling curly hair led to disastrous results. I used gel products with alcohol, which dries and damages any hair type. My common hair styles were slick back ponytail, ballerina bun with hairspray, or heat damage by self-ironing or blow-drying hair.

(By Guanina Cotto: Most Puerto Ricans Check 'White' On the Census. But? Code Switch: NPR 2020)

Straight hair preferences were reinforced in hair salons when hairstylists will describe your hair as "pelo malo", "mucho pelo" and "grueso", which means "bad hair", "a lot of hair", and "thick hair". These translations implies that you are a difficult and an expensive client. These phrases used by hairstylists affected clients with curly hair self-esteem especially those who are Afro-Latino/a. As a result, these salons would commodify from clients' insecurities and clients will pay for expensive treatments to fit the current beauty standards. "Who wants to have pelo malo?" The standards for hair indicated those with "pelo malo" needed to be remedy.

The Journey to Self-Acceptance

Where did hair standards rhetoric erupt from? Expectations of being European passing was and is still a major preference today. For example, speaking the appropriate Spanish (with no African, Taino, or English vocabulary. Some call this Spanglish). The practice of religion, which is predominantly Catholic or Protestant (anything not understood by the church is "brujeria" or foreign).

Puerto Rico tried to combat colonial understanding of race and created a unified identity in the 70's and 80's to increasing nationalism by stating Puerto Rico diverse heritage is what creates the Puerto Rican identity (today people will always identify as Puerto Rican before identifying their race). However, expectations of being European passing is an implicit and explicit biases express in the Puerto Rican lifestyle, such as with language, religion, region (Ponce es Ponce y lo de mas es parking), and appearance.

I chose to challenge this narrative and accept my hair for what it is... beautiful, thick, bouncy, and curly. I began to do online research on Instagram and YouTube, purchase many hair products from Target and Amazon, and practice many different hair routines until my hair curled perfectly. The journey to self-acceptance resulted in confidence. Now I mostly wear my hair naturally. ;)

How to Style Type 2C/3A Curls

***Disclaimer*** The styling tips written in this blog is based on my personal experience. I am not a hairstylist or certified curly hair stylist. Follow these tips with your discretion.

The first step in styling your curly hair is checking if you have the necessary hair products you need to complete your routine. I have a leave-in conditioner, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and curl cream. Brands I prefer to purchase from are Monday, Shea Moisture, Mielle, Verb, and One n' Only products. I have a comb, styling brush, anti-frizz gel (alcohol free), and a spray bottle.

When I have Day 3-4 hair, I begin to wash my hair to bring my curls to life. Currently, I wash my hair with the Monday shampoo and conditioner, then I apply the Mielle strengthening mask (3-5mintues), and I detangle my hair in the shower to remove any knots. After the shower, I use a microfiber hair wrap (bought on Amazon) to dry my hair.

I am about fast but efficient styling. Most people with my hair type would part their hair to many small sections and gently apply curl cream and leave-in conditioner. However, my method is to part my hair in three sections and apply only curl cream. I apply curl cream by scrunching each part of my hair. Currently, I am using the Mielle rosemary styling cream.

I strongly believe to achieve optimal results is to allow your curls to air dry. I have achieved the best curls by allowing my hair to air dry and not apply any form of heat. I always get some frizz around the edges of my hair using a diffuser. However, when my hair is refusing to curl after this routine and it consistently frizzy and dry. I choose to get a haircut because I probably have damaged hair and split ends. I prefer to for stylist to layer my hair because the results bring volume and life to my curls.

Curly Hair phases during the week

So, what do people mean when they say I have day 1 hair vs. day 3 hair? What is difference between these days and what do they signify?

The answer to this question is simple. Day 1 one hair is freshly washed hair, and your curls are hydrated and curly. Day 2 or 3 hair means that the curly hair can still be styled and refreshed with water and curl cream. Day 4 to 5 hair means curls are dry, frizzy, and needs to be washed. However, this is based on my experience and how identify my curly hair into phases. You can create your own phases and identify what each days means.

To learn more information about styling and refreshing curly hair. Please visit: 10 Reasons Your Curls Don’t Last + Longest-Lasting Routine - Gena Marie at genmarie.co

She has articles and video tutorials explaining the steps in maintaining type 2c and type 3 hair.

I hope you found this blog helpful with styling 2c/3a curls, identifying curly hair phases, and if you are Latina and Carribean women trying to navigate natural hair.

Remember to embrace your curly hair. Bye!