Almost every morning before school, junior Gabi Jansen wakes up early to straighten her hair. She’s one of many M-A students—and women across the globe—who choose to put heat to their curls. Those with naturally curly hair face a crucial question: should they embrace their curls or submit to beauty standards?
“Straight hair doesn’t feel as chaotic,” junior Nadia Sharif said. “It’s a lot easier to maintain because when my hair is curly it gets really frizzy. When it’s straight, I feel like I’m like myself, but when it’s curly, anyone I talk to makes a comment about my hair.”
“I believe I look better with straight hair than with my natural hair, and that gives me more confidence,” freshman Ines Bensoussan said. “It seems like most people assume that curly hair is wild while straight hair is considered normal. People seem to like my straight hair more.”
This feeling is not uncommon. In many cultures and across media, straight hair has long been associated with professionalism, neatness, and beauty. Main characters in movies often have sleek, straight hair, reinforcing the idea that it is more desirable, while villains, like Mother Gothel, are frequently portrayed with “messy,” curly hair.
Many girls grow up not understanding how to care for their curly hair. Whether this is because their hair texture changed after puberty or because their parents don’t have curly hair, navigating the non-dominant hair type is a difficult journey for some. Bensoussan had to learn how to manage her curls by herself. “My mom had wavy hair all her life, and she hates it. She does a blowout every day with her Dyson,” she said
“When I was growing up, I would just brush my hair when it was dry, and it would get really frizzy. Only in eighth grade did I start figuring out what products to use and how to do my hair so it would look good curly. I’m still figuring it out, and it’s definitely frustrating sometimes,” junior Louisa Pflaum said.
Curly hair often requires patience, expensive curl products, drying techniques, and even different sleeping methods that protect curl patterns. These techniques don’t get passed down in families where straight hair is the norm, so many girls have turned to social media to learn how to properly care for their hair.
The decision to straighten or embrace natural curls is a deeply personal one. For many, straight hair offers ease and acceptance, while others are learning to appreciate their curls despite challenges.
