For the longest time, there was generally very little awareness in the fashion and beauty world regarding the requirements of maintaining naturally curly hair. The most common solution given was to "just brush it". But as every curly-haired person is well-aware, that is the worst thing you can do to your hair and will only lead to immense frizz with your hair looking like a complete disaster.
However, during the past few years, there has been a great increase in influencers on Instagram that create content on how to properly care for and style curly and wavy hair.
One of the downsides of this rise in awareness about curl-styling and curly haircare, though, is that certain curly-haired girls feel insecure when they see wavy-haired girls learning to use the right products and style their hair correctly. Moreover, they try to discourage girls with diverse curl types from calling their hair curly.
What is the Curl Police?
The curl police are a specific crowd of curly-haired Instagram users that regularly leave critical and often downright rude comments on some girls' posts, claiming that they do not "actually" have curly hair. Many of the users that leave such hateful messages online have Type 4 hair, which means it is extremely curly, usually referred to as "coily" hair. But the hate also comes from people with Type 3 (curly) hair.
How the Curl Police Spreads Insecurity and Misinformation on Instagram
Most of the Curl Police Instagram users claim that if you have to do a whole haircare/ hairstyling routine, then you don't "actually" have curly hair. What they fail to realise though, is that most people that are starting their curly hair journey have used heat-styling and harmful shampoos on their hair for most of their lives and that is why their hair needs that process of healing to go back to its natural texture. Even if that isn't the case, the reality is that curly hair looks different on every individual and there is no one standard look that defines the hair type.
it's wonderful to see more attention and products dedicated to curly hair, the criticism and negativity that comes with it can be harmful. Instead of fostering inclusivity and support, it perpetuates doubts and misconceptions. This article is a valuable resource for curly-haired individuals and a reminder to others of the importance of embracing diverse curl patterns and hair care practices. It's time to celebrate and accept all curl types, and for the curly hair community to come together in support and solidarity.
I really like how you talked about something that people do not pay much attention to. As we see in the past, most girls were obsessed with straight and silky hair, which often led to each curly hair girl to damaging their natural hair texture by using straighteners; but recently, in the context of social media, a trend shift has been seen. Many new brands are open that support curly hair, such as Coco Curls in Pakistan, which provides hair products to support and provide smoothness to natural curls. It also provides people with proper hair care. Curly hairs women are more confident now than before on social media, showcasing their hair and supporting their curled hair community too, whethe…
Yes, it is true that most of the curly hair people struggled using heat on their hair to straighten them but I have noticed a change in patterns from few years and I have been noticing girls despite of straightening they have started to care their curly hair. I think using more products or taking care of your hair is not wrong and this curl police community are the illogical free people those who have nothing to do but to interfere.
I loved this article, as someone with curly hair that I could never manage, the advent of curly haired influencers was a god send. I could finally learn how to actually take care of my hair and not dry it out but along with that it also helped me find confidence in my curly hair. I remember seeing curly hair as being the “ugly” hair in movies. The main character would always want / be forced to straighten their hair in order to be deemed beautiful. Thus, these influencers not only helped heal my hair after years of damage but also broke this created ideal in my mind. I’ve seen videos of girls being policed for not having the “right”…
I love how you’ve put this into words! For all my life growing up I have been insecure of the way my curls looked and how they did not look “put together” and people just assumed that it was because they were not brushed well. I am a bit grateful to these influencers with naturally curly hair like me who are making it seem normal and are helping out the girls like us to know how to maintain it in the best possible manner. I won’t lie I have started using some of the methods I have seen online for well kept curly hair and it has been a confidence booster. Walking out in my natural hair never felt easy…