There’s something really special about watching a woman see her natural curls in a new light for the first time, especially when she’s spent years being taught to fight them. And unfortunately, a lot of my Hispanic and Latina clients come in carrying those negative messages about their curly hair. 

Growing up, they were told their hair was too frizzy. Too big. Too messy. That their curls make them look  “unkempt.” That hair needs to be straightened, flattened, cut shorter, or controlled to look pretty. 

And for so many of them, walking into our Jacksonville curly hair salon is the first time they have ever sat in a space that sees their curls as something beautiful instead of something to fix. It breaks my heart each time. That’s why this work means so much to me, and why I’m so grateful for Jess and Marilyn – who are both Latina themselves – to have come onto the team to help me keep serving my Latina curlfriends even more.

Many Latina Women Were Never Taught to Embrace Their Curls

This is the deeper part of the conversation I want to get to.

Curls were not always treated like something to celebrate in a lot of Hispanic households and communities. They were often treated like something to tame. Straightening was normal. Flat ironing was normal. Chemical services were normal. A lot of women grew up thinking that was just the price of looking “put together.”

Marylin explained it beautifully to me the other day:

And Jess, who thankfully had a more curl-positive upbringing, agreed.

I just thank God that the narrative around curls is slowly changing. More people are embracing their curls. There are more curly salons like us popping up around the country. Women and men are growing up and having daughters of their own. They know what it was like to grow up carrying that negative narrative about their hair, and they don’t want to see their babies go through that.

Anth truthfully, it probably helps that we speak Spanish here too. When you’re learning your curls for the first time, I imagine being able to ask questions in the language you are most comfortable in can make the whole process feel a lot less intimidating.

So If You’re Looking for a Latina Curly Hair Stylist in Jacksonville, Listen Up!

I have a huge, love-filled message for you.

Your curls are beautiful. And curly hair isn’t “too much work”. 

I know you were thinking that! A lot of people’s biggest reservation is that curly hair feels like too much work.

And I get it! If all you have ever known is fighting frizz, flat ironing, or trying to make your hair do something it does not want to do, curls can feel intimidating at first.

But honestly, in Florida, I think straight hair is harder. And my straight-haired girlys agree! Between the humidity and the frizz, trying to keep straight hair straight here is a full-time job. 

Curly hair actually thrives in the humidity, once you have the right products and routine down. Curly hair gets easier once you stop fighting it and start learning it. It takes practice, so have grace for yourself. You are not supposed to get it perfect the first few times. None of us did! It’s going to take a couple of weeks. Eventually, you really can get to the point where you know how to style your curls at home and make them look beautiful.

But that all starts with finding a stylist who’s going to help you embrace your curls, and getting the right education on styling and what products fit your lifestyle.

Looking for a Curly Hair Salon in Jacksonville that Speaks Spanish?

Find a curly specialist who can help you figure out your hair. 

Give yourself grace. 

Give yourself time. 

Know that it is okay if you do not get it right on the first try. 

Curly hair is a learning process for all of us. But once it clicks? It is such a beautiful thing.

If you are in Jacksonville and you have spent years straightening, hiding, or feeling frustrated with your curls, we would love to help you experience them differently. You do not have to figure it all out alone. You have a curly salon here that sees you, speaks your language, and wants to help you fall in love with your natural curls. Come in to see me, Marylin or Jess. Hablamos español and we’d be honored to help you embrace your curls.