A Pictorial Hair History

Ringlets are cute when you're a kid...and when they're short. (age 2)

You can see a bit of a wave, and definitely some unruliness in the bangs...to think, this was my 'family photo session best hair.' (age 10/11)

Yes, definitely had been fighting the curl in this picture: notice the pollyanna style, a recurring theme in this curly girl's desire for control. (age 14)

During my youth, I visited multiple salons seeking "The Perfect, No-Hassle Cut." Obviously, we had trouble finding it.

So, sick of it all, I went for the bob... (age 17)

Deciding the bob didn't quite work for me, I devoted myself to the art of the straightener, even accomplishing this lovely work with bangs during an East Coast spring. (age barely 19)

Despite that one success, my ambitions of gorgeous hair dissolved with every humidity increase (and during Alabama summers, there are plenty of those!). I grew out my bangs, hoping that would cut precious time out of my morning routine. (age 19.5)

The completely fringe-less, long unlayered look was simple...when dreadlocks were in style (age 21)

Maybe sideswept bangs were the answer to the 'big forehead' dilemma! (age 21 and finally starting to accept my curl)

Of course, my hair HAD to be straight for the most important day of my life to that point: college graduation. Unfortunately, I hadn't looked at the rain forecast for the day...I still regret that morning's decision to straighten instead of embrace the curl. (age 22)

And finally, here we are now, almost 3 weeks into the Curly Experiment:

I still like the straight hair look, but I'm growing accustomed to the breeziness and simplicity of curls that seem to be enjoying their freedom.

And I'm determined never to let a hairdresser touch my hair again without proof that he or she is trained in styling curls!