Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

picture of young red curly haired girl against a pick collage background

We have officially embarked on the new year and part of the transition process requires us to reflect on the past year. While the last year had us say goodbye to our fearless founder far too soon, we have also seen such a positive movement within our curly community and for our curly haircare products.

In the true nature of new year reflection let us revisit the letter that Jess wrote to her 16 year-old self reminding her that life lessons are hard but to just hold on and stay the course, good things are coming.

Dear 16 year old Jess,

It’s 7:00 am and you just woke up and removed your “cap”. You know, that thing you so ingeniously crafted out of a pair of nylons? You wear it while you sleep in an attempt to flatten out your hair and make it take up less space on the planet. Sure, your hair puffs back out after an hour or two, and it creates a pretty deep red indentation in your forehead, but we both know you suffer major anxiety if you go to sleep without that stupid nylon on your head. Only your best friend Betsy knows your secret curly hair flattening measures. :)

(Oh, by the way – in 15 years you’ll find out that you can actually buy something pre-made that functions in a similar way, but there’s no way for you to have known that now though. :)

I know how much you hate your hair, and how much thought goes into trying to control it. How you think that if only your hair was straight, kids at school would be nicer to you; maybe a boy would ask you out. You put WAY too much thought into it and you let it have way too much power over you. But that’s ok. You don’t know it right now, but you’re not the only one. You won’t find out for another 10 years, but there are millions of other curly haired girls out there who are going through the exact thing you are. Girls whose self worth is tied up in what is growing out of their head. Some of them go to much greater extremes to control it, using chemical relaxers that burn their scalp and cause all sorts of other physical and emotional pain. It’s not just you. But you don’t know that right now.

I’m writing to tell you that it’s going to get SO much better. I promise. In 10 years, you’re going to decide you’re tired of hating your hair and tired of hating yourself. You’re going to create a line of products that actually make you LOVE your curls! (Don’t roll your eyes at me like that – I INVENTED that look!)

Not only will Jessicurl products make you like your own curls and feel better about your own hair, but they’ll help other Curlies love theirs as well. It’s amazing, actually. Seeing you, right now, looking in the mirror and crying, not wanting to go to school because your hair is so puffy, and knowing that it’s going to be so much different. You just have to hang in there.

Well Jess, you could not have been more spot on! What you have created has not only united but has given force to a community of Curlies that are in fact embracing their “right to remain curly”.

📌Did You Know: That on our website we have a whole essentials section of items that allow you to maximize the maintenance and performance of your beautiful curls and favorite hairstyles. No more makeshift nylon caps for you! Jess, we know that your 16 year-old self would be proud of the results and the haircare products that those hard lessons inspired. Now and forever your wisdom is truly our guide for welcoming those just joining our curly community.

Washday Essentials

Microfiber Scrunching Towel - Frizz Reducing Drying

Microfiber Twisted Hair Towel - Frizz Reducing Drying

Wide Tooth Comb - Easier Detangling

Pick Comb - Volumizing & Teasing

Shower Comb With Hook - Easier Detangling With Convenient Storage

Exfoliating Scalp Brush - Exfoliating & Stimulating the Scalp

Deep Conditioning Flaxseed Cap - Heated Deep Conditioning Treatments

Sleep Essentials

Eucalyptus Silk Pillowcase - Frizz Reducing Sleep

Satin Pillowcase - Frizz Reducing Sleep

So Much More