The Picture that Brought my Curls Back

A single toddler photo changed everything I thought I knew about my hair — and led me back to the curls I never knew I lost.

4/18/20252 min read

For the longest time — from about 7 to 18 — I truly believed I had thick, wavy hair. No matter what routines I tried or which products I tested, my hair would always dry in loose waves with a bit of frizz. It wasn’t until much later that I realized this wasn’t my real texture at all — it was the result of years of subtle heat damage and a lack of knowledge about my hair type.

I had grown used to working around my hair instead of with it, thinking the undefined waves were just my norm. That was until I stumbled on a photo of myself as a toddler, around four or five years old — and suddenly, it all clicked. In that picture, my curls were soft, defined, and springy. Not waves. Not frizz. Just pure, beautiful curls. And I remember thinking, If that was my hair then, surely I can get back to that now.

That picture became a turning point — a quiet reminder that sometimes the most authentic version of ourselves is waiting to be remembered and reclaimed.

What followed was a long journey of discipline and care. I let go of straightening my hair for years, started learning about porosity, curl types, and what ingredients my hair actually needed. I learned to curl-train using brushes, deep condition regularly, and — most importantly — to be patient. Slowly but surely, my curls came back to life. And now, when I look at my hair today, it reflects that toddler photo so closely it feels like a full-circle moment.

So, below, I’m sharing that toddler photo — along with a picture of me in my teen years when I thought those undefined waves were all I could achieve, and a photo of my curls now, fully restored. These images represent not just a hair journey, but a journey back to self.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your natural texture or unsure of what your hair could be, let this be your encouragement. Your hair remembers. Your younger self remembers. Sometimes, all it takes is one photo and a little bit of intention to find your way back.

You can return to what once was — and bloom again.