naturallycurly.com
Have you wondered what it would be like to live overseas and how you’d care for your naturally curly hair? The Netherlands offers a wide variety of diverse cultural experiences and interestingly, up to 49% of the people living there have naturally curly hair. As most of us know, curly hair has seen a surge of acceptance in the last five to six years. Before 2010, we didn’t often see women rocking their natural curls. Many women have begun putting aside straightening chemicals and tools in favor of letting their curls be.
While there used to not be many products available for naturally curly women, many product lines have adapted to meet the demands of their curly haired clientele. While there are many chemical free products available, it can be a costly investment to find what you need. A great alternative is considering subscribing to a beauty box to have hair care products delivered right to your door. This can help cut down on the search for and expense of finding curly hair products overseas.
The weather overseas can be unpredictable. In the Netherlands, the springs tend to stay consistently warm, with summers fluctuating between cooler and hot, muggier weather. Hot weather can provide some challenges for curls. The winters can be cold as well, requiring more care and maintenance for your curls.
Finding people who relate to you and connecting with other natural curlies can assist in making your transition to a new living environment much easier. Check out your new area for Facebook groups that focus on what you need to have your best curls. This is a great way to share tips and tricks, and perhaps even make some in person connections. In the Netherlands, there is a twice yearly event specifically for curly haired women called The Pearl Event.
It can be challenging to find people who can relate to you, especially if they have straight hair or don’t know anyone with natural curls. Many people lack education about natural textures, and are curious about your natural curls. Some of us have dealt with people asking inappropriate questions about our origins or families, or people touching our hair without asking. Many people overseas are very direct with their questions or comments, which can lead to opportunities to provide education about naturally curly hair!
Do any of you live overseas? Do you have any tips or suggestions for curlies thinking of moving? Read some more about living abroad here and let us know what you think in the comments.