A poetic tribute to curly hair inspired by real women
Written by TAIYE SELASI Illustrated by ANNICK POIRIER Copyright ©2015 by Conopco Inc., dba Unilever Once Upon a Time; 100% Original; A Dance; A Little Bit of Patience; My Best Friend; Ricitos de Miel; The Curlier the Curl, The Cuter the Girl; Every Curl; and Dear Daughter Copyright ©2015 by Taiye Selasi
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, contact publisher.
Published by Conopco Inc., dba Unilever 700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 A message from Dove Hair
In the US, only 4 out of 10 little girls with curly hair think their hair is beautiful.* We at Dove Hair are taking steps to change this.
Love Your Curls is a rallying cry that moved women across America to celebrate their curls. Now, we want future generations to do the same.
From the thousands of beautiful stories and photos that poured in as a result of the campaign, we created this book—a compilation of poetry and illustration intended to represent and inspire curly girls of all ages.
We hope that you’ll share what follows with all of the women and girls with curls in your life. And that each will find a piece of themselves in its pages.
Thank you for being a part of the Love Your Curls movement.
Sincerely, Your Friends at Dove Hair #LoveYourCurls
*Dove Hair Study Conducted by Edelman Berland, October 2014. 6 Janét Aizenstros For all of the curly girls and the beautiful women they will grow up to be.
May you always embrace the unique hair that makes you who you are. 8 table of contents First impression...... 9
Once upon a time...... 10
Curl pageant...... 12
Curly girl...... 14
100% original...... 16
A dance ...... 18
Curly...... 20
Twisted...... 21
To my younger self...... 22
The note...... 24
A little bit of patience...... 25
By a hair...... 26
My best friend ...... 28
Ricitos de miel...... 30
The curlier the curl, the cuter the girl...... 31
TLC...... 32
Straight hair for a day...... 34
My curls are noodles...... 37
Every curl...... 38
The curly bop...... 40
Dear daughter...... 42
The world’s most famous curls...... 44 Welcome!
8 First impression
One day a girl walked into school it was her first day there. She learned she had the only curls in a sea of pin-straight hair.
Shy at first, she cleared her throat ’fore she began to speak. Her eyes went wide and beamed with pride, she smiled cheek to cheek.
“I’d like to introduce my hair.” She said, “it makes me, me.” “Embrace these crazy curls of mine, and, oh! What friends we’ll be!” Once upon a time Once upon a time there lived a girl. Janét was her name. In all the land of New York, there was no one quite the same.
Her lovely voice a pretty song, her smile a string of pearls, Her brown eyes like two rays of sun, and then there were her curls!
“How can I look like Janét?” Little girls would ask their mothers. Some spun their hair ’round pencils. Others went to sleep in rollers.
But try as they might, Janét’s hair couldn’t be copied. So she shared her gorgeous dark brown twirls to make them all happy.
“Such a wonderful girl,” they said as she snipped. A handful of locks for each person she clipped.
“Stop, Janét!” her mother said with terrible fright. “Give away all your curls, and lose them forever, you might.” But as the trimming continued, Janét smiled where she sat. For her curls had no end and kept growing, can you imagine that?
The people of New York were in awe and amazed. E ryone was inspired by Janét’s nerous ways. So they voted right then and there on the spot, To name the beautiful, fearless and powerful Janét the Queen... how could they not? Curl pageant
Every year there’s a curl pageant. All the girls with curls are there. They each parade around on stage Showing off their gorgeous hair. Little Linda’s ringlets Are known far and wide. Neesha’s make the biggest splash When flipped to the side. Angie’s bouncy Afro Is beyond compare. Katie’s perky pigtails Make the perfect pair. Phoebe’s twists are short and sweet. Brittany’s coils are crimped and neat.
12 With so many lovely curlicues, How could they pick which ones would lose?
The judges started sweating When it came to decide. They wrung their hands and wracked their brains. Who would win the prize?
Time ticked by, and they realized As each one wrote their choice down, That unanimously, they all agreed: Every curl should get a crown! Curly girl
You’ll always be A curly girl to me Even when you grow older
When the water’s chilly Or you’re just being silly I’ll think of you curled on my shoulder
You’ll always be A curly girl to me Even if you’re the only one
Trying to fit in at school Struggling with styling tools Until it’s a battle you’ve won
You’ll always be A curly girl to me Even when you realize, too
That those ringlets you wear Have always been there And that they’re a part of you
14 You’ll always be A curly girl to me Even when you’re shown
How happiness lands In every strand On a little curly girl of your own 100% original
Some call my hair “unusual” I call it “rare like a jewel.” Others call it “difficult” I prefer “super cool.” Many call it “different” I couldn’t agree more. Friends say it’s “wild” I say, “that’s for sure!”
If my mother tries to tame it I say, “no, no, no!” If my grandma tries to tie it back I say, “let it go.” If daddy tries to brush it I tell him, “leave it be.” If auntie tries to braid it I say, “it should be free!”
16 I reply each and every day And each and every time I’d never change this curly hair Because this hair is mine.
There’s no fun in sameness And no one is like me. I’m 100% original And that’s how it should be! A dance
the other day a passing breeze whispered, “will you dance with me?” my curls said, “yes” and spun and leapt and tangoed with the breeze
18 “of all the kinds of hair there are, curls are best for dancing,” said the breeze and laughed, a lovely sound that rippled through the leaves the sun saw the fun and smiled a kiss of light upon my tresses my hair felt loved and free and full like a thousand twirling dresses
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i e t u c P h f d a o e h ll m e u a a n d f l t ow ir ha s n g t wa a s a w e c on e er d Th Twiste To my younger self
Kaitlin B., I’ve got something to say You don’t know it now, but you will someday
Those bouncy curls that frame your face Are what make you the picture of grace
You may wish for hair like other girls’ But many of them wish they had your curls You think they’re untamed and crazy and wild I thought the same when I was a child
I tried to change my natural look With flat irons, blow-outs—whatever it took
But what I was changing, now I see Was a naturally beautiful part of me Untamed is free. And crazy is fun. And wild you’ll love when you’re not so young
22 Your waves, twists and turns, allow me to teach Look like ocean waves painting the sand on the beach
And one day your daughter if only she knew, Will love her curls—she got them from you! The note
I woke up today and found a note On the stand next to my bed Who left it there? I’m not sure, But this is what it said…
Dear Sarah, Your flat iron has fried its last strand Sayonara, snaggle-toothed comb Catch you later, curling wand Don’t wait by the phone
Nice knowin’ ya, hair dye Round brush, there’s the door Relaxer? Time to take a hike You’re not welcome anymore
Nothin’ here needs fixin’ So we hid your “tools” in the shed We tucked them away, before the light of day
Sincerely, The curls on your head 24 A little bit of patience
With a little bit of patience I have learned about my hair Which products make it healthiest How best to give it care
With a little bit of patience I have learned what my hair needs The moisture that it likes to “drink” The nutrients it “eats”
With a little bit of patience I have come to know its moods When it’s feeling bouncy, bright, And when it’s full of ’tude!
Healthy, happy, nourished, gorgeous, Bouncy, feisty, fun: The more I get to know my curls, The more I cherish each one By a hair
It was the game of the century The Dragonflies led by one. A soccer match for the ages But the contest was far from done.
Suzy Q., the Dragonfly goalie, Was a spry and plucky sort, Her curls stood tall and proud Though her body was rather short.
One more shot is all that was left And the Dragonflies would take home the cup. But next up to kick with her big booming foot, The Monster’s star player, Viola de Krupp.
26 The kick was so hard the soccer ball screamed As it rocketed for the back of the goal. Suzy lunged, the crowd couldn’t believe, Yet there it was, ’fore their eyes to behold.
Suzy’s hands missed, but the ball was deflected, And the Monsters’ fans yelled, “How can it be? It isn’t fair!” Suzy saved the game and the Dragonflies won With the help of her soccer-ball-blocking, thick, curly hair. My best friend
I’ll never forget the moment I met my best friend. We got stuck next to each other on the bus. Her wild curly hair took up most of the seat. I scowled.
But she didn’t care a bit.
28 We started talking and I soon realized that her major hair Matched her major personality. Spunky, bouncy, unflaggingly optimistic. When she came alive, so did her curls. Taking on a life of their own, Shining with every smile, Coursing with creativity and laughter.
My guardedness gave way to awe…and then to envy.
I nicknamed her “Curly Fry.”
That hair cast a spell on me, you might say. Because we’re still best friends to this very day. Ricitos de miel
Ricitos de miel Qué bella tu eres! A donde tu vas La gente te quiere Tus rulitos alegres No paran de saltar Qué lindo que es verte Reir y jugar
Ricitos de miel Con esa risa tan linda Qué suerte que tengo Que tu eres mi niña!
30 The curlier the curl, the cuter the girl
The curlier the curl The wider the smile The bigger the bounce The more the fun The better for swirling & whirling & twirling The curlier the curl, the cuter the girl! TLC
I spent my life loathing my curls and thought it wasn’t fair Until I learned what love could be with just the proper care
32
Straight hair for a day
One morning, when I woke up, my curly hair was silky straight. Poof! E presto! Just like that! All my curls were gone. I went to the bathroom and washed my hair (water always made it wave), but no: my curls did not return. Well, I thought. Let’s try this.
At first my life seemed easier: my hair dried super quickly, combing it was effortless, no pain, no knots, no frizz. Wash and go! I biked to school, hair streaming out behind me.
34 But I confess: I missed the way my curls bounced in the breeze, twirling and tumbling, at play in the wind, the feeling of pure freedom.
At school I looked around and saw that, now, I wasn’t different. My curly hair had always been what made me extra special. I missed the way it framed my face, like an angel’s halo, a lion’s mane, the way it seemed to match my smile: super big and radiant. Straighter hair was easy, sure, but curly hair was me.
The next day my curls were back, bigger and better than ever. Phew! I’ll never wish my curls away, not even for a day. 36 My curls are noodles
My curls are noodles All twisted and long Wound up like doodles Or clefs in a song
Sometimes they have flavor Like loopy French fries Each one gets savored Counter and clockwise
They’re coiled like a spring Or a ballerina twirling All around me like rings Or fiddleheads unfurling
Butterflies bound in wavy cocoons Swirling like clouds on a warm afternoon
My curls are like straws of the craziest kind Tied up like bows behind which you will find A smiling face just beneath the halo Because my curls are with me wherever I go. Every curl
I love every crinkle, every corkscrew, every kink, every squiggle, every wave, every ringlet, every twist, every tendril… I love them when it’s sunny and they’re shiny, soft and bouncy… I love them when it’s raining and they’re lively, wild and puffy… I love them when they’re short and sweet I love them when they’re wild I love your curls, just as they are because they make me smile
38
The curly bop
Come on and learn the latest dance. Wear your curls proud, now is your chance!
First, flip your head from left to right, Then giggle loud and smile bright.
Now pop your hip and twirl a lock. Shake it all out. Curls really rock!
40
Turn around and touch the sky. Jump once. Jump twice. Nice and high!
Stomp your foot and give a kick. Puff your hair, do your best trick!
That’s it, you can really move! Head to toe, you’re in the groove. Grab a partner. Go. Don’t stop! Now you can do the curly bop! Dear daughter
Your great-grandmother had curly hair and always loved to flaunt it. In her day, all the girls wore hats when going to the market. But your great-grandma said, “No, thank you, ma’am. My curls need sun and air!” Your grandmother, my mother, inherited this flair. In her day, it wasn’t common to find a girl on the baseball field. So your grandma said, “Then I’ll play with boys. I do just what I feel.” No one dared say, as you sometimes hear, “she’s pretty good for a girl.” She was famous for her feistiness: a perfect match for her curls. And I, like the women before me, have always marched to my own drum. I inherited the curls and, with them, the courage, the passion, the love of fun. These days, my heart is filled with joy when I look at you. Like the women in our family, you are a strong, beautiful, curly-haired girl, too.
42
The world’s most famous curls
They came to see them far and wide Those curls that called the shots. Their owner did what she was told Her curls could not be stopped.
They went here and they went there Laughing all the way, Jumping , bouncing , twirling ’round Contained they would not stay.
Those curls, they reached the highest heights, Won blue ribbons at the fair. Oh how she did love the thrill Of her wild, untamed hair.
44
46 We hope by now you love your curls And that you’ll want to share,
This inspiring book of poetry
In praise of natural hair.
Join us in our movement To spread this message far:
That every girl should do the same,
No matter who you are!
#LoveYourCurls Author’s note When my sister and I were younger, we used to play this game. We’d place our towels over our heads and tuck the cloth behind our ears. It was a gesture that we’d seen our straight-haired friends make every day. For us, the gesture embodied ease, beauty, self-assur- ance. Trouble was, our hair wasn’t “tuckable.” Our short, soft, springy Afros—while lovely to the touch—were too tightly coiled to be tucked behind the ear. No sooner had a chunk of hair been tucked in place than it bounced back. And so we turned to towels.
One night, with my towel-wig on, I went to brush my teeth. I was leaning over the sink when plop! My “hair” fell off. As I straightened up and looked in the mirror, I found myself staring back: me, as I was, no terrycloth-hair hanging down my back but a small buoy- ant Afro framing my face. Suddenly it dawned on me. I would never have straight hair. The ear-tuck would never be my trademark. But my pillow-soft coils—strong, beautiful, delicate—could be. Looking at myself in the mirror that night, I fell in love with my hair.
This book is dedicated to all the curly-haired girls, big and small, who have fallen in love with theirs. For the little girls whose buoy- ant, boisterous hair reflects their personalities; for the mothers who see in their daughters’ ringlets free and fearless spirits; for the women who have learned to love—lo, to flaunt!—their natural hair, whose curls tell the world who they are: this is for you. May you find in these painted pages a reflection of your beauty, a celebration of your uniqueness and an expression of your grace. Here’s to you and your gorgeous curls!
Curly and proud, Taiye Selasi
48 Our inspiration Thank you to the thousands of women all over the country who shared their personal stories and photos to inspire this book.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Abby A., Aurora, CO Latrice B., Plano, TX Adrienne H., Jersey Village, TX Leia E., New York, NY Adrienne N., Durham, NC Libsy K., Yonkers, NY Alisa F., Fairfield, CT Lisette M., Columbia, MD Alexandria L., Commerce City, CO Melissa J., Baden, PA Ana M., Kensington, MD Mia A., Pottersville, NJ Andrea H., Rockville, MD Michelle P., Las Vegas, NV Antoinette J., Richmond, VA Molly L., Boca Raton, FL Anyiah S., Manteca, CA Monique P., Sacramento, CA Ashlee M., Bronx, NY Onjeinika B., Ashburn, VA Ava T., Newark, CA Pammi B., Las Vegas, NV Brianna B., Starkville, MS Rebecca E., Parowan, UT Britanie M., Versailles, KY Ruth C. (Walmart® Grand Prize Winner) Brittany H., West Columbia, SC Rosa R., Des Moines, IA Carmel D., Hyattsville, MD Roseann M., San Antonio, TX Caroline C., Knoxville, TN Sindy G., Brooklyn, NY Cherry H., Houston, TX Stacey A., Santa Monica, CA Cristiana J., Portland, OR Sydney S., Gaithersburg, MD Cydnee C., San Diego, CA Tamara P., Bellingham, MA Deborah J., Syracuse, NY Tiarah A., Mesa, AZ Elise B., Englewood Cliffs, NJ Toni L., Manchester, CT Erika S., Poughkeepsie, NY Vicky C., Sun Valley, CA Jade T., Leander, TX Viktoria H., Columbus, OH Jamie C., Findlay, OH Other Contributors: Jessica K., Dallas, TX Brady C., Valley Cottage, NY Corinne F., Milford, CT Jessica S., Sterling, VA Dana O., Trumbull, CT Karen H., Louisville, KY Dominika M., New Paltz, NY Kathy H., Falcon Heights, MN Nicole P., Stratford, CT Kimberlee S., Danbury, CT Suzanne C., Barrington, RI About the author TAIYE SELASI
Taiye is a New York Times best-selling novelist, poet and photographer. Born in London and raised in Boston, she holds a BA in American Studies from Yale and a Masters in Philosophy in International Relations from Oxford. In 2005, she published the essay Bye-Bye, Babar (Or: What is an Afropolitan?), offering an alternative vision of African identity for a transnational generation.
Her debut novel, the best-selling Ghana Must Go (Penguin Press, 2013), was selected as one of the “10 Best Books of 2013” by The Wall Street Journal and The Economist. In 2013, Selasi was named one of Granta’s “Best of Young British Novelists.”
Taiye knows what it’s like to grow up with curly hair, an experience that allowed her to dive into this project headfirst.
An avid traveler, she lives in New York.
50 About the illustrator ANNICK POIRIER
Raised in the suburbs of Montreal, Canada, Annick enjoyed a 20-year career working as a graphic artist and an award-winning illustrator. In the last 6 years, she narrowed her focus to editorial and advertising illustration for major household brands. She loves a challenge, breaking down barriers and is passionate about con- temporary painting and “accessible” art.
Two years ago, she launched a personal project called “I Want Modern Art,” an online boutique showcasing limited-edition prints reproduced in giclée.
Annick’s enthusiasm for traveling and nature led her to her current residence in the mountains just outside of Montreal where she lives with her young daughter, Gaëlle, who dreams of having beautiful, wavy hair just like her mom.