I have been thinking about this picture since I saw it on the terrific blog That’s Not My Age (thanks, Alyson!):
My eyes are drawn to any model who looks over 25, and of course I love stripes and neutrals. But that hair! It’s so wild and untamed and natural and to me, it’s actually sexy. It’s far from the cool, sophisticated styles that dominate most fashion media. I’ve never seen anything like it at the hair salon, you know, in those big glossy books they leave lying around for us to ogle.
I’ve often contemplated letting my hair color go natural, although I love being blonde too. Blonde feels fun and youthful and it suits me in many ways. My un-treated hair is nearly silver and would look good with my skin tone. It would also make me “look my age” or older, so I’d have to be mentally ready for that.
I am working my way toward bigger, better curls, via the Curly Girl method. That is, in a nutshell: very little shampoo, lots of conditioner, no heat styling. This model no doubt has had some back-combing and hairspray to get the “natural” look, but I am going for the general look. I would add some lipstick and blush.
I know some of you will look at this and say ack! Get that woman to a salon, stat! I want to hear from you, as well as those who might like this back-to-nature style. Have you ever thought about going gray (if you are old enough)? If you have allowed the grays to show, how do you feel about it? If you’re curly, do you let your curls go free, or smooth them a bit? No wrong answers of course, that’s the joy of being in our own skin.
| One more look |
I finally stopped coloring my hair just before I turned 50. I love my beautiful gray and silver hair color. My hair thinned out a little so I just spray sea breeze spray in and blow dry, using my fingers to create the curls. Instant full bodied hair. I highly recommend going gray and embrace the new you!
I thought someone might answer!
My hair has grown in curly. My stylist quit bleaching in as it got more gray and put a tint on it. My gray is not especially pretty. But my curls are amazing sometimes. I'm not comfortable with them. My hair is one length, because it curls better but the top is a bit flat. I would like to be more secure with my curls. My daughter has extremely curly hair and her best cut was at Devachaun in New York. But she's not always in NYC, and often cuts it herself following the Curly Girl Book. Both of us could do better. Sometimes I feel like a Botticelli, other times I feel foolish. I know it could be styled better but I would never leave my stylist. I have long hair with curls mostly around the bottom. What can I do? Or what can I ask my stylist to do. When all my gray comes in, maybe I'll try that. Now I get a shade of blonde with the tine. I like it and it doesn't show roots much.
I am loving my silver curls probably for the first time in my life. Since letting my hair go gray three years ago it has been healthier than ever. Been following the Curly Girl method …no sulfates and no silicone. Regular deep conditioning with banana and honey has worked well for me.For many,since I'm 65',it may not seem age appropriate to grow my hair long. The length has been more manageable for me. I can also put it up in fun or elegant undos now. The freedom from dye and straightening is so liberating. I highly recommend that other gray curlies give it a try.
I don't have a lot of grey hair, but 2 years ago I got tired of the upkeep of coloring my own hair (can't afford a salon) and let it go naturally grey. I needed to be mentally prepared for it as well, but now I'm glad I did it! I started coloring my hair in the 80s-just for fun-and I had no grey thern. I've tried all sorts of crazy colors! The last color I had was a purplish eggplant. That's what made me go grey-I no longer liked crazy colors at age 57. Now, I get compliments on my "salt & pepper" hair. I don't feel it makes me look any older, then again one's perception of their age is different from others. As long as I am happy with this look I don't feel like I look older, and I don't care what others think. I've had all positive feedback so far-even if I didn't, *I* dig it! And that's what ultimately matters!
I don't have a lot of grey hair, but 2 years ago I got tired of the upkeep of coloring my own hair (can't afford a salon) and let it go naturally grey. I needed to be mentally prepared for it as well, but now I'm glad I did it! I started coloring my hair in the 80s-just for fun-and I had no grey thern. I've tried all sorts of crazy colors! The last color I had was a purplish eggplant. That's what made me go grey-I no longer liked crazy colors at age 57. Now, I get compliments on my "salt & pepper" hair. I don't feel it makes me look any older, then again one's perception of their age is different from others. As long as I am happy with this look I don't feel like I look older, and I don't care what others think. I've had all positive feedback so far-even if I didn't, *I* dig it! And that's what ultimately matters!
Went grey from about 35, am now 46 and am practically white! Like my hair this colour and love to be just me as I am, however I still get shocked when I see photos of myself as a white haired woman. Still find that sometimes I love my hair style and other times I think I would like to grow it a bit longer again and wear it up, as I always did when it was browner.
Hi Patti I am in the same boat. My colorist wants me to go to a dark blonde. I'm afraid the gray will really show up then. I'd like to go grey and I know women who look so great in grey. My mother's color was beautiful. I know she's going to fight with me about this. I'm 56, isn't it time to look my age?
i just embrace my extremely curly locks……finally:) and i like to have them as big and crazy as possible!!!!!
I have curly hair! I love it, but I love it like an owner loves a puppy – sometimes it's cute, but after it chews up the white wicker couch on the back deck you just want to strangle it. Lovingly. Yeah.
I'm also following the CG method, and it's done WONDERS for the relationship between my hair and I.
As for going gray – I'm 19. But I've always admired gray hair on others. Gray is one of my favorite colors, and when I was a child, I used to wish that my hair was either jet black, or silvery gray. While a woman (or a man) may not look "young" with gray hair, I think it is still very much possible to have the "young at heart" look with gray hair.
I've decided that I am going to go gray naturally, not try and dye over it, mostly because dyeing might damage my hair, and it can be expensive. Of course, I say this now, as a not-even-twenty-year-old, so I don't know how I'll feel when I do actually start to go gray. I still think it's a wonderful color that can have it's own sort of youthfully adventurous look.
Jess @ http://nakedsquid.blogspot.com
Oh I love a widow's peak – so pretty and distinctive. It's wonderful to have a stylist you can be creative with, too. Thanks for stopping by!
It's a personal decision, and there's no right or wrong answer, I think. I love the look of henna on a natural brunette or brown-ette. Thanks for coming by!
I have kind of a semi-natural thing going on. My natural color is very mousy, so I need color. I also have lots of bits of single gray strands except for on my Widow's Peak. I let that go natural, then color the rest. My colorist and I are very committed to my gray, and she checks every time she colors to see if we can let more gray out.
I love my gray and hope one day to have lots more of it!
The woman in the picture has beautiful hair, but man, does she ever look miserable! I have a friend with that kind of black and silver wild curly hair, and she looks absolutely beautiful now at sixty plus, and sexy without looking younger than she is.
I'm forty-two, and just seeing a bit of grey, but I henna right now. I'm a firm supporter of letting one's natural grey show, and I know quite a few women here with full heads of gorgeous grey or silver hair — but ironically, I don't know if I'll ever be able to! I think I've inherited my mother's hair, and she, at 75, is still only partly grey, with a lot of her natural mouse-brown remaining, result: drab. It will be… amusing at best, if I have to turn to colouring to get a good grey, although since that's the kind of thing that amuses me, perhaps I will.
Right you are! We can always change our hair when we want. Rock your curls. : >
I love both pictures, the curls. I've been letting gray sneak in between reddish highlights and the curls have been there forever. Somehow, it works. Good luck, you can always change things around, it's your hair after all 🙂
Thanks Alison – I love your words: defy the norm!
Thanks, Alyson, I love your blog.
Carrie, I've often longed for a straight-haired pixie! I bet your hair looks fantastic. And you gotta budget for the shoes : >
Hello Christine – you earned them indeed. Enjoy your curls and the occasional gray. And thanks so much for stopping by!
I say go for it! If I had curly hair and a darker skin tone, I'd definitely go gray. It looks fab on women with those blessings. However, I am very pale with light eyes. I think I would look like a witch. 🙁 There is something gorgeous about a woman with gray curly hair! I adore it! Go for it! 🙂 There needs to be more beautiful gray women in the world. Defy the norm.
Thanks for the mention Patti – I think you'd look fabulous with grey hair!
Having a Comments issue with DISQUS software! But Carrie H just commented:
"oh wow, seriously LOVE that woman's hair! So very beautiful!! If I had curly hair, I'd wear it like that ALWAYS – a riot of gorgeous,sexy curls. But mine's poker-straight and I'm really lazy when it comes to styling, so I keep it in a very short pixie. I let it go silver back when I hit 30 (I'm 45 now). I had gray hair back when I was in my early teens and have been every color in the rainbow at some point! When I sat down and looked at how much I'd been spending on hair care over time, I decided that I'd rather spend my $ on shoes instead! I'm a big fan of embracing what makes you unique. Never had any negative comments except from my mom (because she's fooling so many people with her dark hair color at 75 yrs! :o) ), but I did find that I needed to keep my accessories and light cosmetics … not younger … but more modern and flattering to silver hair – what I wore when my hair was black looks too harsh with softer hair color. Gray/silver doesn't make me feel old, and it looks so shiny and healthy without the chemical treatments. But go with whatever makes YOU feel gorgeous and fabulous!"
oh wow, seriously LOVE that woman's hair! So very beautiful!! If I had curly hair, I'd wear it like that ALWAYS – a riot of gorgeous,sexy curls. But mine's poker-straight and I'm really lazy when it comes to styling, so I keep it in a very short pixie. I let it go silver back when I hit 30 (I'm 45 now). I had gray hair back when I was in my early teens and have been every color in the rainbow at some point! When I sat down and looked at how much I'd been spending on hair care over time, I decided that I'd rather spend my $ on shoes instead! I'm a big fan of embacing what makes you unique. Never had any negative comments except from my mom (because she's fooling so many people with her dark hair color at 75 yrs! :o) ), but I did find that I needed to keep my accessories and light cosmetics … not younger … but more modern and flattering to silver hair – what I wore when my hair was black looks too harsh with softer hair color. Gray/silver doesn't make me feel old, and it looks so shiny and healthy without the chemical treatments. But go with whatever makes YOU feel gorgeous and fabulous!
I came home from Afghanistan with my first gray hairs (not that many, but enough that I notice). That's when I decided I didn't want to color my hair any longer. I look at those grays as a badge of honor, and I know that I earned them!
I don't know if I'll color my hair when I get more grays, as I'm still in my 30s. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my God given hair color and curls just the way they are. I also get asked all the time who does my color and I love being able to say it's all me.
Hello Linda – I'll bet your curly graying hair looks great. Curly hair does have "special needs", that's for sure. : >
Thanks Woolcat – you make a lot of great points about the joys of letting the grays come in. We don't have to be sheep (sorry for the little pun on your name) and follow all the ads!
Rock on, grandmom. You get your hottie-ness honestly, Wendy!
All right Katie! I really like your blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for coming by, Saralyn. I love your attitude.
Enjoy your streaks, Erin – your hair looks beautiful!
I'm curly and graying. I have no idea how old I look (I'm 45). I don't restrain the curls, but I don't crazify them like that model. As for the gray, I have mixed feelings about it but I am terribly lazy, and people generally say they like it on me, even at the place where I get my hair cut. I LOVE the look of all-gray curly hair on someone who knows how to take care of curls. I may or may not have blurted out "I LOVE YOUR HAIR" to a stranger like this.
I do like the look in the first picture. It might be hard to pull off in real life though. It's not like we spend all our time posing like fashion models, making weird looks seem cool (most of the stuff you see in high fashion shoots would look very odd IRL). I had my first grey hair at 14, and a definite white streak at the front by 21. Then I spent most of my 20s and 30s dyeing it. I stopped a couple of years ago (I am now 40) and I love, love love how it looks. Sure, no-one's going to mistake me for a much younger woman, but I am fine with that. I have good skin and my hair is shiny – still with the very white streak in the front, and more mixed over the rest of the head, but when the sun shines on it it reads as brilliant silver and I get all kinds of compliments on in. Now I do think it's important given the cultural prevalence of dyed hair that you don't have grey hair that reads as "Oh she let herself go.." (well, important to me, at least, what anyone else does with their hair is none of my business), so I make sure always to have a good, sharp haircut – mine is a bob with no bangs, pretty classic I think. Also I swear by a shampoo I get from Lush – it is called daddy-o and it is made with violets to brighten grey (or blonde) hair so it doesn't go all yellowy. Mind you I think the yellowy thing is more of a problem for smokers.
Reason I am happy not to be colouring my hair any more are that obviously it saves me tons of time and money, I never have roots, my hair is healthier and needs less work to make it look good and sit nicely, I am putting loads fewer unnecessary chemicals into the environment and it looks really distinctive.
So I would say, go for it! sorry to have written you an essay, but with all the advertising out there for hair colour (really, would women be so desperate to "cover greys" if they didn't always see women in commercials acting like having a grey hair is like showing up at work having forgotten to put pants on?) I like that several blogs are actually putting the other argument out there.
My grandmother is 92 and in assisted living and she's one of the only ladies there still coloring her hair. And maybe I'm biased, but I think she looks like the young hottie of the bunch!
Here's where I went grey: http://interrobangsanon.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/old-grey-mare-she-aint-what-she-used-to-be/
And here's where I went curly: http://interrobangsanon.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/going-no-poo/
I'm a big fan of both.
I am early on in the graying process and have decided not to color it. At 40 I have strands of silver peeking out here and there, and I am very satisfied with that! Gray is beautiful!
Hello Lisette – that's a great point, about the *freedom* of not coloring anymore. I will save a lot of $$$$ : >
I have seen your lovely gray on your blog – it's that pretty, smooth gray that I have coveted. Thanks so much for stopping by, your blog is marvelous.
So you are getting ready to cut your hair short again, Andrea? So cool. You really starting graying very young – I was in my mid twenties, and I thought that was early. But there are so many options, aren't there? Thanks for coming by!
I just turned 30 in July, but I have several silvery gray streaks running through my hair. And honestly, I couldn't be happier about them. I think they give me more personality!
You are so right about the young, young, and younger. And it just don't work that way, at least not naturally! Rock your gorgeous curly reddish brown hair!
Hi Natasha – I like your blog! Thanks for coming by. I'd love to see the wild hues you sometimes choose : >
Hi Anne – I really like your stripe, I think it's chic.
I love the look of natural silver hair. Since I'm not ready to go there yet I look forward to sporting the look and enjoy the freedom of untreated hair color.
My hubby is so up for me to go grey. I would have that white, white hair naturally as opposed to the almost black I was born with and have been maintaining with my wonderful hairdresser Sunny. It would be a total shock to let it grow out. I'd have roots for days and days, and months and years I suspect. At 47, I'm not ready yet but when will I be …
I am liking my gray hair even more than I ever thought I would. But I've never, ever been curly, so I do not know if I could do both.
I think gray can be beautiful and I think curly can be stylish but the model above triggers my professional need to get in there. I started going gray when I was 15, which was when I began coloring my hair. It led me on the path to becoming a professional colorist. Since turning 30, I've cut my hair to 2in long and let the gray grow to see how white it is. Now, at 38, I'm doing it again I haven't colored it since June. I've been coloring for so long and it's part of my professional identity, I don't know if I'll ever be ready to give it up completely.
I have curly, reddish-brown hair that is graying slightly. I've never colored my hair. I'm 25. A few months ago I got really freaked out about the grays, but since then I've decided that I'm going to rock it. I love my hair; I don't want to lose my natural color simply because my society puts a lot of pressure on women to look young, young, and younger.
I am going on 5 months now since my last rinse. Right now, I am using creative styling to hide my very obvious patch of gray hair that is sitting front and center on my head. I don't think I am ready to embrace my gray hair as yet as it would definately make me look older than my 3[insert number here]. I guess once the creative styling stops working for me I'll either go natural again and try some more wild hues or go back to the dreaded rinses.
Well, I think you know I love me some curls. And I'm a Curly Girl/ NaturallyCurly.com alum, myself. So far, I only have a little bit of grey — one of those "stripes" right up front. I kind of like those — I think they're spunky and cool. I will probably keep it.
When I go completely gray, I dunno. It might wash out my skin too much so I may have to color. But we shall see!
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
Hello Mrs. M. I am really enjoying your blog, Department of Color. Lots of Curlies cut their own hair, I understand. I've only tried trims myself, as I'm fortunate to have found a curl-friendly stylist. I love the Deva line too.
Hello FashionLover! I didn't know you were highlighting your hair – but I know it always looks really good. I love your waves/curls. Spill the beans on your new favorite mask? Thanks for coming by.
I love that hair! So wild. It looks gorgeous, like freedom!
My hair (when grown out) is naturally like the model's in the top picture. Personally, I love her look, but it wouldn't work for me.
I've actually dyed my graying hair darker (natural black) in recent years. I had to do it myself at home, because I couldn't find a hairstylist willing to go as dark as I wanted it. But I did, and it works. I can't see myself going gray anytime soon, unless the roots become too difficult to manage. I like the contrast of the dark hair against my light olive skin.
I do keep my curly hair natural and rarely heat style it, but I've cut it (again, myself, because I couldn't find a hairstylist who didn't insist on layers) into a blunt cut so it has a more geometric and less "wild" look. I swear by the Deva line of products.
OK so > I have reached the place where I too am sick of coloring. As you know, my hair is long and in order for me to go au naturel I have to do so gracefully so that means highlighting down to a place where it can be grey. I am only highlighting now and no longer doing all over color. As far as the curls are concerned, my hair is naturally wavy/curly too. Recently, I found the BEST hair mask ever: Its a 10!
That stuff is amazing. Definitely worth a try for you. Curly/wavy hair needs moisture to avoid being frizzy.
I say go grey, be proud and rock it out. Curls? So much the better!!
Hi, Anika's Mom – Your curls would be pretty wild without taming? I'd love to see. : > I have to give mine a little encouragement b/c my hair is so fine. thanks for coming by.
At first glance I was like WHAT but the more I look at that hair the more it appeals to me. I'm only 32 so I'm not grey quite yet although I do have a few peeking through. Will I ever go grey? Probably not! My grandmother had silver hair for a very long time though & it was beautiful on her. I think it shows wisdom & experience, not old age. I do love free curls although I probably would never be brave enough to sport them. I usually tame mine a bit but it wouldn't take a lot for them to look like that pic!
Thanks Citizen Rosebud; I think gray can be sexy too. It's a lot to do with the attitude I think (like most things!).
Thank you, SC; it is wonderful to have choices!
LD, your new style is so fantastic on you, and those waves are awesome. I hope you are enjoying the change! Thanks for coming over.
Oh yes, I love Lauren Hutton's look too. She may have had plastic surgery, etc., but you can't tell – she looks very natural, and has great hair. Long live the shoes!
Hi Laura – so glad you are getting along with your curls : > I fought mine for decades too. And thanks for coming by and sharing.
Thanks Serene – I haven't seen a single gray on your lovely head! xoxoxo
I love the look. Natural and beautiful. I am not scared of grey- in fact I think it's rather sexy.
Love the gray, wild and curly. We have so many choices and I think it's ALL good!
I've always thought a head full of silver or a blue-grey is stunning, if done correctly. That woman in the photo looks deranged, though! My M-I-L finally stopped dying her grey hair blond, and she looks much better for it.
As for curls, mine only came last year after a lifetime of stick-straight hair, and I only got it cut for them last week. I'm still adjusting to life as a curly girl.
I've been doing Curly Girl since May, so I am totally with you on that. Blow drying and straightening….it's just too much. I'm 45 and dark blonde, so my gray is showing in my bangs and around my ears, not noticable in a big way. I have gone the highlighted blonde route in the past, but it is expensive to maintain. I think my hair will look something like Lauren Hutton's. My mother ( with her short grandma hair) think Lauren is a hot mess, but I like her naturalness. I think natural hair really requires impeccable grooming in all other areas. And, ass we age, it's All About The Shoes. May they always be sexy.
I went gray about 12 years ago–and I have curly hair. I have been fighting the curls forever-as a child of the 60s I want long stick straight hair! But this summer has been so brutally humid I finally gave up. I can't say I love the curls, but we are getting along. I do love my silver hair though!
Patti, I'm 45 (in a month) and am definitely showing gray. Just not interested in coloring it though. I actually think gray is pretty. And in a world where everyone has colored hair, I feel like the gray is unique! It may not age you as much as you think….you have a very youthful face and smile. I can see the gray looking stunning on you and drawing attention to your pretty face! Whatever you decide, just WORK IT! LOL Hugs! ~Serene
Shelley, your auburn hair is stunning, and I never would have guessed it was not-original! I encourage you to let your waves out, even as an occasional change – I think waves are gorgeous. Thanks for coming by and chatting.
If your photo is testimony, you are doing a stunning job of it! Your hair looks beautiful. Thanks for stopping by!
I loved that post, Angie – thank you for sharing. It's so thoughtful about the process of aging. I have not seen your own "full head of hair" yet but I bet you look wonderful.
I think I am not quite ready yet either, Wendy, but I do admire silvery hair.
You are so right about Joanie – her hair is fantastic! I am going to look for those Tip Top Dream Curlers now. Memories . . .
I agree about a good cut and style underlying a curly do. (The site Naturally Curly has pages of lovely curly hair styles) The model is exaggerated, for certain, but I do like a not-too-structured approach for my curls : > Thanks for coming by.
Hi Mongs – thanks for stopping by! I think you won't be looking at silvers for many decades yet : > xoxoxoxo
Hi Amber – well yeah . . . Halle Berry : > Thanks for your kind words. I agree, using a marker every day is too much work!
Thanks Susan, and thanks for coming by!
I understand that too – a fine line, perhaps?
I love your silver shade CH!
I was blonde for all my life until I retired. Then I dyed my hair a dark auburn and I've really enjoyed it. At some point I will go grey (which is what it is not for real) but I'm not ready yet. It does make one look older. I think the photos you've shown are a bit silly, but I'm no expert. I am conscious that anything fussy about hair strikes me as too girly for my age (55) and for this reason I've avoided curls, though my hair is naturally a little wavy and I would hope that was OK, even with grey hair (I dream of one day having wash & wear hair; I'm so lazy!). The thing I notice is that grey hair looks great with good bone structure, which I'm pretty sure you have. I'd go easy on the volume of curls and try slightly shorter hairstyles, then see how it looks when you grow it out. Some models have gorgous long grey hair (and firm chin lines and high cheekbones…). I'll be interested to see what you decide to try!
I am attempting to go silver gray gracefully. The front of my hair is gray and the back a sort of dark blonde so I try to get my colourist to blend the 2 together without totally getting rid of the gray, not easy. I had a friend who had hair similar to the models and she always looked fantastic, outstanding and original however she was not quite as gray.
Patti ,you hit home there for me. After reaading this post http://www.durhamprofiles.com/?p=527 wild thooughts of trying this out came over me. I highlighted my hair about a year ago in this white /grey shade so the remaining highlights mix well with my own white. I don't know what I will do but I like the idea of going grey
Hmmm … under the colour I'm rather gray, it really surprises me when I see them. I'm not ready or brave enough to go gray, yet but am amazed at how gorgeous well cut and groomed gray hair can look.
Patti, back in the 70's when I had long hair I would use Tip Top Dream Curlers to curl my hair. I would apply the curlers to wet hair and then let it dry overnight. If you google it you will find them on some vintage sites. Wow, I wish I had not thrown mine away! They are valuable now. Anyway, it made my hair wild curly and I loved it. There are some products for curly hair–Bumble and bumble has some and also Nick Arrojo products are good I have heard.
As to letting it go gray. I love gray hair and if mine were all gray, I wouldn't color it. I think it is gorgeous. Joanie Coyote does not look old, just fabulous. I think I would like that first look if it were a bit less wild and maybe more layered. Still curly just not so big.
I actually let mine hair grow out, but it was just so dull looking. Not the pretty dark and light, just kind of like dirty laundry water. Not good. But, if I can get it to be all white, I am going to have it all bleached out and leave it snowy.
You know I think your hair is so pretty!
Hmm, that top picture falls into Berkeley Panhandler territory for me too. But I have seen some women with lovely, curly, silver hair whom I certainly wouldn't cross the street to avoid. A good cut is paramount.
wow, I love that look, so natural, edgy and cool chic. Yes I would consider going natural as well.
love,mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Go big and go curly! Diana Ross it baby! LOL Spoken like the jealous owner of straight hair!
I personally love silver hair but you're right about it aging you. My MIL has stopped doing the blonde thing and I'm not sure if it's her hair or life stress but she's looking 10 years older for it. I personally think you suit the blonde and you surely do not have the mental age to go grey yet 🙂 Mind you, Halle Berry in X-men pulls it off…..I have a friend who colours her gray hairs every day with a permanent marker…… sigh! I told her to let it go and embrace it because it's only a streak. When you get that bad, time to think it over!
I can't wear those styles but they look great!
Ack! That hair just says Crazy Berkeley Panhandler to me.
I' was so happy when I finally got the courage to go natural… hated the grow out process but love the silver moon color in my hair now. I do look older, but would never go back to coloring. My hair is toooo straight and unstyled. I can only wish for beautiful curls like yours!