Why I vintage curl my hair…

AD • My hair is my confidence for a very special reason. We all have our own special stories and intimate relationships with our hair. For some of us our hair is our lifeline - for me it certainly was. ❤️

That’s why I’m so pleased to be partnering with @KerastaseOfficial for their #pride campaign again this year. 100% of the profits from their Pride Elixir Ultime hair oil will be donated to local charity @aktcharity which supports LGBTQIA+ people, who are a lifeline for those in our communities that are struggling with homelessness.

Click here to check it out and show your support! 🌈

Has your hair relationship been a journey too? 

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FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

[NatalieSmart]

i had no idea your iconic hair started as a goal for physical theropy. im so glad you found such a great way to motivate your self and regain your confidence

[harmonicaveronica]

One of the biggest problems with physical therapy is consistently doing it. The exercises are boring and hard and after a while it's easy to loose motivation. It is so wonderful that you found something you were consistently motivated to do, and as a bonus you got a fabulous new skill out of it!

[ninakaiser]

It’s so important to find something to be able to do on your own again. It was a long road - and in some ways still is - for me after I woke up paralyzed from the navel down after an emergency surgery. When you loose so many abilities - it’s the world to gain a new one!

[jennifers]

I think my Mom had this same relationship, but with her nails. My Mom had MS and she went through many ups and downs with what her body was able to do. But she always had perfectly shaped and polished nails. She would take such meticulous care of them. I can still hear her voice in my head, “Only file in one direction to get the smoothest edge. Three passes of the nail polish brush to keep the top smooth, the middle, then each side. Always use a top coat so it won’t chip.” She must have had 100 bottles of nail polish, all of them a different shade of red! She had files, buffers, nail polish, nail polish remover and cotton balls strategically placed throughout the house so she had easy access to them. She was always so pleased when she received compliments on them. 💅

[guttedgrave]

I have narcolepsy, cataplexy, PNES, and chronic pain. It is so SO important for us less able bodied people to find something that motivates us, even if it's unconventional in most eyes. I'm so glad you found your motivation!

[timothystrange]

I needed to hear this today, I’m going through chronic fatigue and this was really inspiring

[philhahn]

"Using whatever I could find at hand"
probably a far more authentic approach than a lot of purpose-built devices haha

[turtle]

the origin story of your always iconic hair is so sweet and realistic; learning to do what you can, whatever that may be that day, and making it both productive and fun! <33

[brendonbowling]

Reminds me of my partner. It wasn't for a physical disability but for trauma. Amazing what small things like having your hair the way you want it can do. I'm glad it's brought you happiness.

[vvonderweiss]

Styling my own hair involves a level of muscle movements and dexterity that works muscles that I took for granted that typical calisthenics or weight lifting don't. While learning to cook as a child with my mother, I never realized how much stirring batter works your forearms. That's wonderful that you were able to focus your physical therapy to not just improve your mobility but learn such a useful and empowering skill. Styling your hair is part of your brand and self efficiency. You are elegant! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and grace with us <3!

[Kathlyin]

For me it’s music. I have a lot of condition and stress is trigger and some of the cause elevated stress hormones. Singing helps lower cortisol. Now I’m using instruments to get into better shape. Good posture and slight movement help with pain. Endorphins you get from it as well don’t hurt.

[kozekyto]

I’m an artist and I’ve been writing a character with a similar disability. I’m glad there are creators like you on the platform that can share first hand experiences and make information like this more open and accessible. I’m learning a lot.

[phoenixgate]

It’s amazing how not you your old photos look. Your vintage curls look so quintessentially part of who you are. I’m so glad you found something that suits your soul and helped you recover.

[FacesByChelseaK]

That’s so cool that you used vintage hair skills as therapy! My grandmother’s hand was badly injured in a car wreck (I think the doctor used the word “shattered.”) She had always been an avid artist, seamstress, and crocheter before, and decided she’d continue to crochet as part of her therapy. It really helped with her strength and range of motion. Her hand was never the same as it was before the wreck, but as you know, when you’re doing something you enjoy, and you’re determined, the result can be pretty great.

[mwillis]

What a beautiful story of finding yourself and fighting for yourself ❤

[closetculture]

That's awesome. I have peripheral neopathy and even though it's not as debilitating as what you have, I'm always numb, in pain and my entire body systems are affected sometimes. There are days where I feel if I stand up for too long, my legs will break in half. And the numbness can get so bad I feel like hot needles are being driven into my skin. I haven't been dealing with this for long either. This developed within the last five years of my life and I'm still navigating my symptoms and my days where I literally am apart of that couch. You're such an inspiration to me in a way that shows me even though I feel like an alien in my own body, that I can do something about it. Thank you for your channel, your spirit and your fashion.

[visualinotion]

It's nice when we can take our worst experiences and transform them into something beautiful.

[AmarisFrede]

this made me cry. You're a wonderful person.

[BadabingBadaboom]

I can see the joy in your eyes when you sport your classic hair, it truly suits you

[minotcityidol]

OK, is it just me or does no one else notice how beautiful she is and how lucky she is to be able to use her hands and I’m so happy for her and I hope she’s having a very good life right now and recovering, but yeah she’s so pretty. I love her red hair. I’ve always wanted red hair for some reason.