2006 Photoday in second grade
I grew up with a white mum who always did her best, but was totally overwhelmed when it came to caring for my afro curls. It took me 15 years to finally love my hair and learn how to grow healthy curls.
2012 the bun era
I didn’t really know how to care for or style my hair. For years, I wore it in a bun, simply because I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t even know what my natural curl pattern looked like until I was 14.
2018 my curls in the healthiest and longest state its ever been
Everything changed when my stepsister introduced me to the world of curly hair care. That was the moment I began to connect with my hair and actually love it. I became obsessed (in the best way!) with finding the right routines and products to help it grow healthy and strong. Over time, my hair did grow with a lot of care and patience - but because of shrinkage, the progress took a long time to see. Still, I learned to appreciate, that shrinkage is a sign of healthy, resilient curls.
2022 1 year after dying it light
Then came my biggest mistake: I dyed my hair light brown with an unprofessional stylist, thinking that avoiding bleach would protect it from damage. I was wrong. My hair became thin, started breaking off, and everything I had worked so hard for seemed to vanish. Curly hair persons can probably relate how frustrating that experience was. All that care, all that love… gone. And so was my length, I had to chop off the damaged ends.
2024 me putting random stuff on my hair so the curls dry stretched
Even back then, one thing always frustrated me: my hair looked so much longer when it was wet. But as it dried, it kept shrinking. All I wanted was long hair that actually looked long. I just wanted an easy, healthy way to wear my hair longer. During my research I came across an idea that really worked – but it was hard to access, especially for curls in Europe. So I decided to create my own version and turn it into a product that fits my vision: effective, beautiful, and finally available for our community.
Me today! 2025
Creating the curl extender doesn’t mean I don’t love shrinkage, I really do. It just brings another option to the variety of styling my hair.
Shrinked, stretched, braided.. it’s completely up to me.
And now? It’s up to you too.
Hanna X