My thoughts regarding the DevaCurl controversy…

A little backstory in bullet points:

• November 25, 2017 – Started the Curly Girl Method [in short, ditching regular shampoo, and using “clean” products — paraben, sulfate and silicone free]
• March 7, 2018 – First DevaCut / Curly Cut [a special method of dry cutting curly hair, trained by Deva Curl]
• July 18, 2018 – Deva Dunk in LA! [Not a Curly Cut, essentially a deep condition and style]
• September 25, 2018 – second DevaCut; the salon I was going to suggested every 5-6 months…  I think she really was just too busy and had to push them that far out
• April 13, 2019 – third cut, different salon. I felt more welcome there, she had weekend appointments
• August 17, 2019 – another cut
• December 14, 2019 – another cut

When I started out, I struggled to find which products worked… but leaned towards DevaCurl – it’s pretty pricey, but it was created by the originator of the Curly Girl Method.  After a bit of experimenting with what works and what doesn’t — I didn’t use their low-poo [very little lather, but a cleanser] or conditioner but used their styling products religiously!  From the time you start the journey and get to where your hair + scalp are used to what you are using and working for your hair, this is called transition and it can be rough.

Since around my birthday [November 23] I felt like my hair was going through transition again, it was looking frumpy, drier than normal, itchy scalp and lackluster.  I had a cut three weeks later and while it always looks awesome after Crystal works her magic, I still felt like after I washed, it went back to blah.

The original founder sold it in 2013, and mid 2017 it was sold. The packaging was re-branded — from the swoopy  logo with white lids and clearish bottles to the more block logo with green, yellow + teal lids with a more cloudy bottle.

Also in November 2019 — there is talk in the groups about hair loss and other issues. I kind of paid attention, but one of the side effects of my seizure meds is hair loss / alopecia. I have a few spots around my hair line that are showing a bit more loss [kind of why I keep these damn bangs]

Now… it’s taken over social media and they released this DevaCurl’s message to all the curlies  In chatting with a few of my curly friends; we are experiencing some of the things, but chalked it up to other things in our lives happening. For me, I chalked it up to being a bit lazier with my routine.

Today, while talking with a friend over the past few days on my lunch I started reading more and more…. and here’s my hair, keep in mind I’ve done the same routine – how I do it, and the same products since.

It’s crazy to see how the curls are less bouncy [as my friend pointed out] and just look blah. I realize the lighting isn’t the same in all these, but my hair has not been colored since early 2008!

I have been wearing my hair down less and less, and I thought I was just being crappy at the styling of it, but I think it’s safe to say that DevaCurl fucked my hair over. I logged into my DevaCurl account and like many my order history is gone. While I didn’t always buy from DevaCurl.com I did buy from Ulta and my stylists salons.  Clearly they are hiding something.

I know there are a lot of people who are cutting their hair very short and starting over… I’m not sure I’m going to do that. I love the length it is. I’ve had it shorter and it still curls well, but I like this length.

I’ve bought some new products to switch to at the recommendation of people in the FB group. After I publish this I’m going to take a shower and do a treatment.  I feel defeated. But I will get my awesome curls back. It might take a bit, but I’m going to.  It’s cocky of me to say, that everyone compliments my curls and I, too, have grown to love them. I will get back to loving them when they are healthier!