Embracing My Curls and Upping My Self-Confidence

By  |  141 Comments

you may not know this, but i haven’t always loved my curly hair. actually, i hated it for many many years because i didn’t know how to manage it. i forced it straight with a hot iron for most of high school and the first part of college or threw it in a low-bun and said ‘forget you curls – you unruly, wild things!’ evidence of said straight hair, about a week before my now-husband and i started dating in 2007.
first birthday together
we went swimming together at my apartment pool one day and my hair started drying, of course turning curly. he said “wow, i love your curly hair! you should totally wear it like that on our next date.” my initial reaction was to roll my eyes and not believe him but then on that date, he kept commenting on how sexy he found my curls to be. well hot dang, give me a compliment enough and i may just start to believe it!

i used to randomly straighten my hair when i was avoiding writing papers or doing whatever i should have been doing but now i can say i haven’t touched a straighter in years. my natural curls are part of defining who i am and i am so grateful to my husband for helping me embrace them.

chelsea and ryan avery afer wcps

i spent a lot of time in college figuring out what products make my curls pretty and i finally settled on using Garnier® both their curl sculpting cream and then a quick spritz of their curl shaping spray gel. i have used them for years and swear by them. when i saw that they were coming out with new Garnier® Whole Blends™ shampoos, conditioners, and treatments – i am pretty sure i literally squealed.

IMG_9601

my hair and are my curls are the one thing that have gotten better with getting pregnant – thank goodness! as i mentioned earlier this year, my self-confidence took a nose dive as i developed some pretty bad pregnancy acne in what i affectionately refer to as my ‘zit beard region’ on my face.

i only looked in the mirror to apply my moisturizer, make-up and not again throughout the day. i rarely felt like doing my hair since it wasn’t covering up my face anyway. i just didn’t feel great. i wish i could say i increased my self-confidence all on my very own, but once again i have my husband to thank for helping me see that i do not have to be defined by one characteristic that i’m not loving right now and focus on what i do love – my curls! IMG_9609

i specifically chose the Nourishing line with avocado oil and shea butter extract version since people with curly hair already deal with dry hair. i chose it because it specifically helps deeply replenish and restore my hair. what’s amazing about Garnier® Whole Blends™ is that they have 6 brand new blends to try out, specific to what your hair especially needs! i may try this one the next round – yum!

not only do the Whole Blends™ make your hair naturally beautiful but they also help out our world (sign me up to save the world any day!) the containers themselves are made with recyclable PET plastic and use 30% post-consumer recycled waste. the argan, coconut oil and cocoa butter ingredients are also fairly purchased and sustainably to support local farmers and communities. plus the shampoos, conditioners and treatments are paraben-free and gentle to use every day. i knew i liked them and now i like them even more!

we have been doing weekly bump pictures throughout my pregnancy and in the beginning i told my husband he should only take photos of my belly and not my face because i didn’t feel pretty. he gently encouraged me take a relaxing shower, do my hair and take the bump photos without my head cut off (what a concept!). he genuinely told me i was beautiful and he loved me – all of  me.

IMG_9578

he helped me to remember that life isn’t perfect – it’s flawed but even with its flaws it’s pretty darn great as a whole. isn’t that the truth!? we often find ourselves focused on the 5% negative instead of the 95% of the positive things happening all around us. so while i may not love my skin right now, i do love my hair so i shall focus my energy on that!

i do feel like my best self when my hair is down and my curls are defined (truly it takes me 5 minutes to do my hair). it’s been a good reminder that spending an extra few minutes on my appearance can boost my self-confidence and last the whole day. it makes me feel better which in turns makes me more fun to be around and a more patient and loving wife (pregnancy hormones are no joke).

Garnier® Whole Blends™ not only smell amazing and refreshing without being overpowering, but i noticed my hair feeling softer literally after the first wash and condition. funny story – my husband who never pays attention to any type of shampoo or conditioner and just uses what i put in there got done with his shower and said “i really like the new shampoo you got – it makes my hair so soft! come feel!” ha!

so while my curls can still be unruly and wild – so can i! it’s part of what makes my life fun. wife blog ryan and chelsea avery  

life is meant to be enjoyed wholly so let’s focus on the parts of us we love and remember that usually 95% is amazing so take the picture, eat the donut and do you!

what is your favorite physical feature and how often do you embrace it? tell us about it for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card.


Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/4/2016 – 5/31/2016

Be sure to visit the Garnier® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

141 Comments

  1. Kate

    May 5, 2016 at 11:47 am

    I’ve also had quite the rocky relationship with my hair over the years! Since I got it cut, I’ve really been enjoying the way it curls, so I might have to try these products! I’ve been using moroccan oil products, but those are pricey and now that I’m not working, might have to check these out because I know Garnier is more affordable. (And also, their products always smell great!)
    Kate recently posted…Kate’s Journey to 30

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:28 pm

      oh my goodness, a hair cut can change it all! so happy you have found a way to enjoy the curls more, kate 🙂 right you are about garnier’s products smelling great and they have been working for years on my hair!

      i use some moroccan oil about once a month too but that one always leaves my hair greasy so i use it more as a treatment!
      chelsea recently posted…The “In-Between” Mother’s Day

  2. Elyse

    May 5, 2016 at 11:56 am

    I love your curls! I have bone straight hair so I wish I had even a bit of a curl..people are funny like that aren’t they? So much truth to what your husband said about life being flawed but it’s still pretty perfect!

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      thank you elyse 🙂 now i love them but was a tumultuous relationship for about 2 decades! yes, life is flawed but still pretty dang great!

  3. Audrey

    May 5, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Yay for gurls with curls! 😀 I didn’t know what to do with my hair in middle school but in high school I finally figured it out. (My mom let me get a perm on my 13th birthday- which I really didn’t need- and that was a quick and easy way for me to learn what to do with curls!)
    I think one of my favorite features is my waist. That sounds so silly, but it’s true! I have a mildly busty top half and I definitely have a tummy & some birthing hips, but my waist is very accentuated and looks so awesome in the right dress! I just signed up for a gym membership with the hubs so here’s to hoping that I get everything above and below my waist on track, too! 😉
    (Got my napkins today- THANK YOU!)
    Audrey recently posted…2016 Movies I’m Looking Forward To…

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      ha mr. wifestyle (still love that) calls me and sugar his ‘curly girls’ and we are hoping the brewing babe will have curls too!
      glad you’ve found the way to style and love your hair!

      ohhh i like that feature of your waist – i don’t think it sounds silly at all! it’s one of things i like about me too 🙂 yay for gym membership – there is so much to working out with someone so you have that accountability! glad the napkins made it!!

  4. Monika

    May 5, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Uhhh your husband should teach like husband/fiance/boyfriend classes because he’s basically amazing. Like use his motivational speaking to help other dudes haha.

  5. Karen

    May 5, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Hey, Chelsea! I use Garnier products on my hair already, but I’m excited to try these new products!
    In a world where most women wear makeup and follow fashion, I’ve always been out of step. I’m lucky enough to have wash and wear hair, but I’m challenged in most other areas.

    My thing has become my nails. I’m lucky enough to have sturdy fingernails and long fingers, so I tend to wear attention-grabbing (read that “blingy” and bright. Right now my nails are hot pink, with my ring fingers all in silver glitter.

    My fancy nails make me feel feminine…and the fact that strangers often say “oh, I love your nails,” makes me feel good.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      i think you will like these new products, karen! it’s so funny that ravery is even paying attention to how they make his hair feel – that’s a good sign!

      oh i know exactly the fun and eye-catching nail polish you are referring to karen! i think it’s great that you love your nails and play them up too!

  6. Mami2jcn

    May 5, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    My favorite feature is my lips! I highlight them with gloss.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      love it!

  7. Mami2jcn

    May 5, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/728349581419937793

  8. Paula Howley

    May 5, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    I love your curls. Curls rock. They ARE fun and wild.
    My favourite physical thing about me is also my hair. I have curly red hair and it has been the defining physical thing about me all my life. When I was a kid I got called Spaghetti Head and Carrot Top and I HATED my hair. I mean I HATED it. Grown ups would always come up to me and say “where did you get your lovely red hair?” and I would wonder what the hell they were talking about.
    As a teen I would blow dry it straight and then use a curling iron to try and make it like the latest fashion. I have some pretty bad pics. It took me a long time to figure out how to embrace my hair as it was. I love my hair now. Literally EVERY DAY someone comes up to me and says “I love your hair”.
    I usually use Herbal Essences Hydrating Mousse to style my hair but recently I’ve been using Marc Anthony’s Strictly Curls and I LOVE how my hair behaves with it.
    I haven’t seen that brand in Canada Chels- I’ll have to look for it. I know us curlies are always looking for the magic potion.
    I also have some pretty awesome boobs, but that’s for another post. lol
    Paula Howley recently posted…I Know With My Whole Heart

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      spaghetti head?! jeeeez. i totally know what you mean about people coming up and saying ‘omg i loooove your hair’ and i would just look at them think ‘then take it!!!!”

      ohh i will have to keep those products on my ‘maybe my curls will like this’ list! glad you have found what works for you paula because you seriously have gorgeous curls!

      ps. the slight of ‘oh and awesome boobs’ literally made me loudly laugh hahah you are the best!

  9. Ellie Wright

    May 5, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    My favorite physical feature is my green eyes. I like to wear black eyeliner and mascara to make them pop whenever we go out.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      oh green eyes – how pretty ellie!

  10. Ellie Wright

    May 5, 2016 at 5:46 pm

  11. Kelly D

    May 5, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    My favorite feature is my dark red hair. I embrace it when I go to have it styled- the stylist usually thinks that I color it.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      your hair sounds gorgeous kelly!

  12. Kelly D

    May 5, 2016 at 6:06 pm

  13. Elena

    May 5, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    My favorite feature is my big eyes. I embrace it often with mascara

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      love that you’ve found a way to embrace your eyes elena!

  14. Julie Wood

    May 5, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    I use Garnier products on my hair! Best shampoo I have ever used. My best feature is my eyes. They are big and brown and very intense. I bring them out with eyeshadow, liner and mascara!

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      it really is good stuff, julie! glad you have found ways to make your eyes pop 🙂

  15. Julie Wood

    May 5, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/728394708611801089

  16. Steve Weber

    May 5, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    My favorite feature is my eyes– they are blue blue blue. I accent them by colored contacts

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

  17. Stephanie Phelps

    May 5, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    My favorite physical feature are my dimples and I embrace them all the time!

  18. Stephanie Phelps

    May 5, 2016 at 7:56 pm

  19. Pingback: Tell Me Something Good - Handwritten Letters • the new wifestyle

  20. Shelley

    May 6, 2016 at 1:26 am

    I am also learning to love my curls 🙂

  21. Natalie

    May 6, 2016 at 5:52 am

  22. Natalie

    May 6, 2016 at 6:16 am

    My favorite physical feature is my eyes and I embrace them by wearing different shades of sparkling eyeshadow!

  23. Susan Smith

    May 6, 2016 at 8:21 am

    I have embraced my curls too. When I was growing up I always wished my hair was straight. My friends with straight hair always told me how lucky I was to have curly hair. I stopped straightening my hair years ago and now I enjoy my curly hair.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      i feel you on that susan! glad you stopped straightening your hair and are enjoying those curls now!

  24. Susan Smith

    May 6, 2016 at 8:23 am

  25. LaTanya

    May 6, 2016 at 11:55 am

    my smile and I use it everyday

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      love that answer latanya!

  26. Cheryl B

    May 6, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    My eyes are my favorite feature. I like to use a great eye shadow to accent them.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      love that you’ve found a great way to showcase your eyes, cheryl!

  27. Jessica To

    May 6, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    My favorite feature is my hair. I embrace it by keeping it long and full.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      fantastic jessica!

  28. CR Williams

    May 6, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    My favorite feature is my lips for sure.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      thanks for sharing CR!

  29. Margaret Smith

    May 6, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    My favorite is my eye’s. I try to use makeup that helps to bring out the blue in them.
    Thanks so much.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      glad you have found what works to bring the blue out margaret!

  30. Margaret Smith

    May 6, 2016 at 6:14 pm

  31. Jessie C.

    May 6, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    I love my hair, getting my hair done and choose good haircare products are ways I take care of it.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      sounds like you’ve got it on lockdown jessie!

  32. Jessie C.

    May 6, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/728751882429038593

  33. Michelle Richardson

    May 6, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    My favorite physical feature are my eyes and I embrace them daily with makeup and then making sure to washm y face each night!

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      sounds like a great way to bring them out michelle!

  34. Amy Tong

    May 7, 2016 at 12:01 am

    My favorite physical feature is my soft skin. My way of embrace it is giving out hugs to my family and frriends! 🙂

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:46 pm

      ohh great one amy! glad you pass that skin around in the form of hugs too!

  35. Anne

    May 7, 2016 at 10:22 am

    I always thought my mother had beautiful hands. Once, as a young adult, I saw a picture of myself and realized my hands are exactly like Mom’s, even the way I hold them. She is gone now, but I often think of her when I’m looking at my own hands. I embrace and accentuate them by wearing pretty rings and bracelets.

  36. Anne

    May 7, 2016 at 10:23 am

    Here’s my tweet about your encouraging blog post and the Garnier giveaway:
    https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/728982195449237508
    Thank you!

  37. eliza pergande

    May 7, 2016 at 10:38 am

    I have long curly hair and that is my favorite feature. truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

  38. eliza pergande

    May 7, 2016 at 10:39 am

  39. Cynthia C

    May 7, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    My favorite feature is my hair color. Instead of going gray, it has evolved into natural highlights. People always ask me who does my highlighting because it looks so good.

  40. Cynthia C

    May 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm

  41. Madeline

    May 7, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    My favorite physical feature is my eyes and I try to play them up with mascara and a complementing eyeshadow color.

  42. Harmony B

    May 8, 2016 at 10:09 am

    I like my eyes. love putting on my makeup in the morning

  43. Jammie

    May 9, 2016 at 9:40 am

    I really don’t have a favorite, but my best would be my eyes. I embrace them by using eyeliner to enhance them.

    • chelsea

      May 9, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      glad you embrace your eyes jammie!

  44. Jammie

    May 9, 2016 at 9:41 am

  45. Gina M

    May 9, 2016 at 10:44 am

    My favorite are my eyes, so I love to play up my eye makeup!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  46. Gina M

    May 9, 2016 at 10:45 am

    tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/729713908722839552

  47. rachel

    May 9, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Girls with straight hair always want curly hair and vice versa! haha! I like to embrace my strong legs. 🙂

  48. Debbie B

    May 9, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    my favorite physical feature would be my green eyes

    • chelsea

      May 10, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      oh green eyes – how pretty!

  49. Lisa Brown

    May 10, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    my favorite physical feature are my eyes and their color: blue/green. I play them up with eye makeup.

    • chelsea

      May 10, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      ohhh they sound lovely lisa!

  50. Lisa Brown

    May 10, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/730096361635373056

  51. sandra

    May 10, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    i don’t really have one

    • chelsea

      May 10, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      well i sure hope you can find one!

  52. Will G

    May 10, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    My favorite physical feature is my facial hair. I embrace it by keeping it groomed.

    • chelsea

      May 11, 2016 at 8:19 am

      glad to hear that facial hair is well groomed 🙂

  53. Allison Swain

    May 12, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    My favorite feature is my freckles! I used to hate them when I was little because I was teased, but as I got older I started to love them because they are beautiful and unique.

    Thanks for the chance to win

  54. Allison Swain

    May 12, 2016 at 3:57 pm

  55. Rachel

    May 14, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    My eyes are and I embrace it with eyeliner.

  56. Debbie B

    May 16, 2016 at 9:03 pm

  57. BusyWorkingMama

    May 17, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    I love my lips and I embrace them daily. I like the fullness and shape and enhance the look with a pop of color.

  58. Tina M

    May 17, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    My favorite feature is my big eyes. I embrace it with mascara

  59. Elle

    May 18, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    My favorite are my eyes which I like to keep natural but still made up. I like to play with different products to compliment them.

  60. Kristen

    May 19, 2016 at 10:42 am

    I like my hair as well, but it is the opposite….super straight…and I’ve spent much time trying to get it to hold a curl, but now I mostly just embrace the straight! A good haircut helps a lot.

  61. Kristen

    May 19, 2016 at 10:43 am

  62. Jeffrey

    May 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    This is a question that most people hate to answer, including myself! My wife says I have nice arms and I guess they are embraced in the summer when I wear tank tops.

  63. Jeffrey

    May 19, 2016 at 7:53 pm

  64. OFG

    May 21, 2016 at 8:02 am

    I’m 6’1” and I absolutely love being a tall woman!

    • chelsea

      May 21, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      yeeees! cheers to tall ladies and i love that you LOVE it!

  65. ann

    May 21, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    I really love my arms! I work really hard on strengthening them 🙂

  66. Kerry

    May 23, 2016 at 9:18 am

    My shoulders – tank tops are great this time of year!

  67. donna

    May 28, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    I love my springy curls and embrace them every day! 🙂

  68. amy rouse

    May 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    what is your favorite physical feature and how often do you embrace it? My eyes. And I use blue eyeliner to compliment then and wear blue tops often

  69. Linda

    May 29, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    My favorite feature is my big green eyes, I have always gotten compliments on them.

  70. Sarah L

    May 29, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    I have great legs thanks to my mother’s genes. I swim 3 times a week and love it.
    Thanks for the contest.

  71. kjasus

    May 29, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    i love my feet and show them off wearing sandals

  72. Whitney Bellows

    May 30, 2016 at 10:52 am

    my favorite physical feature is my eyes and i make sure to wear flattering makeup to help.

  73. Thomas Murphy

    May 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    I like my arms.

  74. maria cantu

    May 30, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    I would say my eyes.

  75. Shawn Gallagher

    May 30, 2016 at 5:41 pm

  76. Shawn Gallagher

    May 30, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    My favorite feature is my height and it comes in handy everyday

  77. Betty C

    May 30, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    My favorite feature is my hair. It has turned a lovely shade of gray and although it tends to have a mind of it’s own when it comes to style I still get many compliments.

  78. julie

    May 30, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    i love my legs and embrace them every day!

  79. julie

    May 30, 2016 at 8:05 pm

  80. Betty C

    May 30, 2016 at 8:06 pm

  81. Bert Ruiz

    May 31, 2016 at 12:36 am

    My favorite feature is my bald head 🙂 makes me a little different #SweepstakesEntry

  82. Bert Ruiz

    May 31, 2016 at 12:40 am

  83. Carolsue

    May 31, 2016 at 1:11 am

    My best physical feature is my skin. I embrace it by taking good care of it.

  84. Carolsue

    May 31, 2016 at 1:13 am

  85. Faith J.

    May 31, 2016 at 3:23 am

    My favorite feature is my eyes and you better believe I embrace them on a daily basis

  86. ANGEL JACKLYN

    May 31, 2016 at 5:06 am

    My hair, it has so many different natural colors in it! I love it!

  87. ANGEL JACKLYN

    May 31, 2016 at 5:06 am

  88. angie

    May 31, 2016 at 9:29 am

    My fav feature is my eyes. I used to love my lips but, as I have aged and they have thinned, my eyes are the new fav.

  89. Kathryn C

    May 31, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    #SweepstakesEntry- comment

    I receive a lot of compliments about how I look a lot younger than my current age so I would have to say my skin 🙂 I do use coconut oil on it a a lot and I avoid too much sun exposure

  90. Kathryn C

    May 31, 2016 at 3:36 pm

  91. Tabathia B

    May 31, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    My eyes are my favorite feature and my smile, I embrace my smile daily because it shows off my dimples

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  92. Tabathia B

    May 31, 2016 at 5:20 pm

  93. Barbara M

    May 31, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    My best physical feature is my eyes.
    I embrace it with frequent smiles.
    thank you

  94. Barbara M

    May 31, 2016 at 5:34 pm

  95. Rajee Pandi

    May 31, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    My eyes are my favorite I love my hair and eyebrows

  96. Rajee Pandi

    May 31, 2016 at 6:05 pm

  97. marie

    May 31, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    i love my ears 🙂 I dress them up with earrings