- In "The Princess Diaries," Mia's curly hair is portrayed as a problem and straightened.
- The famous makeover scene where Paolo recoils at her curls stuck with me as someone with curly hair.
I was 8 years old when I watched Mia Thermopolis go from "frizzball" to Princess of Genovia with the help of a hair straightener in "The Princess Diaries."
That scene stuck with me as someone whose hair looks similar to that of Anne Hathaway's character. When Paolo recoiled in horror at Mia's curls and gave her a makeover with straight locks, I internalized the message that curly hair was the ugly "before," and straight hair was the conventionally attractive "after."
There's nothing wrong with changing your hair if want to. But stigmas around curly or textured hair can make people feel forced to straighten it in order to conform to mainstream beauty standards or appear professional.
It didn't help that when I did straighten my hair, I would get tons of compliments, further evidence that my curls were simply a problem to be solved.
I eventually learned to embrace my natural curls in a reverse "Princess Diaries" makeover
After years of singeing my own hair with heat tools and harsh products, I came across the Curly Girl Method while searching for tutorials online. Its product guidelines and techniques were new to me, but the method is based on Black hair care routines that have been in use for many years.
I found a salon in New York City that specialized in curly hair. I bought microfiber towels to minimize frizz. I learned to "scrunch out the crunch" left by gels and mousses, leaving my ringlets soft and defined. I wore formal updos that allowed my curls to frame my face instead of reaching for a straightener for special occasions.
When I finally stopped fighting against my hair and decided to work with its natural curl patterns, I started to actually appreciate the way it looked. I haven't straightened my hair since.
I wish Mia could have had the same experience in Paolo's salon chair. What the Princess of Genovia really needed was sulfate-free conditioner and a stylist who could help her embrace her natural texture.