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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

Straightening your hair makes your life much easier, right? You don’t have to worry about a bad hair day, or the curls getting knotty. You just brush your hair a little bit or throw it up in a ponytail and you’re good to go.

But trust me, it’s not worth it. Pulling out the straightener maybe be easier for you, but it won’t make your hair very happy. Here are a few reasons why you should stop straightening your hair: 

 

1. It causes breakage, damage and dryness. 

Applying heat to your hair follicles strips them of natural and essential oils, which are what keep your hair moisturized. Without them, your hair completely dries out, leading to frizz and breakage – all because of your straightener. Don’t let this scare you though. The minute you wash your hair, those oils are restored. If you give your hair a break from the heat for a while, it’ll surely restore itself and it make your curls very happy.

 

2. It’s expensive.

Ok, there are some products you can buy to protect your hair from heat damage, but to protect your hair to the fullest, you’d need high-end ones. It gets to be a little pricey, too, especially for broke college students. Hair straighteners alone can range from anywhere between $50 to almost $200, so, collegiettes, take my advice: don’t ever pay that much to ruin your hair; it just makes your curls sad. 

 

3. There are so many other ways to make your hair look good!

There are always products to buy that can make your curls look shiny and full. You can really buy any kind of conditioner and it’ll give your hair moisture and volume. Even leaving it in for a few minutes longer than your shower will make a huge difference. I’ve used Pantene my entire life, and it has always worked for my hair. Use a little bit every day and you’ll never look back. 

Silk pillowcases have also been proven to help restore hair. Silk fabric is made of smooth, flat fibers – this reducing friction between the pillowcase and your hair. Also, before you go to sleep, you should put a humidifier in your room and keep it on overnight; trust me, you’ll wake up with silky, bouncy curls.

 

4.  You were born with curls – they make you beautiful! 

 If you’ve read this far and still want to go straighten your hair, do what makes you happy. But remember, the hair gods gave you curls for a reason – you were meant to have them! They fit you perfectly, and you’re beautiful with them no matter what. Don’t ever change who you are just because you think it’ll make you more beautiful. Embrace yourself and your hair; it’s truly a gift and a beauty. 

 

I am a senior majoring in Digital and Print Journalism at Penn State University, so I absolutely love to write. I am originally from Easton, Pennsylvania (no I did not grow up in the Crayola Factory). I love to sing, and I am a huge Kelly Clarkson fan! I literally have every single Kelly Clarkson lyric in the history of ever memorized. On a normal day, you'll most likely find me cuddling with my dogs and watching Disney movies.
Samantha Grillo graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. She loves creative writing, pop culture and Penn State, all of which led her to joining the Her Campus Penn State team at the beginning of her freshman year as a contributing writer. In her free time, Samantha enjoys reading, watching her favorite TV shows, and catching up on the latest movies.