Bailey’s Curly Confession: How a Mom of Two Found Freedom (and Frizz-Free Confidence) in Letting Go
At Austin Curls, we know that embracing your natural texture isn’t just about hair—it’s about rewriting the stories we’ve been told about beauty, practicality, and what it means to “have it all.” Meet Bailey, a tech professional, mom of two, and reformed blowout addict whose journey from Seattle frizz to Austin-defined spirals proves that sometimes, the boldest act of self-love is choosing ease over effort.
From Rainy Seattle to Desert Heat: A Life of Reinvention
Bailey’s story begins in Seattle, where her curls battled relentless rain and a culture that labeled them “unruly.” “In the early 2000s, curly hair wasn’t cool—it was a problem to solve,” she recalls. Gel left her strands crunchy, sports kept her too busy for styling, and her hair lived in a perpetually frizzy bun. She traded drizzle for desert sun in Las Vegas, building a career in hospitality at iconic spots like Caesars Palace. “I thrived in the chaos of the strip,” she says, “but my hair? I fried it straight.” Blowouts became her armor, sleek and predictable—until love changed everything.
A decade ago, Bailey and her husband swapped Vegas’ neon glow for Austin’s live oaks. Now a mom to six-year-old Iris (“a tiny CEO”) and four-year-old Dino (“a tornado in overalls”), plus two schnauzers (Leroy and Brodie), she traded hotel operations for tech, onboarding global hires. “Hospitality was 24/7 adrenaline. Tech lets me breathe—and actually see my kids.” When she’s not refereeing sibling squabbles or Zoom meetings, Bailey unwinds with sci-fi marathons, cross-stitching, and comedy shows. “Date nights are sacred. So is hiding in the bathroom to doom-scroll Snapchat.”
The Curl Awakening: When “Practical” Met “Powerful”
For years, Bailey’s curls were a secret even her husband didn’t know. “I blow-dried my hair bone-straight. He thought I was born with pin-straight locks!” she laughs. But postpartum life in Austin’s humidity cracked the facade. “Two kids tugging my hair, 100-degree summers—it was a frizzy nightmare.” Salons offered quick fixes: wet cuts, heavy products, and blowouts that collapsed in the Texan heat. “I felt trapped: too busy to style my curls, too guilty to keep frying them.”
Then, a revelation: her husband confessed he loved her natural texture. “He said my curls were his favorite thing about me. I blushed—then panicked. I didn’t even know how to be curly anymore.”
The Chop Heard ‘Round Austin: Short Hair, Big Freedom
In July 2021, drowning in toddler chaos, Bailey googled “curly stylists near me.” Enter Jasmin. “I walked in with two kids clinging to my legs and a plea: ‘Make this manageable.’” Jasmin’s dry-cut technique and Ouidad products were a revelation. “No wet snipping, no vague advice. She treated my curls like a science experiment—in the best way.” The “rake and shake” method replaced Bailey’s wild diffusing, and a collarbone-grazing cut liberated her from ponytail tug-of-wars.
The result? Spirals with definition, volume, and a routine shorter than naptime. “Suddenly, I had time. Time to play with my kids, to cross-stitch, to breathe. My husband said I glowed—and strangers stopped me at H-E-B to ask, ‘Who does your hair?’”
The Routine: Less Product, More Life
Bailey’s routine is a masterclass in mom-approved efficiency:
- Wash: 2-3 times weekly with Ouidad’s shampoo (scalp only!) and conditioner (ends only!).
- Style: Leave-in conditioner on sopping-wet ends, mousse for hold, gel for definition. “Rake, shake, diffuse with purpose. Fluff roots for volume—no crunch, no fuss.”
- Night hack: “Silk pillowcases are magic. Wake up, spritz with water, and go. Even Dino approves.”
The Lesson: Confidence Lives in the Choices You Release
Bailey’s journey isn’t just about curls—it’s about the freedom of letting go. “I spent years believing beauty meant effort: straightening, primping, striving. Now? My hair takes 10 minutes, and I feel more ‘me’ than ever.” Her advice to fellow busy moms and recovering perfectionists: “Stop clinging to what’s ‘expected.’ Cut the length, ditch the routine that drains you, and watch confidence grow where perfectionism once lived.”
For Bailey, short hair wasn’t a sacrifice—it was a rebellion. “It’s not just about curls. It’s about choosing what makes your life lighter. For me, that’s less product, less time styling, less worrying. That lightness? It spills into everything.”
Ready to Trade Effort for Ease?
Let Austin Curls help you rewrite your story. Book a consultation with Jasmin and discover how the right cut—and the courage to simplify—can unlock confidence you never knew you had.
Share your journey of practical beauty with us at [email protected]—your story could be the nudge another mom needs to let go.
