Bonnie’s Curly Confession: A Journey of Creativity, Family, and Loving Her Natural Texture
At Austin Curls, we believe every curl has a story to tell—a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace what makes you you. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Bonnie, a vibrant soul whose curl journey mirrors her path to self-acceptance, creativity, and finding joy in the little things. From her early struggles with her waves to embracing her curls as a defining part of her identity, Bonnie’s story is one of transformation, laughter, and learning to love the unique texture that makes her, well, her.
From Waves to Ringlets: Bonnie’s Curly Beginnings
Bonnie’s relationship with her hair hasn’t always been easy. Growing up in San Rafael, California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bonnie had thick, wavy hair that was often a source of frustration. “My mom has stick-straight hair,” Bonnie shares. “She had no idea what to do with me, so she would give me a Dorothy Hamill haircut. It was always sticking out in various ways. It was just a hot mess.”
It wasn’t until after having children that Bonnie’s hair truly transformed. “I didn’t have ringlets until after I had kids,” she recalls. “That’s when my hair totally changed. So, yeah, I didn’t really think of myself as being a curly-haired person until I moved to Austin with the humidity. That of course just made it curlier.”
The Search for the Perfect Curl Care
Before finding Austin Curls, Bonnie tried a few other salons in Austin, but none quite understood her texture. “I didn’t think I ever identified myself as having curly hair until I went to see an Ouidad-trained stylist,” Bonnie says. “My friend, who lives in Houston, has long curly black hair, and she went to an Ouidad salon in Houston. She couldn’t stop praising it, so that’s why I looked for somebody who is Ouidad-trained.”
When her hairstylist retired, Bonnie hesitated to try Austin Curls because of the distance. But after a less-than-ideal experience with another stylist, she decided to give Jasmin a chance. “One visit with Jasmin, and I never went back,” Bonnie says with a laugh. “I loved the haircut—that’s why I came back—but I also loved Jasmin’s personality. She’s very go-with-the-flow, funny, and smart. It was a huge part of why I kept coming back.”
The Turning Point: Learning to Love Her Curls
Bonnie’s first appointment with Jasmin was a revelation. “I think the thing that mattered the most to me was realizing that I had another option than just air-drying it, which is what I always did,” Bonnie explains. “I didn’t put any product in. I just took a shower, put conditioner in, and let it dry. Jasmin taught me what to do with it. It was like coming home.”
Bonnie compares the experience to someone from another country returning to their homeland. “It’s like if you’re from another country, and you’re living with people who tell you what to do with your hair. Then you go back home, and you’re like, ‘Wait, this is what I’m supposed to do with my hair.’ It just felt right. It was like meeting myself for the first time.”
Since then, Bonnie’s curls have become a defining part of her identity. “I feel like the curls give me an edge,” she says. “I’m pretty much a brunette white girl, pretty boring, but the curls make me a little less so. It’s nice to be in a creative profession and have curly hair. In a corporate job, I could see people saying, ‘Your hair is really messy or frizzy.’ But in a creative field, people either don’t care or see it as something that makes you stand out.”
Bonnie’s Curl Care Routine
When it comes to her curl routine, Bonnie is a self-proclaimed “product slut.” “I’ll try anything,” she admits. “My favorite are the Ouidad products, but I’m always anxious to see if there’s something better out there. I’m a total product person. It’s so bad.”
Her routine includes clarifying once a week and shampooing no more than twice a week. “I almost always put products in,” she says. “I use the Ouidad leave-in conditioner and gel. I’ve tried so many gels, but the Ouidad one works best for me because I like my hair to feel soft, not crunchy.”
One of Bonnie’s game-changers has been the Bounce Curl brush, which she discovered on TikTok. “That brush changed my life,” she says. “It makes the curls coalesce and does the closest thing to what Jasmin does for my hair. I don’t have the patience to blow-dry, so this brush is a lifesaver.”
A Life Full of Love, Laughter, and Creativity: Bonnie Berry’s Journey
Bonnie Berry’s story is one of embracing every facet of life—curls, creativity, and all. As a passionate photographer, Bonnie has turned her love for capturing moments into a thriving career, specializing in family portraits that document life’s most meaningful milestones. “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do stuff like that,” she shares. “I’ve photographed families since their kids were one, and now they’re graduating high school. It’s like shooting a wedding—you’re with these people at the biggest moments of their life, and you get to experience that with them.”
For Bonnie, photography is more than just a profession—it’s a way to connect with others and preserve memories that last a lifetime. “The word ‘photography’ comes from the Greek words for ‘light’ and ‘writing,’” she explains. “It’s about capturing light and telling a story. That’s what I love about it. It’s not just about taking pictures; it’s about documenting life and creating something that lasts.”
At home, Bonnie’s life is a beautiful blend of love, laughter, and a touch of chaos. Married for 20 years, she and her husband have built a warm and supportive family with their two children—a transgender daughter in college and a son who’s a junior in high school. “We are huge pet people,” Bonnie adds with a smile. “We currently have a dog and two cats, one of whom is a tripod. It’s a bit of a circus here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Family is at the heart of everything Bonnie does. “My kids and my husband have just been huge gifts to me,” she says. “I’m so proud of the fact that we built a home that’s loving and full of laughter. We all really like each other, even when we’re driving each other crazy.”
To learn more about Bonnie’s work and her journey, visit her website at www.bonnie-berry.com and follow her on Instagram @bonnieberryphoto. Through her photography and her life, Bonnie continues to inspire others to embrace their own stories with love, creativity, and a whole lot of laughter.
Bonnie’s Advice for Curly Girls Everywhere
For anyone struggling to embrace their natural curls, Bonnie’s advice is simple: “Find yourself a stylist you work well with and keep trying stuff out,” she says. “Make it fun. Don’t take it too seriously. It’s just hair. My hair has never been this long before, and it’s a new thing for me. Just play around and have fun with it. It grows back.”
Bonnie’s journey is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the joy of embracing what makes you unique. Whether it’s through her photography, her love for her family, or her ever-evolving curl routine, Bonnie reminds us that life is about finding beauty in the little things—and sometimes, that starts with a great haircut.
Feeling inspired? Book a consultation with our curl experts and take the next step toward your healthiest, most vibrant curls.
Have your own curl journey to share? We’d love to hear it! Email [email protected] to be featured in our Confessions of a Curly Girl series. Because every curl has a story worth telling.
