The stereotype that Asian women predominantly have straight hair has been challenged by a Vietnamese American TikTok creator, Alyssa Nguyen, who revealed her wavy hair routine, resonating with many Asian American women who share similar hair textures.
Nguyen, based in New York City, shared her wavy hair tutorial on TikTok, highlighting that her hair had unexpectedly transitioned from straight to wavy. She originally believed she had straight hair, but in her early twenties, her hair started to dry with a subtle bend and became more frizzy and coarse in texture, while still maintaining a fine texture.
To achieve her wavy hair look, Nguyen starts with freshly washed, wet hair, applying Shea Moisture Leave-In Conditioner. She scrunches her hair with a towel to enhance her curl pattern. Next, she uses Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse, applying it from the ends to the roots in a scrunching motion. Afterward, she scrunches her hair again with a towel.
Nguyen advises against using curl cream, as it can weigh down the hair and reduce volume. Instead, she opts for Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Gel, applying a sufficient amount and scrunching the product to seal in the curls. Once the hair becomes stiff and completely dry, she recommends applying L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil to eliminate the gel-like feeling.
Nguyen’s tutorial has resonated with fellow Asian American women who share a similar hair texture. Many expressed gratitude for seeing someone with hair like theirs and are eager to try her wavy hair routine. They appreciated the representation and encouraged Nguyen’s efforts to help others embrace and care for their unique hair textures.
Nguyen responded to inquiries about identifying one’s curl pattern, suggesting letting hair air dry and looking for any subtle bends rather than straightness as a sign of a curl pattern. She encouraged those interested to try her routine to discover and enhance their hair’s natural wave.
