My whole life actually. I never had a chemical straightener, but I rarely wore it in its naturally curly state until fall of 2013. I grew up getting a press every other week. As an adult, I worked as a news anchor and at the time the news business wasn't ready for my big beautiful hair. While on maternity leave with my son, I stopped flat ironing my hair to show my daughter that despite what we see on TV, and in movies, curly hair is beautiful too. I (I (mostly) haven't looked back since. It's been an incredible experience and I've truly falling in love with my hair for the first time in my life. I blogged about my hair journey here.