This post is part of an ongoing series called Fur We Love, where we focus on people's relationship to their hair and the routines they've built around haircare. This week, we talked to Ariel Kellogg, an artist & jewelry maker from Western New York and currently based in St. Augustine, Florida, about trial and error, class pictures, and keeping cool in the Florida heat.
What are some of your haircare and grooming routines for hair all over?
My hair routine is pretty low maintenance. I shampoo and condition my hair once a week and brush it while it’s wet. Post-wash, I finger comb a little jojoba oil through while targeting my ends to make it seem hydrated. I always air dry. Most nights I’ll sleep with a braid to minimize the frizz and avoid flattening my curls. As for my body hair, I’m kind of lazy about it. I am a shaver but, I don’t mind letting the prickles grow in between shaves.
What hairstyles make you feel the most confident?
Parting my hair down the middle, wearing it down, and keeping it natural.
What's one trick that always works for you?
Since I wash my hair once a week, I’ll sometimes jump in the ocean to buy myself a couple more days without washing. Salt water really does wonders for me. It locks in my curls and waves like a mermaid.
Was there ever a time you didn't feel comfortable with your hair?
Like any relationship, I’ve faced a fair amount of obstacles. A lot of trial and error. Mostly being misguided with styling approaches growing up and feeling confused about how I should wear my hair. I’ve gone through a lot of phases with products like gels, mouse, and sprays to oils, and leave in conditioners. My current relationship with my hair is nothing but love. It’s been that way ever since graduating high school. It’s become my favorite characteristic about myself.
What's one style you had to try, but are happy to leave behind?
Ombre hair, flat ironing my hair (which was so time consuming), and over plucking my eyebrows (in high school). I also grew out my leg hair, armpit hair, and body hair for a while but it just didn’t feel like me. I live in Florida now, and it’s hot af and shaving my legs and armpits helps me keeps me cool and comfortable with all the sweat.
Do you have a memory of a time you weren't always comfortable with your hair?
If you look at my school photos from kindergarten to my senior year, it explains it all. Here’s a really quick breakdown of my ‘hair chapters’. It started in 2nd grade. My dad had no business cutting hair, and he “accidentally” chopped my hair really short. I was devastated. 3rd and 4th grade, it grew back, I was fine. 5th grade my hair was entering its frizzy stage. My classmates made fun of how big my hair looked in my class photo and how it went outside of the frame. As a result, I didn’t wear my hair down all of middle school and into my freshman year. Sophomore and junior year, I went through a phase where I would gel my hair to a crisp, while keeping it half up in a bun and half down. Class mates called that look the ‘jelly fish’. Senior year, I gained the confidence to let my hair all the way down, but I had these self made side bangs that I would straighten. Coming of age is an uncomfortable time in general. Glad thats all out of my system.
Who would you consider a hair icon or inspiration?
My top 5 forever hair icons are: Yoko Ono in the 60s and 70s, Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon, Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and Hailey Gates.
What do you love most about your hair?
I spent so many years figuring out its nature. I love my hair because it’s where I keep all my secrets and power.
