Felista on Curly Hair, Straightening and Letting It Be

We met Rufs model Felista Bergdahl Sagala at Trivas for afternoon tea and a conversation about hair and identity. When she looks at her childhood photos, she sees a hair going in every direction. Back then, she never thought about it. In her teens, she started trying to make her hair take up less space. Here, she shares how a trip to London changed her perspective and why a simple spray bottle of water has made her mornings easier.

Tell us about yourself and your family.

I’m really happy with life right now. I did gymnastics for most of my life, up until this spring. My family consists of my mum, stepdad, brother and boyfriend.

Felista as a child in a gym hall with wall bars, wearing a pink leotard

I finished school this spring and now work at Salthallarna in Höganäs. The plan is to work for a while and then travel next spring.

What do you appreciate most in life?

Spending time with my friends, family and boyfriend. I also enjoy designing clothes, working out, going for walks and travelling.

Candy jars at Trivas

How did your hair journey begin?

It wasn’t until my teens that I started thinking about my hair. In old childhood photos, it’s free and just natural. It’s lovely to see.

My mum looked after my hair, but she had no experience with my hair type. She has slightly wavy Scandinavian hair, and my dad has Afro-textured hair. I saw him at weekends, so my mum was the one responsible for caring for my hair.

Felista as a child with her mum, looking out over the sea

In my teens, I realised I looked different from many of the people around me. At the same time, I started doing my own hair. It was mostly about getting to know it and finding my own little tricks.

How did the hair ideals around you affect you?

Flat, straight hair was the norm. I always wanted to flatten mine so it would take up less space. I didn’t want to stand out or be noticed just because of my hair.

First, I used lots of water. Then came the straighteners, which I used so much. Eventually, they damaged my hair, and I really regret that.

I think a lot of it comes down to trying to make your hair fit in. It mustn’t be too big or too fluffy. We spend so much time trying to fit within boundaries that can feel invisible, but become very obvious when you step outside them.

What changed when you went to London?

In Sweden, I think quite a lot about how my hair looks before leaving the house. But when I went to London this spring, I saw so many people with the same hair type as me. I started worrying less.

If my hair had more volume when I woke up, it didn’t really matter. I spent less time and energy styling it. It made me think that perhaps I could feel that way back home in Sweden too.

I’ve started to realise that I’m often the one assuming everyone else is thinking about my hair. I can choose to shift my focus to myself and what I want.

How do you care for your hair today?

My hair gets incredibly tangled, especially in the mornings. For a long time, my solution was to shower every morning, but I felt it was drying my hair out.

Then my boyfriend suggested a spray bottle of water. It made such a difference. Now I spray my hair with water in the morning, apply Detangler and comb it through.

I use all the Rufs products, but the Conditioner is my favourite. It makes my hair softer and helps me work through the tangles without so much pulling. My hair also dries very quickly after a shower, so I like using Detangler then too.

Felista’s top tips for curly hair

Start with water. I get the best results when my hair is thoroughly wet before I detangle it or shape my curls.
Detangle in the shower with conditioner. Afterwards, with Detangler, Leave-In or Curl Cream in my hair, I like shaping my curls with my fingers while it’s still wet.
Keep a spray bottle handy. I use it in the mornings and to wet my hair again if it starts drying while I’m styling it.
Try new hairstyles. Want braids? Give them a go! Try to spend less energy worrying about what others might think and discover what you like.

Curious about how to care for your curls? Start with our Hair Guide.

What’s the best thing about your hair?

How much I can do with it. I can wear it in lots of different styles, and I enjoy trying something new.

What would you say to a child with curly hair?

Let your hair breathe a little and dare to be your own wonderfully wild self. Express yourself! I wish I’d spent less time thinking about how my hair looked and more about who I was and what I wanted.

Felista as a child sitting in a flower meadow in a yellow jacket

What are you curious about next?

What’s to come. I don’t have a clear plan, but I have a few dreams. One is to go to Italy and study fashion and design.

I like not knowing exactly what’s next. Surprises are fun. I try to make the most of the opportunities that come my way and say yes to most things.

About Felista

Loves: Friends, family, her boyfriend, design, working out, walks and travelling.
A hairstyle she’d like to try: Much shorter hair, to see what her curls would look like.
Top hair tip: Use plenty of water.
Rufs favourites: Moisturizing Conditioner and Moisturizing Detangler.
Instagram: @felista1234