Campus has its own curly-haired queen, Alayna Rivera, also known to social media “ZaraeCurls,” who has gained a following on both TikTok and Instagram for posting curly-hair-related content.
From tips to styles, Rivera, a sophomore marketing major and public relations minor, posts a plethora of videos.
Growing up mixed, with thick, long curly hair, Rivera had to learn how to do her own hair and often received negative reactions when embracing it.
“I've never seen the adults in my life embrace their curly hair, and it's because they went through similar experiences that I did, and maybe even worse, because their hair was curlier than mine,” Rivera said.
Rivera’s inability to find relatability in the real world also bled into the online world, unable to find proper curly hair representation.
“I [would] go on Pinterest, find a hairstyle, [but] didn’t see anyone who had my hair’s type of thickness,” Rivera said.
Her styles were frequently described as “a crazy hair day, frizzy, puffy, or unprofessional.” She reflected back on a time in high school when a teacher applied hair products to her hair in front of her classmates without consent, telling her it would “help with the frizz.”
Despite these experiences, Rivera decided to redefine her relationship with her hair. During her senior year of high school in February 2024, she began posting content on TikTok and Instagram, motivated by the lack of representation for people with hair like hers.
“There was a point when I realized that my hair is beautiful,” Rivera said. “People tried to make me feel like it wasn’t, but I... learned to love it on my own.”
Now, Rivera shares this perspective with thousands of viewers. Her content ranges from hairstyle tutorials to “day in my life” videos about haircare. A key message she emphasizes is the importance of understanding hair porosity rather than relying solely on hair typing systems.
“Hair type charts aren’t always accurate because everyone has a mix of textures,” Rivera said. “What really matters is porosity, how your hair absorbs water. That’s how you choose the right products”.
She describes her hair as medium porosity, meaning that she prioritizes moisturizing products, hair masks, and deep conditioning treatments, noting that wash days and detangling can be a lengthy process to maintain curly hair.
“It’s definitely time-consuming, but it’s no more ‘difficult’ than straight hair; you’re still spending time on your hair either way,” Rivera said.
As her platform continues to grow, Rivera has seen its real-world impacts. She recalls moments when her classmates, coworkers and people she doesn’t know recognize her and compliment her hairstyles and even ask for advice.
She has also realized that the good always outweighs the bad, meaning that a few negative comments and DMs can’t stop the message she is trying to spread and the people she has reached.
“Rejection is simply redirection, and it's not about doing amazing all the time,” she said. “One of the biggest moments was when someone sent me a screenshot of my video on Pinterest—I never posted it there. It made me realize that people really care about what I’m putting out.”
Despite her busy schedule, Rivera depends on her digital calendar and time management skills to maintain a consistent presence and integrate content creation into her daily routine.
“I don’t really plan it out,” she said. “If I’m already doing my hair, I’ll just record it. I usually do my hair at night, so that’s when I film most of my content.”
Although she has considered turning her platform into a full-time career, she currently views it as a passion rather than a job.
“It doesn’t feel like work, because I love it,” Rivera said. “If I can help one more person feel confident, then I’ve done what I’ve set out to do.”
Beyond social media, Rivera demonstrates leadership and commitment through campus involvement.
Rivera is a resident assistant for the Complex, a desk assistant, a member of ALPFA, a Joseph Ana Unanue Latino Institute (JAULI) scholar, a mentee and member of the Financial Women’s Association, and a member of the Éxito Program Cohort (Entrepreneurship).
Outside of campus, she’s a marketing intern for the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup in America’s 250th anniversary.
She is also a social media manager for a real estate agent.
Rivera’s platform is about more than hair, and as it continues to grow, she is grateful for the support she has along the way.
“My family, friends and my boyfriend encourage me a lot with my content,” Rivera said. “Their unwavering support makes me feel like they're just as part of my internet success as I am.”
Rivera remains focused on expanding, hoping to one day have her own hair product line and ensuring her message reaches a larger audience.
“I still have so much more I want to do,” Rivera said. “I’m not done yet.”
Kassandrah Blake is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at kassandrah.blake@student.shu.edu.
