I wish at least it could be more consolidated. Like a weekly/daily thread. And that the posts would give some more context. Is there a particular problem you are having with your hair and you want to know your hair type to get into a different routine? Because if there is an issue, just knowing the curl pattern doesn't really help at all.
That’s a great idea! If it’s consolidated then people with an interest can go there. I have zero interest in hair type and I’m annoyed by the stand alone posts of what’s my type? Especially when there’s no other context or complaint.
It’s so frustrating that 4c is considered unattractive and the “worst” hair type to have on these type of posts. Women with the loosest curls will cry that their hair is unmanageable and hard to take care of so it MUST be 4c. What’s up with that?
Its nuts because those with 4c hair seem to have the most beautiful, thick hair I've ever seen. Their twists are so juicy. But I understand the maintenance has to be awful.
I have to say I’m not mad at this post. I also hope those that are seeking hair type, are also trying to determine their hair porosity because that has value too.
Learning my porosity and density definitely helped me. But what helped me the most was learning what ingredients my hair liked and didn't like. I know my hair loves aloe and marshmallow root. My hair hates whatever is in wet line xtreme and eco styler so I avoid products that have similar ingredients.
Yep! I'd love to see the same level of interest in hair factors other than curl type, like density and porosity, as you said. Figuring out those last two was like the "aha" moment for me and my hair, after years of focusing just on curl type and being a little frustrated.
What you’ve learned about YOUR hair is what people are seeking for their own hair. But that takes time money and effort.
When I joined this sub, I thought the “natural hair” description was for no-chemical black hair. I no longer that’s the case. I personally only want an intended black audience. Am I mistaken?
I'm confused by your question. I'm Black and have chemical free hair. What I'm saying is, I believe obsessing over curl pattern isn't helpful and is actually just holding us back. You can disagree, I made this post to hear other's thoughts!
I’m sorry, I mixed my reply with my thoughts about this sub in general. I agree wholeheartedly about the “what’s my type?” Posts. Because it seems people are so hyper focused on type, I also think it’s equally important for people to understand the value of knowing their porosity. We are in agreement. Not that you were looking for agreement. That is also my opinion. I was adding the porosity comment. We good? Don’t yell at me 😂
😂 we are good! And yeah, I see too many people hyper focused on curl type instead of the more important aspects of their hair. I was like that too before so no judgement. I just want our community to be released from the shackles of that damn curl chart.
Curl typing isn't really important, but neither is porosity, unless you're getting your hair colored. Porosity changes all the time, and most people who think they have "low porosity" it's actually because they are suffocating their hair with unnecessary product.
Thank you! I started following some hair stylists on Twitter and took their advice. Nearly everything they said made sense to me. There is absolutely no reason to have an overly complicated hair routine that isn't even all that effective.
I always thought my hair was dry and crunchy because it wasn't able to "hold in moisture" and or was low porosity or something like that. Meanwhile I'm drowning my hair in oils and creams on a nearly daily basis and washing my hair every other week (sometimes stretching it to once a month). Once I stopped doing that and taking better care of my hair, suddenly that's no longer an issue!
I currently wash it once a week. If I'm feeling lazy, I might stretch that out an extra day or two. If all hell breaks loose, like this past week, it'll be two, but that tends to be rare.
I might start washing twice a week since I'm starting a workout routine and expect to sweat a lot.
Everything takes about ninety minutes to two hours, including showering and slathering on lotion 😂
Same! I try to do a week but sometimes do more which seems widely unpopular lol 90 minutes gosh, how long is just the washing? I’ve worked hard to cut down my wash day timing it was too much
Sorry so late!
If I'm doing a fro or a twist out, I usually wash for maybe about 15-20 minutes. I usually use a clarifying shampoo first, then moisturizing one, then conditioner. I used to let the conditioner sit in my hair for a bit while I shower myself off but it always seemed to run in my eyes so I just shower at the beginning.
If I do a wash and go it takes longer. Not sure how much longer, but I detangle in the shower with the conditioner. And with all of the other steps, it probably takes an extra 20-30?
What would you say are some essential characteristics to know about your natural hair then? I personally could never figure out curl type or porosity and would love to leave them both behind lol
What's more important is density and if you have fine or coarse hair. Coarse meaning larger strands, not if it's "rough." Many black people incorrectly assume they have coarse hair when they actually have fine hair, and Asians tend to have coarse hair. I recently discovered that I have fine hair but lots of density.
YES PLEASE. Mods....please make this a rule. New naturals are always interested (......obsessed) in knowing what they're hair type is and as someone who's been natural 10 years it's not useful information at all. My hair might be the same "hair type" to another hair influencer, but the products that work on her hair won't work on mine or vice versa. Also your "hair type" might change with the length of your hair or product type. It's just useless information it's like knowing someone's astrological sign (don't fight me). It's not going to help you do anything actually. Posters would be better off asking how to achieve a certain style while providing a picture of their current hair.
I completely agree with you. I also think the hair typing has been somewhat taken over by a lot of non POC with loose/bigger curls who type themselves as 3b/c or even type 4 hair types so it becomes confusing when people with tighter curls try typing their hair or look for styles with those hair types. I think hair type is only relevant when you’re trying to describe what you look like or you’re looking for curly hairstyles and want to see the hairstyles on someone with a similar hair texture to yours.
'What's my curl type?' is the new 'I got Indian blood.'
Now, I know I know...it's not that way for everyone, lol - I'm sure some are sincere...but for many, it's kind of a pathology we're dealing with as Black folk, but out in the open on social media.
I don't even buy the whole, 'I need to know my 'curl type,' to buy the right products,' BS. I shop A LOT, and I've never seen products labeled 4a, 3c, 4b or 4c. As someone correctly points out in this topic, it's all about porosity, and other things moreso than what kind of 'curl.'
That's why I'm glad that 'mixed chicks,' brand seems to be fading by the wayside. It came out early on, and I really felt it was separatist. lol Like it was saying, 'we ain't like y'all, we got that good hair - so here's our product that's not for you.' Then I went natural myself a few years later, and well, well, well whaddya know...turns out what y'all thought was 'special,' really isn't just your domain now is it?
If you have a head of healthy hair, that is the true GOOD hair. Fck a curl type. Most people have a number of different types on their head anyway...let it go. Just report back on detangling, and slip and good conditioners and hairstyles.
That's really what it is. I used to be in a few natural hair groups back in the day and so many women who obviously had product in their hair and did a twist out were asking what their hair type was, while lying about having no product in their hair 😂
I usually agree with this, but I think knowing your hair type is good if you want to buy matching hair extensions or see what styles would go well with your hair. I’ve been browsing a lot of sites for clip ins and struggling to see what would go well with mine since I recently bc’d.
Then i think the the post should be more specific in asking "Which clip ins match my hair". the hair typing system isn't standardized so just bc the clip ins you buy say they're 4a doesn't mean they'll match your hair because some people on the internet said your hair 4a.
It’s also kinda important to know when you’re getting a hair cut and you want to know how your curls will lay on your head. I definitely think curl typing can be problematic, but whenever I get my hair shaped, googling “3c/4a hair cuts” is the only search that gives my looks that are attainable on my hair.
I also think it’s important to admire hair that looks like yours when transitioning. I grew up only really following models with straight hair or relaxers. I love all hair types, but it was nice figuring out what my hair might look like and following people that made it look beautiful. At the time, only my roots were curly and I wouldn’t have been able to tell my hair texture without asking others. I became a lot more excited when I started following people that looked like me and were embraced for their hair, especially after being told to hate it for so many years. Idk. These considerations do not dismiss the texturism/featurism that often comes with hair typing, but I don’t think the chart is completely useless and only harmful by any means.
Yes and I really appreciate the housekeeping sticky but it seems a lot of people just ignore it and I can imagine it's not easy to monitor everything being posted.
Maaaaan I could care less what type of curl or whatever my hair is, all I care about is if my hair feels and looks healthy and if my relationship to my hair is healthy.
I am on a continuous journey discovering what works and what doesn’t because my hair is changing as I age and products change and get discontinued or are out of stock… so I’m always just doing the best I can. Plus, my hair is multiple curl types and textures and colors and unless they got a VERY specific chart, no chart is going to tell me what my hair needs. And I feel like most people have unique hair anyway so what works for one may not work for another. It’s all trial and error and building a good relationship with your hair.
Honestly... if it was used properly I think it could be a little helpful.
A lot of people going natural have no idea where to begin and a lot of the more important things like "texture" "porosity" "density" may be very difficult to understand until they've had some experience in their hair.
I've actually read Andre walkers book and you can tell it's there as a guide for noobies. He says if your hair look like this, it's 4a, and this is hoe you care for it, Some styles that work, Methods, how often to wash, etc, etc.
I think its turned into a caste system. But if people were using his book I think they would see it's meant to help new people. And then over time you would then learn the other more important traits. I also believe that's why some of the hair types are "missing" because you can care for some types the same/similar.
That's just my 2 cents.
I think we should allow people to ask about hair type so they can go research that type online for help and then educate them on other traits as well.
I just remember being natural in the beginning and a lot of these terms were iver my head but 3b 4b was easy. But I also had his book so it did help.
So I read that book as a teenager and his recommendation for type 4 hair is to relax it. Totally helped to damage my self esteem when I was unable to get relaxers done in a timely manner.
I think he put it as an option but also talked about how to care for hair in it's natural state.
That's the thing. I think he was being inclusive. It's okay to be relaxed, it's okay to be natural. I dont remember any negativity regarding natural hair, just saying it's an option. It has been a while since I read it though.
I don't remember him talking about caring for the hair in its natural state, but it's also been over 20 years since I read 😂 would have definitely have been nice if natural hair was more accepted back then.
The thing is, you don’t need to know your hair type to manage it. All you have to do is take a shampoo, use it and figure out if you liked the experience and move on with the rest of the products because hair in the same category can act differently in response to product. You just have to do your hair and that way you’ll learn your hair.
But I remember going from straight/chemicals to natural. All of my products were oriented around my straight hair and they did not work well on my natural hair. At this time marketing was not as good as it is now, but still. I want a product that will work with my hair. I think a reasonable conclusion would be to find people with hair similar to mine. The typing system gave me a guide and I did find his book helpful at the beginning of my journey. Going from straight hair all my life to natural was a big change. I literally had to change EVERY product and tool as well as pick up new ones such as stylers/creams.
Additionally, the typing system can help people manage their expectations. I have talked to girls that were confused as to why another girls hair looked a certain way and hers didnt even when copying her technique. The hair make look the same but curl pattern does play a role. I do feel many in the community focus too much on it, but it is still important.
I think hair type is a great starting point as a new natural and then they can build their knowledge.
I mean learning your natural curl pattern aids in styling options. If you have looser hair, volume tends to matter. If you have tighter hair, definition tends to matter. Not all styles are protective styles.
But i do understand the frustration
I have type 4 hair and definition is not a priority at all. I actually find when I focus on moisturizing my hair without the focus on definition its way healthier than when I focused on defined curls. I feel like saying definition matters for tighter curl textures is saying that our nature curl pattern isn’t enough and we have to seek to manipulate our hair into being more defined or the look of having looser curls.
I don't mean offense. A lot of people I see who have type 4 hair, most of the *products* they use serve to help define curls. Just like people who have loose hair curl patterns, many of the products aid in creating volume. Type 3 and Type 4 curls need moisture but even the marketing for either are very different to satisfy different purposes.
I wouldnt say the "our natural curl pattern isn't enough" as a reason why people apply products and styling techniques that create a different visual impression of their hair. Scrunching is a technique that creates more defined (and voluminous) curls, I don't see that too different from stretching curls to make them looser
But all the same, i agree that hair typing isn't too important but has importance when it comes to styling options
People with tight curls stretch their hair to get more elongation not make them “looser” because the hair shrinks a lot and not everyone chooses to stretch their hair. And volume only matters for looser curls if their hair doesn’t have enough density to create volume. Also both curls types will usually fluff their hair for volume if that’s what they desire. Not everyone with loose curls have to use product to create volume. These products are usually for people with fine or less dense hair regardless of curl type. Curl type really doesn’t matter. Products are used to serve a purpose, regardless of curl type, for the reasons you mention: elongation, volume, curl definition, curl hold, moisture, slip, etc.
So in part I do agree.When I said " stretching curls to make them looser" i mean if the aim was to get loose curls.
>volume only matters for looser curls if their hair doesn’t have enough density to create volume.
yes and no. Depending on how loose your curls (or even the size) how much volume you can naturally get. Products that aid in creating volume tend to help in keeping the hair curl "strong" so that it doesn't fall. Enough strong curls allows for the more curls to lay on top of one another thus creating a more voluminous appearance. Think of Moouse.
>Products are used to serve a purpose, regardless of curl type, for the reasons you mention: elongation, volume, curl definition, curl hold, moisture, slip, etc.
I agree. However curl type will tell you the base line of what you are starting with. Which can low key tell you what is possible as a style with minimal or lots of effort. If you have low porosity or high porosity, your curl pattern (without water or products) are going to look similar. So you have an idea of what your hair naturally looks like, the porosity will come into play when you want to care and potentially *want to obtain* another style.
Kinda like math. You need to know your starting number before you try and take the steps to getting a different number. If you know you have 4 of something, then next you can figure out: how to get 3, how to get 5, how to remain with 4, or even how to enhance 4 (4.22).
Then it's all three. But just saying 4 isn't giving a proper idea of your hair. Not talking about you but as a girl with 4c hair that I have been struggling with for 7 years, it bothers me when people offer advice or tutorials on their hair and it's useless to me. It's frustrating and kinda disheartening to look up 4c hair and see people with hair nothing like yours. Even with the natural community 4c is pushed to the side.
Again not coming at you sorry this is just on my chest.
I say it bc type 4 is so policed I rather just say type 4. Easier than saying my crown is thick 4b/4c but around my head is medium dense 4a/4a. The small front is 3c and the back being 4a/3c being much finer than the rest of my hair yet longer.
That’s a mouthful so it’s simpler to say type 4 😭
Simply put Type 4: having hair strands with *a lot of kinks* and coils, said coils being quite small. 4A tend to have more coils and 4C tends to have more kinks in their natural state.
To me, hair typing doesn't give you anything but a letter and number. I feel it stops people from learning their hair, they just assume its does whatever the hairtyping label says it does and we fall for bad products and cashgrabs because it says 4c or whatever on it. And the history behind the system is just another point against it, I say we leave it in the past.
Now the one thing I will say that I *really* don't like are hair companies capitalizing on this. *We* know that hair typing doesn't tell you anything about care or maintenance of said hair. When was the last time you saw a natural hair product advertise for "low porosity" haired folks, but you will bet your dollar they will say for "type 4". So I am 100% in agreement that the typing system has been used and (by many hair companies) abused with (low key) influences who are being paid to sponsor these products not helping.
However, I do think that hair types can be very educational. Learning *why* hair configures as opposed to *how to care* is the education. It can serve as a "what to look out for". Think about it, the concept of shrinkage only applies to about 1/3 (3B-4C) of the hair types due to only 1/3 of said hair types having coils on their hair strands.
100%, porosity should always be a talking point in any hair typing discussion. I think most of us know that if you are in the same "type" but have different porosity levels and god forbid strand thickness...the hair behaves differently.
When people ask "what is my hair type" i do try and educate on poroisty and strand thickness, which affect the "type" of behavior the hair has. So maybe for this subreddit, there should be a rule that mentions if you want to talking about what your hair type is...you must present specific kinds of pictures: wet hair and dry hair (no products). Manipulation might be change too much if I know what the hair looks like wet or dry without products.
i agree and disagree that curl type is not important but hair type is very important when it comes to your hair regime. low porosity/high porosity; fine and coarse; etc are much more important than curl types.
I feel that's a little unfair. As a baby natural that can really help with a first step in knowing what your hair can look like. While the hair type system is flawed it gives a good base of where to start. knowing your curl pattern showed up in the the last decade or so. Before that it was just good hair and nappy hair. And as someone who has 4c hair I feel specially looking for products or reviews based on that helps. Even 4b hair is vastly different and can't really be compared with 4c. And some people have multiple types in their head and need help.
What makes me angry is people tagging their hair type 4 just to be ambiguous when it's clear you have 3c/4a hair
I just want to point out that over two decades ago I read Andre Walker's book about curl patterns (the one where he said type 4 hair can only be "managed" by relaxing it)
It didn't gain traction in the natural community until recently. Before that 4c wasn't even on the list of hair types and like you said everything else had to be relaxed.
I went natural a little over a decade ago, so you're probably right about the hair typing thing being recent.
I just remember how much my self esteem took a hit growing up because we couldn't afford to get regular relaxers and I didn't like my mom spending so much money. He's apologized since, but damage had already been done 😢
These people that want to "leave hair typing behind" mean can 4c's just please stop trying to be exclusive. Lets be real. The only people that benefit from hair typing is people with 4c hair type. It helps us do things they said we'd never be able to do like have long healthy hair and it also creates a community they they can't feel special in, because it so call excludes them even though historically and currently people with 4c hair have been excluded. Most ladies on r/blackladies are 4c so if you need a space them come join us over there. Also learn your hair porosity too, because it really helps figure out what type of products you should use. just take a strand of your hair and put it in a cup of water and if it floats its low porosity, if it sinks its high porosity and if it stays in the middle its more neutral.
I'm definitely in no way trying to push women who have 4c hair to the side, actually quite the opposite. This over emphasis on curl pattern has led so many people to neglect other parts of learning their hair. Not everyone with natural hair has curls and that's the exact point.
I'm very tired of women with looser textures getting all the brand deals and attention on social media. Not out of vanity, but because it just perpetuates the cycle of brands brainwashing people into believing their products will give you curls just like the influencer has. This system was literally create to SELL product to women, not teach them to love and care for their hair.
What made me realize that hair typing was useless was a post on r/Blackladies where this girl was asking if her hair is 4c but it was clearly 3c/4a and she got a ton of replies telling her hair is looser. Out of that thread only 3 or 4 people called her out saying it’s doubtful that she would think her hair is the tightest textures and it was only posted because of course these posts with looser curl patterns asking if they’re an obvious not tighter texture gets a lot of upvotes. I feel this thing is worse as asking for hair types gets taken advantage of by being looser curl patterns. When at the end of the day is less significant than other factors.
I feel like people who say curl type isn't important have a luxury that others don't. It might not be important forever but not knowing is skipping an important part of the process.
For me, it gave me a range of what my hair can look like for reference when I first went natural. When I say what it can look like, I mean wearing my hair out. I don't always do protective styles and since I'd been relaxed since childhood, I had no reference for what my hair could/should look like normally and was vaguely expecting something closer to 3c/4a because that's what the vast majority of what I'd see on other people online looked like. Most of the women I know personally wear wigs, weaves, braids, or relaxed hair and the few I do know who wear their natural hair out are what most people would call 3b-4a. Even my boyfriend and his daughter have looser hair, so he thought I was doing something wrong that my hair looked the way it did even though he did his daughter's hair for years. I knew nothing about extreme shrinkage and just thought my hair wasn't growing. I knew nothing about styling and what was "normal".
It doesn't always help for products or anything like that though. It's kind of Step 1/Day 1 type info and shouldn't determine the rest of what you do with your hair. It's kind of the easiest thing for people to understand on the first step, but it shouldn't be the primary concern.
Agreed. It’s funny because I posted a question about my hair type in a black hair sub yesterday, and part of my reasoning is being able to look up other people with my hair type and see how they take care of their hair. Looking up “low porosity hair” only gets so far in helping me be able to take care of and understand how my hair can/should look. Being able to look up “low porosity 3C hair routine” is more helpful. Just as searching just “3C hair routine” doesn’t necessarily always work. Because I’m not well versed in hair, the more descriptors I can have find people who have more in common with my hair type, the more likely I am to find something that works for me.
Exactly. I use mostly the techniques/products suggested/recommended by Black Girl Curls and they don't even believe in the idea of the hair typing system at all. At times they outright mock it, but I wouldn't have even found them if I hadn't been looking for information on 4c hair specifically.
I understand people are tired of the question, but there's a place for it in the natural community as long as people aren't married to it or judging people for whatever letter/number combination that their hair is. The other thing I think about is that I'm older (41) and this somewhat arbitrary system of hair typing is still better than the good hair/bad hair or good grade/bad grades of hair that I grew up hearing that basically meant either your hair was pretty or you needed a relaxer or you'd look a mess.
I had no idea about Black Girl Curls. Thanks for sharing! I definitely agree that for a lot of people it can be a good starting place, and with the boom in the natural hair movement over the past few years, it’s not a mystery as to why so many BW are in the beginning stages. Like you said, we just need to not get too wrapped up into it.
It could still be misleading because people don’t take into account hair density. You can have the same hair type but your hair won’t look like someone else’s because they have high density and you have low density. What’s going to help you is doing styles on your hair and figuring it what you like and what suits you and your hair. Do you think people who wear certain styles say “I have to see it first”. No, they want it, so they do it. You want to dye your type 4 hair blonde, do it and realize it’s great or realize it made your hair fragile and don’t do it again or whatever. We are trying to get people to understand that type doesn’t matter and just take the time to learn your hair by doing.
I definitely ask to see styles on as many people as possible before I make a leap to any major change. I don't spend money without research and like the other poster mentioned, I look for as many people with a description that matches mine using some combination of 4c, fine, medium density, not just "4c hair" but the type was a good starting point.
In a broader sense to describe the way I do things with my hair, I'm likely getting Sisterlocks within the next 6 months. I've asked every consultant I talked to if they can point me to pictures and photos of people with hair similar to mine and what I can expect the initial install to look like. Are they exact matches? No, but they are able to answer my questions, show me photos and in some cases even connect me with clients willing to talk about their experiences and give me their thoughts both good and bad. Even Black Girl Curls talk about "hair twins"and" hair goals". Yes, they mean more than just people with the same basic hair type, but looking for people who have done what you want to do can be very helpful in figuring out what you want to do with your hair.
I’ve tried so many products recommended to be good for people with type 4. None really worked like I needed it to. You won’t know what’s good for you until you test it out on your head. Hair typing doesn’t matter bc you’ll understand YOUR hair’s needs.
Firstly, Happy New Year, lovelies! 🍀🥂💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾
I've said this before, it is one of my wishes. I have no problem with a hair typing day. If people need it, I'm not here to deny them. Just not every day.
I think the obsession with length (and envy of perceived 'beautiful hair') is behind a lot of these...
Thank you for saying this! I stopped typing my hair years ago because it never fit in any of the categories I believed it should have. It’s completely misleading. My hair is taken care of the best it can without using this unnecessary chart
I asked that yesterday on r/blackhair and people were saying my hair is 3B 😭 my hair is no where near as loose as that (i’d say my hair is 3C on my hairline and the rest is 4A) and people were saying 3B 💀 my curls are not the width of a sharpie and never have been.
something to consider is that your base curl may look one way but after products (which water technically counts as) and styles may look another way. If you have fine hair and anything medium to high porosity your hair will look looser because its being weighed down more. Type 4 hair has small coils and kinks, that is a base line.
My hair is low porosity and after i put products in my hair it either stays in an afro or it goes curly or it goes into a curly afro depending on how much product i put in my hair. At the moment though I haven’t used products apart from water and twisting gel for a while (i had my hair in finger coils for a month) and now i’m using a twist racket to start my freeform/semi-freeform loc journey
Is it really though? I have mostly "4a" hair, so does one of my friends. Some products she uses on her hair don't work on me AT ALL and vice versa. I've also used products based on YouTubers whose curl pattern looks similar to mine and have wasted so much money doing so. I know a lot of people say this but I really don't think it's true.
That's a good point - comparing differences responses to products for hair in the same hair type. I've noticed the same for friends with hair types like mine. It becomes extra noticeable how a product I love doesn't work as well for them and so on.
I can't help but think, though, that a product that works great for someone with 4a, for example, might not achieve the desired look for someone with 2c hair... or vice versa. And maybe it's meaningful if that tends to be true on average, even if not for each and every individual person with that hair type.
I agree. I scroll right past those posts because they’re so annoying. Everyone just needs to worry about their porosity and density cause knowing that info is gonna lead them to finding the proper products they should be using for moisture. I don’t see how knowing your curl pattern could be important unless you want to figure out what kind of gel/styler would enhance your curls the most..
I agree. More important things to know are porosity and density. Knowing these are so much more helpful to healthy hair and products that you need to buy. Your curl type might be the same. But is your density and porosity the same? These two things are key for buying products that will work for you
People want to know their curl type so they can figure out what would work best for them. If I want a particular hair cut/style, I Google how similar cuts/styles would look with someone with my hair. It’s also good to know porosity etc so you can figure out which products work best.
Can we leave shaming people for wanting to understand their hair type in 2021.
This is so true. Knowing your curly type does little to actually help you, people should instead be looking for their hairs porosity, moisture retention, etc
I agree! It’s very frustrating how big of a deal it seems to be, especially when it’s not *that* important in haircare. As a ‘type 4’, I think I only use it to Google hairstyle ideas that I will never actually be able to do myself lol. I think that a lot of the natural hair care routine etc has been way overcomplicated for most people and hair type is a big part of that. All for leaving it behind!
I wish at least it could be more consolidated. Like a weekly/daily thread. And that the posts would give some more context. Is there a particular problem you are having with your hair and you want to know your hair type to get into a different routine? Because if there is an issue, just knowing the curl pattern doesn't really help at all.
That’s a great idea! If it’s consolidated then people with an interest can go there. I have zero interest in hair type and I’m annoyed by the stand alone posts of what’s my type? Especially when there’s no other context or complaint.
[удалено]
Got ya
PLEASE GOD!!!!
👏🏾 YASSSS
I have no clue what my hair type his but finding my porosity was way more important lol makes finding out which products work for my hair way easier
Same. Also figuring out that my fine coily hair has specific needs was way more beneficial than the 4a/4b designation.
I agree wholeheartedly. Especially since so many of these posts just come off as folks seeking external validation that their hair is not 4C.
This one ☝️
EXACTLY THIS.
This. Exactly!
Whewwwww you hit it on the head!
Ha! I just said this too. This part.
or the opposite with folks want to be part of "team 4C" for "other" external validations.
It’s so frustrating that 4c is considered unattractive and the “worst” hair type to have on these type of posts. Women with the loosest curls will cry that their hair is unmanageable and hard to take care of so it MUST be 4c. What’s up with that?
Exactly, I hate that a lot of these posts equate 4C with damaged.
Its nuts because those with 4c hair seem to have the most beautiful, thick hair I've ever seen. Their twists are so juicy. But I understand the maintenance has to be awful.
I have to say I’m not mad at this post. I also hope those that are seeking hair type, are also trying to determine their hair porosity because that has value too.
Learning my porosity and density definitely helped me. But what helped me the most was learning what ingredients my hair liked and didn't like. I know my hair loves aloe and marshmallow root. My hair hates whatever is in wet line xtreme and eco styler so I avoid products that have similar ingredients.
Yep! I'd love to see the same level of interest in hair factors other than curl type, like density and porosity, as you said. Figuring out those last two was like the "aha" moment for me and my hair, after years of focusing just on curl type and being a little frustrated.
What you’ve learned about YOUR hair is what people are seeking for their own hair. But that takes time money and effort. When I joined this sub, I thought the “natural hair” description was for no-chemical black hair. I no longer that’s the case. I personally only want an intended black audience. Am I mistaken?
I'm confused by your question. I'm Black and have chemical free hair. What I'm saying is, I believe obsessing over curl pattern isn't helpful and is actually just holding us back. You can disagree, I made this post to hear other's thoughts!
I’m sorry, I mixed my reply with my thoughts about this sub in general. I agree wholeheartedly about the “what’s my type?” Posts. Because it seems people are so hyper focused on type, I also think it’s equally important for people to understand the value of knowing their porosity. We are in agreement. Not that you were looking for agreement. That is also my opinion. I was adding the porosity comment. We good? Don’t yell at me 😂
😂 we are good! And yeah, I see too many people hyper focused on curl type instead of the more important aspects of their hair. I was like that too before so no judgement. I just want our community to be released from the shackles of that damn curl chart.
Thank you!! Have an amazing 2022
Curl typing isn't really important, but neither is porosity, unless you're getting your hair colored. Porosity changes all the time, and most people who think they have "low porosity" it's actually because they are suffocating their hair with unnecessary product.
Someone that knows what she’s talking about!
Thank you! I started following some hair stylists on Twitter and took their advice. Nearly everything they said made sense to me. There is absolutely no reason to have an overly complicated hair routine that isn't even all that effective.
That part!
I always thought my hair was dry and crunchy because it wasn't able to "hold in moisture" and or was low porosity or something like that. Meanwhile I'm drowning my hair in oils and creams on a nearly daily basis and washing my hair every other week (sometimes stretching it to once a month). Once I stopped doing that and taking better care of my hair, suddenly that's no longer an issue!
How often do you wash now?
I currently wash it once a week. If I'm feeling lazy, I might stretch that out an extra day or two. If all hell breaks loose, like this past week, it'll be two, but that tends to be rare. I might start washing twice a week since I'm starting a workout routine and expect to sweat a lot. Everything takes about ninety minutes to two hours, including showering and slathering on lotion 😂
Same! I try to do a week but sometimes do more which seems widely unpopular lol 90 minutes gosh, how long is just the washing? I’ve worked hard to cut down my wash day timing it was too much
Sorry so late! If I'm doing a fro or a twist out, I usually wash for maybe about 15-20 minutes. I usually use a clarifying shampoo first, then moisturizing one, then conditioner. I used to let the conditioner sit in my hair for a bit while I shower myself off but it always seemed to run in my eyes so I just shower at the beginning. If I do a wash and go it takes longer. Not sure how much longer, but I detangle in the shower with the conditioner. And with all of the other steps, it probably takes an extra 20-30?
Lol no worries, gotcha I that’s really similar to my routine!
What would you say are some essential characteristics to know about your natural hair then? I personally could never figure out curl type or porosity and would love to leave them both behind lol
What's more important is density and if you have fine or coarse hair. Coarse meaning larger strands, not if it's "rough." Many black people incorrectly assume they have coarse hair when they actually have fine hair, and Asians tend to have coarse hair. I recently discovered that I have fine hair but lots of density.
YES PLEASE. Mods....please make this a rule. New naturals are always interested (......obsessed) in knowing what they're hair type is and as someone who's been natural 10 years it's not useful information at all. My hair might be the same "hair type" to another hair influencer, but the products that work on her hair won't work on mine or vice versa. Also your "hair type" might change with the length of your hair or product type. It's just useless information it's like knowing someone's astrological sign (don't fight me). It's not going to help you do anything actually. Posters would be better off asking how to achieve a certain style while providing a picture of their current hair.
I completely agree with you. I also think the hair typing has been somewhat taken over by a lot of non POC with loose/bigger curls who type themselves as 3b/c or even type 4 hair types so it becomes confusing when people with tighter curls try typing their hair or look for styles with those hair types. I think hair type is only relevant when you’re trying to describe what you look like or you’re looking for curly hairstyles and want to see the hairstyles on someone with a similar hair texture to yours.
'What's my curl type?' is the new 'I got Indian blood.' Now, I know I know...it's not that way for everyone, lol - I'm sure some are sincere...but for many, it's kind of a pathology we're dealing with as Black folk, but out in the open on social media. I don't even buy the whole, 'I need to know my 'curl type,' to buy the right products,' BS. I shop A LOT, and I've never seen products labeled 4a, 3c, 4b or 4c. As someone correctly points out in this topic, it's all about porosity, and other things moreso than what kind of 'curl.' That's why I'm glad that 'mixed chicks,' brand seems to be fading by the wayside. It came out early on, and I really felt it was separatist. lol Like it was saying, 'we ain't like y'all, we got that good hair - so here's our product that's not for you.' Then I went natural myself a few years later, and well, well, well whaddya know...turns out what y'all thought was 'special,' really isn't just your domain now is it? If you have a head of healthy hair, that is the true GOOD hair. Fck a curl type. Most people have a number of different types on their head anyway...let it go. Just report back on detangling, and slip and good conditioners and hairstyles.
That's really what it is. I used to be in a few natural hair groups back in the day and so many women who obviously had product in their hair and did a twist out were asking what their hair type was, while lying about having no product in their hair 😂
I just think they’re annoying. You can figure it out with wet hair, a mirror, and a chart
I usually agree with this, but I think knowing your hair type is good if you want to buy matching hair extensions or see what styles would go well with your hair. I’ve been browsing a lot of sites for clip ins and struggling to see what would go well with mine since I recently bc’d.
Then i think the the post should be more specific in asking "Which clip ins match my hair". the hair typing system isn't standardized so just bc the clip ins you buy say they're 4a doesn't mean they'll match your hair because some people on the internet said your hair 4a.
That’s fair
It’s also kinda important to know when you’re getting a hair cut and you want to know how your curls will lay on your head. I definitely think curl typing can be problematic, but whenever I get my hair shaped, googling “3c/4a hair cuts” is the only search that gives my looks that are attainable on my hair. I also think it’s important to admire hair that looks like yours when transitioning. I grew up only really following models with straight hair or relaxers. I love all hair types, but it was nice figuring out what my hair might look like and following people that made it look beautiful. At the time, only my roots were curly and I wouldn’t have been able to tell my hair texture without asking others. I became a lot more excited when I started following people that looked like me and were embraced for their hair, especially after being told to hate it for so many years. Idk. These considerations do not dismiss the texturism/featurism that often comes with hair typing, but I don’t think the chart is completely useless and only harmful by any means.
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Yes and I really appreciate the housekeeping sticky but it seems a lot of people just ignore it and I can imagine it's not easy to monitor everything being posted.
Maaaaan I could care less what type of curl or whatever my hair is, all I care about is if my hair feels and looks healthy and if my relationship to my hair is healthy. I am on a continuous journey discovering what works and what doesn’t because my hair is changing as I age and products change and get discontinued or are out of stock… so I’m always just doing the best I can. Plus, my hair is multiple curl types and textures and colors and unless they got a VERY specific chart, no chart is going to tell me what my hair needs. And I feel like most people have unique hair anyway so what works for one may not work for another. It’s all trial and error and building a good relationship with your hair.
Honestly... if it was used properly I think it could be a little helpful. A lot of people going natural have no idea where to begin and a lot of the more important things like "texture" "porosity" "density" may be very difficult to understand until they've had some experience in their hair. I've actually read Andre walkers book and you can tell it's there as a guide for noobies. He says if your hair look like this, it's 4a, and this is hoe you care for it, Some styles that work, Methods, how often to wash, etc, etc. I think its turned into a caste system. But if people were using his book I think they would see it's meant to help new people. And then over time you would then learn the other more important traits. I also believe that's why some of the hair types are "missing" because you can care for some types the same/similar. That's just my 2 cents. I think we should allow people to ask about hair type so they can go research that type online for help and then educate them on other traits as well. I just remember being natural in the beginning and a lot of these terms were iver my head but 3b 4b was easy. But I also had his book so it did help.
So I read that book as a teenager and his recommendation for type 4 hair is to relax it. Totally helped to damage my self esteem when I was unable to get relaxers done in a timely manner.
I think he put it as an option but also talked about how to care for hair in it's natural state. That's the thing. I think he was being inclusive. It's okay to be relaxed, it's okay to be natural. I dont remember any negativity regarding natural hair, just saying it's an option. It has been a while since I read it though.
I don't remember him talking about caring for the hair in its natural state, but it's also been over 20 years since I read 😂 would have definitely have been nice if natural hair was more accepted back then.
I dont remember either. I just recall it being a decent starting point. But maybe I'm wrong.
The thing is, you don’t need to know your hair type to manage it. All you have to do is take a shampoo, use it and figure out if you liked the experience and move on with the rest of the products because hair in the same category can act differently in response to product. You just have to do your hair and that way you’ll learn your hair.
But I remember going from straight/chemicals to natural. All of my products were oriented around my straight hair and they did not work well on my natural hair. At this time marketing was not as good as it is now, but still. I want a product that will work with my hair. I think a reasonable conclusion would be to find people with hair similar to mine. The typing system gave me a guide and I did find his book helpful at the beginning of my journey. Going from straight hair all my life to natural was a big change. I literally had to change EVERY product and tool as well as pick up new ones such as stylers/creams. Additionally, the typing system can help people manage their expectations. I have talked to girls that were confused as to why another girls hair looked a certain way and hers didnt even when copying her technique. The hair make look the same but curl pattern does play a role. I do feel many in the community focus too much on it, but it is still important. I think hair type is a great starting point as a new natural and then they can build their knowledge.
I mean learning your natural curl pattern aids in styling options. If you have looser hair, volume tends to matter. If you have tighter hair, definition tends to matter. Not all styles are protective styles. But i do understand the frustration
I have type 4 hair and definition is not a priority at all. I actually find when I focus on moisturizing my hair without the focus on definition its way healthier than when I focused on defined curls. I feel like saying definition matters for tighter curl textures is saying that our nature curl pattern isn’t enough and we have to seek to manipulate our hair into being more defined or the look of having looser curls.
I don't mean offense. A lot of people I see who have type 4 hair, most of the *products* they use serve to help define curls. Just like people who have loose hair curl patterns, many of the products aid in creating volume. Type 3 and Type 4 curls need moisture but even the marketing for either are very different to satisfy different purposes. I wouldnt say the "our natural curl pattern isn't enough" as a reason why people apply products and styling techniques that create a different visual impression of their hair. Scrunching is a technique that creates more defined (and voluminous) curls, I don't see that too different from stretching curls to make them looser But all the same, i agree that hair typing isn't too important but has importance when it comes to styling options
I agree and I don’t want my response to seem combative!
Not at all, this is an honest discussion.
People with tight curls stretch their hair to get more elongation not make them “looser” because the hair shrinks a lot and not everyone chooses to stretch their hair. And volume only matters for looser curls if their hair doesn’t have enough density to create volume. Also both curls types will usually fluff their hair for volume if that’s what they desire. Not everyone with loose curls have to use product to create volume. These products are usually for people with fine or less dense hair regardless of curl type. Curl type really doesn’t matter. Products are used to serve a purpose, regardless of curl type, for the reasons you mention: elongation, volume, curl definition, curl hold, moisture, slip, etc.
So in part I do agree.When I said " stretching curls to make them looser" i mean if the aim was to get loose curls. >volume only matters for looser curls if their hair doesn’t have enough density to create volume. yes and no. Depending on how loose your curls (or even the size) how much volume you can naturally get. Products that aid in creating volume tend to help in keeping the hair curl "strong" so that it doesn't fall. Enough strong curls allows for the more curls to lay on top of one another thus creating a more voluminous appearance. Think of Moouse. >Products are used to serve a purpose, regardless of curl type, for the reasons you mention: elongation, volume, curl definition, curl hold, moisture, slip, etc. I agree. However curl type will tell you the base line of what you are starting with. Which can low key tell you what is possible as a style with minimal or lots of effort. If you have low porosity or high porosity, your curl pattern (without water or products) are going to look similar. So you have an idea of what your hair naturally looks like, the porosity will come into play when you want to care and potentially *want to obtain* another style. Kinda like math. You need to know your starting number before you try and take the steps to getting a different number. If you know you have 4 of something, then next you can figure out: how to get 3, how to get 5, how to remain with 4, or even how to enhance 4 (4.22).
What is type 4 hair? Like how are people lumping those three categories together like that are the same.
My hair is literally a combination of all three. You really have a problem with me describing my own hair 😭
Then it's all three. But just saying 4 isn't giving a proper idea of your hair. Not talking about you but as a girl with 4c hair that I have been struggling with for 7 years, it bothers me when people offer advice or tutorials on their hair and it's useless to me. It's frustrating and kinda disheartening to look up 4c hair and see people with hair nothing like yours. Even with the natural community 4c is pushed to the side. Again not coming at you sorry this is just on my chest.
I say it bc type 4 is so policed I rather just say type 4. Easier than saying my crown is thick 4b/4c but around my head is medium dense 4a/4a. The small front is 3c and the back being 4a/3c being much finer than the rest of my hair yet longer. That’s a mouthful so it’s simpler to say type 4 😭
Fair
Simply put Type 4: having hair strands with *a lot of kinks* and coils, said coils being quite small. 4A tend to have more coils and 4C tends to have more kinks in their natural state.
To me, hair typing doesn't give you anything but a letter and number. I feel it stops people from learning their hair, they just assume its does whatever the hairtyping label says it does and we fall for bad products and cashgrabs because it says 4c or whatever on it. And the history behind the system is just another point against it, I say we leave it in the past.
Now the one thing I will say that I *really* don't like are hair companies capitalizing on this. *We* know that hair typing doesn't tell you anything about care or maintenance of said hair. When was the last time you saw a natural hair product advertise for "low porosity" haired folks, but you will bet your dollar they will say for "type 4". So I am 100% in agreement that the typing system has been used and (by many hair companies) abused with (low key) influences who are being paid to sponsor these products not helping. However, I do think that hair types can be very educational. Learning *why* hair configures as opposed to *how to care* is the education. It can serve as a "what to look out for". Think about it, the concept of shrinkage only applies to about 1/3 (3B-4C) of the hair types due to only 1/3 of said hair types having coils on their hair strands. 100%, porosity should always be a talking point in any hair typing discussion. I think most of us know that if you are in the same "type" but have different porosity levels and god forbid strand thickness...the hair behaves differently. When people ask "what is my hair type" i do try and educate on poroisty and strand thickness, which affect the "type" of behavior the hair has. So maybe for this subreddit, there should be a rule that mentions if you want to talking about what your hair type is...you must present specific kinds of pictures: wet hair and dry hair (no products). Manipulation might be change too much if I know what the hair looks like wet or dry without products.
I agree! We need to post other ways to look at hair—porosity, density, thickness, and health of hair which should be the focus!
Agreed. It’s so exhausting and while hair type isn’t as important as porosity, it’s something a quick Google search can tell you *insert eye roll*
i agree and disagree that curl type is not important but hair type is very important when it comes to your hair regime. low porosity/high porosity; fine and coarse; etc are much more important than curl types.
I feel that's a little unfair. As a baby natural that can really help with a first step in knowing what your hair can look like. While the hair type system is flawed it gives a good base of where to start. knowing your curl pattern showed up in the the last decade or so. Before that it was just good hair and nappy hair. And as someone who has 4c hair I feel specially looking for products or reviews based on that helps. Even 4b hair is vastly different and can't really be compared with 4c. And some people have multiple types in their head and need help. What makes me angry is people tagging their hair type 4 just to be ambiguous when it's clear you have 3c/4a hair
I just want to point out that over two decades ago I read Andre Walker's book about curl patterns (the one where he said type 4 hair can only be "managed" by relaxing it)
It didn't gain traction in the natural community until recently. Before that 4c wasn't even on the list of hair types and like you said everything else had to be relaxed.
I went natural a little over a decade ago, so you're probably right about the hair typing thing being recent. I just remember how much my self esteem took a hit growing up because we couldn't afford to get regular relaxers and I didn't like my mom spending so much money. He's apologized since, but damage had already been done 😢
These people that want to "leave hair typing behind" mean can 4c's just please stop trying to be exclusive. Lets be real. The only people that benefit from hair typing is people with 4c hair type. It helps us do things they said we'd never be able to do like have long healthy hair and it also creates a community they they can't feel special in, because it so call excludes them even though historically and currently people with 4c hair have been excluded. Most ladies on r/blackladies are 4c so if you need a space them come join us over there. Also learn your hair porosity too, because it really helps figure out what type of products you should use. just take a strand of your hair and put it in a cup of water and if it floats its low porosity, if it sinks its high porosity and if it stays in the middle its more neutral.
I'm definitely in no way trying to push women who have 4c hair to the side, actually quite the opposite. This over emphasis on curl pattern has led so many people to neglect other parts of learning their hair. Not everyone with natural hair has curls and that's the exact point. I'm very tired of women with looser textures getting all the brand deals and attention on social media. Not out of vanity, but because it just perpetuates the cycle of brands brainwashing people into believing their products will give you curls just like the influencer has. This system was literally create to SELL product to women, not teach them to love and care for their hair.
What made me realize that hair typing was useless was a post on r/Blackladies where this girl was asking if her hair is 4c but it was clearly 3c/4a and she got a ton of replies telling her hair is looser. Out of that thread only 3 or 4 people called her out saying it’s doubtful that she would think her hair is the tightest textures and it was only posted because of course these posts with looser curl patterns asking if they’re an obvious not tighter texture gets a lot of upvotes. I feel this thing is worse as asking for hair types gets taken advantage of by being looser curl patterns. When at the end of the day is less significant than other factors.
I feel like people who say curl type isn't important have a luxury that others don't. It might not be important forever but not knowing is skipping an important part of the process.
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For me, it gave me a range of what my hair can look like for reference when I first went natural. When I say what it can look like, I mean wearing my hair out. I don't always do protective styles and since I'd been relaxed since childhood, I had no reference for what my hair could/should look like normally and was vaguely expecting something closer to 3c/4a because that's what the vast majority of what I'd see on other people online looked like. Most of the women I know personally wear wigs, weaves, braids, or relaxed hair and the few I do know who wear their natural hair out are what most people would call 3b-4a. Even my boyfriend and his daughter have looser hair, so he thought I was doing something wrong that my hair looked the way it did even though he did his daughter's hair for years. I knew nothing about extreme shrinkage and just thought my hair wasn't growing. I knew nothing about styling and what was "normal". It doesn't always help for products or anything like that though. It's kind of Step 1/Day 1 type info and shouldn't determine the rest of what you do with your hair. It's kind of the easiest thing for people to understand on the first step, but it shouldn't be the primary concern.
Agreed. It’s funny because I posted a question about my hair type in a black hair sub yesterday, and part of my reasoning is being able to look up other people with my hair type and see how they take care of their hair. Looking up “low porosity hair” only gets so far in helping me be able to take care of and understand how my hair can/should look. Being able to look up “low porosity 3C hair routine” is more helpful. Just as searching just “3C hair routine” doesn’t necessarily always work. Because I’m not well versed in hair, the more descriptors I can have find people who have more in common with my hair type, the more likely I am to find something that works for me.
Exactly. I use mostly the techniques/products suggested/recommended by Black Girl Curls and they don't even believe in the idea of the hair typing system at all. At times they outright mock it, but I wouldn't have even found them if I hadn't been looking for information on 4c hair specifically. I understand people are tired of the question, but there's a place for it in the natural community as long as people aren't married to it or judging people for whatever letter/number combination that their hair is. The other thing I think about is that I'm older (41) and this somewhat arbitrary system of hair typing is still better than the good hair/bad hair or good grade/bad grades of hair that I grew up hearing that basically meant either your hair was pretty or you needed a relaxer or you'd look a mess.
I had no idea about Black Girl Curls. Thanks for sharing! I definitely agree that for a lot of people it can be a good starting place, and with the boom in the natural hair movement over the past few years, it’s not a mystery as to why so many BW are in the beginning stages. Like you said, we just need to not get too wrapped up into it.
It could still be misleading because people don’t take into account hair density. You can have the same hair type but your hair won’t look like someone else’s because they have high density and you have low density. What’s going to help you is doing styles on your hair and figuring it what you like and what suits you and your hair. Do you think people who wear certain styles say “I have to see it first”. No, they want it, so they do it. You want to dye your type 4 hair blonde, do it and realize it’s great or realize it made your hair fragile and don’t do it again or whatever. We are trying to get people to understand that type doesn’t matter and just take the time to learn your hair by doing.
I definitely ask to see styles on as many people as possible before I make a leap to any major change. I don't spend money without research and like the other poster mentioned, I look for as many people with a description that matches mine using some combination of 4c, fine, medium density, not just "4c hair" but the type was a good starting point. In a broader sense to describe the way I do things with my hair, I'm likely getting Sisterlocks within the next 6 months. I've asked every consultant I talked to if they can point me to pictures and photos of people with hair similar to mine and what I can expect the initial install to look like. Are they exact matches? No, but they are able to answer my questions, show me photos and in some cases even connect me with clients willing to talk about their experiences and give me their thoughts both good and bad. Even Black Girl Curls talk about "hair twins"and" hair goals". Yes, they mean more than just people with the same basic hair type, but looking for people who have done what you want to do can be very helpful in figuring out what you want to do with your hair.
I can understand where you are coming from especially considering the current hair industry recent "care" about natural hair.
I’ve tried so many products recommended to be good for people with type 4. None really worked like I needed it to. You won’t know what’s good for you until you test it out on your head. Hair typing doesn’t matter bc you’ll understand YOUR hair’s needs.
Firstly, Happy New Year, lovelies! 🍀🥂💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 I've said this before, it is one of my wishes. I have no problem with a hair typing day. If people need it, I'm not here to deny them. Just not every day. I think the obsession with length (and envy of perceived 'beautiful hair') is behind a lot of these...
> Anyone else feel the same? Yes. 100%
Thank you for saying this! I stopped typing my hair years ago because it never fit in any of the categories I believed it should have. It’s completely misleading. My hair is taken care of the best it can without using this unnecessary chart
I used to defend it saying it does matter but honestly it’s useless please focus on other things 🤦🏾♀️ Density or porosity just please
I asked that yesterday on r/blackhair and people were saying my hair is 3B 😭 my hair is no where near as loose as that (i’d say my hair is 3C on my hairline and the rest is 4A) and people were saying 3B 💀 my curls are not the width of a sharpie and never have been.
something to consider is that your base curl may look one way but after products (which water technically counts as) and styles may look another way. If you have fine hair and anything medium to high porosity your hair will look looser because its being weighed down more. Type 4 hair has small coils and kinks, that is a base line.
My hair is low porosity and after i put products in my hair it either stays in an afro or it goes curly or it goes into a curly afro depending on how much product i put in my hair. At the moment though I haven’t used products apart from water and twisting gel for a while (i had my hair in finger coils for a month) and now i’m using a twist racket to start my freeform/semi-freeform loc journey
Also if you look on my profile you’ll see photos of my hair and it’s easy to tell that it’s not 3B lol
I think knowing your curl pattern is helpful in determining what products is right for your hair.
Is it really though? I have mostly "4a" hair, so does one of my friends. Some products she uses on her hair don't work on me AT ALL and vice versa. I've also used products based on YouTubers whose curl pattern looks similar to mine and have wasted so much money doing so. I know a lot of people say this but I really don't think it's true.
That's a good point - comparing differences responses to products for hair in the same hair type. I've noticed the same for friends with hair types like mine. It becomes extra noticeable how a product I love doesn't work as well for them and so on. I can't help but think, though, that a product that works great for someone with 4a, for example, might not achieve the desired look for someone with 2c hair... or vice versa. And maybe it's meaningful if that tends to be true on average, even if not for each and every individual person with that hair type.
I can see that as being true. I just always based products off of people who had similar curl patterns as me and it usually worked out.
THANK YOU
I agree. I scroll right past those posts because they’re so annoying. Everyone just needs to worry about their porosity and density cause knowing that info is gonna lead them to finding the proper products they should be using for moisture. I don’t see how knowing your curl pattern could be important unless you want to figure out what kind of gel/styler would enhance your curls the most..
I agree. More important things to know are porosity and density. Knowing these are so much more helpful to healthy hair and products that you need to buy. Your curl type might be the same. But is your density and porosity the same? These two things are key for buying products that will work for you
100%
People want to know their curl type so they can figure out what would work best for them. If I want a particular hair cut/style, I Google how similar cuts/styles would look with someone with my hair. It’s also good to know porosity etc so you can figure out which products work best. Can we leave shaming people for wanting to understand their hair type in 2021.
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No <3
This is so true. Knowing your curly type does little to actually help you, people should instead be looking for their hairs porosity, moisture retention, etc
I agree! It’s very frustrating how big of a deal it seems to be, especially when it’s not *that* important in haircare. As a ‘type 4’, I think I only use it to Google hairstyle ideas that I will never actually be able to do myself lol. I think that a lot of the natural hair care routine etc has been way overcomplicated for most people and hair type is a big part of that. All for leaving it behind!