Reader Chinyelu (not pictured above) writes;
So I have been natural for a little over two years now. After my BC I wore my hair in braids for about a year till it grew out a bit. The moment I took out the braids and decided to wear my natural hair, I was horrified! My hair just looked awful! I have the toughest type of hair to deal with, type 4a/b! Also, my hair is very thin. This might be due to constantly relaxing since I was about 3 years old. I felt extremely ugly with my natural hair and even emailed a popular natural hair blogger for advice.
The email response didn’t help and after some searching I realized that there is a lack of blogs that deal with type 4 hair. Many natural hair bloggers have absolutely beautiful and easy to manage hair. They make it look effortless. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone have really difficult hair and can’t seem to get help from these natural blogs??
I actually think there are quite a few blogs and vlogs helmed by women with type 4 hair. A few of my favorites are The Natural Haven, SofullSista, A Grl Can Mac, Sera25 and KimmayTube. Ladies, what are your thoughts?
I was definitely a frustrated type 4, but I found the natural hair blogs out there to be very helpful. You can follow the advice of bloggers with so called “easy to manage” hair and still benefit from their tips, i.e protective styling, gentle handling, finger combing, etc. Just know your hair isn’t going to look exactly like someone else’s and know that it takes time to figure out what works for you. I’ve been natural almost 5 years and have really only recently been able to retain some length. I simplified my routine, stopped trying every new product out there, and focused on keeping my hair moisturized.
I think in addition to this, you have to stop telling yourself that your hair is “difficult”. Having this (seemingly) negative view point can be detrimental when you’re on this natural hair journey. Just remember that your hair is more delicate than others & so it requires more care. If you treat it like fine, exquisite silk, it’ll grow. From a fellow type 4a/b who is just now getting the hang of it after 3yrs, trust that you’ll learn.
You probably just need the right products and to treat it properly. Your hair type is not bad. No hair type is bad if you treat properly.
I have a type 4 hair, what that woman called the “toughest” type of hair. Actually, I don’t like this hair typing thing, I’m just using it here as a reference. I love my hair the way it is. I found how to make it do what I want.I like its versatility.
P.S: For the natural hair vloggers with “type 4″
-Mwedzi
-HairCrush
-br0nzeQt
-Amandadb1
-AfricanExport
-jerseystylezz
-vanie0285
-160Days2Lose2
-itsmemonchichi
-motorcitymoxy
-aliciajamesmusic
-cipriana (urbanbushbabes)
-whoissugar…
i would add:
mstanish
rusticbeauty (doesn’t post but has videos up)
torridiana777
longhairdontcarellc
BlakIzBeautyful
beautyfulbrwnbabydol
ToniDaley80
i have to admit, i roll my eyes when people act like there are no v/blogs done by 4 hair women. these are the only ones i notice. and, i truly believe they are the majority.
Also, why do you use the classification of your hair type from what ppl say on these sites? Is 4 supposed to be better or worse than 2 or 3? Is any one hair classification better than another? Its hair! If you find a product and a regimen that works for you, who cares about 4z 2f 1b?!?! Why bother with all that jazz? Just be good to your hair… And to yourself!
I don’t believe in the politics of the numbering system much myself, but I do find it to be slightly helpful. Sure, density and porosity are more important for the majority of the regimen. But knowing the degree of kink in your hair pattern can be useful. This is mainly true when I’m looking for detangling methods or ways to gently stretch the hair to prevent knots and tangles. For every person that says these things don’t matter, I would argue that not knowing how to do these things according to curl pattern could result in unnecessary breakage. Most of the bloggers I followed when I first went natural were 3b or 3c or a very loose 4a. Some of them would use brushes (Denman or whatever) to detangle, but when I tried it my hair broke off! Others would swear by wash n gos, but I tell you that wash n gos for longer type 4b/c hair causes ridiculous amounts of tangling and SSKs. I think there are plenty of 4a bloggers on the web, but less of the 4b/c/z representing. Kimmaytube and the majority of people referenced still carry the loosest version of Type 4 hair. *sigh*
To say that the hair typing system is pointless would mean that Type 1 (straight hair) could be cared for in the same way as type 4c (very kinky, no defined curl) hair. This is simply not the case.
I do find the LOIS system to be less politically implicit and equally helpful as a substitute to the Walker typing system.
4b/c/z girls step up there’s a high demand for bloggers like you !!
+1
I think that there aren’t enough blogs/advice for girls with **fine** 4a/b hair. I have fine 4b hair and it’s SO damn hard to take care of properly without breakage. I’m starting to give up hope for any length retention since my hair’s been neck-length (stretched) for so many months now…
You should start a youtube channel :)
Please preach!!! Most of the recommended regimens for type 4b hair are better suited for people with thick strands. My hair is very fine (has always been), and I have found that the least amount of manipulation necessary (long term protective styles like twists or whatever) is crucial. Overstyling will surely lead to breakage. I plateaued at neck length, but once I styled my hair with minimal touching it grew out to armpit length and eventually bra strap length. And manipulation of wet hair is pretty much begging for breakage.
im on youtube a lot of people dont like my “style” of blogging but i do have type 4 hair 4c at the back and gets softer towards the front and it is possible to tame afro hair. the main problem is not enough moisture. when i started co-washing once/twice a week my hair turned around. i was always tought to wash my afro hair once twice a month and i never used a leave in that my hair actually liked. the tougher the hair, the heavier the heavier the leave-in must be and a fresh braid out every few days after a wash will work wonders.
Your hair is probably thin from wearing braids for a year and not balancing the moisture and protein your hair needs. I suggest you buy a copy of ‘The Science of Black’ hair. I have very thick and very corse type 4 a/b coils. I BC’d over a year ago and tried a variety of products and watched a ton of videos. At the end of the day you have to understand what YOUR hair needs. Your hair will not always respond to the same methods and treatments as others. I just finished the book, learned A LOT and my already great hair is even better after creating my own regime based upon the needs of my hair. Go get it, worth every penny!
Great advice.
I DEF feel the FRUSTRATION i had TRIED EVERYTHING i bought EVERYTHING and NOTHING worked I logged on u tube and one vlogger(harmony of freewhorshipper) put it all in perspective FIND WHAT works for you I think my hair is OFF THE CHARTS!!! i have no type LOL but i stopped buying all that mess (BTW CAROLS DAUGHTER) i want ALL my money back LOL and went to the basics I found a blog (urbanbushbabes) and went old skool and the KEY is moisture.. i was doing it all WRONG now i LOVE my hair it is bold, brash, sassy, full, soft and shiny and REFUSES to be tamed (like me) and out of all the THOUSANDS (YES THOUSANDS) of dollars I spent the ONLY thing that works for me is water, olive oil, coconut oil and the MOST fabulous product on the planet (in my opinion) IC Fantasia olive oil gel ($3.75)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for my wash and go’s, twist out AND protective styles… u really have to do what works for you I am ashamed i took the long route but glad i did because i realized less is more and i am applying that mantra to my entire life now… keep it simple and it just may work out…. i love this blog and all of the commenters and all of the “natural mafia” I am so aware of myself I had to look deeper than the perm burns to realize i was trying to be someone I wasn’t and the positive, uplifting comments from blogs and posters not only encouraged me it CHANGED MY LIFE who knew something as simple and unimportant as HAIR was soooo deep ….
love it. natural mafia. its so true about raw e.v.o.o. after a wash and condition while damp i braid it with extra virgin cold pressed oil from the bottle it turns out soo silky and soft the next day.
I think the issue is having unrealistic expectations of our hair in regards to curl pattern and curl envy. Especially, when some hair care lines promise to turn even the kinkiest of kinks into springy curls and we become disappointed and discouraged when 4 type hair doesn’t magically turn into type 3 hair. The first step is to accept what your hair can/can’t do and love it as it is and try to make it be the best it can be. Naptural85, Natural Chica both have type 4 hair and their hair looks FABULOUS!!!!
I would like to know HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAIR TYPE YOU HAVE?!??!
someone please answer me. I really have no idea on how you know. Is there a web site or a book? So confused!
Check Naturallycurly.com
Everybody’s experience is not the same. Just because people have had a different experience doesn’t make it a mental thing. My hair is 4c and I didn’t have a good experience at first either. I often wear sewins and braids just to have versatility.
I just cut my hair this week after wearing relaxed hair for 13 years. I have discovered my hair grows in very very small clumpy curls. I now realize that I never really checked my hair out (always stretched, blow-dried, hot combed, braided etc.) My hair is also thick and feels very hard when dry. Hearing about other “type 4″ experiences of learning to manage their hair has given me courage. I’ll bookmark this page:) Thanks to all.
I have type 4b hair, I’m only a year in and I fortunately started off at an advantage because my sister went natural two year before me.Sadly though some things she used wasn’t helping me at all. Her hair type is 4 as well, the only difference is she has an S curl and my hair strands twist on themselves. At first I assumed I has high porosity but then I discovered that was why it felt that way. I have learned that with proper moisture and gentle care your hair will strive. Many people have recommended I use a thick leave in but I’ve noticed that a light spray works better I then seal it with an oil. I cowash twice a week and wash every one to two months. Please don’t give up if you keep trying and building a relationship with your hair it will get better.
There is nothing more frustrating than hearing ladies talk about the “type” of hair they have and which type is more beautiful. Ugh!! We are all unique and simply by virtue of that, beautiful from head to toe… hair and all. I’m sure your hair is beautiful and it may very well be the way you are caring for it which could be the result of you not achieving the look you expect. There are lots of information online (blog sites, youtube, etc.) to use and discover what could work best for you, to get the desired look you want for your hair. Be proud of your hair and don’t be so quick to compare your hair to others. Would you do that about yourself?… I think not! So, enjoy your hair journey and own every follicle of your glorious crown. :-)
try kinkycurlycoilyme.com or at blackizbeautiful on youtube. she is a 4b and she is amazing, she does tutorials and TONS of product reviews, i am the same way as you very thin hair that wont hold a style for very long, what her tutorials and going on her website has helped.
I might be in the minority here, but I find hair typing really helpful. When I go online to find hairstyles, I’m really only interested in people who have styled hair that looks similar to mine. I don’t much look to Jennifer Aniston’s style, and I don’t look to Tracy Ellis Ross’ styles. Their hair is different from mine. And that’s okay.
I think the anti-typing craze betrays a personal inferiority complex. I have type 4 hair. I don’t care what others say about type 4 hair. But when I’m looking for styles, I don’t have time to waste perusing through videos, etc… of people whose hair is NOTHING LIKE MINE. That’s just a waste of time.
Imagine going to a grocery store and having all the products in a jumble. Eggs next to the granola next to the lettuce, with no categories, grouping or signs. Instead, the grocers tell the shoppers “we don’t categorize here, it’s too divisive. It’s all food…blah blah blah.” Well, that’d be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? It’d take for-freaking-ever to get what you need. We categorize and group to make searching easier. That’s all.
Get over it, ladies. There’s nothing wrong with making the search for hair styles more pointed and simple by grouping hair types. It doesn’t mean anybody’s putting you down.
EXACTLY!! What is up with this anti-typing, it makes sense to have a system. When I first started looking at videos, seeing a girl with 3b hair do styles only made me more frustrated with my hair, looking at a women with beautiful hair that is SIMILAR to your own is a lot more helpful and inspiring.
+1000 If all hair is good hair what does it matter that type 2B or 4Z. Hair Typing is useful. I’ve seen many woman on this site w/beautiful type 4B/C hair as well 3B, and I’ve envied both! The author will need to adjust her standards of beauty like we all did, and she will be fine.
Don’t be discouraged. I have course, porous, hair that can be very thin. I am probably a type 4. But I realized that my hair really can be healthy, strong and grow. I have never been the type to spend hours (and major dollars) on my hair. I have been natural since at least 97, and I’ve learned so much through trial and error (lots and lots of error). Blogs are fantastic, but they weren’t out there when I first went natural. And then I didn’t really understand my hair’s “potential” until I locked for the second time (abused the first set pulling, tugging and punishing my hair for being nappy). I don’t know if this works for everybody by there are two things that really work for me:
1. Letting my hair do its own thing in locs.
2. Making sure I got plenty of moisture (inside and out), the right nutrition and leading a healthy, active lifestyle.
When I don’t eat right or get enough moisture, I struggle. I guess locs are a really good protective style (for me at least) so if you’re interested in keeping your hair loose/free, I’d invest some time/research in finding protective styling that works for you. Beware tight braids/weaves and anything that can damage your scalp, and just see what your hair can do. It took me more than two years to figure it out, so I definitely understand your frustration. Good luck!
this is weird to me. i only watch the vloggers with “4″ hair. besides the fact that my hair is like theirs, i find it to be incredibly beautiful when cared for. i’m always flummoxed when people say they never see people with “4″ hair.
i do not watch people or take advice from mixed girls like hey fran hey, taren, or denim pixie.
there are even black women i don’t really watch like mahoganycurls because our hair is nothing alike.
i want to cultivate an appreciate of what’s mine. it can be hard to do that when you’re constantly coveting what others have. focus on people like you who have found beauty in themselves.
I agree with everything said beginning from Guest1234. At the beginning of my journey, I had no clue what to do with my hair. I never used relaxers much, but I always wore a very low cut. As low as a man till my husband said no more. I have spider webs for hair strands on my hair. Very, very fine tigtly coiled type 4c hair. If it wasnt for hair typing, I would have cut it all off. Hair typing worked for me. Please, those of you who casualy wave away when people complain about their hair types please be gentle. You will never know how hard it is to deal with hair as fine and delicate as spider webs and more tightly coiled than pen springs. I am a Nigerian, and where I live Audrey Organics bla, bla, bla are hard to find. I also have super dry hair. The first key to my redemption was when I discovered hair is not the same. I googled 4c hair and landed on darker than brown blog. When I saw her hair and length, I wiped my tears. Although whereas she has coarse strands, mine are super fine. Oh my God! How do you detangle spider webs? I tried to follow the all natural products route and I was burdening myself more. One day I was lucky to buy Giovanni direct leave in. I enjoyed it but it never kept moisture in my hair for 6 hours. Then I began my love affair with henna. In US you have hair police that dictate to you what to do when they have a different curl pattern to yours. I say to them ‘do your thing, I do mine’. I started hennaing for the colour, it never turned out but I got other benefits. When my Giovanni got used up, my hair started acting up. I would henna every other day in twists so there zero manipulation. I did it to loosen my curl pattern. It loosened it a lot! Detangling got much earsier and shrinkage reduced. I found a cheap Nigerian product that works well to keep moisture. I never go near a shampoo. Cowash with VO5 conditioners, henna, deep condition with molasses(the best) and keep my hair in braid or twist extensions. I spritz with water/lavender/rosemary/castor/jojoba oil mix. I am retaining length!
You`re there to have fun and meet interesting men, not to pass a pop quiz. Let him know, how independent you are of this date, but try doing in a subtle matter, without being a snob