Vent About Flat Ironing Type 4 Curls
I kinda get mad when people say type 4 curls “don’t work” with a flat iron.
1. Yes, your hair can be straightened.
2. Yes, it can be frizz-free straight. Yes, it can look not-puffy.
3. Yes, it can last for more than a couple hours. It can even last for days. It can last for weeks if you reallyyyyy know what you’re doing.
4. Yes, it can be heat damage free.
5. Yes, it can be done under 400 degrees.
6. Yes, it can be done at home for free… doesn’t HAVE to be a salon.
7. Yes, it is possible to achieve all of the above in one.
Don’t let other people’s failed attempts and even your failed attempts discourage you. It’s a learning experience! You have to ask yourself “What did I do wrong?” instead of telling all the 4a, 4b, 4c girls of the world that they can never rock straight hair without a weave. YOU CAN.
(Warning: Don’t go crazy with it. Do it a few times a year or less to maintain the health of your hair).
Research, learn, and try again (just not so soon, keep it to one quick pass and keep the temperature low).
Encouraging words and compliments.
Today as I stood in line for an omelete in the dining hall, a friend of mine told me how much she loved my hair, and that she wished she had kinky hair.
I’m sharing this for all the type 4 girls who still haven’t gotten to the point where they’re able to embrace their curly, kinky hair. Your hair is just as beautiful as hair that falls under other categories. There are girls out there with looser curls (or no curls at all) who covet and/ or admire your hair as well, not just the other way around. For all you may know, you could someone’s hair crush. :)
Anyways, be beautiful, as always.
(And I will get to submissions soon! Super busy, but I wanted to make this post before I forgot it.)
- xoxo, Bri
so I have like 4b, 4c hair and when completely stretched out it comes to my shoulders. what are some hair styles and good moisture techniques I can try? any product suggestions for my hair type?
I think all type 4 hair benefit from hydration products. One of my staples for styling is Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I hear that Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner is amazing, but any conditioner/ products for dry hair would benefit you. Our hair is very fragile and naturally dry, so you want to lock the moisture in before any attempts at styling. I personally think wash and gos are very drying, and haven’t worn them in years. I actually never wear my hair’s natural hair pattern; I’m a big fan of braid outs. My hair is extremely curly and I dislike shrinkage.
Also, you should check this video out.
RE: Being Natural Is Too Expensive?
I follow Adeeyis and she posted her annual money spent on her hair products… found here: Adeeyis’ Post
I thought I would also calculate all the stuff I use whether it’s “officially” part of my regimen or not.
ApHogee 2-Step Protein Treatment $15.96 (4 times a year, $3.99X4)
Eco Styler Gel $3.50 (I’ve had this 32oz tub for 6 months now and it’s still 90% full)
Shea Moisture’s Black African Soap Shampoo $7.99 (one per year, only buy on sale, still full 80% after 5 months)
Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment Masque $23.97 (only buy on sale, I use like 3 a year $7.99X3)
Apple Cider Vinegar $1.99 (only go though one bottle per year)
VO5 Conditioner $6.32 (I go through 8 bottles a year $0.79X8 )
KeraPro Restorative Intense Treatment $15.00 (only buy on sale at Sally’s, one jar lasts me 4 months $5.00X3)
Mane ‘N Tail Hair Strengthener $10.98 (new! based on what I’ve used so far, I will buy 2 a year $5.49X2)
Shea Moisture Reconstructing Elixer $7.99 (only buy on sale lasts me more than a year)
Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil $2.50 (only half used in more than a year, so $4.99/2)
White Chunky Shea Butter $2.50 (had this for a year and it’s still 80% full so let’s say $4.99/2)
Castor Oil $4.00 (I used half the 16oz bottle in a year so $7.99/2)
Organic Coconut Oil $5.00 12 oz (more than half remains a year later so $10.00/2)
Grand total on my hair care for one year: $107.70 plus Florida tax… really? lol
I thought it was much worse than that especially since my hair type is supposedly the hardest to maintain.
Very glad I calculated that for when my mom starts yelling at me again lol
*double checks to be sure*
My relaxing alone was $360 a year… not counting any products (shampoos, conditioners, gels, treatments).
Taking Out My Mini-Twists
Today, I started taking out my mini-twists (small 2-strand twists) and to my horror, it was like they started locking. Detangling was initially terrifying. Well, I clearly made a huge mistake. I neglected to care of my hair (last weeks of school = final projects, presentations and exams). For the 4-week period I had these twists in, I moisturized maybe only 5 times :’(
I know some other ladies who go through this then want to give up on their natural journey. Here are some tips to help you overcome that frustration:
To Prevent/Treat This Situation:
1. Keep your hair moisturized and sealed during a long-term protective style.
2. To detangle when you’re taking it out, don’t detangle dry and don’t detangle wet. But detangle while it’s damp, preferably with some conditioner. Use your fingers first then maybe a wide-toothed comb later.
3. If the damage from the dryness is already done, be as gentle as possible. Yes, it will take foreverrrrr but you want to salvage hair strands that are thinking about breaking off.
4. Untwist/unbraid section by section so you do not become overwhelmed. Smooth it out with your hands and a moisturizer focusing on the ends. Finger detangle. Detangle with other tools gently. Then rebraid the section loosely.
5. Take breaks so you don’t start ripping your hair out because of impatience. (That’s why I always start in the back so I can conceal what I’ve untwisted so far in a ponytail or under a beanie.)
6. You owe your hair a deep condition. I can’t stop raving about Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle. If you haven’t tried it yet, get on it. You’ll find it for like $3 at Walgreens and most stores.
Hair Typing System
I use it and I both like and hate it at the some time.
On one end it’s supposed to be this system that makes it easy to identify your hair type so you can figure out how best to care for it. It also helps you find other people with your hair type so that you can make friends and share tips and shit.
On the other side there are times when It feels mad annoying a complicated for no reason. and I’ve got a sneaking suspsion that most of us are not even using it right.
I can’t tell you how much time I sit in front of my mirror trying to decide if I’ve got 4A or 4B hair.
Or How many times I’ve gotten into arguments over what mine or someone else’s type is.
Or going through the type 4 tag and seeing girls with these loose ass curls and some with these soul sista afros.
I’ve just come to the conclusion that i’ve got all types of crazy going on in my head. And I get why some people don’t even bother with the hair typing system.
Hair Typing and Classification
I don’t agree with hair typing. People focus too much on it when there is no such thing as a true hair type only a generalized guide to hair typing. Our hair is made up of many different textures and can’t really be put into a basic category of what the hair types are or what they should be based on the norm. To put it simply natural hair is not normal or basic and that’s what makes it so special. It’s multiple textures,lengths,and grades are what makes every single one of us uniquely beautiful. But for those who want to know what hair typing is all about I’ll explain…
While going through hair forums, websites and videos you may encounter people putting up pictures of themselves and asking what hair type they have. “Am I 4a or 3c?” This is called curl classifying. There are a couple “curl classifying systems”. But the commonly used is the Andre Walker system. The type is identified with a number prefix 1-4 (Straight, wavy, curly, Kinky) and a letter suffix a-c (varying degree of curls within the type)
Knowing your hair type is not to segregate but can help understand and customize how to care for your hair better and what product types your need.
Since this site is dedicated to help people with curly, coily and kinky hair (type 3 and 4 hair), I’m only writing in-depth about those 2 types. This is the type most black people have. Our hair is severely misunderstood and vilified. But not all black people have time same hair type. Also remember that there is good or bad hair type just healthy and unhealthy hair.
