Curl Pattern or not? And curl help..

curlyhaley · 07-25-2011, 05:07 PM

I hear a lot of naturals say "If you have a curl pattern then you don't need products to get it." To me this means, you can only truly claim a certain curl pattern if it's the same curl when wet or dry. For me, that's not the case. My hair is about 75% cottony texture so when it dries, my curl pattern disappears completely. Even when it's wet, my curl pattern isn't very prominent except in the back of my head, but it's there. When I apply gels my curl pattern stays all over my head.

The sections of hair on my temples are what I assume to be 4b. The rest of it is either a small s shaped curl or a spiral about the width of a pencil. Am I even allowed to code my hair since it doesn't stay curly when it's completely dry? Am I a 4c because of this?

Demebear · 07-25-2011, 07:53 PM

double post

Demebear · 07-25-2011, 07:56 PM

I identify myself as a 4b based on how my hair behaves when its dry. When its wet, my curls are more defined and visible due to water weight, but once detangling comes into the equation as well as shrinkage well I end up with the36843_136897236338474_100000545963967_310525_22391 76_n.jpg after pic.DSC06858.jpg

*Marah* · 07-26-2011, 09:06 AM

I just think some people have naturally drier hair than others and moisture retention plays a SIGNIFICANT role in the curl department IF the person does indeed have a curl pattern. The more properly moisturized curls are the more they look defined.

Some people simply don't retain enough moisture in their hair or can't get enough moisture in their hair without going thru some means to get it. Their hair has to be moisturized well and then "set" like with a holding type of product like a gel, cream, or gelly to keep the curls "locked" in. To me, this doesn't disqualify them from being a certain hair type. It just means their hair needs more moisture and setting than someone else's. That usually has to do with porosity and texture.

Here's an example of what I mean.

I've seen super dry looking coarse 3c hair on people and it looks almost like an afro but you can tell their hair is 3c because of the curl diameter. Just because their hair is dry (meaning not properly moisturized) doesn't mean the hair is suddenly NOT 3c hair. Certain 3c hair when picked, combed, or brushed out can resemble a cottony type 4 hair. But when the curls are clumped..it's clearly 3c.

And then I've seen super moisturized 4a hair that gets some people all googley eyed and incorrectly labelling it as type 3 hair because they think that person's hair is just automatically like that with very clumped defined curls when the fact or the matter is that person just keeps their hair very moisturized so their curls look very defined. But in reality without their hair being very moisturized those curls are not clumped together and their hair can look like it doesn't have a curl pattern per se and will get placed labeled as 4b or 4c.

The above are just examples..not everyone fits neatly into their ridiculous "hair type rule" boxes some folks cling to. I am personally a realist about it and stick to labeling curls type simply by looking at the diameter/circumference when the hair is properly moisturize cause you can't really tell jack from hair that is all dry and crusty looking...I don't care what curl type it is or isn't.

Any curl smaller than a drinking straw is type 4 hair. Any curl that is drinking straw size and larger is type 3 hair.

curlyhaley · 07-26-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demebear

I identify myself as a 4b based on how my hair behaves when its dry. When its wet, my curls are more defined and visible due to water weight, but once detangling comes into the equation as well as shrinkage well I end up with the36843_136897236338474_100000545963967_310525_22391 76_n.jpg after pic.DSC06858.jpg

Thank you for the pictures! That's basically what happens with my hair too haha! Your hair is gorgeous btw!

curlyhaley · 07-26-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marah Mizrahi

I just think some people have naturally drier hair than others and moisture retention plays a SIGNIFICANT role in the curl department IF the person does indeed have a curl pattern. The more properly moisturized curls are the more they look defined.

Some people simply don't retain enough moisture in their hair or can't get enough moisture in their hair without going thru some means to get it. Their hair has to be moisturized well and then "set" like with a holding type of product like a gel, cream, or gelly to keep the curls "locked" in. To me, this doesn't disqualify them from being a certain hair type. It just means their hair needs more moisture and setting than someone else's. That usually has to do with porosity and texture.

Here's an example of what I mean.

I've seen super dry looking coarse 3c hair on people and it looks almost like an afro but you can tell their hair is 3c because of the curl diameter. Just because their hair is dry (meaning not properly moisturized) doesn't mean the hair is suddenly NOT 3c hair. Certain 3c hair when picked, combed, or brushed out can resemble a cottony type 4 hair. But when the curls are clumped..it's clearly 3c.

And then I've seen super moisturized 4a hair that gets some people all googley eyed and incorrectly labelling it as type 3 hair because they think that person's hair is just automatically like that with very clumped defined curls when the fact or the matter is that person just keeps their hair very moisturized so their curls look very defined. But in reality without their hair being very moisturized those curls are not clumped together and their hair can look like it doesn't have a curl pattern per se and will get placed labeled as 4b or 4c.

The above are just examples..not everyone fits neatly into their ridiculous "hair type rule" boxes some folks cling to. I am personally a realist about it and stick to labeling curls type simply by looking at the diameter/circumference when the hair is properly moisturize cause you can't really tell jack from hair that is all dry and crusty looking...I don't care what curl type it is or isn't.

Any curl smaller than a drinking straw is type 4 hair. Any curl that is drinking straw size and larger is type 3 hair.

Thank you for that information! I usually care nothing about hair typing, but I'm trying to revamp my products and regimen and I want to get a better idea of my hair type so I don't spend 05095045 dollars on products that don't fit my hair. I still haven't figured out how to test my porosity though..

*Marah* · 07-26-2011, 11:55 AM

Hey CurlyHaley,
Well if you are looking to revamp your products then looking at hair type isn't going to help you period. What you will need to do is find out your texture and porosity for SURE to see what products you do need to use. That and ONLY that will tell you that information.

Because all hair typing does is tell you the curl size. All these "characteristics" people try to add to it are bogus. Not every 3c hair type is fine. Not every 4a hair type is coarse..etc. two different people with type 3c's can have totally different porosity and textures and won't be able to use the same hair products. Them both having the same type of hair is totally irrelevant.

To learn your porosity and texture.. look here:
Live Curly Live Free - Curly Hair Basics