3D Curl Pattern - The missing Link?

shainala · 10-05-2011, 03:17 PM

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

greenandchic · 10-05-2011, 03:38 PM

That's why I've give up on curl pattern hair typing. LOL Its too darn confusing and it doesnt really mean much. When asked, I say that I'm 4a/3c. but I'm sure there is some 3D, 3E, 4F. etc.

Ninjarette · 10-05-2011, 03:42 PM

How far up the alphabet do you go, before you cross over into the next number?

What is "3D" hair?

Chicago Kinks · 10-05-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjarette

How far up the alphabet do you go, before you cross over into the next number?

What is "3D" hair?

nevermind

moosegrl_86 · 10-05-2011, 03:48 PM

This is too much. I thought that this post was going to be about a 3D model guide for hair typing.

shainala · 10-05-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenandchic

That's why I've give up on curl pattern hair typing. LOL Its too darn confusing and it doesnt really mean much. When asked, I say that I'm 4a/3c. but I'm sure there is some 3D, 3E, 4F. etc.

Th only reason I'm climbing back on the Curl Pattern bandwagon is because the other day a woman I know who has looser but less defined curls than mine but considers herself a 3c asked me what product I was using in my hair, wondering if she could get a similar look. I started thinking that along with porosity, density, and strand coarseness, it was useful to say my hair, product free is "kinky, ringletty, curly" kinda in-between what you'd think of as typical "3c" or "4a"
You're right it doesn't mean much, it's more just another descriptor that helps to explain a little about our curls

ttlolla · 10-05-2011, 03:51 PM

Is this really necessary ?

Apart from hair forums where else would I need to describe my hair as 4a/3c/4b/3d?

I just don't understand the purpose of 3d

shainala · 10-05-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosegrl_86

This is too much. I thought that this post was going to be about a 3D model guide for hair typing.

love it!
Hey that would be really useful.

ttlolla · 10-05-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosegrl_86

This is too much. I thought that this post was going to be about a 3D model guide for hair typing.

I was thinking the same

Mskeisha99 · 10-05-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shainala

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

I kno exactly wut u mean bc I feel my pattern rests btwn 4a & 3c. Most folks say I'm 3c, but I feel like I'm 3d...

Mskeisha99 · 10-05-2011, 04:09 PM

3D...

greenandchic · 10-05-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mskeisha99

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mskeisha99

Quote:

Originally Posted by shainala

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

I kno exactly wut u mean bc I feel my pattern rests btwn 4a & 3c. Most folks say I'm 3c, but I feel like I'm 3d...

You look 4a to me, but its too soon to tell for sure.

NoodleNaps · 10-05-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenandchic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mskeisha99

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mskeisha99

I kno exactly wut u mean bc I feel my pattern rests btwn 4a & 3c. Most folks say I'm 3c, but I feel like I'm 3d...

You look 4a to me, but its too soon to tell for sure.

+1

happyface · 10-05-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shainala

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

What makes you think you aren't 3c (straw-size curls) or 4a (Crochet needle size curls)? I don't get the confusion around this unless you have a mix of both in which case you could just refer to yourself as 3c/4a like many of us do.

I'm not sure a whole new letter is necessary. It makes it seem like you don't want to be a 4 category so you're going to create a new 3 category.

adthomas · 10-05-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoodleNaps

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenandchic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mskeisha99

You look 4a to me, but its too soon to tell for sure.

+1

Looks 4a to me too.

First 4c, now 3d. What next, 4a point 5.

itsKelCeeEee · 10-05-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturallyCJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by shainala

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

What makes you think you aren't 3c (straw-size curls) or 4a (Crochet needle size curls)? I don't get the confusion around this unless you have a mix of both in which case you could just refer to yourself as 3c/4a like many of us do.

I'm not sure a whole new letter is necessary. It makes it seem like you don't want to be a 4 category so you're going to create a new 3 category.

I was going to say just that. Some people (not saying the OP necessarily) will do nearly anything not to be considered a category 4. I can see someone wanting a type to just group their hair in without having to use more than one, but really there's very few people whose hair fits into one category. Most people have two if not three different textures on their head. It disheartens me when people try to fit their hair into a category it's not because 4 is still seen by some as the dreaded of hair types. You know how women are all "I'd become natural if my hair wasn't so "nappy""...4 is that "nappy" they don't want to be. Then again I guess I shouldn't care so much because other people's thoughts/opinions of their own hair has nothing to do with mine...

Like I said, I'm not trying to say I feel like you're saying all that OP because you seem sincere in what you're saying and I'm gathering that you don't feel your hair fits into any given types. I'm just saying that I don't think adding another type is necessary. If you feel that 3D should be a type though, go for it! These things aren't concrete. Shoot, be what you wanna be as long as it benefits your hair.

cheveuxbouclés · 10-05-2011, 07:38 PM

I am not sure why people are so bent on typing hair. Even if I am a 4a and you are 4a, products can react differently on our hair because porosity and other issues. Also, everything is pretty much visual ( fotkis, blogs, youtube) and you can always find someone with hair that is similiar looking if you are that pressed to find products that may work on you. And like someone said, what purpose does it serve outside of boards? There are not many salons and BSS that subscribe to the system...

NaturallyCJ · 10-05-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shainala

I posted this on the 3c forum, but I want your opinions too. So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.
Attached Thumbnails

I have given up on hair typing altogether. I get why a lot of people want to know, or would like to be able to say, "My hair is type blank." but in reality it's just something that will further confuse (& possibly frustrate) you. My hair can look anything from completely undefined frizz, to super tight coils, to ramen noodle looking waves. It depends on the weather, products I used, is my hair dry or well moisturized, etc.

Anyway, your hair is pretty

That's all that I think matters lol

Mskeisha99 · 10-05-2011, 09:20 PM

Thx, GN.

Sent from my PC36100 using CurlTalk App

curlylaru · 10-05-2011, 09:57 PM

Your hair looks 4a to me.