Don't Fit the Pattern

Greatcurls · 02-27-2009, 07:41 AM

You know your hair type...You know what products work on your hair...You know how to maintain your hair to make sure it is healthy. But, after looking at the hair type forums on CurlTalk, you find you have something in common with all, and yet your hair does not meet all the requirements (or behave) of your "hair type." For example, I am 4A/3C, and about 80% of the time (depending on the season) I maintain my hair like those who have hair types 2-3b(minus the diffusing, and I deep condition with heat.) Or, I use some of the products of 3C-4B, but not most of the popular ones-such as KCCC, KBB.

Does the way your hair behave (or how you maintain it) fit the typical pattern of your hair type?

MimsTX · 02-27-2009, 07:48 AM

I'm right there with you.

I think your hair's thickness, porosity, etc have more to do with how your hair behaves than the shape or size of your curls.

I've found a lot of the popular combos for other 3As just don't do ANYTHING for me... usually because they're using pea sized amounts of the products, and my porose, thick hair eats up everything I put on it and I have to SLATHER it with things. My product combos and techniques are usually strange combinations of 2b/c reccs and 3c/4a reccs lol.

Lighter products, in AMPLE amounts, with minimal management works best for me.

It only took me most of the year to figure that out lol

redcelticcurls · 02-27-2009, 10:15 AM

I agree that texture and porosity have been playing more of a role for me. I'm a mix of 3a/b and most of my routine came straight from the 4a forum.

Hey, whatever works, works.

I'm trying to incorporate porosity more into things as i gradually get to understand it. Texture and elasticity I feel comfortable with and I use those for part of my product lineup.

rudeechick · 02-27-2009, 10:36 AM

ITA re texture and porousity. While my hair is clearly 3a my hair seems to respond better to 2c products and protocol.

Boomygrrl · 02-27-2009, 01:47 PM

And I think it's a matter of preference too. Some people like a wet look, some people (like me) can't stand it. Gel is a god-send for some people..and for others (again, like me) it's meh because I don't like the way it looks and feels. But someone else could put gel in my hair and think it looks great. Some people like volume to their hair (I do some...I'm probably in the middle, as I like some volume and I don't like lanky, weighed down hair...and I'd rather error in the direction of volume if I have to decide between wet looking or frizzy). So, there might be products that would work for your hair, but you just don't prefer them.

Then take that on top of what everyone else said about texture, porosity, etc. etc....and then don't forget the climate. Sometimes your hair will respond beautifully to a product and then at other times the dewpoint might be too high or too low and the hair hates the product.

Then, are you a low maintenance or high maintenance groomer? To me, less is more. I'd rather use one thing to style my hair. Also, what feels right to you. I love the feel of freshly washed hair...even if it's good for my hair to only wash it once in awhile...tough...I'm going to CO wash it sometimes, but yes, I'm going to also use shampoo sometimes too (gasp!!!)...My scalp feels SOOOO good when it gets a good washin'.

So, it's a matter of trial and error. Different strokes for different folks.

rudeechick · 02-27-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomygrrl

And I think it's a matter of preference too. So, it's a matter of trial and error. Different strokes for different folks.

Very good point! I like my hair soft and flowy, looser than tighter.... which means a very different protocol then someone who wants tight, hard curls.

DEL2C · 02-28-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudeechick

ITA re texture and porousity. While my hair is clearly 3a my hair seems to respond better to 2c products and protocol.

Well this 2C is not with you in the Winter!

In the Summer I did pretty much what Rudee did with the exception of QCCC we were using the same products with great success. I didn't rotate anything!

Then she went and changed it up with stuff that doesn't work for me on a consistent basis. Our Winter regime couldn't be more opposite! Now I'm the worst PJ ever struggling with the right amount of moisture since I still need a lot in these low dews. What a PAIN I tell ya!
ETA- as far as not fitting the pattern. I'm all over the place with the products I use. I love KCCC and other "heavy" products like Komaza so go figure....

whatsercurl · 02-28-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MimsTX

I've found a lot of the popular combos for other 3As just don't do ANYTHING for me... usually because they're using pea sized amounts of the products, and my porose, thick hair eats up everything I put on it and I have to SLATHER it with things. My product combos and techniques are usually strange combinations of 2b/c reccs and 3c/4a reccs lol.

I'm with you mims. I don't use much product on non-wash days but I use copius amounts when I do wash. My hair doesn't like much conditioner, shampoo and I even tried shampoo bars which it didn't seem to care for much either.

A lot of 3C-4B's seem to wash once a week or less which is what works best for me too. Haven't seen many 2's or 3A's whose hair behaves that way.

CurlyEyes · 02-28-2009, 08:36 AM

I never even bothered to follow others' product recs. I highly doubted anyone could have the exact same hair as me, so I bumbled around and found my own rhythm, and it works. I don't know if I fit the typical pattern of my hair type, and I'm not sure what my hair type is. I don't think that my way's the best way, but it works FOR ME, so I'm good with it.

rudeechick · 02-28-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEL2C

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudeechick

ITA re texture and porousity. While my hair is clearly 3a my hair seems to respond better to 2c products and protocol.

Well this 2C is not with you in the Winter!

In the Summer I did pretty much what Rudee did with the exception of QCCC we were using the same products with great success. I didn't rotate anything!

Then she went and changed it up with stuff that doesn't work for me on a consistent basis. Our Winter regime couldn't be more opposite! Now I'm the worst PJ ever struggling with the right amount of moisture since I still need a lot in these low dews. What a PAIN I tell ya!
ETA- as far as not fitting the pattern. I'm all over the place with the products I use. I love KCCC and other "heavy" products like Komaza so go figure....

Del, I thought about this when I read this thread. I think this is where coarseness and porosity come in. We are both very thick in quantity, but your hair is coarser and likely more porous than mine. I'm guessing that you are a 2 who does better with 3 protocol and I am the opposite.

Heather0kay · 02-28-2009, 11:54 AM

I can't figure it out. My baby soft, fine, thin hair likes some of the "heavier" products for body and structure and hold. Hair dressers , even "curl specialists" are afraid of putting anything more than a light mousse in . They are afraid of weighing down my hair so my hair flattens on top and looks like a big mess when I get home( they probably put silicones in it!).

vegas_curls · 02-28-2009, 09:51 PM

Talk about not fitting the pattern! Lately I've been using a heat protectant solution that works wonders on my curls. I mean, really, whoda thunk it?

This is the stuff (except I buy it at Sally's).

Normally I'd only use it when I blowdry & flat-iron, so a couple of weeks ago I applied it to my wet hair and let it air dry in preparation for a straight day. However, when my hair dried, I was amazed at the results - my curls were tame and shiny.

I thought that incident was a fluke, so a few days later I tried it again, and then again, and then again with great results each time.

So, that's my new totally don't-fit-the-pattern routine. Go figure - it works for me.

jillipoo · 03-01-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas_curls

Talk about not fitting the pattern! Lately I've been using a heat protectant solution that works wonders on my curls. I mean, really, whoda thunk it?

This is the stuff (except I buy it at Sally's).

Normally I'd only use it when I blowdry & flat-iron, so a couple of weeks ago I applied it to my wet hair and let it air dry in preparation for a straight day. However, when my hair dried, I was amazed at the results - my curls were tame and shiny.

I thought that incident was a fluke, so a few days later I tried it again, and then again, and then again with great results each time.

So, that's my new totally don't-fit-the-pattern routine. Go figure - it works for me.

Love that avatar.

So, are you a shampooer or do you find this stuff comes out with a co-wash?

mrl234 · 03-01-2009, 01:57 PM

My hair seems to like a really oddball combination of things. I can't low-poo without getting dried out, whereas most wavies seem to low-poo frequently (I keep mine on hand inc ase of buildup, which happens rarely, but that's it). My hair is VERY thick, somewhat dry, somewhat fine. It can't stand most proteins and it LOVES humectants when the dewpoint isn't so low. I use some products that are listed under all the different protocols. I can't figure out if its porous or not.

vegas_curls · 03-01-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillipoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas_curls

Talk about not fitting the pattern! Lately I've been using a heat protectant solution that works wonders on my curls. I mean, really, whoda thunk it?

This is the stuff (except I buy it at Sally's).

Normally I'd only use it when I blowdry & flat-iron, so a couple of weeks ago I applied it to my wet hair and let it air dry in preparation for a straight day. However, when my hair dried, I was amazed at the results - my curls were tame and shiny.

I thought that incident was a fluke, so a few days later I tried it again, and then again, and then again with great results each time.

So, that's my new totally don't-fit-the-pattern routine. Go figure - it works for me.

Love that avatar.

So, are you a shampooer or do you find this stuff comes out with a co-wash?

Thanks.

But again, not fitting the pattern, I'm a poo'er by force of habit.