Texture Tales: Chazz on Why It's Important to Advocate for Type 4 Hair

4b

I actually grew up with relaxed hair but once I went natural in high school everyone loved it! I was like a kinky headed unicorn. I couldn’t go a day without getting compliments on my wooly texture. HOWEVER, my grandmother was the only one I can remember who didn’t like it. She gave me the hardest time about my hair because she was so used to seeing me with relaxers. Plus, she comes from a time period where black woman HAD to wear straight hair in order to get by in life, so mentally she struggled when I let go of straight hair.

Natural hair blogger, @Naptural85. In middle school I used to watch her videos religiously. Then, when I got to high school I got so fed up with not living my best life I begged my mom to cut my hair off. It was never really a matter of embracing my texture, it was just a matter of when could I get rid of this ugly limp and lifeless hair. I wanted big fluffy hair like Whitney and by any means necessary I was going to get it!

Being able to be an advocate for kinky hair. I love telling black women with the kinkiest hair how gorgeous their hair is. I feel empowered when I can show black women that our hair is easy to maintain and its simply gorgeous no matter the texture.

Honestly I don’t. The best I do is tie a silk scarf on her or sleep on a satin pillow case, but other than that, most of the time I fall asleep and wake up like a wild woman. I moisturize my hair daily so it never really matters how I go to sleep. I’m a low maintenance/simple routine kinda girl.

Naptural85

My inexpensive black Annie shampoo brush from Walmart. Since they are only a dollar I have a bunch of them, and I use them to detangle my hair. It’s the only tool that cuts my detangling time to 5-10 min.

My current regimen is extremely simple. Ive been taking care of my hair like an Egyptian queen! LOL I’ve been washing her and then sealing with a bunch of delicious oils. If I do use a product its most likely going to be CurlMix and their hair softeners.

Nothing really. Ive been natural for going on 7 or 8 years now. I’ve shaved my head a few times during this process, but nothing is ever challenging because I genuinely love my hair. I work with her and I love her for what she is, so we never really bump heads.

Yes! Using that shampoo brush I was telling you about, along with hair softeners, has made doing my hair a breeze. Since I’m a YouTuber I will always try out new products because ya never know what’s going to work, but those are my staples.

Separate your feelings about your hair. If you dislike your texture as a type 4 lady, that is a deep rooted insecurity within you because your hair is not ACTUALLY ugly or unmanageable. I say this because I’ve met ladies who have my EXACT hair, identical texture, porosity, etc., tell me to my face… their hair is ugly, but they absolutely love my hair. How is it possible that you hate your hair but love mine? We have the same hair! You disliking your hair can stem from insecurities that your family or the media put on you, so work on yourself and never take those insecurities out on your hair. If you understand what I’m saying, by separating your feelings your hair will flourish and your mental view on your hair will slowly start to shift. Drink water, mind ya business, work on your insecurities, and moisturize your hair…Do that and watch how you will flourish.

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.