There has been some confusion in the natural hair community about who has what curl. Now I don't mean to get too technical about arbitrary information but for the new naturals that need some help in deciphering their curl type, Jumoke is here to save the day! :D
Before I began, I have to clarify some common misconceptions about hair type.
Before I began, I have to clarify some common misconceptions about hair type.
1. Clumping is NOT an indicator of curl type
I've seen this on numerous Instagram hair blogs. There will be a texture shot of an unknown natural and in the comment sections, people would heavily debate on what hair type unknown woman has. The confusion especially comes when a kinky hair girl is featured. The curls are obviously very tight but you will still have people argue that it is a 3b/3c for the fact that they see defined curls.
Let me set the record straight by saying all hair that has texture has the ability to clump. Yes, you've heard right. Even 4c, the kinkiest hair type, has the ability to clump with the proper moisture.
I'll take my own head for example. Before I started the Curly Girl Method, I battled with dryness for a good majority of my natural hair journey. It wasn't until I began cowashing and moisturizing my hair daily did I see any visible curl. Does that mean that I had a head full of 4c hair? No my friends, it does not. Matter of fact, now my hair stays more moisturized consistently, my 4c hair has more definition than my 4a hair. Ironic, huh? Drench in water or air dried, come rain come shine, my 4c curls stay poppin'! My 4a on the other hand is a little more unruly, prone to knotting, frizzy, and curls only stay visible when product is applied.
I've seen this on numerous Instagram hair blogs. There will be a texture shot of an unknown natural and in the comment sections, people would heavily debate on what hair type unknown woman has. The confusion especially comes when a kinky hair girl is featured. The curls are obviously very tight but you will still have people argue that it is a 3b/3c for the fact that they see defined curls.
Let me set the record straight by saying all hair that has texture has the ability to clump. Yes, you've heard right. Even 4c, the kinkiest hair type, has the ability to clump with the proper moisture.
I'll take my own head for example. Before I started the Curly Girl Method, I battled with dryness for a good majority of my natural hair journey. It wasn't until I began cowashing and moisturizing my hair daily did I see any visible curl. Does that mean that I had a head full of 4c hair? No my friends, it does not. Matter of fact, now my hair stays more moisturized consistently, my 4c hair has more definition than my 4a hair. Ironic, huh? Drench in water or air dried, come rain come shine, my 4c curls stay poppin'! My 4a on the other hand is a little more unruly, prone to knotting, frizzy, and curls only stay visible when product is applied.
2. Hair type is only ONE piece of the puzzle
My friends, the hair on your head is as complicated as your are. Knowing your hair type is only one piece to a bigger picture. Once I started the CG Method, I came to the realization that hair is HAIR. Not "hair is JUST hair" in that nonsensical jargon people spew when it comes to Black hair politics, but hair essentially is a fiber. Lorraine Massey, author of Curly Girl the Handbook, describes it perfectly. She compares hair to a cashmere sweater. Once you buy it, all you can do is preserve it. Hair, no matter the type, is basically a delicate fiber that grows from your head.
There are many more characteristics of hair that hold a heavier weight over hair typing. What is your hair porosity? How long is your hair? How dense is your hair? What is your hair texture (fine, medium, or coarse)? Is your hair protein sensitive? Does your hair like/dislike certain ingredients (i.e. Shea butter, glycerin, grease)? These are just a few questions you have to discover on your hair journey and solely knowing your hair type but actually hinder your progress.
Of course I can't act like hair typing doesn't matter at all but in my opinion hair typing only becomes useful in these categories:
Yeah... I can't think of any more areas hair typing would help someone in their journey. The aforementioned questions matter more in my opinion.
3. A looser hair type does NOT equals more managability
Depends on your view on what "manageable" means. Although I'm not as credible because I have multitextured hair, I feel the need to speak on my experience. The back 1/3 of my head is the most manageable and it is 4c. My 4c hair is coarse and retains the most moisture on my head. It always stays clumped and it almost never tangles. On the other hand, as I have mentioned before my 4a hair at the crown of my head is finer, knotty, and frizzy. So in my experience, a looser curl does not equal more "manageable." It's all about how YOU manage your hair.
Now that those misconceptions are out of the way, I will give you some examples of hair types using my own hair. I have applied product to my hair to enhance my different curls.
My friends, the hair on your head is as complicated as your are. Knowing your hair type is only one piece to a bigger picture. Once I started the CG Method, I came to the realization that hair is HAIR. Not "hair is JUST hair" in that nonsensical jargon people spew when it comes to Black hair politics, but hair essentially is a fiber. Lorraine Massey, author of Curly Girl the Handbook, describes it perfectly. She compares hair to a cashmere sweater. Once you buy it, all you can do is preserve it. Hair, no matter the type, is basically a delicate fiber that grows from your head.
There are many more characteristics of hair that hold a heavier weight over hair typing. What is your hair porosity? How long is your hair? How dense is your hair? What is your hair texture (fine, medium, or coarse)? Is your hair protein sensitive? Does your hair like/dislike certain ingredients (i.e. Shea butter, glycerin, grease)? These are just a few questions you have to discover on your hair journey and solely knowing your hair type but actually hinder your progress.
Of course I can't act like hair typing doesn't matter at all but in my opinion hair typing only becomes useful in these categories:
- understanding shrinkage
- handling of wet hair
- understanding why certain hair types are dryer than others
- how often one should moisturize
Yeah... I can't think of any more areas hair typing would help someone in their journey. The aforementioned questions matter more in my opinion.
3. A looser hair type does NOT equals more managability
Depends on your view on what "manageable" means. Although I'm not as credible because I have multitextured hair, I feel the need to speak on my experience. The back 1/3 of my head is the most manageable and it is 4c. My 4c hair is coarse and retains the most moisture on my head. It always stays clumped and it almost never tangles. On the other hand, as I have mentioned before my 4a hair at the crown of my head is finer, knotty, and frizzy. So in my experience, a looser curl does not equal more "manageable." It's all about how YOU manage your hair.
Now that those misconceptions are out of the way, I will give you some examples of hair types using my own hair. I have applied product to my hair to enhance my different curls.