Friday, 11 May 2012

What’s my HAIR TYPE?



This  must be the most frequently asked question by Natural Sistahs.

As stated in my previous post, “10 Facts about African Hair in its Natural State” African hair is unique. We might not all share the same hair type. Our hair type also determines how we should take care for it. It should also be noted that one person can have 2/3 hair types in one head! Then it becomes abit confusing!


What I can tell you though is that all hair despite the type/texture its BEAUTIFUL HAIR you just have to take good care for it.

So here is a list of hair types and how to take care of them:

TYPE 1:
Straight Hair
Okay this is very RARELY! Found on African girls
Pinky


TYPE2:
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is categorized in 3;

Type 2a
Big loose Waves
Eve

Type 2b
Smaller Tighter waves
Amritpal

Type 2c
Whirly Waves
Suzan

CARE TIPS FOR TYPE2:
  1. Invest in a good boar bristle brush to keep your waves smooth.
  2. Use a light moisturizing hair gel to add definition to your waves.
  3. Deep condition regularly and use a moisturizing leave-in.
  4. Use humidity/frizz protective stylers to avoid frizz.
  5. Keep your fingers out of your hair! Do not over tousle your hair.


TYPE3:
Curly Hair
Also Has 3 Categorize;
Type 3a
Big loose curls



Type 3b
Spiral curls
Mary
PS: type 3b has can further be divided into 9! Categories. Check them HERE
Type 3c
Small tight curls
Sarah



CARE TIPS FOR TYPE 3:
  1. Only use wide tooth combs. The wider the better.
  2. Use deep conditioner every time you shampoo.
  3. Use leave-In conditioner daily.
  4. To reduce frizz don’t brush your hair.
  5. Don’t use towels to dry your hair. Air dry or blow dry on medium with a diffuser attachment instead.
  6. Don’t apply too much styling products to avoid weighed down look.


TYPE4:
Coils
Type 4 is also categorized in 3. It is what is commonly termed as kinky, nappy hair. It is the MOST FRAGILE hair type despite its texture. THIS IS WHERE I BELIEVE MOST KENYAN GIRLS LIE.
Type 4a
Linda
Tight, springy Coils
Kaz


Type 4b
Cramped coils

Type 4c
Ziggy, loose coils
Patricia

CARE TIPS FOR TYPE 4:
  1. Comb and detangle your hair when it's wet and coated with conditioner.
  2. Always use a wide tooth comb, your fingers or a hair pick to detangle.
  3. Deep condition your hair with protein and moisture to keep your it healthy and strong.
  4. Use a daily moisturizing leave-in to avoid dry hair and breakage.
  5. Use Natural oil and reach butters, avoid sulfates, petrolatum oil and heavy waxes in products.


NB: 1. The letters  a,b,c  point to the thickness/density of strand of hair.
        2. All the photos i have used are of lovely natural girls in Kenya (Well except Pinky &   Eve) not sure if they are natural.
        3. Accurate description

Apart from this NUMERICAL categories there is also another type of categorization called LOIS that is best explained HERE.

Finally My hair type is a mixture of 4b & 4c as I came to realize… and I LOVE IT! 



Live, Love,Laugh,
Its only Natural
Natural Toto

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