What's in a Curl? getting to the Basics Hair Types

Many blogs might start off with the products used, but i'm a little different. Well a lot different. I want to start off my first official post by talking about Curl Types. I"m going to make a big assumption that most of my readers and followers have mixed/biracial children, if that's not you dont take offense you are still welcomed and wanted Lol.

We've all heard the term "Good Hair" probally more than once in your children's or your life time. I'm going to tell you now I dispise the term, can't stand it, so I would like all responder to try and use a differnt term, because all hair is good hair.

Many parent's who are not used to this hair type probally feel lost with what to, and i think a good way to get started is to determine what type of curl or hair pattern your child has, to some it may not matter or help, but it feels good to have some type of controll and knowledge of the unknow.

Type Words to desribe this type of hair varies, Kinky, Tightly Coiled, Afro'd, Nappy, "BAD" ( one word we never want to use negative words to describe our children's hair. It is thei crown and glory and if Mommy or Daddy, does not like it how can children grow to love and except what they can not change, with out drastic measures( pressing relaxing, etc unless you want to, different story)
Type 4 is kinky, or very tightly curled, with a clearly visible curl pattern

• Circumference: Crochet needle or even smaller

• The hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very, very fragile

• Type 4 hair can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots and lots of strands densely packed together

• Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type, which means that it has less natural protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling, blow-drying and straightening it

• Type 4 hair is known to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length

• There are two Type 4 subtypes:

•4a: Tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an "S" pattern, much like curly hair. It tends to have more moisture than 4b; has a definite curl pattern

 4b: Has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"; has a cotton-like feel

Type

Type 3c hair has tight curls in corkscrews

• Circumference: Pencil or straw

• The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together

• Getting this type of hair to blow dry straight is more challenging than for 3a or 3b, but it usually can be done

• The very tight curls are usually fine in texture

Type is more curly with big defined curls, may be pron to tangles. ( in my opinion)

There is a definite loopy "S" pattern

• Curls are well-defined and springy

• Type 3 hair has a lot of body; it is easily styled in its natural state or straightened with a blow-dryer

• It isn't coarse, like many believe, but soft and very fine—there's just a lot of it

• Combinations of Type 3a and 3b curls are common

• There are two Type 3 subtypes:

•3a: Curls are naturally big, loose and usually very shiny.
Circumference: sidewalk-chalk size

3b: Medium amount of curl, from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews.
Circumference: Sharpie size

Type  wavy hair which our mothers with straight have may feel more comfortable with.

Just a few  facts about this type

• The wave or curl forms throughout the hair in the shape of the letter "S"

• Type 2 hair sticks close to the head; it won't bounce up, even when layered

• There are three Type 2 subtypes:

2a: Fine, thin and very easy to handle; easily straightened or curled

2b: Medium-textured and a little resistant to styling; has a tendency to frizz

2c: Thick and coarse and more resistant to styling and will frizz easily

I got all of the information from Naturally Curly, and it also shows pictures of what these types look like. But i wanted to mention that some of type 4 and type 3 hair styles are actual styles and not what it looks like. If you would like to send pictures of you or your children's hair types please feel free to email us @ onceuponacurl@yahoo.com