4a, 4b vs. C-Napp Hair: What's the Difference?

[cocoberry10]

Hey ladies:

I'm currently transitioning, and I've read some of the posts where people will mention CNapp. I don't fully understand what that hair type is. Please break it down.

For example: Can you be 4a and a CNapp?

 

[cutenappygrl]

4a is Andre Walker's system:Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an S pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which 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). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture

Cnapp is characterized by nappturality Nappy Me:

This is from her website/forum:
http://www.cnappymenow.com

Welcome to cNappymeNow
A Natural Nappy Hair Community​

You might be wondering why I created cNappymeNow. Well let me explain. This community is for all the nappies whose hair would never be mistaken for "good" hair. It's not wavy nappy or curly nappy...it's just plain 'ole nappy hair. We're most likely to be told that we are too nappy to go natural. We're also the ones who at some point in our lives have felt that we had the nappiest hair on earth and wished we had "good" hair.

The most defining characterists of tightly coiled, kinky strands of product-free cNapp hair is that it has no defined curl or wave pattern when wet or dry. In other words, when shampooed, you'd never wonder how to define your curls or cute little ringlets after your hair dries because you don't have any to begin with. Instead, our coils all take their own route and when our nappy hair is loose, freshly washed and product free it takes on the appearance of a thick fluffy, cottony cloud of naps; hence our nickname cNapps. With the right products and tools, our hair can be molded into styles that define our naps. Comb coils and finger coils are a few styling techniques that come to mind as they're easily done on cNapp hair and can hold these styles quite well. In addition, the ends ouf our twists often coil up, giving the hair a wonderful finishing touch. Other characteristics of our hair is that it's usually thick (but it doesn't have to be), coarse and very reactive to moisture. As a result, many of us experience MAJOR shrinkage. Our hair is inherently dry and extrememly prone to breakage and craves moisture all the time. We often have problems retaining length and cNapps with really long/big hair can be hard to come by mostly due to frustration and a lack of understanding about how to care for our hair. In addition, most of us cannot tolerate mineral oil and petroleum-based products, which can contribute to dry, brittle, breaking hair as well.

Finally our hair has no natural shine to it. The twists and turns of our kinks don't allow light to reflect off our hair, instead our strands absorb the light. However, once again, the right products can make our hair have a healthy sheen, think like a suede material as opposed to a high shine like the sun bouncing off a hard wood floor. While none of these characteristcs are mutually exclusive to cNapp hair, they all come together to give us what we have, the nappy hair that in many instances, no one would ever want. But as cNapps, we've learned to embrace our unique hair and accept it for what it is - and that's "good hair." We've redefined beauty and and the term to mean hair that's growing strong, healthy and thriving.

If you can relate to this, you're a cNapp and let me extend a warm welcome to our happy nappy family. You've come to the right place to find other nappies that have hair similar to yours. I'm warning you...our community is addictive so be prepared to stay awhile, participate, share and learn all about cNapp hair. As you do so, I sincerely hope you'll enjoy your forum experience here at cNappymeNow. God bless and much nappy love to you all!

 

[sweetwhispers]

I don't agree with the whole C-Napp thing at all... but i'll keep my mouth shut cos i got in BIG trouble over that

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I don't agree with the whole C-Napp thing at all... but i'll keep my mouth shut cos i got in BIG trouble over that

You are free to speak here (or not speak if you want). What do you not agree with?

 

[EMJazzy]

Thanks for posting the question cocoberry10 I have always wondered what the exact definition of a cnapp was.

Thanks for answering cutenappygirl.

 

[sweetwhispers]

I personally feel it is/was divisive for the forum. I really do. More power to everyone there ( my little sister is a member).

4b and Cnapp are one and the same.

Bre~Bre now you know anything said on one board is seen on another. Its the symbiotic relationship between BHM, LHCF and NP.* the BIG 3*

 

[senimoni]

Yeah I was trying to figure out the difference between 4b and Cnapp myself....

 

[Kurlee]

I don't agree with the whole C-Napp thing at all... but i'll keep my mouth shut cos i got in BIG trouble over that

I agree

 

[Guapa1]

CNapp chiming in!
I don't think they are the same. My friend is a 4b and her hair is completely different to mine.Hers still has a bit of a shine and her hair isn't as dry as mine at all.
I'd go into albums here and on the other site and look at people claiming 4b and be like erplexed If you're hair is 4b, then I must be 10z, because my hair could never do what yours does.

Now I can go into every album on that cnapp site and know I'll be seeing hair that looks exactly like mine.

I don't think it was that divisive, I think some got offended that they weren't classed as 'the nappiest of napps' (which I think is hilarious, only on a hair board could that happen ) I am glad though that after we were identified, a different board was started, because I could see how it could have become that way.

Through nappyme's site, I have found things that work for my hair that I never would have tried otherwise.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

ok here is the JCoily oversimplified guide to type 4 hair.

4A hair (thin/fine) - looks like a well defined twistout unmanipulated. This hair clumps into a coil or spring. More times than not people mistake it as 3c because of the definition but the key difference between type 3C and 4A is natural shine. 3 shines without camera flash 4 does not.

4A hair (medium to thick) - still looks like a twistout just fluffier and the thicker it is the less likely it is to clump into defined coils as 4a-thin.

4B hair (thin/fine) - looks like a new braidout unmanipulated. This hair has sharp bends and instead of the S of a coil it looks like the number 5. The thinner/finer the hair the better chance there is of seeing definition that the beds create.

4B hair (medium to thick) - looks like a cloud. The thickness is what creates the illusion that there is no definition.

Traditional wisdom holds that 4B doesn't have definition. My theory is that 4B hair has a pattern, but between the sharp bends and shrinkage it's difficult to ever really make out a coil pattern unless the hair is pulled taut (puff).

C-Napps is just too inconsistant - I see alot of folk claiming C-Napp and I go into their fotkis and see coils (including the person who devised the system).

All of this is my opinion and not written in stone.

 

[glamazon386]

ok here is the JCoily oversimplified guide to type 4 hair.

4A hair (thin/fine) - looks like a well defined twistout unmanipulated. This hair clumps into a coil or spring. More times than not people mistake it as 3c because of the definition but the key difference between type 3C and 4A is natural shine. 3 shines without camera flash 4 does not.

4A hair (medium to thick) - still looks like a twistout just fluffier and the thicker it is the less likely it is to clump into defined coils as 4a-thin.

4B hair (thin/fine) - looks like a new braidout unmanipulated. This hair has sharp bends and instead of the S of a coil it looks like the number 5. The thinner/finer the hair the better chance there is of seeing definition that the beds create.

4B hair (medium to thick) - looks like a cloud. The thickness is what creates the illusion that there is no definition.

Traditional wisdom holds that 4B doesn't have definition. My theory is that 4B hair has a pattern, but between the sharp bends and shrinkage it's difficult to ever really make out a coil pattern unless the hair is pulled taut (puff).

C-Napps is just too inconsistant - I see alot of folk claiming C-Napp and I go into their fotkis and see coils (including the person who devised the system).

All of this is my opinion and not written in stone.

I agree with J Coily's break down.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

I don't agree with the whole C-Napp thing at all... but i'll keep my mouth shut cos i got in BIG trouble over that

This is crazy!! First years we were taught our hair was too nappy now certain websites say some of us ain't nappy enough???

Sweetwhispers, I'm with you, I'm think I'm gonna sit this one out :roflleader:

 

[Guapa1]

I don't think the site is saying people aren't nappy enough, there are just things my hair responds to that other types doesn't. It's like 4a and 4b.

People made it seem that way by getting mad when they were told they weren't a cnapp. I wouldn't get mad for being told I'm not a 4a, or 3c, so why do people get mad when they are told they don't have cnapp hair?

 

[scarcity21]

I don't think the site is saying people aren't nappy enough, there are just things my hair responds to that other types doesn't. It's like 4a and 4b.

People made it seem that way by getting mad when they were told they weren't a cnapp. I wouldn't get mad for being told I'm not a 4a, or 3c, so why do people get mad when they are told they don't have cnapp hair?

i KNOW...THE ONE THING TRIPPED ME OUT....WHY GET MAD BCOS OF SOMETHING SO TRIVIAL?
ETA: i consider myself a 4b/cnapp

 

[scarcity21]

ok here is the JCoily oversimplified guide to type 4 hair.

4A hair (thin/fine) - looks like a well defined twistout unmanipulated. This hair clumps into a coil or spring. More times than not people mistake it as 3c because of the definition but the key difference between type 3C and 4A is natural shine. 3 shines without camera flash 4 does not.

4A hair (medium to thick) - still looks like a twistout just fluffier and the thicker it is the less likely it is to clump into defined coils as 4a-thin.

4B hair (thin/fine) - looks like a new braidout unmanipulated. This hair has sharp bends and instead of the S of a coil it looks like the number 5. The thinner/finer the hair the better chance there is of seeing definition that the beds create.

4B hair (medium to thick) - looks like a cloud. The thickness is what creates the illusion that there is no definition.

Traditional wisdom holds that 4B doesn't have definition. My theory is that 4B hair has a pattern, but between the sharp bends and shrinkage it's difficult to ever really make out a coil pattern unless the hair is pulled taut (puff).

C-Napps is just too inconsistant - I see alot of folk claiming C-Napp and I go into their fotkis and see coils (including the person who devised the system).

All of this is my opinion and not written in stone.

Can u post pics of each of ur subsections if u dont mind? I m having a hard time visualising the 4B thin/fine...looks like a number 5 pattern?

 

[*Happily Me*]

I thought 4b and CNapps were the same.

C-Napps is just too inconsistant - I see alot of folk claiming C-Napp and I go into their fotkis and see coils

Me too!

 

[ashiah]

Hmm, I don't consider myself C-Napp, but I went to the website and all those women had hair that looked just like mine, which is 4a/b. I think a lot of 4bs are mislabeling their hair just because it's known as the kinkiest, but I still see definition in 4bs. A true C-Napp is kind of rare; I've only stumbled on two or three and the hair looks like straight up cotton with 100 percent shrinkage.

 

[glamazon386]

Hmm, I don't consider myself C-Napp, but I went to the website and all those women had hair that looked just like mine, which is 4a/b. I think a lot of 4bs are mislabeling their hair just because it's known as the kinkiest, but I still see definition in 4bs. A true C-Napp is kind of rare; I've only stumbled on two or three and the hair looks like straight up cotton with 100 percent shrinkage.

Well the thing is, people's hair looks different when it's washed and left unmanipulated versus being styled. That might be why you don't see that many.

 

[cocoberry10]

I don't agree with the whole C-Napp thing at all... but i'll keep my mouth shut cos i got in BIG trouble over that

Oh no ladies. I'm shocked something could start so much controversy!

We are all here to learn proper haircare. As I'm going natural, I'm trying to learn my hair type!

 

[cocoberry10]

ok here is the JCoily oversimplified guide to type 4 hair.

4A hair (thin/fine) - looks like a well defined twistout unmanipulated. This hair clumps into a coil or spring. More times than not people mistake it as 3c because of the definition but the key difference between type 3C and 4A is natural shine. 3 shines without camera flash 4 does not.

4A hair (medium to thick) - still looks like a twistout just fluffier and the thicker it is the less likely it is to clump into defined coils as 4a-thin.

4B hair (thin/fine) - looks like a new braidout unmanipulated. This hair has sharp bends and instead of the S of a coil it looks like the number 5. The thinner/finer the hair the better chance there is of seeing definition that the beds create.

4B hair (medium to thick) - looks like a cloud. The thickness is what creates the illusion that there is no definition.

Traditional wisdom holds that 4B doesn't have definition. My theory is that 4B hair has a pattern, but between the sharp bends and shrinkage it's difficult to ever really make out a coil pattern unless the hair is pulled taut (puff).

C-Napps is just too inconsistant - I see alot of folk claiming C-Napp and I go into their fotkis and see coils (including the person who devised the system).

All of this is my opinion and not written in stone.

Thanks for this breakdown!

 

[cocoberry10]

I thought 4b and CNapps were the same.

Me too!

Girl, you've had major progress! Congratulations on your growth! It's beautiful. I'm

 

[sonce]

Hey ladies:

I'm currently transitioning, and I've read some of the posts where people will mention CNapp. I don't fully understand what that hair type is. Please break it down.

For example: Can you be 4a and a CNapp?

I don't even know anymore. Some CNapps said I was their hair twin but then I read somewhere that CNapps don't have ever curl definition. I have both coil and curl definition when I let my hair dry in a regular wash 'n go fro and my hair has both sheen (in some parts) and shine (in other parts) naturally, so I guess that means I'm not a CNapp anywhere but at the sides of my hair where the hair is just fuzzy and has low sheen? This hair typing stuff is confusing. I've left the CNapp label alone and my self-description moves between 4a and 4b depending on whose explanation I've read most recently.

 

[Incredible1ne]

To me 4B = C-Napp.

 

[nappity]

I don't even know anymore. Some CNapps said I was their hair twin but then I read somewhere that CNapps don't have ever curl definition. I have both coil and curl definition when I let my hair dry in a regular wash 'n go fro and my hair has both sheen (in some parts) and shine (in other parts) naturally, so I guess that means I'm not a CNapp anywhere but at the sides of my hair where the hair is just fuzzy and has low sheen? This hair typing stuff is confusing. I've left the CNapp label alone and my self-description moves between 4a and 4b depending on whose explanation I've read most recently.

We have the same type hair- on some parts i have s coils- some parts z and in some areas it just shrinks up drinks conditioner, burps and without product or a good twist set look like Steve Harveys hair. The typing is based on what the majority of your hair is. For me its a 4b. But I call my hair 4 alphabet- cause different strands of my hair do different things at the same time. HTH

 

[sonce]

We have the same type hair- on some parts i have s coils- some parts z and in some areas it just shrinks up drinks conditioner, burps and without product or a good twist set look like Steve Harveys hair. The typing is based on what the majority of your hair is. For me its a 4b. But I call my hair 4 alphabet- cause different strands of my hair do different things at the same time. HTH

Oh cool! We do seem to have the same kind of hair, and I love "4 alphabet." Sometimes I want to let my hair dry in a wash 'n go, take a picture, and see what the consensus is on what my hair type is...but that would require detangling after the wash 'n go and the thought of the tangles I'd be dealing with is terrifying. I don't think I'll ever have an unmanipulated wash 'no go in my album, so I'll just have to keep wondering what my hair type is.

 

[Kurlee]

We have the same type hair- on some parts i have s coils- some parts z and in some areas it just shrinks up drinks conditioner, burps and without product or a good twist set look like Steve Harveys hair. The typing is based on what the majority of your hair is. For me its a 4b. But I call my hair 4 alphabet- cause different strands of my hair do different things at the same time. HTH

ETA: i consider myself 4a cuz of the obvious curl definition. Lawd im so confused.This hair typing thing is way too subjective.

 

[DaPPeR]

Hey Cocoberry? Can you post the link to your other thread which features pics of naturals with 4a, 4b and CNapp hair? This might end the confusion for those that don't know the difference (or in some cases, similarity) of those hair types.

 

[nappity]

Oh cool! We do seem to have the same kind of hair, and I love "4 alphabet." Sometimes I want to let my hair dry in a wash 'n go, take a picture, and see what the consensus is on what my hair type is...but that would require detangling after the wash 'n go and the thought of the tangles I'd be dealing with is terrifying. I don't think I'll ever have an unmanipulated wash 'no go in my album, so I'll just have to keep wondering what my hair type is.

Like you I cannot wash and go- but I think its cause of the length- I could do it when it was shorter. The tangles would be a nightmare

 

[kblc06]

Cocoberry:

I do think there is a distinct difference between regular 4a, 4b hair and cnapp hair:

For instance, bmorefly (now known as glamazon ) has a hair type that almost consistently 4a.

The closest person I can think of with true 4b type hair would probably be md-ocr, mscocoface, or either nappity 4b (but her hair is not consistent throughout)

True cnapp hair would be the following:

http://www.crazycoil.sili.net/howtodetail.php

The difference from the above mentioned people if you'll notice is that her hair has almost completely refracted light, making it appear grayish in some of her pics. It is DENSELY packed and has over 90% shrinkage. It also a very cottony appearance (hence the c in cnapp). When well cared for, it is extremely soft. In mi opinion, this is the absolute BEST type of locing hair (after doing some of my friends), because its natural tendency is to do so (again note the appearance of crazycoils loose hair). Its extremely fragile and is more easily manipulated with fingers than with combs. Some of the styles and looks she can create with her loose hair simply can not be duplicated successfully on regular type 4 hair-if so I have yet to see it (but sonce's recent hair pics/braids does resemble this in terms of its density, but not in its complete refraction of light)

I don't think this type of hair is just a distinct variation of 4b because honestly, I rarely ever see people with this hair type (it's texture is distinct even when relaxed). A lot of people claim to have that nappiest of naps, 10z type hair just because their hair is dense or super thick, but I still don't think it equates to cnapp hair in terms of all its properties (density, coil pattern, curl clumpings, high sheen, low porosity, etc).

 

[DarkVictory]

Cocoberry:

I do think there is a distinct difference between regular 4a, 4b hair and cnapp hair
<snip>
I don't think this type of hair is just a distinct variation of 4b because honestly, I rarely ever see people with this hair type (it's texture is distinct even when relaxed). A lot of people claim to have that nappiest of naps, 10z type hair just because their hair is dense or super thick, but I still don't think it equates to cnapp hair in terms of all its properties (density, coil pattern, curl clumpings, high sheen, low porosity, etc).

This makes sense to me. I've mostly stayed away from the 4a-b system because it seemed to address texture only and not the other properties you mention. For instance, I and several people in my family have hair that does not shine. Even when relaxed or hot combed, it tends to have a matte finish no matter how much stuff is put in it. It will look greasy (like unwashed Caucasian hair) but not shiny. I think this is what gives it that distinct look.

Much of my hair is literally like a sheeps wool, and starts to form yarn-like locs very easily (see the un-detangled wash-n-go in the thumbnail). I can no more comb the individual strands than I can the cotton ball in the top of an aspirin bottle.

Does anybody else think of hair typing as more like philosophy than specific technical fact? Kind of like asking, "What is spicy food?"