4b Natural Hair Hangs and Swings....If You Brush it?

[MonPetite]

Thanks ladies!

 

[SEMO]

I think comparing brushed 3c/4a hair to 4b hair is a bad comparison. One is not better than the other but they do indeed behave differently. I think it minimizes the differences, in a bad way, to tell people with 4b hair to just put some coconut oil on it, brush and let it blow free in the wind (see the recent thread from mwedzi).

ETA:
I do think that the longer ones hair gets the more likely it is to hang down and "swing" (I found this out myself). But I don't think any amount of brushing or "puffing out" can make 3c/4a hair truly be like 4b hair (and it's a little like a slap in their face to ask why they don't just do to their hair what you do to yours--seeing as how it's a different texture and curl pattern).

 

[MonPetite]

.........................

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

manipulating your hair to give it the "appearance" of a 4b versus having natural 4b hair with all its tendencies are two totally different things.

It seems that those two different types of hair will behave/respond differently to various products/techniques.

As I wrote in a later post (and agreeing with SEMO) I think the silkiness verses the coarseness of the hair make a huge difference.

 

[MonPetite]

SEMO[/quote]ETA:
I do think that the longer ones hair gets the more likely it is to hang down and "swing" (I found this out myself). But I don't think any amount of brushing or "puffing out" can make 3c/4a hair truly be like 4b hair (and it's a little like a slap in their face to ask why they don't just do to their hair what you do to yours--seeing as how it's a different texture and curl pattern).[/quote]


Whoa, there! First, I mean no offense to anyone.

Secondly:

Have you SEEN my fotki?

My 4b may not be your 4b but my TWA is anything but "Spanish Yaki" when brushed out. .

It's funny people talk about these LOOSE labels that we all know aren't clear at all as if they are concretely understood with the same meaning in everyone's mind. I wish we had our own LHCF system.

 

[SEMO]

This is a very good point! I appreciate it.

That said...doesn't it depend on how 3c is your 3c?

My 4a is other peoples 3c and my 4b is other peoples 4a.


Still thank you for mentioning this. Very, very good observation!

TO BE CLEAR: I'M NOT SUGGESTING ANYONE DO THIS REGARDLESS OF TEXTURE.

In my opinion, people get so confused when talking about 3c and 4a hair because they don't take texture into account. 3c and 4a only deal with the size of the curls. So I think it's very possible for two people to both have 3c/4a hair, but their hair behave differently b/c one person may have cottony 3c/4a curls and the other silky 3c/4a curls.

 

[JustKiya]

:scratchch

I can see where you are going. And I can see the potential - my hair can be significantly 'straightened' by airdrying in braids, and then brushing.

I don't know. It might work. I don't think that I have the length for it now - my hair doesn't hang, though, it stands up. Though.... it's been a VERY long time since I've brushed my dry hair, it might hang now.

I really think that it depends on the properties of your strands, themselves.

I'd be afraid of breakage, though, to be honest. And humidity.

 

[Neith]

That's true now that I think about it I remember having sorta flowy, huge hair as a child just from getting my hair combed out.

It seems like we are mostly concerned about curl definition.

If I combed my hair while it was dry right now, my fro would be really big and voluminous. As it gets longer and gets more weight to it, I can see it sorta laying down.

 

[Chameleonchick]

I think it very true the brushing with PINK OIL thing. I remember my Grandma doing that to my hair when I was younger and it made it flowy. I never thought to try that now though.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

In my opinion, people get so confused when talking about 3c and 4a hair because they don't take texture into account. 3c and 4a only deal with the size of the curls. So I think it's very possible for two people to both have 3c/4a hair, but their hair behave differently b/c one person may have cottony 3c/4a curls and the other silky 3c/4a curls.

yes, I think the silkiness versus the coarseness of the hair make a huge difference.

 

[MonPetite]

In my opinion, people get so confused when talking about 3c and 4a hair because they don't take texture into account. 3c and 4a only deal with the size of the curls. So I think it's very possible for two people to both have 3c/4a hair, but their hair behave differently b/c one person may have cottony 3c/4a curls and the other silky 3c/4a curls.

Another good point. You are a texture guru.

My hair isn't cottony. It's coarse...but is silky, if that makes any sense at all. This I think, now that you have me thinking, may be a bigger factor than curl size.

My curls are barely pencil width...and that's not counting the 40% of my head that IS straight 4b be with no curl pattern. That hair though is more like pillow stuffing.

 

[cmesweet]

Umm my hair is long but it will not lay down just because I brushed it. In fact, it bounces right back. I can make my hair lay down if I washed it, braided it with heavy grease on it or blowdried it in the downward direction. But, I like the properties of my hair, my thin strands and density of my hair...so if they don't want to go downward, I'm not going to do it.

I use pink lotion and coconut and a brush often to stretch and airdry my hair...still no flow from it, just moisture.

 

[Mook's hair]

I don't think my hair will do that simply by being brushed with pink lotion, but I never knock a theory without testing it first. When I have a chance I will try this out. What kind of brush do you suggest using?

The last time I brushed my hair with a (Denman brush), out, I looked kinda like Sideshow Bob...It was great, but it wasn't long & flowy, it was big and massive.

 

[MonPetite]

Umm my hair is long but it will not lay down just because I brushed it. In fact, it bounces right back. I can make my hair lay down if I washed it, braided it with heavy grease on it or blowdried it in the downward direction. But, I like the properties of my hair, my thin strands and density of my hair...so if they don't want to go downward, I'm not going to do it.

I use pink lotion and coconut and a brush often to stretch and airdry my hair...still no flow from it, just moisture.

It is wise not to test thine hair, LOL.

My hair is dense in strand count and strand thickness....I would think that'd make this harder but perhaps it does the opposite. Heavier hair "hangs" more??

I don't think my hair will do that simply by being brushed with pink lotion, but I never knock a theory without testing it first. When I have a chance I will try this out. What kind of brush do you suggest using?

The last time I brushed my hair with a (Denman brush), out, I looked kinda like Sideshow Bob...It was great, but it wasn't long & flowy, it was big and massive.

I'm not suggesting people do ANYTHING. There is only one brush to date that touches my hair and it is NOT the Denman. I tossed mine. The Goody brush with Jojoba built in detangles my hair wet or dry (but especially dry) with no breakage. Blows my mind every time.

That said, how long is your hair?

It seems that weight is necessary before gravity can really play a significant role in "hang" factor. A LOT of hair is necessary to build up such weight. For my APL+ at the least. Others it may take less, that's just me.

At any rate...I LOVE your hair...it's so lush!! AND...since you poked me in the bum a couple months ago to get a better webcam for taking update pics it may happen this Christmas.

 

[anon123]

:scratchch
I'd be afraid of breakage, though, to be honest. And humidity.

Me, too. I've been natural for several thousand years now and before hair boards I never used a brush. They scare me.

In my opinion, people get so confused when talking about 3c and 4a hair because they don't take texture into account. 3c and 4a only deal with the size of the curls. So I think it's very possible for two people to both have 3c/4a hair, but their hair behave differently b/c one person may have cottony 3c/4a curls and the other silky 3c/4a curls.

ita. it's not just curl size but also texture and also density and also thickness (of the strands).

It is wise not to test thine hair, LOL.

My hair is dense in strand count and strand thickness....I would think that'd make this harder but perhaps it does the opposite. Heavier hair "hangs" more??

I'm not suggesting people do ANYTHING. There is only one brush to date that touches my hair and it is NOT the Denman. I tossed mine. The Goody brush with Jojoba built in detangles my hair wet or dry (but especially dry) with no breakage. Blows my mind every time.

That said, how long is your hair?

It seems that weight is necessary before gravity can really play a significant role in "hang" factor. A LOT of hair is necessary to build up such weight. For my APL+ at the least. Others it may take less, that's just me.

The Goody is an awesome brush. Is there anyone really who's tried it and the Denman and said the Denman did a better job or was more gentle? I still wouldn't try to detangle my hair with that, wet or dry. It's the last step for me. And I still get breakage.

I think less dense hair will hang more unless it's really sparse. That's one of the reasons people get their hair thinned, so it hangs better. With too much hair, the hair gets in the way of itself, if that makes any sense. I also think medium to heavy strands will hang more, just because of weight. Bigger curls will hang more, too. Longer hair will hang more.

But I don't think brushing my hair would give me swing. My hair doesn't even swing when I flat ironed, which is much more stretched than a brush could do. My hair only swings when it is truly straightened, like when I used to get it pressed (hot comb). Otherwise, it just bounces. But maybe "bounce" is what you meant, anyway. I'm having a hard time picturing even 3c/4a hair swinging, but I can imagine it, um, swaying or bouncing in the wind.

 

[MonPetite]

But maybe "bounce" is what you meant, anyway. I'm having a hard time picturing even 3c/4a hair swinging, but I can imagine it, um, swaying or bouncing in the wind.

YES. That does better capture what I see in my mind....

Thank you!!

Even better: FLOP.

Hair that FLOPS.

 

[betty-boo]

littlegoldlamb you are crazy! but interesting

 

[MonPetite]

littlegoldlamb you are crazy! but interesting

Wah? What for?

I still wonder about this though. I think many of us grew up with our hair just being brushed through with oil and had our hair loose and free with no issues. Or in pony tails or something like that.

I didn't DC back then and got my hair washed like once a month. This with daily brushing with pink oil and I had thick, shiny, strong-as-wire, soft, natural, loose hair. No moisturizing, no clarifying, no protein treatments...nada.

And kept a head full of gorgeous hair.

I'm starting to think I do too much to my hair...then again short hair for me is way higher maintenance then long hair.

When I get to APL I'm goingto rinse with warm water daily, slap on coconut oil, brush it til it flops and call it a day.

I'll probably end up going from APL to Dragging On The Floor Length in like six months. LOL!

 

[cmesweet]

O well! If you are talking about bounce then, yes, my hairhas bounce.

 

[tatiana]

Wah? What for?

I still wonder about this though. I think many of us grew up with our hair just being brushed through with oil and had our hair loose and free with no issues. Or in pony tails or something like that.

I didn't DC back then and got my hair washed like once a month. This with daily brushing with pink oil and I had thick, shiny, strong-as-wire, soft, natural, loose hair. No moisturizing, no clarifying, no protein treatments...nada.

And kept a head full of gorgeous hair.

I'm starting to think I do too much to my hair...then again short hair for me is way higher maintenance then long hair.

When I get to APL I'm goingto rinse with warm water daily, slap on coconut oil, brush it til it flops and call it a day.

I'll probably end up going from APL to Dragging On The Floor Length in like six months. LOL!

But you and a lot of us ate a lot better as a child. No chemicals in the chicken and less processed foods. I think that plays a huge part too because children's hair nowadays

 

[Hairsofab]

My hair is 4b and very dense. There is no swing and I don't even think its possible unless my hair is twisted. Brushing it with oil will just rip my hair out. The only thing bouncing would be the hairs in the wind.

 

[sunshinelady]

You can't brush your hair out to a 4b. 4b is a hair type.

 

[MonPetite]

But you and a lot of us ate a lot better as a child. No chemicals in the chicken and less processed foods. I think that plays a huge part too because children's hair nowadays

I agree with you totally!!

You can't brush your hair out to a 4b. 4b is a hair type.

You should check out my fotki -in particular my style albums. That and 45% of my head IS 4b. That said, I didn't say "brush your hair to 4b". My original post said "fuzz" IE: destroy all curl definition and pull outwards.

Also "4b" is a HIGHLY subjective term related mostly to curl size, not texture, with no agreed upon definition. 4b being a hair type as nothing to do with someone using a bevy of methods to mimic the texture. For me its as easy as rubbing my hair vigorously...others it'd take a perm, a LOT of styling putty, a hope and a prayer.

LHCF should have its own typing system. With all these hair gurus here I know we could come up with something accurate and pert near all inclusive.

 

[JustKiya]

LHCF should have its own typing system. With all these hair gurus here I know we could come up with something accurate and pert near all inclusive.

It's been tried a couple of times (usually as tangents, though ) and several good methods were suggested, but they were all VERY complex, and used at least five or six different 'determinations' - heck, I don't even remember what my hair type is in the hair typing system that I came up with.

Andre's system is simple - grossly oversimplified, but it's simple - and for that reason, and that reason alone, I suspect it'll be what continues to be used.

 

[ladylibra]

well, i knew what you meant, OP.

my bushy "4b looking" fro doesn't really swing though. i would describe it as "bouncy." and of course, the first hint of humidity will make it revert. although once i used Sabino and my picked-out puff lasted the day without shrinking up.

i can get swingy braids/braidouts... but my hair has a knack for re-tangling and even when picked out will somehow band together into one giant mass again

 

[Junebug D]

I must have never had enough hair, because brushing never made my hair hang or swing. I just get a wild-looking 'fro. It has blown in the wind on occasion though.

 

[MonPetite]

well, i knew what you meant, OP.

my bushy "4b looking" fro doesn't really swing though. i would describe it as "bouncy." and of course, the first hint of humidity will make it revert. although once i used Sabino and my picked-out puff lasted the day without shrinking up.

i can get swingy braids/braidouts... but my hair has a knack for re-tangling and even when picked out will somehow band together into one giant mass again

LOL, thanks!

You know, I'm wondering if different people need a different length for gravity to have some play depending on densitiy and strand thickness.

My hair is HEAVY and thick...for me it's APL.

But ANYONE even with 4akfhaiuh hair is going to have hair that bounces or "flops" if it's thigh length and they pick/comb/brush it out.

So between SL and Thigh length depending on thickness I'm sure this has to have some kind of validity. I remember too many other young black girls with thick hair hanging loose of ALL textures for this to be some special, magical occurrence.

 

[TCT]

But you and a lot of us ate a lot better as a child. No chemicals in the chicken and less processed foods. I think that plays a huge part too because children's hair nowadays

not to mention younger hair for alot of us just behaves differently. my hair grew @a faster rate wen i was younger. i had more density when i was younger, and i did a whole lot of changing styles chemicles everything.


forsome of us as we get older the tendencies of the hair may change a lil. with the hair boards for me , it helped me to realize how to retain/maintain length; but when i was younger i did anything i wanted to, to my hair and i still had plenty of it.

 

[Irresistible]

My hair shrinks to my ears and dont hang nowhere and I cant get no brush through it ohwell:

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Wow.. this is a difficult one to figure out on my own head...My hair - is just - weird... I will POOF if I give it the chance.
I rarely do.

It is out when I Flat iron it.... But - If I allow it to "hang out" by itself, it will get into 4b trouble..... Tangle city.

So.... I don't do Puffs or out styles without... heat....