Is Hair Typing really THAT hard?

[MizzBrown]

I think I'm a 4b (headed toward 4zzzz) but I don't know the point of knowing my hair type. I still have to find the products that work for ME; I can't use the same stuff that another 4a/b relaxed does necessarily, I still have to do my own experimentation, I have to find my own flatiron temp, my own moisturizer.... what good does it do to know hair type anyway?

Not much sometimes, IMO.

I didnt think i could use products on my hair that seemed to only work for folks with Type 1 & 2 hair...then i came here and realized that what works on a 2c can work on a 4b.

 

[tgrowe]

Well I don't really know for sure what my hair type is, I just guess it's a 4a/4b from what I have come to understand since joining the forum. It's true, at first I wanted to wanted to ask but concluded that it wasn't that important in establishing a regimen so I didn't.

Above all, I want healthy hair and unless a particular product or techinique affects my hair type, it's really not that big of a deal to me. But if I had ask it woul not have been to garner attention.

I believe if the product works, it works. I use stuff that naturals use and vice versa. Because even if someone told me tonight what my hair type is, I don't think it would change a thing for me right now.

 

[Mad Scientist]

hmm....well I chose option number one because I posted my pictures. I didn't really ask but I made it known that I was unsure of my hair type. I only posted on this forum and I definitely wasn't fishing for compliments so I chose option number 1.

 

[HeavenlySkies]

While transitioning I was excited to find out what type my hair is now that I'm natural I'm still not sure but I have asked and have been getting the same answers pretty much 3c-4a mix but you already know I'm going to ask again once my hair gets out of this twa lol If I want hair compliments I'd just make a post about my hair I wouldn't ask about the type...this is a hair board people post pix of their hair period no need to fake the funk.

 

[Neith]

How come some women can spot a weave, a fake purse, and eye contacts from a mile away but when it comes to typing their own hair they are clueless?

So they come online, post really nice pictures of their hair and ask "What hair type am I?"

No, better yet, they go to every hair board on the internet posting the same pictures...


Hmmm...I'm just saying. Is it a ploy?

How do you feel when you see this?

There will always be some attention seekers. In real life and online. Human nature is human nature. I don't hold it against anyone. If you don't like it, it's easy to click the back button or just ignore it. I think everyone has done something just to get attention/praise/positive support, and that doesn't make anyone a bad person.

The only time that I think it's bad is when people try to hurt others with misinformation, which doesn't happen very often.

A lot of the times here people REALLY HELP others just by giving updates and opening up discussions. A lot of the time it REALLY HELPS someone to hear/read a kind word.

With that said, I don't think I've ever done a hair typing board, but I probably will be announcing my bc... with pics of course I would hate for someone to imply that there is something wrong with me because I simply want to share, get advice and get support.

I'm trying to keep the positivity flowing in 2009

 

[Anew]

I'm still confused about the hair type thing, so much so that I just say I'm a 4...

 

[Cichelle]

Once, maybe over three years ago, I posted a thread asking my hair type. I was still transitioning at the time and had built all of these expectations of having an Angela Davis afro when I finally cut. Things weren't panning out the way I thought and I was highly confused. (I'd had a relaxer in my hair for some twenty-five years or so.) My hair didn't seem to fall neatly into any of the categories.

I still don't really know my hair type. But I am solidly in the category of "don't know and no longer care". However, I get why some folks do.

For the most part, I think people really want to know. It can be confusing. I'm sure there are some who are fishing for compliments. But I give people the benefit of the doubt and try to answer them. Anyway, I don't mind giving out compliments if I think someone's hair is pretty. Maybe they need the boost for some reason.

 

[LovinLocks]

This thread is phunny.

I voted for no. 3 and 4. I know my type. But, I do so love comps AND encouragement when I'm doing something correct re. my hair. Guilty . . . now, having said that I need to go post my rant.

 

[BostonMaria]

I didn't vote because I couldn't relate to any answer

There are some people that legitimately want to know what their hair type is. Some are frustrated when you say "one inch of new growth won't help" or if you tell them the truth. I have seen some people get REALLY mad over on naturallycurly when you tell them 4a instead of 2b. I even saw a woman on Youtube say that she thinks she has straight hair and in the meantime her new growth was 1/2 inch long LOL I tried to tell her, but she dismissed me. I was just thinking, well you'll find out when you shave your hair off!

Honestly the whole hair typing system is flawed. I say I'm 3C and sometimes I look at other pictures and I'm like, hey am I 3C? LOL It doesn't really matter because this was invented by some guy trying to sell a book. It definitely did help me find products though.

 

[RegaLady]

I think people want to know what there hair type is. I KNOW my hair is in the 4 family, not sure if it is a,b,or c.
I wouldn't know what compliment people are trying to get.
I mean is it the texture? For that I say don't most people come out with 3ish hair when wet.
Is it the length shot? I don't understand what compliments people would be after. But, I think most people don't know there hair type. I think it is important to know, because some people's hair need more moisture or protein, than other hair textures. So I can also see the importance of knowing.

 

[LisaLisa1908]

I know I have/had a hard time because I've been relaxed for a very long time. However, I'm pretty familiar with my new growth, so I feel confident in saying I'm 3C/4A. Before I get my next touch up, I will post pics to be sure.

 

[NikStarrr]

I think ppl do it for both reasons. But why do you care? haha

 

[kurlybella]

I think most really want to know and be sure that they are accurately stating their hair type. Some types are right in between and may may be interpreted differently by a variety of people. And then sometimes the charts themselves are confusing.

I still don't quite know the factor that crosses a person out of the 4B category and into the CNapp area.

i agree with this. though since i'm a 4a/b i think it's a little more confusing for us 4 heads to know really what we are because caring for our hair is a bit "different" - just look at all the what really is a 4a/b threads. you see those more than any other threads on hair typing on this and any board.

so, when i've posted pics - never asking about hair type, cause i figured out on my own reading up on it - of my hair asking does your hair do this or that, it's genuine.

i think most want to know, but i voted both. we are humans to say the least.

 

[Irresistible]

Maybe some have a hidden agenda or deeper issues and some dont

I cant call it and dont too much try

*shrug*

This thread does take on the tone that the OP takes issue with it , always thinking its a ploy

for what? I dont get it

 

[Irresistible]

oh , just read the poll

thats the ploy?

LOL

I just dont tend to read into things like that

 

[DarkVictory]

]But if you have no clue about hair types and different people are telling you different things and you have multiple textures...i can see how that would be confusing and warrant multiple questions.

IAWTC.

When I first heard about hair types, I asked on different boards and got completely different answers! If hair typing is easy for you, count that as a blessing because it confuses the heck out of me. I believe people ask because they honestly want to know.

As for compliments, attention, etc, no "excuse" is needed. IMO part of why we're here is to boost each other up.

 

[Irresistible]

IAWTC.

When I first heard about hair types, I asked on different boards and got completely different answers! If hair typing is easy for you, count that as a blessing because it confuses the heck out of me. I believe people ask because they honestly want to know.

As for compliments, attention, etc, no "excuse" is needed. IMO part of why we're here is to boost each other up.

agreed!

I called myself a 3b for a long time Until paying close attention over the years to other's hair then I knew I was not

This is wild

 

[FlowerHair]

It might be a mixture of many things...a coming out of sorts and wanting to show your hair to the world. Especially after a big chop
Some really don't know since they haven't seen more than a half inch of their natural hair (new growth) for years.

I think the real question is...does it really matter, all this talk about hair types etc?
We can learn something from everyone, relaxed and natural, 1a to 4b...

 

[naturalgurl]

Call me naive, but I think they really don't know. I know I had an issue with my hair type because I'm multitextured. I've always wondered what type to claim since I have 3 textures so I claim 4a/b since I have more of that type hair. I have never posted a pic and asked because I feel that I know what type my hair is. I have gotten argued down that I"m not a true 4b and that peaves me sometimes. But the pics I see of ladies asking for their hair type look blurry mostly so I think they really just don't know either. If they're asking because they want compliments, give them one. Maybe their self esteem has been battered and they're crying out for help. This may be the only way they can feel good about themselves...at least that's whay I think.

 

[Irresistible]

and cant one be happy with or complimented on their hair type? or is that not allowed?

 

[Eisani]

I was confused. I was told I was maybe 3c but now I know I am 4a; however, my hair just very fine.

Talk about confusion on my part...what's the difference between a fine 4a and a course 3c ? This is why I only use the typing system when speaking in general terms to give someone a general idea about my hair. Most women of color w/multiple textures just aren't going to fit into those lil boxes. Period. I don't care, and I don't try.

 

[BostonMaria]

and cant one be happy with or complimented on their hair type? or is that not allowed?

Hmm... well I honestly have never seen anybody post a thread like that with the intentions of fishing for compliments cuz they got that "good hair." If I see pretty hair I'm going to compliment, whether its 2a or 4c.

 

[naturalgurl]

Hmm... well I honestly have never seen anybody post a thread like that with the intentions of fishing for compliments cuz they got that "good hair." If I see pretty hair I'm going to compliment, whether its 2a or 4c.

Exactly! I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder too. I've seen some people with "good hair" and it was not pretty or healthy, so why compliment? Or maybe I'm just crazy...

 

[hairsothick]

Why is everyone getting all saucy?

 

[Napp]

Talk about confusion on my part...what's the difference between a fine 4a and a course 3c ? This is why I only use the typing system when speaking in general terms to give someone a general idea about my hair. Most women of color w/multiple textures just aren't going to fit into those lil boxes. Period. I don't care, and I don't try.

the size of the curl and the thickness of the strands. they both wont react the same way.

 

[Irresistible]

Hmm... well I honestly have never seen anybody post a thread like that with the intentions of fishing for compliments cuz they got that "good hair." If I see pretty hair I'm going to compliment, whether its 2a or 4c.

Exactly and neither have I

nor was that what I was saying

I was saying more like if you have curls,all sizes and shapes, or a big fluffy fro, who cares, why cant one just be happy with what they got

like if you got a certain type it must be fishing for compliments and if you dont have that type your not

I aint gettin it

still

 

[Irresistible]

I dunno the question of the thread of just so 'extra' I think its slightly offensive to say that when one asks their hair type here, we must consider that they might/probably have some fishy motive , or why must we consider it

I just never did

alot of our brains aint even operating that way

mine aint

I'm just gonna do what I'm supposed to do and keep it moving

I keep forgetting the 'hairytpe' issues just wont go away

Why is everyone getting all saucy?

 

[trj1922]

Hair typing is an inexact endeavor but it is also just not that deep! Black hair in particular can be tough to type because the intersection of texture and curl size/pattern can muddy the water considerably and most of us have several textures to deal with on one head. It is ultimately subjective and I think that if you are a borderline case. sometimes it pays to think about how your hair "behaves" and what it responds too.

I've never felt a need to gather other folks opinions on the topic, though. I typed myself based on my best average/estimate and if others disagree, no big deal. You could make a case for either a tight 3c or a loose 4a overall and anything from 3b-4a in certain specific parts of my head. I doubt that the world will come to an end either way. I just want to thicken this "ish" up and stop it from breaking off so bad.

 

[normacyri]

Hairsothick,

I think we are hair twins. My new growth looks just like that and it is crazy thick....a forest to get through right now at 12 weeks post.

Well, I know what my hairtype is 4a/bguess this thread was worth it, for me anyway!

 

[BostonMaria]

Exactly and neither have I

nor was that what I was saying

I was saying more like if you have curls,all sizes and shapes, or a big fluffy fro, who cares, why cant one just be happy with what they got

like if you got a certain type it must be fishing for compliments and if you dont have that type your not

I aint gettin it

still

Ever since you started using MegaTek you've been extra cranky....
You've changed!!! lachen: