Info on Hair Types--a lil off topic
Hair types describe the type of natural wave or curl your hair has. Almost any type of hair can be fluffy/poofy/puffy--even relaxed hair. This hair type thing can be a little confusing though
--I don't like the description of type 4 hair on this site because they use Kelis' pic
and state that her hair isn't type 4 (why they can't use another pic I don't know). They are too general as well. So I go to
Naani.com, who break the LOIS pattern in type 4 hair down really well, or
NaturallyCurly.com,who goes by Andre's definition (
click to flip through book pages), to get hair type descriptions. He doesn't refer to the type 3C that NaturallyCurly speaks of, which I think he should have because his definitions (and pictures) of 3b and 4a interchange a bit. His pics of type 3 hair are pretty accurate.
"What is my Hair Type?" on Ourhair.net is another good one for anyone who needs good pics of type 4 hair.
Knowing my hairtype has helped me learn what products I shouldn't or should use on my hair or do to my hair. All four of these sources can be argued against, but all in all they give somewhat accurate definitions.
If you want to see what "curl definition" you have to figure out your hair type: wash your unbraded/untwisted hair with shampoo and conditioner. If you leave it dripping wet and unmanipulated, you can see a prominent curl pattern. If your hair is in the 3's, you may have to wait for your hair to airdry before judging what curl pattern you have. (If you press your hair or even blow dry it, your results will be off because those processes may change your texture, or create different textures throughout the hair.)
I give up on this hair typing thing!
