I am utterly complexed...

[divine]

3c confuses me, because it can very well be 4a if you read the description. I mean...truly...what's the difference. However, I do have some understanding of 3c. 3c was part of 3b...well on this board 3c is still part of 3b...and then 3c alone is listed. Which is why I say that I'm 3b, because 3c(tight corkscrews) is included in 3b's definition.

Here 3b is a medium amount of curl to “tight” corkscrews. 3c is tight curls to corksrews...WHAT?!...and then la ot of strand desensely packed together is added to the definition. Ok...so what's the difference between tight corksrews and tight curls to corksrews. Nothing!!! Then 4a is very tightly curled kinky hair. What????

This is part of the confusion. IMO, kinky hair is a lot of strands desensely packed togegether...right? I don't know. IMO, the 3c definition is making it confusing, because 3c is a part of 3b that has been pulled out, but on this board 3c is still apart of 3b and 3c alone is 4a...if that make sense. I have no problem with 3c being added...but the definition is still part of 3b and the definition used to describe 3c...IMO, is the discription of what 4a looks like. For those ladies that say that they are 3c/4a you are absolutely right...IMO.

-tru

This makes a lot of sense........I'm a 4a, but have 3c in the back/very front. It is very loose kinda big curls.

 

[webby]

Heck, webby, I thought you were a type 1 for a long time after looking in your album. Now, I think I was looking at one of your Dominican blowouts.

NOOO, I'm no where NEAR a type one

I'm claiming 4b; that's my story and I'm sticking to it

 

[senimoni]

Hi!

See Webby, this is why I tried to explain hair types...as many times as a did. I feel if you're going to use hair typing make sure it's right. I even started a thread and I posted Andre's hair typing pages from his book and I feel that nobody cared. I used Andre's book to figure out my hair type and I feel the anyone can do the same.

In the regular world(not on this board) hair typing doesn't matter...just use the products that work for your hair. Here hair typing helps everyone relate to one another...that's all. Which makes things easier. You know...if whatever works for her 3b hair might/should work for mines...see what I'm saying.

However, I do notice that 3b and 4a hair tends to use similar or the same products. Maybe the same products are used differently in some cases, but still it's the same products. Which is because 3b and 4a are some what similar. Also, because all 3b's aren't the same and all 4a aren't the same. Some 4a's are closer to 3b and some 3b's are closer to 4a's...see what I'm saying. Each catergory has a range of textures...if that makes sense. Which is why it doesn't really bother me sometimes when some get the two mixed up...but 3a and 4a or 4b...no, no, no. You're right 4a/b products does not work the same for 3a.

Also, I don't care when a 4a says that they're a 4b, or when a 4b says that they're a 4a...because I'm sure that they may be mixed 4a/b anyway.

I kept saying that I was trying to help...HINT. I see what you see Webby. Webby you're not confused. You're thinking what a lot of us are thinking.

What happens when a 4a or 4b that is not familiar with hair typing looks at those ablums and say, "My hair looks like hers...so I'm a 3a too." This hair typing mess is sooo frustrating, but it's not that complicated to type your hair...I just don't understand.

Webby I tried, but nobody seemed to care and I received a comment saying something like why am I creating another thread on hair typing...you see why Webby.

-tru

Looking at albums at first had me confused too. I think alot of people have issues with 3c b/c as you stated its a mix of 3b and 4a. In addition it would appear that we need to make those hair typing threads a sticky, I thought they were very helpful and I learned from yours and Tai's. Only thing I disagree with is in regards to products...unless you are only referring to the curl defining products etc that a 3a could use that won't work for 4b. Or are you referring to other stuff too...out of curiousity.

 

[balisi]

That is exactly why I refuse to type my hair. I have read that system a thousand times and still don't get it. I think we should just "mine" when asked about hair type.

Same here. I have given up on it because for one, I find it too confusing and for another, I don't think it's really that important. Using the system for product recommendations is still iffy because even among those with the same or similar type, results may vary. Finally, I don't think the system was intended to completely classify ALL hair types, as this would be virtually impossible.

 

[MonaLisa]

I know I straight up told Webby I was a 1 g/f...so I know she ain't tryin to call a sistah out on front street...

sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttt.

 

[Shatani]

I know I straight up told Webby I was a 1 g/f...so I know she ain't tryin to call a sistah out on front street...

sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttt.

its about to be a what??


GIRLFIGHT!!!!!!

 

[MonaLisa]

its about to be a what??


GIRLFIGHT!!!!!!

LOL!!!! Stop instigatin! You know I keep a boxcutter....lol...

Nah...no delusion over here...I've been natural...when I had to cut it all off and start from a twa because the damage was so bad...no relaxer...
Definitely 4a/b ova here...

 

[beloved1]

This thread is funny, I'm 'complexed' too b/c I told my dh I never knew so many black women with "regular" black people hair were type 3. Unfortunately, try as we may, we struggle to escape the stigma, we are enlightened, but we are not impervious and so the stinge of the good hair/ bad hair rap still affects us. In other words, some people who aren't 100% sure would subconsciously claim 3-something and feel like they have "good" hair, than claim 4-something and feel like they have bad hair. Me- I'm a 4 baby, all the way, and my hair is very, very good.

 

[MonaLisa]

This thread is funny, I'm 'complexed' too b/c I told my dh I never knew so many black women with "regular" black people hair were type 3. Unfortunately, try as we may, we struggle to escape the stigma, we are enlightened, but we are not impervious and so the stinge of the good hair/ bad hair rap still affects us. In other words, some people who aren't 100% sure would subconsciously claim 3-something and feel like they have "good" hair, than claim 4-something and feel like they have bad hair. Me- I'm a 4 baby, all the way, and my hair is very, very good.

Tell it girl! Telllllllll it!!!

*Somebody pass the plate on over to beloved so she can make a conditioner contribution...*

 

[Tru_Mind]

Looking at albums at first had me confused too. I think alot of people have issues with 3c b/c as you stated its a mix of 3b and 4a. In addition it would appear that we need to make those hair typing threads a sticky, I thought they were very helpful and I learned from yours and Tai's. Only thing I disagree with is in regards to products...unless you are only referring to the curl defining products etc that a 3a could use that won't work for 4b. Or are you referring to other stuff too...out of curiousity.

Hi Senimoni!

Sure all types of hair use some of the same products...well you know what mean...I think. Ummm...lets see...ok, VO5 shampoos and conditioner etc who doesn't or haven't used them? All hair types right? Some 1,2,3,and 4's love them and other 1,2,3,and 4's don't care for it.

What I meant was, for example, a 3a couldn't view a 4a's album and believe that all those products will work for them also. Maybe just the shampoo...and whatever else. What works well for a 4a will most likely not work well for a 3a.

To explain more, sense 3a hair has much looser curls than 4a the natural oils for the scalp can make it's way down the strands which means that naturally 3a hair is less drier than 4a. Therefore, 4a's will need more moisture from products than a 3a.

-tru

 

[Shatani]

LOL!!!! Stop instigatin! You know I keep a boxcutter....lol...

Nah...no delusion over here...I've been natural...when I had to cut it all off and start from a twa because the damage was so bad...no relaxer...
Definitely 4a/b ova here...

step away from the blade mona...its gonna be alright.

 

[kristina]

3c confuses me, because it can very well be 4a if you read the description. I mean...truly...what's the difference. However, I do have some understanding of 3c. 3c was part of 3b...well on this board 3c is still part of 3b...and then 3c alone is listed. Which is why I say that I'm 3b, because 3c(tight corkscrews) is included in 3b's definition.

Here 3b is a medium amount of curl to “tight” corkscrews. 3c is tight curls to corksrews...WHAT?!...and then a lot of strand desensely packed together is added to the definition. Ok...so what's the difference between tight corksrews and tight curls to corksrews. Nothing!!! Then 4a is very tightly curled kinky hair. What????

This is part of the confusion. IMO, kinky hair is a lot of strands desensely packed togegether...right? I don't know. IMO, the 3c definition is making it confusing, because 3c(tight corkscrews) is still a part of 3b. On this board 3c(tight corkscrews) is still apart of 3b and 3c defined alone is 4a...if that make sense. I have no problem with 3c being added...but the definition is still part of 3b and the definition used to describe 3c...IMO, is the discription of what 4a looks like. For those ladies that say that they are 3c/4a you are absolutely right...IMO.

-tru

This makes sense. I can't define kinky but I know it when I see it. My theory is that 3c was created so that white people with kinks (lady that played Carla on Chers for example) could have a category without being in the African hair category. I love my hair, which is definately typical black people hair, and by using 3c, I'm not trying to 'upgrade' my hair. 4a is just a really big category. I don't need to say 3c at all but saying 3c/4a for me recognizes that my hair does dramatically different things. Some parts straighten when in the shower, some curl big and some parts don't. And it's enough variation that I have to treat different parts of my hair differently, especially when I straighten it with heat. So under Andre, I'm 4a but I still think noting the variance of texture is useful even if confusing.

 

[Tai]

I know I'm just one of those weird people that doesn't think hair typing is all that hard overall. Look at some pictures and your own natural hair and see which one is the closest match. If you're not natural, know that you have a much higher chance of getting it wrong. When I see someone's who's got their hair texture all wrong, they are normally relaxed and their texture shots are after a relaxer or a braidout; it's not of their actual natural texture at all. And for me, it's not the 3a's that confuse me. I don't see many folks claiming 3a. It's the 2c's that often leave me scratching my head. But whatever's clever. If you feel better claiming 2c when you're clearly not, then gone and get your shine on. If you like it, I love it.

I felt comfortable typing my own hair because I have been natural before so I know what to expect and I now have about six inches of natural hair that I don't think will do any dramatic changes once the texturized ends are cut off. But who knows? I'll find out a year from now.

As I've said before, the only time knowing your hair type is the least bit useful is for product recommendations, IMO. That's it. If I see my hair twin or hair cousins raving about a product or a styling method, 9 times out of 10 it's going to work for me, too. Knowing that saves me a lot of time and money.

 

[aivonfay]

I think that hair type classification is pointless and doesn't cover the full spectrum of the many hair types in the world. I don't think my hair falls under any of these "types" . My hair is beyond a 4 anything and that's ok with me. My baby hairs, b.k.a., the naps, around my head are no joke. I think we should focus more on embracing and loving the hair we were blessed with and not worry about the "type". No matter how much you lie to yourself about it your stuck with what God gave you.

 

[MeccaMedinah]

This thread is funny, I'm 'complexed' too b/c I told my dh I never knew so many black women with "regular" black people hair were type 3. Unfortunately, try as we may, we struggle to escape the stigma, we are enlightened, but we are not impervious and so the stinge of the good hair/ bad hair rap still affects us. In other words, some people who aren't 100% sure would subconsciously claim 3-something and feel like they have "good" hair, than claim 4-something and feel like they have bad hair. Me- I'm a 4 baby, all the way, and my hair is very, very good.

......

 

[Tru_Mind]

I know I'm just one of those weird people that doesn't think hair typing is all that hard overall. Look at some pictures and your own natural hair and see which one is the closest match. If you're not natural, know that you have a much higher chance of getting it wrong. When I see someone's who's got their hair texture all wrong, they are normally relaxed and their texture shots are after a relaxer or a braidout; it's not of their actual natural texture at all. And for me, it's not the 3a's that confuse me. I don't see many folks claiming 3a. It's the 2c's that often leave me scratching my head. But whatever's clever. If you feel better claiming 2c when you're clearly not, then gone and get your shine on. If you like it, I love it.

I felt comfortable typing my own hair because I have been natural before so I know what to expect and I now have about six inches of natural hair that I don't think will do any dramatic changes once the texturized ends are cut off. But who knows? I'll find out a year from now.

As I've said before, the only time knowing your hair type is the least bit useful is for product recommendations, IMO. That's it. If I see my hair twin or hair cousins raving about a product or a styling method, 9 times out of 10 it's going to work for me, too. Knowing that saves me a lot of time and money.

Hi Tai!

You know that I agree! We really don't have to type our hair in the real world we just find out what works...which can be hard.

Hair typing on hair boards helps, because all of us do not have hair ablums. You can't just say that your hair is curly or whatever and expect another person to get the right visual or recommend a product...there's sooo many types of curlies. Type 2's consider their hair to be curly too.

If hair typing should be done anywhere it should be done on hair boards.

-tru

 

[MonaLisa]

I know I'm just one of those weird people that doesn't think hair typing is all that hard overall. Look at some pictures and your own natural hair and see which one is the closest match. If you're not natural, know that you have a much higher chance of getting it wrong. When I see someone's who's got their hair texture all wrong, they are normally relaxed and their texture shots are after a relaxer or a braidout; it's not of their actual natural texture at all. And for me, it's not the 3a's that confuse me. I don't see many folks claiming 3a. It's the 2c's that often leave me scratching my head. But whatever's clever. If you feel better claiming 2c when you're clearly not, then gone and get your shine on. If you like it, I love it.

I felt comfortable typing my own hair because I have been natural before so I know what to expect and I now have about six inches of natural hair that I don't think will do any dramatic changes once the texturized ends are cut off. But who knows? I'll find out a year from now.

As I've said before, the only time knowing your hair type is the least bit useful is for product recommendations, IMO. That's it. If I see my hair twin or hair cousins raving about a product or a styling method, 9 times out of 10 it's going to work for me, too. Knowing that saves me a lot of time and money.

Nicely said T....
especially the hair twin/hair cousin part...never could find the phrase to express a non hair twin...but still having some similarities..

 

[webby]

I know I straight up told Webby I was a 1 g/f...so I know she ain't tryin to call a sistah out on front street...

sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttt.

Girl...some people may be genuinely confused, but I'm not buying into the myth that some of these folx believe that they they have 3a, b, c, d, e...hair They need to stop pretending that THEY think they have anything other than black, kANky, Negroid hair

 

[MonaLisa]

Girl...some people may be genuinely confused, but I'm not buying into the myth that some of these folx believe that they they have 3a, b, c, d, e...hair They need to stop pretending that THEY think they have anything other than black, kANky, Negroid hair

Okay Web...u know I'm real mad atchu right now ....for...3d and e, right?

 

[jainygirl]

I dont mind the siggys with the far-fetched hair types so much as the posts asking, "what's my hairtype???" then the OP proceeding to give everyone who doesnt answer with the hairtype they want to hear the 'cyber beatdown'. This doesnt happen all the time but i've seen where those posts get out of hand when the OP has obvious opinions of what their hairtype is and is mad with the 5 pages of folks that tell them otherwise. -- jainygirl

 

[webby]

I dont mind the siggys with the far-fetched hair types so much as the posts asking, "what's my hairtype???" then the OP proceeding to give everyone who doesnt answer with the hairtype they want to hear the 'cyber beatdown'. This doesnt happen all the time but i've seen where these posts get out of hand when the OP has obvious opinions of what their hairtype is and is mad with the 5 pages of folks that tell them otherwise. -- jainygirl

That's what always has me scratching my head. If a person already has a notion in their head, why reach so hard for affirmation, ya know?

@ Mo... don't be mad at GURRRRL

 

[Angelicus]

Webby, I understand what you are saying. I wanted to put my true hair type in my profile but it won't let me put 6f (proud of my waves and coffee stirrers). I don't care much for hair typing, because it does nothing but separates us. I don't want anybody telling me my hair type either (because all I am going to do is relax it anyway).

 

[Poohbear]

Webby, I understand what you are saying. I wanted to put my true hair type in my profile but it won't let me put 6f (proud of my waves and coffee stirrers). I don't care much for hair typing, because it does nothing but separates us. I don't want anybody telling me my hair type either (because all I am going to do is relax it anyway).

hey anky! you are looking great in that pic in your siggy! Congrats on your graduation!!!

 

[Poohbear]

by how many members are claiming to have 3a and 3b hair types.

I'm just confused, because I see so many pictures that clearly look like 4-something type hair, but the member will have 3a in their siggy. I'm just what what types of products are being used, because I can't imagine that products meant for 4a or 4b, could be good for 3a hair and vice versus.

Oh well...just thinking out loud here...carry on

I have thought this in my head sometimes when I see a few members who claim to be 3a/b/c. To me, they look type 4 as well.

I think hair typing becomes tricky when there are pics to show the description of the certain hair type. Some pics that are used to represent a certain hair type is styled in a certain way that alters how their hair type appears. For example, let's say a type 1 uses a curling iron to achieve loose spirals. If you see the pic, you'll think the person is a type 2. Let's say a type 4 does a braidout or twistout and you see the pic, you'll think the person is a type 3. How come there are never any virgin natural pics (unprocessed, not styled) pics to represent these hair types???

ETA: Here's a thread I saw using pics to represent certain hair types: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=57932
Look at the pic of Jennifer Lopez...it looks like her hair was styled that way to have the appearance of that hair type.

 

[london honey]

I am also 'complexed'(another addition to my vocabulary) about this hair typing business. Considering i neva heard about hair types before i discovered LHCF. I also agree that hair types are only beneficial to share hair products and that no type is superior to another. Personally i would love to claim type 6 hair if i could but 4b would do for now. And the reference to indian heritage and type 1,2 hair, hmm i'll keep my comments to myself. I must say my curl pattern has changed since I added frequent co washing to my regime(ok im joking dont stone me LOL)

 

[MissJ]

This thread is funny: "cyber beatdown"

Anyway, I don't really mind the mistyping (if that's a word). I just get confused sometimes, because I would want to know what my 4a hair would look like by looking in people's albums who have the same hair type. Then I look at the pictures, and they don't seem to match up with the type.

 

[toinette]

i think its natural for peopel to kinda be confused by their hairtype, i.e. being a 3c and thinking you;re 4a. i can see how that would happen. but i have seen peopel claing hair types that were so obvioulsy off base. i remember a member posting saying that her hair was 3a or 3b and she had pics. she had pulled her hair up and was showing the back and had teh nerve to say she saw waves when her hair was obviously 4b. there is nothign wrong with 4b hair and your hair is obvioulsly not 3a, so why even say it? i think another member told her that she was prolly a 4b and she denied it.

 

[MonaLisa]

i think its natural for peopel to kinda be confused by their hairtype, i.e. being a 3c and thinking you;re 4a. i can see how that would happen. but i have seen peopel claing hair types that were so obvioulsy off base. i remember a member posting saying that her hair was 3a or 3b and she had pics. she had pulled her hair up and was showing the back and had teh nerve to say she saw waves when her hair was obviously 4b. there is nothign wrong with 4b hair and your hair is obvioulsly not 3a, so why even say it? i think another member told her that she was prolly a 4b and she denied it.

Dang T....lol....

 

[toinette]

Dang T....lol....

it wasnt me naw, but for real though, i was shocked. i went back and forth about sayign something, but another member had pointed out the obvious and ol' girl was still denying her 4bness

 

[Porsche19]

Personally, I have only saw one or two cases in which someone says that their hair is one type, but it truly isn't. I don't frequently find that people lie about their hairtype.

I don't find the number of people who claim to be type 3's because there are many, many black people with type 3 hair.