Is it easier to stay natural if you have curls vs. napps?

[nurseN98]

This question comes up often and I think it's a good one. I remember a few years ago a colleague at my job shared sentiments based in that question. She said she'd be natural too if her hair wasn't "very nappy" like my hair and another teacher.

It seems like the looser the curl pattern (and closer to the appearance of texturized or relaxed hair) the easier it is for OTHERS to accept your natural hair. And if outside acceptance/affirmation is what you seek and need, then the answer to your questions is yes.

If, on the other hand, you don't need that assistance then the answer is flatly no. The journey becomes accepting what you were given and that can be done whatever the texture.

P1

I agree with this! As far as really dealing with the hair though, I would say both are challenging. Yeah, maybe 3c sistas can pull their hair in a pony and go but when it comes to braids and twists, styles that you don't have to touch everyday, it is a REAL disadvantage. I think I'm a 4a because I have small coils but believe me, when I do twists, they only last for about 4 days then they start to look straight retarded and start to unravel and all that.... It is very frustrating because I would love to be able to keep my twists in for 2 or 3 weeks!

IMHO, I don't think one type is easier to deal with than another, it depends strictly on the individual and how they want to style their hair.

 

[Cichelle]

IMO it’s definitely easier if you have curls vs. naps. Most curlies can pull their hair back and go as opposed to nappies like myself who have to do a little extra. Although I have only a few inches of natural hair, I can tell you that I have to put in extra moisture and such to keep the hair I have in tip top shape while most curlies can use any conditioner or gel and call it a day. Is being curly better? Absolutely NOT!! There are a lot of styles curlies aren’t able to perform on their hair, while we nappies can, and vice versa. But in terms of hours put in on our hair, nappies take the cake.

Hmmm...most curlies? I don't know. Curly hair can be extremely dry, tangled and hard to manage, especially if no one has taught you how to take care of it.

Speaking for myself, I can't just use any conditioner and gel and call it a day. I personally don't use gel, but I have very dry hair which requires EXTRA MOISTURE. If I just used any conditioner and pulled my hair back it would be as dry as the desert. In addition, my hair gets TANGLED very easily. So, to avoid the "snapping" and breaking, I cowash and detangle my hair daily and very, very slowly. I've tried going longer between detangling and it is bad news. Believe me, I spend plenty of time on my hair, as do other curly haired people I know. There are people of all hair types that spend hours on their hair and some who have very simple routines that allow them to basically wash and go with little fuss.

On the topic of whether it easier for curly haired people to stay natural, I don't know. As has been said, I think it largely depends on what you are expecting or want from your hair and what your personal issues are. There are so many variables, it's hard to say.

 

[mkstar826]

I think it's interesting that most of the curly haired ladies in this post are straight up saying it's not any easier but yet people in this post still seem to think it is. It's like people can't fathom that having that "good hair" could be difficult too

Maybe I'm reading it wrong though....?

 

[FlowerHair]

As has been said, I think it largely depends on what you are expecting or want from your hair and what your personal issues are. There are so many variables, it's hard to say.

This is very, very true. If you are obsessed with your hair laying flat and having no frizzies or flyaways etc you will definately have a problem with natural hair, whether curly or nappy. I think most of these hair types get the typical "halo" of frizz every now and then. If you relax and live with it you'll probably find it easier than if you want your hair to stay neat and flat all the time. Personally, I like the wild look

 

[weaveadiva]

I think it's interesting that most of the curly haired ladies in this post are straight up saying it's not any easier but yet people in this post still seem to think it is. It's like people can't fathom that having that "good hair" could be difficult too

Maybe I'm reading it wrong though....?

no, you're reading correctly!
the grass is always greener...

 

[hotshot]

I think it's interesting that most of the curly haired ladies in this post are straight up saying it's not any easier but yet people in this post still seem to think it is. It's like people can't fathom that having that "good hair" could be difficult too

Maybe I'm reading it wrong though....?

um, basically.

 

[sprungonhairboards]

I think it's interesting that most of the curly haired ladies in this post are straight up saying it's not any easier but yet people in this post still seem to think it is. It's like people can't fathom that having that "good hair" could be difficult too

Maybe I'm reading it wrong though....?

I know one thing, if I had texturized my hair thinking that would make it EASIER to deal with than my natural hair I would have been sorely and supremely dissappointed! On a scale of 1-10 my natural hair was a 9 in being easy to deal with, my now texturized hair? 7. It has it's days when I'd say 6. I don't regret it because my reasons for texturizing all worked out, and none of them had to do with easier maintenance. However all things considered, when it comes to wash day, detangling, styling, maintaining moisture, it was waaaaaay easier being natural.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

I'm relaxed and was natural years ago but was old enough to know that it was very difficult to deal w/detangling and keeping it moisturized. I think it really just depends on the type of hair styles the person is interested in. Of course if you love braids and twistouts, and your natural hair is straight or curly you would say kinky hair is easier to deal w/because of the style you can't achieve is normal achieved by kinkier hair, and vice versa for a person who has kinky hair and wants to wear curly wash n go's or like to wear their hair straight most of the time it's normally easier and less time consuming to get it straight. The outcome most of the time, not all the time, is that we want what we don't or can't have. So, because I am relaxed and the type of hair stlyles I like to wear I would prefer a curly texture over a kinky one and if my texture was curly I would probably want it to be kinky, LOL.

 

[Amarech]

I think it's interesting that most of the curly haired ladies in this post are straight up saying it's not any easier but yet people in this post still seem to think it is. It's like people can't fathom that having that "good hair" could be difficult too

Maybe I'm reading it wrong though....?

Thank you for saying that because it is so true! I didn't even realize I had "good" hair. In fact, some days I have to really really think about it to even realize the difference between me and someone with coarser hair and a tighter curl pattern. I think I am 4a but then I look in the mirror and my hair looks like 3b/3c. Whatever.

I've got too much hair. With a relaxer its just barely manageable. Natural is impossible. There is just too much hair. My sister has the same problem. Hair reaching for waist length when pressed but add water and you've got Simba times ten (remember when he jumped in the water then came out and shook it? Thats my sister) Imagine trying to comb that mess.

It kills me when people think that a looser curl pattern = easier styling.

Like someone said before, my twists had to be redone every day. Everything I did to my hair had to be redone everyday. If it wasn't the frizzies and fly aways, then my plump twists would be flat in the morning from the heat of my head and being pressed up to the pillow. If I wanted to plump them out again I could let the steam from the shower do the job, but I still had to be careful not to let water get on my hair or it would turn into a stringy mess that hangs and swings and shines. But if that sounds nice just know that when it dries it becomes a totally different creature (nuff said).
I am convinced that you do what works. Natural hair did not work for me. I had to use tons of gel to get it to stay down, and had to do it every morning. Too much. Now I am at a happy medium, just enough curl to do the wet and go thing and still go straight with no drama. If I could do that with no relaxer I would but you'd look at my natural hair and ask why I got one in the first place.


I rest my case.....
__________________

 

[Country gal]

how should i know whats easier when i have nothing to compare it to?

Ive been natural since 98 and there's no reason to go back. everybody has to learn what to do for THEIR hair to make it EASIER, and that depends on the individual's mindset. if you go into it thinking its a challenge, it will be. i never knew 'any better' and never saw my nappy, crinkly, coily, coarse, fuzzy hair as ugly or problematic. during these years its mostly been between 6-10 inches, and it was quite long and thick when i stopped wearing braids for a year, washed my hair and the perm underneath reverted. Personally, I was excited. i never considered curls vs napps or any of this.

a friend of mine has type 3b hair and yes, she's mixed. she struggles with her hair constantly and has only just recently found what works. her hair has never grown past neck/shoulder length. ever. she'd rather have straight hair.

Our hair looks similar. Your hair is very pretty.

 

[Amarech]

wow I missed this comment

Of course if you love braids and twistouts, and your natural hair is straight or curly you would say kinky hair is easier to deal w/because of the style you can't achieve is normal achieved by kinkier hair, and vice versa for a person who has kinky hair and wants to wear curly wash n go's or like to wear their hair straight most of the time it's normally easier and less time consuming to get it straight. The outcome most of the time, not all the time, is that we want what we don't or can't have. So, because I am relaxed and the type of hair stlyles I like to wear I would prefer a curly texture over a kinky one and if my texture was curly I would probably want it to be kinky, LOL.

This is also true. Most of the time, if you have not truly accepted your unique individual hair texture, you can never be loose enough. You always want a looser curl. You'd think I would be satisfied with my natural hair but I still wanted something looser. Yet people have actually said to me that they wish they had my texture of hair. crazy.

One of these days we will stop all this madness about "good" hair and "bad" hair. After I accepted and loved my natural hair I realized that as much as I loved it, it wasn't working for me. I like twists outs, flat twists, cornrows, bantu knots every now and then but my personal preference is a good ol pony tail, slicked back or sleek, straight hair.

That's me and that goes with my personality. 75% time calm, laid back, serious, but I have a playful, funky daring side. I have always expressed myself through my hair. so my decision to perm wasn't based on self hate or wishful thinking. It was based on a clear understanding of who I was, what I wanted to do and what I liked 75% of the time.

 

[NGC]

I don't think it's easier one way or the other. personally I think both types of can have their challenges. I've heard some naturals with looser hair textures say their hair won't hold twists or braids well. i know if my hair couldn't hold a twist or a braid I'd be hot cause I love twists and braids. So I think either way you're going to face challenges but you have to learn to work with them.

My hair is extremely thick and extremely nappy, coily, & fuzzy. That combination can lead to horrible tangles if I don't do the right things to it. But I've learned how to manage it and I have ZERO problems. I think that's the key to any texture...learn how to take care of it and accept it for what it is and there shouldn't be a problem. But I think a lot of people going into be natural expecting or wanting a certain texture and that's a part of the problem.

I think it's easier to stay natural if you have the right attitude and you're not always looking at every challenge as a reason to go back to chemicals.

This is so on point!

 

[NGC]

This question comes up often and I think it's a good one. I remember a few years ago a colleague at my job shared sentiments based in that question. She said she'd be natural too if her hair wasn't "very nappy" like my hair and another teacher.

It seems like the looser the curl pattern (and closer to the appearance of texturized or relaxed hair) the easier it is for OTHERS to accept your natural hair. And if outside acceptance/affirmation is what you seek and need, then the answer to your questions is yes.

If, on the other hand, you don't need that assistance then the answer is flatly no. The journey becomes accepting what you were given and that can be done whatever the texture.

P1

This is true too!

 

[beyondcute]

I feel that if you go nto transition wanting the results someone else has then you will be dissappointed and revert back to what you were doing before. If you go into transitioning because you dont like chemicals or just to challenge yourself then you will have an easier time. If you want curly adn you find your your texture isnt that I suspect youd get disappointed. I wanted a fierce afro. Angela Davis-ish but My hair wont allow it. There are beautiful kinks and curls and wavy and straight hair and I envy everyone with BEAUTIFUL hair regardless of thier texture. No matter what my hair type I would still transition (it doesnt matter to me b/c I dont know my daggone texture anywayz LOL!)

 

[secretdiamond]

No one said having curls = "good hair". No one said having curls = "easy hair" I believe that having curls is easier. So on the difficulty scale (if we must use this example) napps = 6, curls= 5. That's my opinion--- simple as that. There's no point in going back and forth over who's the bigger victim of natural hair b/c I don't know what it's like to have curls and many of you don't know what's it's like to have "napps" ( I prefer the term "tight coils"- but anyway). And like a lot of ppl said b4, the grass will always seem greener on the other side and unfortunately, b/c of the way God blessed us with mainly one type of texture, those with curls will never know what it's like to be a 4b and those with 4b will never really know what it's like having curls. So why do we have to get upset at each other for having our own opinions? To me, those with curls/waves will always have it just a little tiny bit easier and some (not all) will try to play the "My hair is worse than yours to take care of" game.

Once again there is NO such thing as good hair. I actually love natural beautiful 4a/4b hair more. You can have curls and still have dry unmanageable hair, but for me (once again), try comparing that to dry unmanageable tightly coiled hair. I completely understand why some are saying that curls are still harder, etc-- b/c that's all you know. And WE all know taking care of hair IN GENERAL is no picnic-- whether relaxed or natural. For me, being natural in general is a whole other ball game and I truly appreciate those who choose the natural route.

I forgot where I was going with this (LOL), but I hope everyone gets my point. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I just want my point of view to be acknowledged & respected and not seen as an "excuse" or be attacked for it. I will always uphold my point of view no matter what is thought of me. I can't change the way I feel to appease others or the general consensus. And I am in no way trying to be oppostional or confrontational.

Sorry it was so long.

 

[SocialWorker29]

@secretdiamond..I'm gonna have to agree with you. I'm not going to get caught up in trying to be politically correct but simply state my opinion. I did not go natural because I thought I'd have a world of curls sitting on top of my head, (looked at mom and pop and knew the deal ), but after being natural for some years, I'm ready for a change. And yes, I will say that my hair was difficult for me. And unless someone was going to volunteer to do my hair weekly, I wasn't going to keep paying for braids, twists, etc.
And I also LOVE to see natural women and I always complement those who have found the best regimen for caring for their hair.
But let's get real. Just last night I was surfing through albums, again. And when someone has naturally curly hair, mountains of oohhss and aaahhhss are heaped upon them as if they achieved the unreal. I've been on too many hair boards to know this is the truth. So judging by a lot of those comments, a lot of folk believe curlier hair is easier, be it perceived or reality.

 

[Cheleigh]

But let's get real. Just last night I was surfing through albums, again. And when someone has naturally curly hair, mountains of oohhss and aaahhhss are heaped upon them as if they achieved the unreal. I've been on too many hair boards to know this is the truth. So judging by a lot of those comments, a lot of folk believe curlier hair is easier, be it perceived or reality.

Oh, I agree with you 100%. People complain or wonder about all the curl downplay on np.com, and it's for that reason exactly. Having nappy hair is the first strike of the big three--all you need is to be fat and black in addition to "nappy," and you become the least desirable woman in the world, based on how people perceive us. Nappy hair without curl definition is the most reviled hair type in the world.

Curlies are natural, just like nappies (and half-breeds like me that are both curly and nappy). And I think it's clear to most of us that curlies, in terms of hair maintenance and upkeep, don't have it any better than nappies. But just like it's "perceived" that if you must be black, being light is better than being dark, the same holds true for hair--if you must be natural, it's "perceived" that it's better to be curly than to be nappy. This has nothing to do with reality, and contrary to popular opinion, perception does NOT equal reality. Perception is merely your first impression based on memory--it is not the end of the road, but only the beginning.

And that's why there are some over the top folks who seem to become the nappy police--maybe even "zealot-esque," but by the same token--how will nappy hair ever be considered the norm, or even desirable, if every nappy always makes a choice to wear braids, or a weave, or a relaxer? Just like there are some good legacies left behind by our ancestors, there are some bad ones too. I'm no better than anyone else--I too was captivated by the curl, until I went past my perception. And I had to teach myself how to be just as captivated by the nap, which is always a work in progress—I have generations of shame about nappy hair to get through.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

Secretdiamond I completely agree.

These are my honest feelings on what I call 'the nappy complex'. If you are 100% comfortable with your natural hair, then it's not necessary to preach the 'gospel of nappiness' at any topic that strays away from how wonderful it is to be nappy. There are advantages and disadvantages to every hair type, it doesn't make you a traitor to your napps to acknowledge advantages (real or perceived) to other hair types.

 

[Valerie]

I've been natural for three and 7 months now and I think it makes not difference really. I most have my hair in flat twists or twists.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

Nappy hair without curl definition is the most reviled hair type in the world.

IMHO, nappy hair without curl definition is the most reviled hair type by many in the black community. I don't think the world really cares.

 

[deedabug]

Oh, I agree with you 100%. People complain or wonder about all the curl downplay on np.com, and it's for that reason exactly. Having nappy hair is the first strike of the big three--all you need is to be fat and black in addition to "nappy," and you become the least desirable woman in the world, based on how people perceive us. Nappy hair without curl definition is the most reviled hair type in the world.

Curlies are natural, just like nappies (and half-breeds like me that are both curly and nappy). And I think it's clear to most of us that curlies, in terms of hair maintenance and upkeep, don't have it any better than nappies. But just like it's "perceived" that if you must be black, being light is better than being dark, the same holds true for hair--if you must be natural, it's "perceived" that it's better to be curly than to be nappy. This has nothing to do with reality, and contrary to popular opinion, perception does NOT equal reality. Perception is merely your first impression based on memory--it is not the end of the road, but only the beginning.

And that's why there are some over the top folks who seem to become the nappy police--maybe even "zealot-esque," but by the same token--how will nappy hair ever be considered the norm, or even desirable, if every nappy always makes a choice to wear braids, or a weave, or a relaxer? Just like there are some good legacies left behind by our ancestors, there are some bad ones too. I'm no better than anyone else--I too was captivated by the curl, until I went past my perception. And I had to teach myself how to be just as captivated by the nap, which is always a work in progress—I have generations of shame about nappy hair to get through.

u said it right there...

and i saw this topic leadin here a mile up the road....

what gets me is the ''blindness'' to what is so evident...paleeze!!

 

[brittanynic16]

Umm...I have nappy hair, and it isn't difficult at all. In fact, all the complications I have had since I have been natural are the result of having a relaxer (dry and damage hair as the result of scab hair). As my hair grows it gets softer. I don't have to struggle to keep it moist. So I don't understand what the big deal is. I understand that people have their own journeys but am I the only one who really doesn't think it is all that serious. Who has a bigger struggle? I mean, you can look at this thread and see that people are obviously having a hard time no matter if they have napps or curls. So, why do we need to declared who has it harder on the challenge chart. Who cares? Can't we just enjoy our hair without putting labels on it. I mean what is the point, really? We as a people can't stand together because we are too busy separating and dividing ourselves.

 

[SocialWorker29]

IMHO, nappy hair without curl definition is the most reviled hair type by many in the black community. I don't think the world really cares.

IA
@Cheleigh.. ITA
We have a long history of this. And with that said, I am all for overcoming the negativity that we have too long associated with our hair. But that doesn't necessarily make it easier for me when I wake up in the morning and have to figure out what to do with my hair next. There is one style that a lot of sistas I know with 4b hair have relative ease with - locs. And I do believe I will go there when I'm ready to stick with something for a long while.

@brittany - I'm glad your hair is easy for you, but I don't think this topic is meant to be devisive. DIALOGUE is Good, Good, Good! And no one should feel offended because someone doesn't agree with them. But if we all start shutting up and covering up what really needs to be said, how will anyone gain knowledge or a new perspective? Regardless of where am I in my hair journey, I LOVE the fact that people still sing the praises of being natural. There are so many newbies and transtioners that need to hear both sides of the nappy experience!!!

I think this is a good topic that needs to be discussed and debated.

 

[caligirl]

me[/i] (once again), try comparing that to dry unmanageable tightly coiled hair.

I couldn't have said this any better. I don't think curly haired folks have to try to PROVE that their hair is just as hard to manage just so that we can all identify. I still love you, no matter what your hair texture. But you cannot sit up here and tell me that it takes you hours to comb thru small sections and make sure conditioner gets to every strand, when I know people who run their fingers thru their hair and they are done in 5 minutes.
Which brings me back to my original point. Maybe people with nappy hair (for lack of a better term) are more likely to go back to a relaxer or texturizer because of the sheer amount of TIME involved with maintaining natural hair.

 

[SocialWorker29]

Maybe people with nappy hair (for lack of a better term) are more likely to go back to a relaxer or texturizer because of the sheer amount of TIME involved with maintaining natural hair.

yep.
I've tried to twist my own hair and stood on my feet til my soles started throbbing.
Sometimes when I'm taking my hair down, I move around the house from room to room with a comb and conditioner and normally this takes a whole day.
Once it's down though the easiest quickest thing to do is wear a puff. Everything else takes a heck of a long time.

 

[brittanynic16]

What is being debated? People are saying that people with curls have it easier while the curly heads are clearly saying they don't. What is the debate? Why do we need to chop people up and put them into categories? What is the purpose? What does it accomplish? How can someone without curly hair say what it is like to take care of curly hair if they have never done it before. The people that think that curly heads have it easier just need to read the message that it is not easier for curly ladies. No debate needed. A more need discussion would be why we feel the need to prove one head is "better/easier" to take care of.

 

[secretdiamond]

@ SW & Caligirl:

With that said, I'm sure you still love your natural hair and don't regret your decision of being natural. No matter what decision we make, curly, coiled, or even relaxed, we always take the good with the bad b/c our personal rewards are all worth it in the end

 

[aqualung]

Yes, in general it's easier to style curly hair into conventional, non-afro styles with fewer steps than kinky/nappy hair.
--Detangling wet type 4 hair might take less time and effort than combing wet type 3 hair.
--A type 3 might accomplish a style by washing and air drying (less time and effort) that a type 4 would obtain only via braidout or rollerset (more time and effort).

 

[SocialWorker29]

What is being debated? People are saying that people with curls have it easier while the curly heads are clearly saying they don't. What is the debate? Why do we need to chop people up and put them into categories? What is the purpose? What does it accomplish? How can someone without curly hair say what it is like to take care of curly hair if they have never done it before. The people that think that curly heads have it easier just need to read the message that it is not easier for curly ladies. No debate needed. A more need discussion would be why we feel the need to prove one head is "better/easier" to take care of.

By your own admission, something was accomplished. Reading the posts by curly haired folks gives insight into their hair struggles.
It's self-defeating to try to say what is and isn't a good topic to discuss/ debate. You don't know who's going to get something out of it. That was my point.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

What is being debated? People are saying that people with curls have it easier while the curly heads are clearly saying they don't. What is the debate? Why do we need to chop people up and put them into categories? What is the purpose? What does it accomplish? How can someone without curly hair say what it is like to take care of curly hair if they have never done it before. The people that think that curly heads have it easier just need to read the message that it is not easier for curly ladies. No debate needed. A more need discussion would be why we feel the need to prove one head is "better/easier" to take care of.

I think that what's being debated is whether type 4's who think type 3 hair is easier to deal with are self hating on their own hair. I don't think that's the case but it seems that if one is natural and doesn't only sing songs of praises to their hair type, others put them into a 'hair sellout' box.

As far as reading about 3's who say it's hard to take curly hair, I don't doubt them, but I think any type 3 natural who even hinted that their hair was low maintenance in a room full of 4's would catch the same heat as a permie would/(did in this thread).