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

[hotshot]

Our hair looks similar. Your hair is very pretty.

thank you!
heavens knows that fotki hasnt been updated in A YEAR!!

 

[honeisos]

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.
.

OOOOH , I laugh at this comment

maybe the people you know are 2a b
but ,if you have 3c hair that is dense or thick .. YOU CANNOT do your hair in five mins ...lol I know I need a ton of conditioner to get through my hair to detange it .. most people consider Tracy Ross a 3 b or c and her regmine IS time consuming .. I could relate to her .. I'm the shower for at least 50 mins on wash day .. trying to work through this head of hair ... When I was growing up my mom used to complain about my hair ... and I'm a 3c .. this stuff ain't easy if you have to work it everyday..


Folks look at my hair all thime a just assume I jump up and go .. oh please if you to work a comb through this mess you be real upset ..LOL

 

[Brownie]

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.

Thanks for posting. I liked both of your last posts.

 

[Brownie]

OOOOH , I laugh at this comment

maybe the people you know are 2a b
but ,if you have 3c hair that is dense or thick .. YOU CANNOT do your hair in five mins ...lol I know I need a ton of conditioner to get through my hair to detange it .. most people consider Tracy Ross a 3 b or c and her regmine IS time consuming .. I could relate to her .. I'm the shower for at least 50 mins on wash day .. trying to work through this head of hair ... When I was growing up my mom used to complain about my hair ... and I'm a 3c .. this stuff ain't easy if you have to work it everyday..


Folks look at my hair all thime a just assume I jump up and go .. oh please if you to work a comb through this mess you be real upset ..LOL

I hear you. I need longer than 5 minutes too. I have a cousin with 3ish nearly waist length hair, and her texture is looser than mine, and it takes her a while to do her hair---not because of the length, but the texture, and her hair is really thick; mine isn't that thick. To clarify, not all 3's are the same in terms of curl tightness, and then, some have silky hair whereas, others have cottony hair, and then there is the thickness issue; some have fine strands, making the hair more delicate, and some have medium, or thick strands. It would be hard to say whether nappy, or curly hair is easier because you have to take so many things into account, such as the fragility of the hair, the length, the actual texture, the strand thickness...etc...

 

[Ayeshia]

OOOOH , I laugh at this comment

maybe the people you know are 2a b
but ,if you have 3c hair that is dense or thick .. YOU CANNOT do your hair in five mins ...lol I know I need a ton of conditioner to get through my hair to detange it .. most people consider Tracy Ross a 3 b or c and her regmine IS time consuming .. I could relate to her .. I'm the shower for at least 50 mins on wash day .. trying to work through this head of hair ... When I was growing up my mom used to complain about my hair ... and I'm a 3c .. this stuff ain't easy if you have to work it everyday..


Folks look at my hair all thime a just assume I jump up and go .. oh please if you to work a comb through this mess you be real upset ..LOL

Okayyyy?! same texture, and a wash n go I will admit takes about 5 minutes...but detangling...um how bout an hour Now my time is cut in half cuz i chopped 75% of my length off.

 

[prettygrl]

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.

yeah they do.

 

[brismom]

I just have to say, you and Catsuga have saved my hair. I haven't had a relaxer in about 5 months. I am in braids now. But I woke up this morning very discouraged with my hair situation. But now I am truly inspired. God led me to you. I was so inspired that I ate a tin of sardines and took my vitamins! I want to be like you when I grow up!

 

[chocolate01]

OOOOH , I laugh at this comment

maybe the people you know are 2a b
but ,if you have 3c hair that is dense or thick .. YOU CANNOT do your hair in five mins ...lol I know I need a ton of conditioner to get through my hair to detange it .. most people consider Tracy Ross a 3 b or c and her regmine IS time consuming .. I could relate to her .. I'm the shower for at least 50 mins on wash day .. trying to work through this head of hair ... When I was growing up my mom used to complain about my hair ... and I'm a 3c .. this stuff ain't easy if you have to work it everyday..


Folks look at my hair all thime a just assume I jump up and go .. oh please if you to work a comb through this mess you be real upset ..LOL

So, So true!!

 

[mkstar826]

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.

this is what i don't get...where is anyone "upset" before your post? please show me. and also, i made the comment "good hair" in jest. I didn't say anyone is self-hating or this or that. (but hit dog's will holler )

just because people disagree with you don't mean you're being attacked. I don't get it you have the right to your opinion just like anyone else. but if you put it out there people have the right to say what they want about it respectfully. that's all i've seen happen.
it's all a discussion...i've seen no one even hint at being upset.

 

[mkstar826]

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

so true......

 

[Cheleigh]

yeah they do.

Yeah, I think they do too--I've run into too many Latinas, whites, and Jews who flatiron and straighten every morning because they don't like their curly, kinky hair--to be curly and/or kinky is to be ethnic, and for all the current emphasis on "multicultural" looking women, it's okay as long as your hair isn't nappy/kinky. There was a whole thread on nc.com about the pressure for Latin women to straighten their curly hair and/or dye it blonde. People are not feeling me when I say that the blonde, straight-haired, blue-eyed beauty aesthetic runs so deep and so pervasive that it's hard realize that we are influence by it (and I'm not just talking about black folks--white, Asians, Latinos--no one is immune). It's not about wanting to be white, but it's about wanting to set yourself apart from the rest of the herd--and blonde, straight, blue is about as far apart from the herd as you can get, because it's a look that such a small minority of the world's cultures have. Oh yeah, I would be remiss to forget pale skin.

Sorry, way off topic, I know.

 

[mkstar826]

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.

saying this w/ no sarcasm or malice whatsoever:

you should try searching more albums then cause i've see some of the kinkiest of the kinky get just as many oooohhh and aaahhhhhs. I've got about 10 I could give you right now with tons of comments.

 

[nurseN98]

saying this w/ no sarcasm or malice whatsoever:

you should try searching more albums then cause i've see some of the kinkiest of the kinky get just as many oooohhh and aaahhhhhs. I've got about 10 I could give you right now with tons of comments.

I'm sayin.... beautiful hair is beautiful hair no matter what type.



I realize I didn't answer the original question of the post.....

IMO, I don't think it is easier to stay natural if you have curls vs. napps. I think it is easier to stay natural when you have solidified in your mind the reason you went natural in the first place and no longer have the desire to relax your hair anymore.

 

[Netta1]

I think it depends on where your mind is. If you've got your mind set on your hair being difficult to do then it will be difficult. If you think positive you learn how to work through it rather you have kinks or curls. I'm so tired of folks who say they can't stay/go natural because their natural hair is sooooo hard to do and blah blah blah....the key is learning to work with what you have. Its your hair and as long as your head is still attached to your body you have the oppurtunity to find what works for you.

BTW: I'm kinky/coily/nappy and then some...I have an album.

 

[secretdiamond]

this is what i don't get...where is anyone "upset" before your post? please show me. and also, i made the comment "good hair" in jest. I didn't say anyone is self-hating or this or that. (but hit dog's will holler )

just because people disagree with you don't mean you're being attacked. I don't get it you have the right to your opinion just like anyone else. but if you put it out there people have the right to say what they want about it respectfully. that's all i've seen happen.
it's all a discussion...i've seen no one even hint at being upset.

sure. And that's why you made this post with sarcasm and all, replying to my response which was not even made concerning anything you said??? sure. When i mentioned the "good hair" thing it was b/c of what someone else said. AND WHERE did I mention self-hate? SHOW ME that.

 

[mkstar826]

sure. And that's why you made this post with sarcasm and all, replying to my response which was not even made concerning anything you said??? sure. When i mentioned the "good hair" thing it was b/c of what someone else said. AND WHERE did I mention self-hate? SHOW ME that.

you know what, nevermind...

this thread is not worth it.

 

[SocialWorker29]

I knew it!! I knew it was going to go there no matter how objective this thread started out.
I knew that the "yo' mind set just aint right" argument, would pop it's head up in here, whereby folks indulge in arm-chair psychology, try to imply who has the right mind set for going natural and who doesn't.

So when I went from relaxed to natural, then my mind set wasn't right to be a permie??

So when people say that they have difficulty with their hair especially 4b hair, why is something is implied about their mentality towards naturalness????

More later...
Gotta leave work right now.....

 

[NapturalGlory]

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[secretdiamond]

I feel like it's obvious that looser curly hair is easier because it is more widely accepted and catered to than nappy hair. Looser curly hair that can be worn down and curly looking is easier because people like it and rave about it more readily.

Nappy woolly, fuzzy, mostly undefined hair goes against the image of perfection that the mainstream society reveres and loves. It does the OPPOSITE of everything defined as "good". When curly heads complain about their texture they often describe it as looking nappy, like a brillo pad, like pubic hair, or woolly, and fuzzy with embarassment and a sense of discontent. Curly hair is typically worn out with product to make it "lay down" to look curly, while nappy hair after it grows past a certain limit benefits from being styled (traditionally in complex afrotypic cultural styles). These afrotypic styles take a lot of effort to do initially and require SKILL. Even when you wear nappy hair out it is more prone to breakage because of the structure so wearing nappy hair out too often can be very unhealthy. In contrast wearing curly hair out usually just requires an effective product routine.

Then there is the complexity of mixed textures which means people can have hair that is both curly and nappy at the same time. Some people have curly/coily silkier looking hair that tangles a lot more than kinky hair because of the longer, stronger, rounder strands that don't give in to breakage as easily. They may have definition and large coils but the tangling is still a huge issue. What I've found through browsing albums is that these folks often have hair that looks healthier and grows longer more easily than nappy hair. Long, defined, shiny hair is a HUGE beauty standard in this society. The other beauty standard is defined shiny curls/coils.

I think curly hair is easier overall because of the fact that silky curls and coils are a beauty standard that that hair type can achieve with product. Since curly hair is generally much more flexible and strong it can also be straightened with heat (and chemicals) to become shiny healthy looking long hair much more easily than nappy hair types.

I don't really know what curly hair is like but... I admit I feel it would be much easier to style because society caters to it so much. I would know to use gel and weigh it down and comb it when it's wet and wavy. I know I could wash, comb (or fingercomb) wet to detangle (or leave to dry without agitating), and apply gels to wear it curly. Or style in a bun/ponytail. I don't buy that idea that it is so hard to be curly and that nappyheads are so wicked and mean for asking if they are mixed with anything and that nappies should stop trying to make them feel different or less nappy for having curly/coily hair. Curly/coily hair IS less nappy than nappy hair. It IS different. Often times it IS a result of mixed heritage although mixed hairtypes can vary a lot. Even then, the reason that some coily mixed hair is seen as bad/difficult is a result of being mixed with nappy african hair in the first place. Basically nappy hair is a "bad hair" barometer for humanity in this new world society.

Overall with nappy hair there is a huge spirit of negativity and discontent... even contempt amongst black people especially. Nappy hair is the crown of blackness in a physical sense. It's a bitter sweet experience often filled with dashed hopes and quite understandable levels of fear and insecurity. I don't blame nappy folks for hating their hair in this world as it is today. I don't want to add to the stigma black women feel. If many of us prefer not to stay natural then that's ife. I happen to really love my hair natural but that is because I am a very patient, easygoing, hardworking, and disciplined woman with a relatively open mind. I guess I have the PERSONALITY for naturally nappy hair.

I think this is a real serious issue with black folks even though it's just hair for non-black folks. I think people see nappy hair as a huge boo-boo or owie on our heads that needs to be attended to and taken care of properly to look good. I feel like I have gone through a very traumatic experience because of my hairtype but I am used to it and have come to learn to manage it so that I can love it. I know that many people will never see my hair in a positive light especially other black people.

Wow. I think you hit the nail of every single one of your points right on the head with a great and admirable level of eloquence.

 

[NapturalGlory]

--------------------------

 

[deedabug]

this is what i don't get...where is anyone "upset" before your post? please show me. and also, i made the comment "good hair" in jest. I didn't say anyone is self-hating or this or that. (but hit dog's will holler )

just because people disagree with you don't mean you're being attacked. I don't get it you have the right to your opinion just like anyone else. but if you put it out there people have the right to say what they want about it respectfully. that's all i've seen happen.
it's all a discussion...i've seen no one even hint at being upset.

a new prevailing dilemma on the board i see lately....

esp. when it comes to certain topics...if u happen to speak any truth ''u r gettin mad''...

utterly ridiculous...

Thanks. I tried. This issue is so DEEP.

very great post...wont quote the entire original post...since it was already done...

saying this w/ no sarcasm or malice whatsoever:

you should try searching more albums then cause i've see some of the kinkiest of the kinky get just as many oooohhh and aaahhhhhs. I've got about 10 I could give you right now with tons of comments.

for the most part i am in agreeance with that statement...

but i really do notice that those ohhhs and ahhhs are bestowed more givingly if the kinky dink hair album owner has or in the past had long hair....

if it hasnt ever been really long...or looks like it may be heading that way...

nada...

really sad tho...

 

[diamoness]

NapturalGlory............gone n tell it, girl!!!

 

[hotshot]

in terms of STAYING natural:

Why discuss natural hair in terms of fad or option? For me its LOGICAL to stay natural. Just like its logical to remain my skin color. Before I formulated any ideas about me, dominant beauty standards and hair, it made sense to me to wear my hair as it is. Just like anyone else would. Regardless of what's on my head, it was pretty cut and dry. And honestly, if "going natural" meant cutting off my hair or doing consciously embarking a "journey" , I doubt it would have happened.
Once I realized I knew how to do my natural hair, (granted I started with alot of hair) it didnt make SENSE to go back. Being natural was more enjoyable and easier than being permed or braided. I don't know how else to explain it. I didn't decide to wear my natural hair as an effort of soul searching, or the result of some manifesto.

I have thick, coarse type 4 hair.

Whether or not person stays natural is up to them and the attitude they have going into it.

I like my hair. Perming has never been an option.

 

[mkstar826]

a new prevailing dilemma on the board i see lately....

esp. when it comes to certain topics...if u happen to speak any truth ''u r gettin mad''...

utterly ridiculous...

THANK YOU...cause i thought it was just me, lol.

the problem is people taking this issue personally when there's nothing to take personally.

no one has accused anyone else in here of having any kind of mentality but yet people assume other people are talking directly to them. from what i've seen people are talking in general terms. so it's all projection...

 

[Nightingale]

A friend of mine has 3b hair, based on curl size, but its is very coarse and she has thin strands. It takes her over an hour to properly detangle her brastrap length hair. Her hair is definently not easier to care for just because she is a curly.

 

[Brownie]

If you have hair that is not curly and you like to wear Afros (I could name countless other styles for noncurly hair) then it's going to be easy for you to be natural because you're not trying to make your hair do something it has a hard time doing. However, if you have curls, a bushy afro might be hard to pull off, so you have to work with styles that are easy for you to achieve with your hair. If you let your hair do what it wants to do then it's going to be easy being natural regardless of hair type. If you pine and wish for another hair type and try to get curl definition where there is none---then yes, it's going to be hard for you; for example, I like Afro puffs, but for me to wear them and have it look decent and full, I have to manipulate my hair a lot. That's why I don't wear them too often. I stick with what my hair wants to do, so that makes it easier for me to be a natural. However, if I had type 4a/b, or 4b, I'd wear Afro puffs day and night because I wouldn't have to comb the curls out first to achieve the style, and it would be easier for me to get that look.

As for what society thinks about what is pleasing to the eye, regardless of hair type, someone is going to have something negative to say. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my hair from people, but in my family, where everyone is natural, but almost everyone is pressed, everyone's always asking when I am going to press my hair. As for me, the compliments are all right, and the negative comments aren't so great, but regardless of what anyone says, I'm happy with what I see in the mirror. I won't change my look for what society considers beautiful because some in society don't like nappy or curly hair, but super straight hair, which looks super bad on me. I have to live by my own standard of beauty because society is fickle and wishy-washy.

 

[Brownie]

the problem is people taking this issue personally when there's nothing to take personally.

no one has accused anyone else in here of having any kind of mentality but yet people assume other people are talking directly to them. from what i've seen people are talking in general terms. so it's all projection...

I agree. People are just stating their opinions, and we're all entitled to have one. There is no right or wrong. We're all just coming together and discussing this topic. BTW, I like your hair, mkstar826. I posted on another thread that I like looking through your album.

 

[secretdiamond]

If you have hair that is not curly and you like to wear Afros (I could name countless other styles for noncurly hair) then it's going to be easy for you to be natural because you're not trying to make your hair do something it has a hard time doing. However, if you have curls, a bushy afro might be hard to pull off, so you have to work with styles that are easy for you to achieve with your hair. If you let your hair do what it wants to do then it's going to be easy being natural regardless of hair type. If you pine and wish for another hair type and try to get curl definition where there is none---then yes, it's going to be hard for you; for example, I like Afro puffs, but for me to wear them and have it look decent and full, I have to manipulate my hair a lot. That's why I don't wear them too often. I stick with what my hair wants to do, so that makes it easier for me to be a natural. However, if I had type 4a/b, or 4b, I'd wear Afro puffs day and night because I wouldn't have to comb the curls out first to achieve the style, and it would be easier for me to get that look.

As for what society thinks about what is pleasing to the eye, regardless of hair type, someone is going to have something negative to say. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my hair from people, but in my family, where everyone is natural, but almost everyone is pressed, everyone's always asking when I am going to press my hair. As for me, the compliments are all right, and the negative comments aren't so great, but regardless of what anyone says, I'm happy with what I see in the mirror. I won't change my look for what society considers beautiful because some in society don't like nappy or curly hair, but super straight hair, which looks super bad on me. I have to live by my own standard of beauty because society is fickle and wishy-washy.

Your whole post makes a lot of sense. I especially liked the bolded part. It was funny the way you said it. lol.

 

[honeisos]

I agree. People are just stating their opinions, and we're all entitled to have one. There is no right or wrong. We're all just coming together and discussing this topic. BTW, I like your hair, mkstar826. I posted on another thread that I like looking through your album.

I envy her hair .. it so pretty and she has really learned to understand her hair ... which is key to loving it .

 

[Netta1]

learned to understand her hair ... which is key to loving it .

If I could borrow part of this statement for a moment and turn it into a "T Shirt motto".

"Understanding your hair is the Key to Loving It!"


Thats all I'm saying, this "understanding" starts in the mind.