Oh yeah, dude ... I definitely have confused hair: it doesn't know what it wants to be. Exhibit A:
CHALLENGES:
My 3c hair in the front and sides (and the nape):
- does not like heavy butters / conditioners at all (it will weigh it down and make it straighten right out and look thinner)
- easy to detangle
- does not form single strand knots that easily
- prone to heat damage easily
- minimal shrinkage to contend with (but it does shrink probably 25%)
My 4a hair in the back (excluding nape):
- LOVES any kind of heavy butter / conditioner / cream / oil to help control frizz and dryness
- more difficult to detangle (still not too bad though)
- prone to single strand knots
- laughs in the face of heat and begs for more
- mad, mad, MAD shrinkage yo (we're talking 50% - 75%)
As would be expected, this scenario creates anarchy on my poor head. Wash-n-gos are difficult to do because the front and sides hang almost to my shoulders, whilst the back shrivels up to my neck. Sooooooooo I end up with a kind of reverse mullet thing happening. Not a good look.
I'm also a member of the uber dry crown club (where my 4a hair starts). When I was relaxed, this was the ONLY part of my head that consistently broke off even if I looked at it wrong. Very annoying.
MY WORK-AROUNDS:
- I use the same conditioner for my whole head, but I apply more conditioner and add oils to the back of my head. The front just gets a regular helping of the conditioner only because that's all it needs.
- When using my steamer or other dryer, I part my hair down the middle and clip each side up going towards the front. That way, the back of my head is more directly exposed to the steam / heat so the conditioner can penetrate the back more. The next time I do that, I'll have to remember to snap a photo.
- When wearing a wash-n-go, I braid or twist the back while wet and then take it down when it's about 80% dry. The front I just leave alone because it doesn't shrink as much. This method stretches the back enough so that it at least TRIES to have some hang time to somewhat match the front.
So ummmm ... yeah, that's what I'm working with.