[size=+1]I agree Tai...with everything that you've said! I don't see what's so hard about hair typing either. I think that some fail to realize that even though your hair is a 3b, 4a, or 4b, each and every 3b, 4a, and 4b is not going to look exactly alike. This hair typing system that Andre created focus mainly on curl pattern not texture. Therefore, each sub-category have different textures.
Really, one picture can
never completely describe each sub-category...and that's when the confusion sets in. People notice that their hair does not look like that picture. I'm 3b according to Andre's definition which is "hair with a medium amount of curl, ranging from bouncy ringlets to
tight corkscrews." He also said that, "curly hair consists of a combination of textures"...no curly head will have the same combo of textures. What Tai said about 3b is right too. My hair does not look like that 3b pic above...although that 3b pic is one type of 3b look. IMO, that pic is more 3a/b than just 3b. All 3b's don't look like that. Also, all 4a's don't look like 4a pic...etc.
When the 3c sub-category was added the "tight corkscrews" from Andre's 3b definintion was pulled away into it's own category. This lead to some confusion too. However, I still understand it...it just makes me a 3b/c...that's all.
So, according to Andre's definintion since 3c is not included into Andre's type 3 sub-category Amel and Rachel will be 3b...but since 3c has been added and it’s a sub-category they have been pulled into the 3c, because of their tight corkscrews. When I view those pics of Amel and Rachel I see
3b/c...not just 3c. Also, Amel changes the look/texture of her hair often...so does Rachel.
Peachtree, Flowerhair, Hairlove, Tai, and Kha, have 3b hair according to Andre’ definition…which is “medium amount of curl,
ranging from bouncy ringlets to
tight corkscrews.” All four of the ladies have different and similar combinations of hair textures. All have different textures and curl patterns in different sections. However, since 3c has been added they are 3b/c, because they have
tight corkscrews or like Tai said “curls the size of curls that are the size of a coffee stirrer to a pencil.” IMO, Andre’s 3b definition is a complete definition and completely describes all four of the ladies hair, because he does includes their tight corkscrews/3c hair.
Yes, some people that have mostly 2a, 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, 4a, or 4b can have any one/or more of these hair types on one head due to genetics. A family friend has mostly type 2 hair, and in the upper right section she has a large patch of type 4a. It's very obvious, because the the 2 textures are so different, and the 4a section is much thicker than the rest.
This is where it gets confusing to some. Yes, type 4a’s definition is very similar to 3b...or 3c...or 3b/c. However, IMO, 3c hair has come to be 4a hair and 4a has come to be 3c. Tai defined type 4a very well, and in more detail than Andre. Tai stated, “If you have defined curls that are very small and tend to lose that definition when they dry and have a lot of shrinkage in it's natural state, it's a 4a. If there's no curl definition or it's very minimal and there's also high shrinkage, it's a 4b. If your hair looks curlier wet than dry and shrinks up more once dry, you're a type 4.” Andre’s definition is, “tightly coiled hair that, when stretch has an “S” pattern, much like curly hair…the same as Tai’s definition, but Tai's definition is detailed.
Hey, if you need me to help you type your hair I can help…but if you’re are relaxed you have to have good amount of new growth.
I plan on eventually doing a thread like Ms Kenesha did since Hairlove's ablum is closed. I plan on using more the one head of hair for each sub-catergory. I will included type 3c. IMO, Ayeshia, and DreamyPisces are excellent definitions of 3c hair. Their hair can look like 3b and 4a at times, therefore their hair type is smack in between...which is 3c.[/size]