Random Hair Thoughts/Thinking out loud

[Angel of the North]

I posted this in another thread but, this beautiful head of hair is too wonderful not share here.

I thought my shrinkage was bad, but my hair still looks long in it's shrunken and isn't even as long as hers.

 

[Angel of the North]

thinking about doing the big chop early next month, right after Easter. I'm scared I'll look ugly with short hair but the heat damage is making me want to not leave my apartment.

I've never had short hair, either.

Please give me some advice. I'm sad about my hair

I'm sorry to hear that. As I started reading your post, I was expecting to read about wanting a change, or wanting to restart your HHJ, as in out of choice not because you have to. Heat damage is the worst, it's such a fine line between health and damage, and by the time it's noticed, it's already too late.

I'm sure you'll look great with a TWA, and hopefully you'll love it too. Regarding the advice you would like, what is it you are interested in? If you haven't already tried ot out, the search function is pretty decent when trying to find stuff. There's so many threads covering just about everything relating to hair, you can always start your own thread too. If you can elaborate a little about what you would like advice on, the ladies can chime in and hopefully help you out.

 

[CoiledOrchids]

I'm sorry to hear that. As I started reading your post, I was expecting to read about wanting a change, or wanting to restart your HHJ, as in out of choice not because you have to. Heat damage is the worst, it's such a fine line between health and damage, and by the time it's noticed, it's already too late.

I'm sure you'll look great with a TWA, and hopefully you'll love it too. Regarding the advice you would like, what is it you are interested in? If you haven't already tried ot out, the search function is pretty decent when trying to find stuff. There's so many threads covering just about everything relating to hair, you can always start your own thread too. If you can elaborate a little about what you would like advice on, the ladies can chime in and hopefully help you out.

@Angel of the North I'd like advice on styling a TWA, how to pick a flattering cut for your face and head shape, how to cope with growing hair out after heat damage, especially if you've never had heat damage before..

I'd like to wear my hair out as the weather gets warmer but this heat damage is depressing to look at. I know its just hair and hair grows back but I can't believe this smh

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I love Cava food so much. I need to live right across the street from one.

 

[Angel of the North]

@Angel of the North I'd like advice on styling a TWA, how to pick a flattering cut for your face and head shape, how to cope with growing hair out after heat damage, especially if you've never had heat damage before..

I'd like to wear my hair out as the weather gets warmer but this heat damage is depressing to look at. I know its just hair and hair grows back but I can't believe this smh

Hi,

I'm so sorry, I couldn't remember where this post was or who had posted it.

The first thing I would suggest, either download an app or find a website that lets you put your picture in to try different haircuts. This way you will have a very good idea of how your TWA will look.

Tap in "Styling TWA" in the search box, there are multiple threads that should be able to point you in the right direction for style help.

If you're not ready to cut just yet, you could try a protein treatment, one like Aphogee 2 step or Affirm 5- in 1. Follow it with a moisturising DC, and maybe alternate with a protein and moisturising/balancing DC every other week, or whatever you feel your hair needs.

Keeping your hair well moisturised between washes and covering it up at night should help to reduce breakage. You could trim out the damage gradually instead of doing a BC.

Look for a good serum for damaged hair, this can sometimes give hair the illusion of looking healthier than it actually is.

You can try researching bond builders, but I would advise to exercise caution, as it's not suitable for everybody, look into how to use correctly to avoid setbacks, if you decide that this is something you'd like to try.

I hope that is helpful to you.

 

[i4ani]

It may just be the YouTube algorithm doing its thing since I’m more into haircare topics recently, but I feel like every day I’m finding a new YouTube channel where a black woman is documenting her journey from wearing extensions/wigs exclusively to embracing her natural hair. Goooooooooooood stuff.

 

[CoiledOrchids]

@Angel of the North thanks for the helpful info. I've been going to the salon and getting flat twists with a shampoo and steam treatment. I just went to the salon yesterday morning and told my stylist I wanted her to start cutting the heat damage at my next visit. I'm not trying to still have heat damage when the weather warms up

I'm not sure if i want to cut it all at once but I'm loving this no heat journey. Flat twists have become a staple style for me since I don't get braids anymore.

 

[Angel of the North]

@Angel of the North thanks for the helpful info. I've been going to the salon and getting flat twists with a shampoo and steam treatment. I just went to the salon yesterday morning and told my stylist I wanted her to start cutting the heat damage at my next visit. I'm not trying to still have heat damage when the weather warms up

I'm not sure if i want to cut it all at once but I'm loving this no heat journey. Flat twists have become a staple style for me since I don't get braids anymore.

I remember the second time I transitioned from relaxed, I cut off two inches every month for about 4 months, then did a BC on the rest because I had enough natural hair to do anything I needed to with it and I was so ready to embrace my natural hair. I was loving my curls and healthy hair. You do whatever feels right for you, you never know, you might get a trim and decide to take it all off. I'll be looking out for your updates.

 

[Angel of the North]

I've just updated my siggy for the first time in a very long time, my DP has not changed since about 2009 lol. I'm aiming to change my DP for my ends of year reveal. Hopefully by then my length check tee might actually fit me. @IDareT'sHair I'm in need of a bigger size, you shipped the on in DP over to me in 2008

 

[ScorpioLove]

i made a discovery … you can blow dry your roots first to have straight roots while the hair is the most wet.

the plan was a blowout but i didn’t have enough time, but hoping i can rewet the ends once baby is sleep.

 

[Lylddlebit]

That Shark Silkipro sure looks good. I don't need it, but I like what I see.

 

[Angel of the North]

That Shark Silkipro sure looks good. I don't need it, but I like what I see.

I won't encourage you

 

[Angel of the North]

That Shark Silkipro sure looks good. I don't need it, but I like what I see.

I've just had an unboxing short drop into my feed, it looks very good, I'm off to watch some reviews.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I've just had an unboxing short drop into my feed, it looks very good, I'm off to watch some reviews.

I have the Dyson Air Strait and I love it. I just thought it was overpriced. With the prior Shark tools, I could see the potential, but there was always something I chose over the Shark option.

When they released the Shark Flex Style and the Glam I preferred the Dyson Airwrap barrels and design. I liked Shark's bending base feature, the price range, and the larger round brush, but not enough to choose it over Dyson.

I chose the GHD blow-dry over the Shark Glossi. The Glossi reminded me of merging the Revlon one-step round brush and the Tymo, which were okay, but not must-haves for me or my little one.

....Now the Shark Silkipro immediately made me smile because I know I want it. It's about time Shark! I've been waiting! This Silkipro looks like a more versatile version of the Dyson Air Strait and I like that and the plates are ceramic...now they are cooking with grease! I have plenty of silk press tools and would use this for low-heat health alternatives to stretching and drying. I wear stretched textured styles all the time. I have it in my cart. I am very likely going to buy it. I have used many Shark home appliances in the past that I like. I know they make good products, I was just waiting for the one I really wanted. This is their first hair tool that I said "I want that" as opposed to noting its existence and choosing something else over it. I am going to get this one.

 

[Angel of the North]

I have the Dyson air strait an I love it. I just thought it was overpriced. With the prior sharks tool I could see the potetial but there was alwas something I choose over the shark option.

When they released the Shark Flex Style and the Glamm I preferred the Dyson Airwrap barrels and design. I did like the Shark bending base feature, the price range and the larger round brush, but not enough to choose over Dyson.

With the Shark Glossi I choose the GHD blow dry instead and the Glossi remined me of merging the Revlon one step roundbrush an the tymo which were oka but no must have's for me or my litte one.

....Now the silipro immediatly made me smile and I know I want it lol. It's about time Shark! I been waiting! This Silkipro looks like a more versatile version of the Dyson Air straight and I like that. I have plenty of silk press tools and would use this for low heat health alternatives to stretching. I wear streched texured stles all the time. I have it in my cart. I am very likely going to buy it. I have used many shark home appliances in the past that I like. This is their first hair tool that I said "I want that" as oppose dto noting and choosing something else over. I am going to get this one.

The Shark Silkipro looks good, when I was reading some reviews, it was likened to the WavyTalk Air Sculpt which is the one I have. Based on the price, the fact that I will only use this for trims and the accessories that come with the WavyTalk, I think I've got the tool I need.

If I was to get another air styler/dryer, it would probably be the GHD one, but it's unlikely as I don't need it. I realised that the GHD glide is a smoothing brush not a straightening brush, which explains why it didn't do what I wanted.

I'll be looking forward to your review

 

[shasha8685]

Cool. Will it take some time to transistion? My hair doesn't like to be straight or curl because it's been naturally curly for years.

It's taking some time but not as much time as I thought. At this point, my press last about 2.5/3 weeks before the roots begin to puff up a bit. When that happens, I just set my hair with flexirods so I am not compelled to pull out the flat iron

 

[Angel of the North]

It's taking some time but not as much time as I thought. At this point, my press last about 2.5/3 weeks before the roots begin to puff up a bit. When that happens, I just set my hair with flexirods so I am not compelled to pull out the flat iron

What are you using/doing to keep your hair straight at the roots and through the length of your hair? 2 - 3 weeks is good going.

 

[shasha8685]

What are you using/doing to keep your hair straight at the roots and through the length of your hair? 2 - 3 weeks is good going.

The length of my hair doesn't revert, it's always the roots that give me grief lol. My stylist uses the Design Essentials Lavender and Agave line so that provides a good base and make that I have enough moisture in my hair. For the 2-3 weeks, I wrap my hair.

Product wise, I use Verb Ghost Oil, Kenra Anti Humidity Spray, Kenra Dry Oil Conditioning Mist (provides moisture without reversion)and L Jones Sweat Control Elixir.

 

[Angel of the North]

The length of my hair doesn't revert, it's always the roots that give me grief lol. My stylist uses the Design Essentials Lavender and Agave line so that provides a good base and make that I have enough moisture in my hair. For the 2-3 weeks, I wrap my hair.

Product wise, I use Verb Ghost Oil, Kenra Anti Humidity Spray, Kenra Dry Oil Conditioning Mist (provides moisture without reversion)and L Jones Sweat Control Elixir.

That actually makes sense if you've been training your hair. Design essentials is on my to try list, I want to try their shampoo, DC and moisturiser, I've seen a lot of good things about that brand.

I've heard of the ghost oil, I don't know much about that one though. The Kenra conditioning mist and the sweat control elixir sound interesting. At this rate I'll be a PJ for life.

ETA:

I don't think Kenra is that accessible where I am, I think that's why I've avoided the brand. There's a few of their products that have caught my interest.

The sweat elixir, is not available at all unless ordering direct from the company, I don't want any hair products that I will have to pay taxes on, so that was short and sweet.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I am not coming off these crochet braids.

Watch me work this next year. God willing imma hit MBL at the end of the year.

 

[Angel of the North]

If it's true that "type 4" hair curl pattern are shaped like a z, I don't actually have any hairs that are type 4.

I think it can be easy for curl type (curl/straight/wave), hair textures (fine, medium, coarse strands), and hair density (quantity of hair covering head) to be confusing.

I also think that it is assumed that if you you have Afro type hair, you automatically have a type 4 curl pattern.

Now I'm trying to remember what I saw today that triggered this random hair thought.....

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I have S curls mainly and tiny coils in the back. I consider myself a type 4 a and b. The area above my ears does not curl but clumps together. That’s my b section. Everywhere else is a curl.

I remember one day I saw a shadow of my curl on the wall. From the side/slant the shadow of the curl indeed looked like a z. I was like ooooooh is that where people got it from.

@Angel of the North

 

[Angel of the North]

I have S curls mainly and tiny coils in the back. I consider myself a type 4 a and b. The area above my ears does not curl but clumps together. That’s my b section. Everywhere else is a curl.

I remember one day I saw a shadow of my curl on the wall. From the side/slant the shadow of the curl indeed looked like a z. I was like ooooooh is that where people got it from.

@Angel of the North

That's interesting, I've personally never seen a 'Z" pattern before, not even in the form of a shadow. The closest I've come to that was when two of my cousins met at my just for one to do the other's hair. When the one braiding arrived, she started complaining about doing his hair, I asked why because I couldn't see an issue, she told me to touch his hair. When I touched it, I asked if he had gel in it, he said no, that's just the way his hair is. His hair is coarse, I would say he was a 4c in curl pattern mainly, now at the time, he had just removed his braids to wash, some of the hairs looked like a z pattern kind of, but it was like a z pattern braid out in clumps of the braid strands.

I can say up till that point and since then, I have never felt hair like that before, looking at it did not prepare me for the feel of his hair. It felt like wire, I don't know if any of you are familiar with Brillo pads, but that's what I told him it reminded me of, I even asked him if he was sure he hadn't put something in there and forgotten, he said nope, that he just had in his words "negro hair".

Now I have always typed my hair as 3c/4a with potentially a little 4b at the very back, I have also mentioned that my curls elongates with length, the differenceis not that big though. Now if I was to type my hair, I would say that it's more like 3b and c, I still think that my tighter curls look like 4a.

I had a conversation with a member of this board where I said that I feel like the curl pattern chart has changed, because the hairs in the type 3 looked tighter than I remembered, and that the 4a pic was much tighter than any pattern in my head, this is even before my hair gets to the length that elongates my hair ( SL ).














Each chart looks different.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

My curls are on the curly/coily chart. My braidout looked like the helix c depending on how I braided it.

@Angel of the North

 

[Angel of the North]

I had an exchange with someone today on this exact topic and this is what they said:

There is no z pattern hair. Type 4B has such tiny coils when you manipulate them by braiding or whatever, it is like what would happen if you braided pen springs. They would be warped. If Z pattern existed, you would see it in a TWA. But no one has hair with corners growing out of
their scalp.

This to me makes sense unlike this z pattern malarkey. It's funny because trying to visualise a z pattern hair strand took my mind to the 80s with the hair crimping.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I wish I could find that picture I snapped. But it was back when I was posting on Curltalk.


@Angel of the North

 

[Angel of the North]

I wish I could find that picture I snapped. But it was back when I was posting on Curltalk.


@Angel of the North

Did you see how different the 6 hair typing charts I posted looked different to each other? I bet the one you're thinking of looks different from those ones above too.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I’ve always went by Andre Walker for “curl size “ and rarely took to types not long after that because I follow type 3 for product care mainly. Curl type only got me in the door to see what others were using. My hair hate Shea butter , coconut oil and aloe Vera. @Angel of the North.

I use type 4 to find cousins and in-laws but curl typing has evolved once everyone decided their hair didn’t “fit”

 

[Angel of the North]

I’ve always went by Andre Walker for “curl size “ and rarely took to types not long after that because I follow type 3 for product care mainly. Curl type only got me in the door to see what others were using. My hair hate Shea butter , coconut oil and aloe Vera. @Angel of the North.

I use type 4 to find cousins and in-laws but curl typing has evolved once everyone decided their hair didn’t “fit”

Wasn't he the one who created the curl chart? Makes wonder how they moved the posts, tbh even his one doesn't fit, there's too many variables and those charts can't meet the majority of them.

My hair loves shea butter and aloe products, but not coconut oil. I avoid products with coconut oil as the main ingredient or high up the list.

I know some of retailers advertise products under hair types but tbh, I look at the ingredients first, then reviews irrespective of who products are marketed at. I've been fortunate to find good products that are marketed at both Afro and non Afro hair types.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Dead spot on. Too many variables!!