Type 4 Natural Hair Is Easy To Manage (Even When Difficult)

I have type 4, thick, natural hair, which can be defined as double trouble if I allowed it to be.  But, I am determine to solve all potential issues that comes with having natural hair.   I initially chose to get rid of all my "relaxed hair" rituals and mentalities, and start over!

For twist out styles:

When I big chopped, my hair was 2 1/2 inches in length.  I had few quick styling options with exception of the wash-and-go and afro.

• Twist outs required micros, which can take hours.  
• My hair was too thick and short for big braid outs.  
• My scalp hated wigs, weaves, and synthetic hair, so fake hair was out of the question.
•  Corn rows or flat twists worked, but weren't always quick to do.

Solution:  

I chose to wear wash-and-gos with headbands, scarves, and accessories until I reached four inches in length.  If I wanted to wear twist outs or braid outs, I prepared my hair while watching a movie or tv show to past time.  I had no complaints because I attempted these complex styles while being entertained.

I documented challenges since I big chopped four months ago.

1. Multiple Textures

2. Sensitive Scalp

3. Dry Hair

4. Styling Fails

5. Styling Time

6. Shrinkage Solutions

7. Tangles

8. Products

9.  Edges 

10.  Healthy hair and low porosity issues

These challenges could have been a problem, but I chose to solve them instead of complaining about my type 4, thick, natural hair. 

Natural Hair: 22 Reasons Why I Don't Need A Relaxer

Natural Hair Is Better 

Anything you can do I can do better.  I can do anything better than you. 

I discovered the natural hair community on Youtube in January 2011.  After observing that I can do everything with my naturally curly hair as my relaxed hair, I decided to save money and exposure to unnecessary chemicals, and go natural.  

I got 99 problems, but a relaxer ain't one!

  I listed 22 reasons of why I will never use a relaxer again in my life.

1. No chemicals
2. No protein treatment dependence
3. No"relaxer-caused" dandruff
4. No touch ups
5. Stronger hair
6. No high porosity issues
7. No color on top of relaxer chemicals
8. No heat on top of relaxer chemicals
9. No chemical burns, scalp burns or scalp damage
10. No combs: combing utensils are different for natural hair
11. No boar bristle brushes: brushing utensils are different for natural hair
12. No "new growth" worries
13. Know thyself.  Be the master of your own texture.
14. Diversity in styles like never before (The Big One for me)
15. Wash-and-wear hair
16. Water is your friend. 
17. Wet combing is good.
18. Curly to Straight = Possible ;  Relaxed Straight to Kinky/Curly = Virtually impossible or extremely time consuming if attempted as a style
19. No receding edges; issues common in relaxer/sew-ins
20. No consistent beautician salon expenses for touch ups or relaxers; no long waits or routine appointment for relaxers
21. Thicker hair stands
22. Knowledge of natural hair changes your vocabulary: words like "unmanageable" won't exist.

Are Hair Growth Products, Stimulants, and Serums Worth It?

I've included a two-part series of my hair regimen and skepticism towards the flood of hair growth products and practices in the natural hair market. I believe in simplicity and "knowing thyself" in relation to growing healthy hair.

My Hair Regimen

Natural Hair & The Big Chop: Negative Reactions

"If we don't get to know our hair we can't love it or appreciate it." 
Lisa Akbari

I Love My Hair

Yesterday, I couldn't believe the negative response I received from a relative about my short natural hair.  It takes a lot of restraint and desire to find opportunity in such negativity.  I chose to document my reaction in audio and video.  

When I first started my natural hair journey, I kept a picture file of natural hair inspirations.  It later progressed from Fotki photobooks to Youtube to Tumblr blogs.  I hope to educate my relative on the  versatility and options with natural hair.

Eden BodyWorks : My Transition to Big Chop Story

Transition to Big Chop

I'm proud to discover that my hair story was featured by EDEN BodyWorks!  In January, I rummaged through Walmart's natural cosmetics section in search of EDEN Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk.   I left empty-handed, but later found a contest on their website.  This summer, I won a bottle of their Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo, which gently cleansed my scalp, and provided a minty stimulation.  I am thoroughly pleased with the results!

SHAMPOO REVIEW

Best Use:  

Gentle cleansing.  It's also great for build up from oils and light butters! It doesn't strip your hair, but it's best for your scalp.

Fragrance: 

Very minty! But, pleasant. 

Heavy-Duty Cleansing: 

The amount of mint and tea tree can be stimulating, and drying if used in excess, but "transitioning and naturals" wouldn't overuse a shampoo.

EDEN BodyWorks Facebook

EDEN BodyWorks Website

Visualize Your Goals: Dream In Color

Goals : Dare to Dream

I'm working on clarifying my vision and goals.  My first vision board  showcased my career ambitions and living conditions.  At that time,  I had an apartment with no job or furniture.  I received a job three days later and a home full of furniture within six months. Halt! Don't judge me!  I am not taking "The Secret" to the extreme!   I just believe having your goals in front of you in writing or pictures will keep you focused on achieving them. 

Below are various "visuals" to assist in your goal planning.

Sources: Natural Home Magazine & Alive (Canada)

Schoolin' Life: Business of Giving

Business Life Lessons

I'm doing a Schoolin' Life series on the best advice, knowledge, or experience I've ever received without formal education or training.

I use examples on natural hair and beauty.  Here's my video about the business of giving, based on the Launch book.

Beauty Experts: They Can Be Wrong!

Beauty, Skin and Hair

I received an e-mail this morning from The Beauty Brains with an article on trusting experts and self-proclaimed "authorities"with beauty decisions.

"Remember that just because someone is a subject matter expert in one aspect of hair or skin, it doesn't mean they are qualified to give expert advice.... In other words, dermatologists aren't formulators and stylists know hair, not hair products. "

I'll take it further and say some stylists know hair styles and not all types of hair.  I'll go even further and say that stylists, dermatologists, formulators, and trichologists are not you!  You live with your hair and skin everyday, and it's unbelievable how much power we give to third parties.  When your hair becomes brittle or skin breaks out, you should be the first person to recognize it.  Many women wait until they're in salons chairs or dermatologist offices to recall the sources of their beauty issue.

The best advice I received on hair wasn't from a trichologist or license cosmetologist, but from people who researched; achieved success through trial and error; and gave their information away for free.  Authors like Terri Laflesh and Chicoro constantly give out helpful content, but equally sell hair books that are more relevant than books written from licensed professionals.

From my experience, many licensed professionals hide or give misinformation  because they choose to speak on topics that aren't their specialties (such as Joann Robertson and Andre Walker with natural hair).

I wish more beauty professionals would follow the Elevation Principle of helping others with great, accurate information instead of trying to sell a product first.  Youtubers like Naptural85 and  Kimmaytube  have given enough credible content away to become authority figures in their own niche.  If either lady chose to sell a product, they'd have no problem with credibility or sales.

The perfect example is Audrey-Davis Sivasothy, author of The Science of Black Hair, who spent years contributing information on hair communities and writing online articles. Davis-Sivasothy is a health scientist with natural and relaxed hair experience, but she doesn't present herself as an all-encompassing expert.
The Science of Black Hair is one of the most respected books of its kind.  Some would argue it is the first to merge science and knowledge of afro-textured hair in textbook form.

I am no licensed expert, but I have to live and sleep with my hair and skin.  After spending thousands of dollars on ineffective hair and skin products by "opt-in-buy-first professionals," I'm skeptical about giving my power to "experts" and "authority" figures without consulting with me.  I know I am an expert too.

Related Posts: Schoolin' Life: The Business of Giving

Natural Hair Companies: Are There Too Many?

Companies with a natural hair following

Natural Hair Care Companies

Everyone and their mother is starting a natural hair company.  This is a sign of an emerging market that expands beyond oils and butters.

Products ranging from sulfate-free cleansers to growth aids to locking utensils are sold online and in local supply shops with afro-textured hair women (and men) as their targets.   Unlike other emerging markets, the natural hair movement is one that requires engagement, whether online or at local meetups. 


There is strength in numbers with natural hair consumers. But, will it be the same for natural hair companies?

• Do you believe the influx of companies is positive for natural consumers?
• Will there be predatory large companies and unscrupulous small companies taking advantage of this growth? 

 What are you thoughts?

Here are my thoughts below:

Type F Videos and The Natural Hair Community

Curly Hair, Bad Advice?

Last week, the natural hair community gave a strident call for Tyra Bank's site, Type F, to remove videos by stylist/makeup artist, Joann Robertson, who wasn't too astute about the care of naturally curly hair.  

This is the perfect case of why companies should engage with communities and its influencers before launching products or videos.

I gave my own opinion on lessons we should learn from this.

Natural Hair Positive Affirmations - Thick Hair

Good Hair, Thick Hair

I believe in positive affirmations and that doesn't exclude my hair. I lived most of my life unfamiliar with my tightly curly hair, which was foreign territory to me.  When I received compliments for having thick hair, I'd get modest and say, "..thank you, but it's a lot to work with!"  

I expressed my hair challenges instead of embracing the thickness of my hair.  I had this problem when I was relaxed,  but it crept over when I became natural. 


 But, no complaints this time!  I must accept my hair and master it.

I chose to speak and write affirmations for my thick hair.

• Your hair is full, healthy and beautiful with many strands.

• People pay for hair extensions to have the fullness and density of your hair.

• When someone compares your hair to a wig, it's a compliment! Be happy! 

Here's a video of my affirmations.