We all want what we do not have when it comes to our hair or at the very least a little variety from time to time. Nothing wrong with that so never feel you have to explain why you want to change up your look. It is your prerogative and your business. Never believe that certain styles are limited to certain textures. Take it from a natural hair veteran. We are resilient and creative, so never feel something cannot be mastered with your own texture. Keisha from Curly Q&A recently inquired about a sexy style she wants has an upcoming celebration and wondered if her 4c hair could be either really straight or in loose waves.
Question
My hair is a 4c type what is the best way to make it really straight or to get loose curls?
Answer
Often some women feel 4c hair is difficult or limited on style choices, but that cannot be further from the truth! Both straight hair and loose waves can be accomplished easily and safely if you have the right techniques. Type 4c hair is delicate like all textured hair. It craves moisture and needs specific attention to protect the strands, and with the correct knowledge it can achieve any style you desire. These tutorials demonstrate how easy it can be to achieve straight hair and loose waves with 4c hair.
Straightening my natural hair
TheChicNatural shares a video on how she goes from kinky to straight with little to no effort and minimal heat. She skips the blow-dryer by stretching her hair the night before and allowing it to dry before flat ironing the following morning. You see the entire process and she shares what temperature she uses on the iron, so you know exactly how she does it. Passing the flat iron only once on each section to keep the heat application light and non-damaging, she ends up with super, straight hair that is ready for anything.
There is always more than one way to create a style and Jessica Pettway opted for the blow-dryer to help straighten her tresses before flat ironing. She also gets sleek tresses with her passing the flat iron only once on each section and she credits the iron for doing such an amazing job. Jessica also discusses the temperatures she uses on her hair and showcases how her hair has movement and shine.
Loose waves on 4C hair
If loose waves are desired, then this is a great video on just how to do it. JanetMonfrèt starts off with blow-dried hair and sections it off before moisturizing and applying flexi rods. Her medium-sized sections are the perfect size for this look that takes little time to prepare. She gives step-by-step instructions (down to the direction to wind the hair around the flexi rod”> so you end up with little to no frizz. She ends up with sexy, big waves that have movement and shine. Perfect for any celebration.
Effortless beach waves on 4c hair
Now, we have Jessica Pettway back again to share her straightened tresses and creates beach waves. This carefree style uses nothing more than her fingers and some bobby pins. That’s right! She is creating this look with what our mothers and grandmothers called pin curls. It is perfect for a slightly curled, looser wave that is full, movable, and fun. This look is sexy and simple.
You finally decided to start your healthy curly hair journey with the Curly Girl Method. “Embrace my curls” or “Curly and proud,” you repeat to yourself. A few website clicks later, and you find products that are labeled “Sulfate and Silicone Free“. You take the plunge and purchase them without checking the ingredients because you trust the labels. Now you have $70 worth of hair product on its way. Recommendations continue to pop up on your social media feed, and $300 later, you still haven’t found what works for YOUR HAIR!
“You’ll just have to try it and see if it works for you!” or “This is all about trial and error!” others would gently say.
I am here to tell you that there is another way to choose your products instead of trying everything that is on the market. Understanding how to read ingredient lists has transformed my curly hair journey without decimating my bank balance!
In the very early stages of my journey with the Curly Girl Method, I made these mistakes several times. A shampoo would have the label “Sulfate Free” at the front, and then later, I would have a hard time dealing with dryness and would finally see a Sulfate listed in the ingredients. From my experience over time, I came to understand that when advertisers label “Sulfate Free” at the very front, they are referring to one of the harshest Sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. However, this does not mean that the product is entirely free of Sulfates. On several occasions, I have found other drying Sulfates in the list, despite the “Sulfate Free” label.
Curly Girl-friendly ingredients to look for
In the Curly Girl Method, we avoid harsh Sulfates and drying Alcohols (they dehydrate the hair), Silicones, Waxes, and Mineral Oils (they build up). As replacements, we look for ingredients that are mild, moisturizing, and soluble for curly hair in order to minimize dryness and foster better moisture retention.
If you are following the Curly Girl Method like me, look for cleansers that are mild for curls, such as:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coco Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate or Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Slip is very helpful for detangling curls because it decreases friction. Silicones are used in traditional mainstream products to add slip and shine. The issue with Silicones is that they don’t penetrate the hair shaft to make it better and they also build up.
They are removable with Sulfates, but in turn, the frequent use of Sulfates dehydrates the hair. It becomes a vicious cycle. Soluble ingredients for lubrication, on the other hand, make the hair better over time. They also add shine and flexibility to curly hair. If you follow the Curly Girl Method like me, you can replace Silicones with soluble ingredients that are located near the top of the list, such as:
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Behentrimonium Chloride
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium 55
Cetrimonium Bromide
I came to learn this helpful information from Wendy (a scientist) on the Hair Science-y Blog and Tonya Mckay here on NaturallyCurly.
Ingredient amounts in products
The Natural Haven Bloom Blog has helped me to understand the importance of ingredient concentrations in products. For example, just because a product is advertised with an “Argan Oil” label doesn’t mean that this product has high amounts of this oil. When ingredients are listed, they appear in descending order, calculated by either mass or volume.
As a result, when we read lists, we should always focus on the first five ingredients because they are the main ingredients (in higher amounts). A product that is labeled “Argan Oil” may well have some Argan oil included in the list, but the amount should be the most important thing to look for. If Argan oil is included near the end of the list, the amount is very small and insignificant.
If you have an allergy to a specific ingredient, relying only on front labels is likely to cause problems. Here I am sharing four steps that you can take to safeguard yourself:
Read ingredient lists very carefully;
Try a single new product at a time. This is helpful because if something unusual happens, you will know that the only difference in your routine is the brand-new product;
Patch test the product on your skin before using it for the first time, even if you can’t spot any ingredients that are harmful to you: Apply a small amount of the product on a patch of skin that is located on the inner, lower arm. Rub it in and allow it to dry. Avoid washing the area for at least 24 hours and then watch for signs of a reaction;
Observe closely how your scalp reacts after product application, even if the product has passed the first three steps above. If you notice a burning sensation, itching, redness, lumps or anything unusual on your scalp, you will know that this product isn’t suitable for you.
Always remember: If you happen to have a serious allergic reaction to a product, please seek medical attention immediately.
In summary, if you are looking for a product that is healthy for curls, focus on mild cleansers that won’t dehydrate your hair. Choose conditioners and styling products that have soluble ingredients for slip and elasticity. Reading ingredient lists is a good habit when caring for your curls and overall health. It also saves money and time. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
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