I decided to wear my hair the way it grows… (How to care for my hair texture?)

I did the hair test and I have the following hair type how do I manage it? 

Your hair type is just a reflection of your heritage and curl pattern. It creates different ideas and ways you can style and wear your hair. The most important area of focus should be on the actual care and maintenance of your hair.

Type 3 hair: This is the most temperamental hair type. If you apply too much style product, it will cause your hair to be weighed down with greasy looking curls, and if you apply too little styling product you are left with a dry afro!

Tip: The key to guaranteeing effortless, frizz free curls is proper styling product application. Always start with a fresh, clean scalp. Cleanse, Condition, Moisturize, then apply your styling product of choice.  It is best to use light products that will give you a nice hold.
a)  3a - To avoid dryness for daily cleansing of the hair try cleansing your hair with conditioner only.

b)  3b - To prevent buildup use light products and use cleansers that are sulfate free and silicone free

c)  3c - Avoid heat use when possible by instead using stretching techniques: braids, twists or wearing your hair in a bun. Cleanse and deep condition once per week and moisturize often with light botanical gels free from harsh ingredients.

Type 4 hair: This hair type is dry by nature, and therefore can break easily, so it needs added moisture, daily. Dry hair breaks…where well moisturized hair is supple and has elasticity.

Tip: The key to keeping these natural locks healthy, shiny, and beautiful is to moisturize every step of the way. Start with a creamy, sulfate free, moisturizing cleanser, followed by a super hydrating conditioner, prep with a rich moisturizer and style with a rich cream, full of natural oils and rich butters. Look for moisturizing humectants, natural conditioning agents, and exotic extracts to add moisture to these locks. Avoid mineral, and petrolatum oil and heavy waxes.
a)  4a - Being that this hair type has a naturally defined curl pattern wash n’ go styles may be a great option as it can be easily achieved with the right product and technique. Gentle sulfate free shampoos, conditioners and rich creamy products or butters will be helpful for keeping hair moisturized.

b)  4b - This hair type shrinks up to 70% so without stretching out the hair it will appear shorter than it actually is. Naturals with this hair type will benefit from protective (buns, twists, braids) and low manipulation styles (roller sets, ponytail puffs, twist outs) to protect the hair from damage. A lot of moisture, gentle cleansers and frequent deep conditioning will be helpful to maintain this hair type.

c)  4c – This hair type also has shrinkage up to 70% or more. So while your hair may be 10 inches long it may appear like you only have 3 inches of hair if you do not stretch your hair out. It is the most fragile hair type, so if you desire to grow your hair long protective styles like twists, braids, or buns should be your go to style choice. These styles don’t require daily manipulation (combing/brushing) giving hair less chances to break off.  You can then wear your hair out for a couple of days in a low manipulation style (puffs, roller sets, twist outs) and then repeat the cycle for a balanced routine.

I don’t recommend products because you are the only person who will know what works best for your hair. The products that have worked for me may not be the best fit for you. Therefore, my only recommendation is that any products you consider using be sulfate and silicone free (non-water soluble). These two products are bad for your hair and your journey. (Learn more about sulfate here: http://sulfatefreeshampoos.org/why-are-sulfates-bad-for-hair/). Non-water soluble silicone causes build up that weighs your curls down, causing loss in definition and body.

Again, it’s common to have more than one texture. Now you have a chance to learn about your hair and make wise decisions on what products will work best for you.

What products do you like to use and have found to agree with your hair journey?

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