Not just another hair type question (...but it is)

prettylilcurls

I'm frustrated, as I can't figure out my hair type.

In winter it looks more 3A, even perhaps 2C, though still frizz-prone -_-:




[Geesh the facelessness is creeping me out a bit.]

In summer/humidity, it looks to me more 3b, but with little to no root curl so not quite? (this was this weekend, 80ish degree weather), and I used KKCC for the first time that morning and diffused it :





Just a regular day (though Great Gatsby oriented in nature!):



When it's short, it looks like this (this is in FL, so pretty humid I guess, but I mean let's be honest, this was just a good hair day, and I wanted to brag a little):


One day in March in the Northeast (to give you an idea of humidity levels):


I think it's that it's kind of in between 3a and 3b and maybe 2c in winter, but that so bothers me! I need it to be one or the other, or the other, so I can follow the proper directions, dang it! :angel2:

anissafersure

Everyone's hair has a bit of a mixture when it comes to which curl type they have. But since your curls seem more on the looser side, I'd say it looks more like 3a to me.

prettylilcurls

Thanks Anissa!

Julesonline

Curl pattern can change based on many things (length, climate, technique for example). What is more important to know and understand is your hair's properties. That is what really guides the choice in products and techniques.

www.livecurlylivefree.com has a great description and good info on hair properties.

Also it is very rare that a curly has the same pattern in all parts of his/her head.

prettylilcurls

Ahh thank you! I have been searching the forums trying to figure out how people know what their hair loves, porosity, etc. I thought everyone just trial-and-error-ed millions of products, ha! Thank you thank you!

Korkscrew

Julesonline wrote: »

Curl pattern can change based on many things (length, climate, technique for example). What is more important to know and understand is your hair's properties. That is what really guides the choice in products and techniques.

www.livecurlylivefree.com has a great description and good info on hair properties.

Also it is very rare that a curly has the same pattern in all parts of his/her head.

Jules gave you good advice. Just want to add: even your hair properties can change, based on what you do with your hair, what products/chemicals you use (hair dyes, peroxide, henna, protein - all those things and more can change texture, volume, elasticity, porosity, etc.) and the state of your health and aging (including hormonal fluctuation, illness and graying hair) can also change hair properties.

I know people like to buy hair analysis kits, but even those have limitations. They have to be viewed as a "snapshot" of how the hair is only at this moment in time. It could all change.

The answer is to "listen" to your hair's needs. Experiment. Notice what products and ingredients it likes and doesn't like; what kinds of styling techniques it loves and hates. When you get a strange or bad reaction from something you did, you can use this site and others to figure out what may have gone wrong and how to correct it. You can try different techniques. It's a very personal journey for all of us. It takes observation, curiosity and a plethora of patience, at times

Samanthascurlz

Korkscrew wrote: »

Julesonline wrote: »

Curl pattern can change based on many things (length, climate, technique for example). What is more important to know and understand is your hair's properties. That is what really guides the choice in products and techniques.

Live Curly Live Free | the naturally curly hair experts has a great description and good info on hair properties.

Also it is very rare that a curly has the same pattern in all parts of his/her head.

Jules gave you good advice. Just want to add: even your hair properties can change, based on what you do with your hair, what products/chemicals you use (hair dyes, peroxide, henna, protein - all those things and more can change texture, volume, elasticity, porosity, etc.) and the state of your health and aging (including hormonal fluctuation, illness and graying hair) can also change hair properties.

I know people like to buy hair analysis kits, but even those have limitations. They have to be viewed as a "snapshot" of how the hair is only at this moment in time. It could all change.

The answer is to "listen" to your hair's needs. Experiment. Notice what products and ingredients it likes and doesn't like; what kinds of styling techniques it loves and hates. When you get a strange or bad reaction from something you did, you can use this site and others to figure out what may have gone wrong and how to correct it. You can try different techniques. It's a very personal journey for all of us. It takes observation, curiosity and a plethora of patience, at times

I COMPLETELY agree with this. For example, I was low porosity for quite some time and then I just discovered a few weeks ago that I am now high porosity. +1 on this advice!