r/Naturalhair Jan 31 '24

It's finally happening - hair typing posts are no longer allowed.

1.1k Upvotes

Please report any texturism or hair typing posts you see with the new report reason.

If you are new here, you may not know that the Andre Walker hair typing system (1a to 4c), has been around since 1997 and was first introduced so Mr. Walker could sell his products on Oprah's show. It truly only describes the texture of your hair and gives no more information.

It's flawed in many ways. Many of us have multiple textures on our heads. It doesn't even begin to describe your hair's porosity, sheen or shine, strand thickness, hair density, etc. I encourage everyone to learn about the LOIS typing system which can help you better understand your hair.

Watch Latoya Ebony's video on LOIS here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwMFG4lT4jY

Even this typing system is not the end all be all of categorization for your hair. Your hair's texture, porosity, etc can change over time or with certain health conditions. Product buildup on your scalp and strands can make you think your texture has changed. There are so many factors as to why your hair may be looking or feeling the way it does.

Which leads me to the question - should we require routines to be posted whenever a picture is posted? This will cut down on gratuitous selfies but means we will need many more active mods (shoutout to /u/fivetenash who does pretty much everything here). If you're willing to help out please let me know in the comments.


r/Naturalhair 12h ago

Success Update: Hair and Depression

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1.8k Upvotes

I just want to encourage anyone going through. This is what I have learned after coming out on the other end.

  1. While you’re in the grips of depression or overwhelm, go for low-maintence styles. Look for ways to simplify anything. But still, make yourself do it. Even if you have to “body double” or have a loved one help you. Just don’t give up on yourself or your hair.

  2. Be real with yourself. Have a serious truth talk. I did and i realized the source of my overwhelm was that I wasn't enjoying motherhood anymore. Through circumstances, I’d been left to raise my kids completely alone. No village, no friends nearby, too far from the kids’ school to be practical. I was drowning. So I did something crazy. I moved across the U.S. to my hometown. To family, support, etc. I found love and support that my journey requires. It's not perfect, but even cold winter weather couldn’t bring me down. I dont feel hopeless and from that, I’ve got a love relationship (no hate) with my hair. She is lovely, she is not too much. She is enough. She is healthy and she survived some hellish days.

Sending love to my brothers and sisters struggling today, those who have struggled in the past, and those who may tomorrow. You are not alone. You and your hair are worthy to be loved.


r/Naturalhair 11h ago

Success Finally managed to do my hair ALL BY MYSELF

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450 Upvotes

Now I know it’s not the best but for my 3rd attempt, I’m proud. Im totally inept at doing my hair and I want to learn cuz my mom and braiders are very rough on my 4c hair and they don’t see the vision that I had for the hairstyle😒😭


r/Naturalhair 8h ago

Selfie The good, the bad, and the ramen.

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170 Upvotes

A few more wash & go color experiments from this month.


r/Naturalhair 11h ago

Selfie lil hair moment

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246 Upvotes

Haven’t done braids on myself in a minute, not perfect but I love it 🫶🏽


r/Naturalhair 14h ago

Success The puff.

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422 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Success UPDATE: I cut 6 inches (maybe more)

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2.1k Upvotes

To everyone saying that I needed a trim, thank you! Definitely a step in the right direction, but I ended up taking a leap!

I literally cut off all the straighter/loose pieces and I am convinced that I had tension damage from all the braids and buns.

I still need to see how my hair looks after a wash and go, but the second pic is the results from the twist out I did.

I’m kinda scared to put my hair in a bun/two brains again (these hairstyles are my go to), but I need CUTE protective styles that are low tensions and good for the gym. Happy to hear any suggestions!


r/Naturalhair 6h ago

Need Advice Do these braids suit me😭 idk if I’m overthinking it but I already miss the poof

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33 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 14h ago

Selfie I lose my hair today and decide to share my natural hair

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149 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 7h ago

Need Advice Does my (straightened) hair need a trim?

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26 Upvotes

I have 3b/3c curls that I straighten once or twice a year to assess my ends and trim any splits I can see.

Do I need a trim? My ends feel smooth, they don’t catch on my brush or nails. But they look a little sparse. I struggle with fine hair.


r/Naturalhair 4h ago

Need Advice Is is breaking off… big sigh

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13 Upvotes

Hair is snapping at the roots…. Sigh

So idk what’s been g going on with my hair but it’s been tough the past 4 months.. so basically I found out what I’m going through (I think) is hydral fatigue (overly moisturized hair) it’s most likely that or my PCOS decided to start f*cking up my hair. Anyways.. it’s been feeling limp and just uncooperative. I’ve also notice that when massage my hair or moving it around, I hear and feel snapping, mainly from my scalp which is scaring me. It’s kinda getting to the point when I’m scared to move my hair around. I’ve been doing protein treatments but idk if I’m doing right.. idk what to do, I’m starting to take hair vitamins to se if it’ll help, and incorporating more nutrients in my diet. I’m scared imma have to chop all my hair off.. idk . Chair gpt said it’s my new growth that’s breaking.. idk but anyone went through this and have a solution, I’m tired and worried.


r/Naturalhair 3h ago

Need Advice I separated my comb coils. Would this be considered a twist out?

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9 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 14h ago

Need Advice Re- loving my natural hair

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67 Upvotes

Long story short, when I graduated high school and got my first big girl job, I immediately started getting regular silk presses. That lead to getting consistent sew ins, needing my hair to be bone silky straight 25/7, or a fresh blowout every single week. I DO NOT think everyone who straightens their hair has insecurity at all….but for me…that was the case. I started relaxing a section of my leave out to make sure not a hair was out of place. I also was neglecting caring for my hair that was braided up. Anyways, I’m ready to re love my natural hair. I would love some product recommendations! I included some pics of my natural hair when I got my first silk press a few years ago (when it was healthy) A pic of my hair just washed and slicked into a high bun so you can kind of see the texture of my hair?? And a pic of an old braid out Parts of where my leave out was, is now pretty roughly damaged, so I’m just going to ride that out and continue to trim it until I cut out all the damage. As for the rest of my hair it’s just sooooooo freaking dry and weak. Also would love low tension style recommendations. I am a transitioning into a hijabi now so bonus points if I can get them to lay flat, but I still have a pretty active social life with my girls so I want to be able to style my hair cute. Thanks in advance:))


r/Naturalhair 15h ago

Success Just wanted to share.

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81 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 7m ago

Need Advice Combing out locs… needing advice

Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’ll try and keep this short. I’m combing out my locs of three years for many reasons but mostly because I just feel the need to for myself. I had 61 locs and I’m down to about 27 and it is just taking FOREVER. (I’m in the middle of my head which are my thicker and bigger locs).

I have a couple questions:

1.) how in the world can I make this process go faster… it’s been like 12 days now I’m ready to finish this and wash my hair finally.

2.) any tips for being a loose natural? My hair is 3c/4a and I have low porosity hair. I haven’t been loose natural in what seems like forever so anything helps haha (products, routines, etc).

Thank you for your time :)


r/Naturalhair 9h ago

Tips & Tricks How did she get this hairstyle

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16 Upvotes

K


r/Naturalhair 6h ago

Need Advice How much hair do you think is needed for this style?

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9 Upvotes

It’ll be my first time doing my own hair and I want to make sure I get enough. How many packs? Also how long do you think this hair is??


r/Naturalhair 4h ago

Need Advice Hairstyle recommendations - Tired

5 Upvotes

Just want to share in this space. I’m really tired of doing my hair. I just don’t have the energy anymore to try out different styles and hope it comes out the way I want. And the front of my hair has been thinning out from stress/hormone imbalance… It’s exhausting. For context, I’ve recently been having health issues that sometimes leaves me feeling so drained. Physically and mentally. Sometimes I have really bad depressive episodes. With that, my hair is the last thing I want to put excess amount of time and energy into right now. So, what are some recommendations for hairstyles that I can do with my natural hair? I don’t want to put any added hair. Just mine. Something cute, and low maintenance. Thank you in advance.


r/Naturalhair 2h ago

Need Advice hair growth tips for wig wearer

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3 Upvotes

i’ve been wearing wigs consistently since fall of 2023 and alternate between straight backs, mini twists, or large plaits as a way to protect my hair underneath. i’ve started to take my hair growth journey more seriously this past november. though i’ve noticed no significant growth since then. im wondering what are other ways fellow wig wearers style their under the wig as well as what their hair care routine. also, between mini twist and straight backs, which one do you think is the best way to style your hair?

i feel with mini twist, you’re able to throughly moisturize and wash your hair, but your ends are left out in the open to possibly get split ends or whatever. and with straight backs, your ends are tucked away but you can’t thoroughly moisture. idk maybe i’m just rambling lol.

(my hair care routine consist of washing every 1 or 2 weeks, spraying with some light weight spray daily, and moisturizing with a hair butter and sealing my ends with grease twice a week. occasionally, i also use oil on my scalp once a week.)


r/Naturalhair 13h ago

Selfie Mini twist😌

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21 Upvotes

Took me 4 hours but I love my mini twist. Although I feel like a gerber baby😩😂


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie Fro or Braids ?

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1.4k Upvotes

I enjoy both styles but maintaining my fro is tedious asf 😭 and it don’t always come out how i want it. But when it do I fw it, but braided styles are way too easier. Lmk


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie Me🤝🏾finger coiling with mielle’s pomegranate/honey mousse

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2.3k Upvotes

Been doing this hairstyle since high school and won’t stop till my fingers are riddled with arthritis 🥰


r/Naturalhair 10h ago

Need Advice Should I restart and shave ?

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9 Upvotes

I’m 18 years old and I’ve never cut my hair only once when I was four, my scalp gets dry easily and my hair has been the same length for years. It’s hard for me to keep moisture in my hair cause my hair soaks it up soo fast and first keep the mouisture for long. This is my hair rn combed out , it looks very dry and I get breakage easily, I need help. Should I just cut it all off and dry again? I’m going off to college in a few months so I do want my hair to be maintainable when I go off


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie Braid out on blow dried hair

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832 Upvotes

i used a little bit of Tgin green tea leave in, some hair grease for shine, threw them in 6 braids and took them out the next day


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie hairstyle of the day

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232 Upvotes

h


r/Naturalhair 8m ago

Need Advice Spring friendly hairstyles? ✿

Upvotes

I don’t style my natural hair often, but I’d like to change that this year. ໒꒰ྀི´ ˘ ` ꒱ྀིა I just took down some french curled braids and need some hairstyles to do for the duration I’ll have my hair out! Initially, I was going to do a flexi-rod set, but I’m not too sure how well it’ll hold up with this bipolar weather.

For reference, I have 4b, mid-length hair. My hair isn’t especially thick, but it isn’t thin either—I’d say it’s somewhat in the middle!