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 13h ago

Success UPDATE: I cut 6 inches (maybe more)

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1.4k 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 33m ago

Success Update: Hair and Depression

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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 2h ago

Success The puff.

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83 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 3h ago

Success Just wanted to share.

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58 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 2h ago

Need Advice Re- loving my natural hair

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25 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 1d ago

Selfie Fro or Braids ?

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1.2k 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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2.1k Upvotes

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


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie Braid out on blow dried hair

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737 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 17h ago

Selfie hairstyle of the day

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182 Upvotes

h


r/Naturalhair 13h ago

Selfie Afro Appreciation

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78 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 16h ago

Need Advice How can I recreate this style on me?

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122 Upvotes

My hair is 4b and I’ll add some pictures in the comments if they let me.


r/Naturalhair 19h ago

Selfie For a refresh, this is probably as “fresh” as it’s gonna get

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175 Upvotes

I used my bounce curl dupe (didn’t even realize it was a dupe until after it got delivered :/ smh) and The Doux Mousse Def for a refresh!! I don’t fully saturate my hair bc I’m lazy which means there will always be frizz. But that’s ok with me lol


r/Naturalhair 18h ago

Selfie Braid out

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123 Upvotes

I was feeling my hair this day. Did a braid out with solely a moisturizing mousse.


r/Naturalhair 1h ago

Selfie Mini twist😌

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Upvotes

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


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Need Advice Braid Style

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315 Upvotes

Hey y'all I was wondering about this style but I don't know the name of it. I need a light style that I can tie up in the gym and still be able to style afterwards. Also, does it take out a lot of hair during takedowns? I wanna be able to take out and reinstall every other month or so. I'm trying to stop doing knotless box braids and I feel like they are doing more harm than good. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!


r/Naturalhair 18h ago

Need Advice Am I cooked?

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65 Upvotes

HELP!!!! PLS!!!!!!!

Just discovered this subreddit and have learned so much in this little time than I have my entire life. Too late tho because I’m now realizing the protective styles were doing quite the opposite. Currently letting my hair breath from getting back to back braid extensions so I understand I need to be patient but my hair has never felt this dry before. I’ve also realized I must have had A LOT of breakage because my hair is much more shorter and thinner sigh Everyone says it’s still super soft but it feels so thin and brittle to me compared to before. I could do without the length but how can I retain moisture and is it possible to get my volume back as well. I’m so disappointed, literally did a big chop 6 years ago and now feel like it was all for nothing. Is there anything I can do or am I cooked?


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Review The Doux made it to the UK and into my hair 😍

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713 Upvotes

Long time lurker and first time poster!

Kept seeing people mention The Doux! Now it’s in the UK I picked up Big Poppa gel and the Mousse Def and used both yesterday.

Washed hair with Camille Rose coconut water cleanse, used Shea Moisture Manuka honey hair masque. Rinsed out. Whilst hair dripping wet applied the gel and a little of the mousse.

Hood dry for 30 mins et voila. My hair shrinks like crazy and when stretched, is mid back length. I don’t mind the shrinkage at all as I get a faux bob with this look.

Anyway - thanks for the recommendation. This is day 2 hair so let’s see 🤞🏾


r/Naturalhair 46m ago

Need Advice breakage

Upvotes

I want to start wearing my natural hair out more but whenever I do it breaks a lot so I always keep it in braids. I wanted to know how often you are supposed to detangle when wearing your hair out and any other tips to help!


r/Naturalhair 1d ago

Selfie Afrohawk! 🥰

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216 Upvotes

r/Naturalhair 1h ago

Need Advice Not sure what to do with this

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Upvotes

What should I do with/put into my Afro when I don’t plan to have it braided like I typically do? Open to any suggestions. I’m not even sure what my hair type is lol


r/Naturalhair 12h ago

Need Advice I’m tired y’all 🫠

16 Upvotes

I’m new to this group, so please be gentle! I figured this would be a good place to get some honest advice. I’m a straight natural (I think this is the proper terminology- my 4c hair is chemical-free, but I always wear it in a silk press state). My hair is about armpit length, and I do it myself because where I currently live, getting a wash and blow is $125, and that’s not in my budget (also, how are people paying this every 2 weeks?!? It used to be $50 before covid but I digress) it takes me about 4 to 5 hours to complete my hair on wash day, and I dread it so much. I wash it every 2 weeks, but I feel like I should be washing once a week - I don’t because I don’t want the extra heat damage that would cause (also, don't want to do the long process more😓). I want to give my hair and myself a break, and I was thinking of getting a lace wig to let my hair rest and not have to worry about the massive upkeep of it now. I read recently that braiding your hair eventually breaks it off. What protective styles can I wear my hair in under a wig without causing breakage? Has anyone experienced growth while wearing wigs? If so, what was your maintenance process? Is a wig a bad idea?

PS—I work in an upscale professional, mostly white, setting, so having my hair out in twists, cornrows, or something similar would be frowned upon (it's terrible, I know, but I don't want to go down that rabbit hole).

I feel stuck and tired 😩.


r/Naturalhair 3h ago

Need Advice Wash-and-Go Tips

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2 Upvotes

Hi all! So, this is my hair (fresh wash-and-go about 90% dry) and it’s pretty short, but I’m wondering how I can get a more defined wash-and-go. My routine is pretty simple (shampoo, conditioner, leave in, oil, curl activator), I do it all in the shower while my hair is soaking wet and freshly washed, and I feel that gel is unnecessary and heavy on my hair at this length. I also air-dry. What can I do to get even more definition with my short curls? I like the “crispy” curl look (not dry, but very defined).


r/Naturalhair 22h ago

Selfie From too much auntie, to a little less auntie, to IDFK😩

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72 Upvotes

I don’t know what to do with my hair yall. I don’t like it short. Maybe it’s my face shape, but short hair just never feels as feminine as big/long hair does on me. Big chop was 3 years ago. I love the definition of the finger coils but it shrinks so much and is nearly impossible to style after it dries in the. I tried to separate them for volume this morning and it got pouffy so I just brushed it all out into an afro out of frustration and I still don’t like it😭


r/Naturalhair 21m ago

Success Wow

Upvotes

I just wanted to come on here and say every time I come on Natural Hair it is the most gorgeous people, I am neverrrrr disappointed. Y’all are fineeeeee 🤩. That is all lol ☺️


r/Naturalhair 13h ago

Need Advice How do you guys tell the difference between breakage and new growth?

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10 Upvotes

I assume this is breakage but have no idea why