HAIR POROSITY PART 2: HAIR TEXTURE

 

1. WHAT IS HAIR TEXTURE?

Hair texture refers to the different types of hair categorized by their unique curl patterns. These unique curl patterns have been incorporated in hair typing systems.

 

2. WHY IS KNOWING YOUR HAIR TEXTURE IMPORTANT?

• Enables you to better understand your hair needs.
• Enables you to identify your hair type.
• Enables you to choose and purchase the right products for your hair type.
• Saves time and money.
• Enables you to manage and take proper care of your hair.

 

3. WHAT IS A HAIR TYPING SYSTEM

Hair Typing Systems were created to help you understand your hair type and its                       characteristics to enable you to effectively manage and maintain your hair.

 

There are basically two (2) common types of hair typing systems as follows:-

1.   ANDRE WALKER HAIR TYPING SYSTEM

Andre Walker created the original hair typing system which is used by many natural hair bloggers and which is mentioned on many natural hair community websites.

Andre Walker’s hair typing system classifies hair into the following categories:-

 

TYPE 1

• Straight hair
• Ranging from 1A – 1C
• Fine and Fragile to Coarse and thin
• This type of hair is curl resistant

 

TYPE 2

• Wavy hair
• Ranging from 2A – 2C
• Fine and Thin to Coarse and Frizzy

 

TYPE 3

• Curly hair
• Ranging from 3A – 3B
• Loose curls to corkscrew curls

 

TYPE 4

• Kinky hair
• Ranging from 4A – 4B
• Tight coils to z angled coils

 

It should be noted that your hair can have a combination of different curl patterns with one dominant curl pattern.

On some natural hair websites and communities you may have come across hair types such as 3c and 4c which are not mentioned in the Andre Walker’s hair typing system.

These two (2) additional hair types were created based on naturals who don’t fall into the 3b or 4b categories. The 3c and 4c hair types are used by natural hair websites such as naturallycurly.com.

 

1. B) L.O.I.S AFRICAN AMERICAN NATURAL TEXTURE TYPING SYSTEM

L.O.I.S. African American Natural Texture Typing System is another popular hair typing system used by many natural hair bloggers, websites and communities.

Focuses on hair texture as well as hair density and is a bit more complex as compared to the Andre Walker Hair Typing System.

 

3C HAIR CHARACTERICS

• Curls are tightly and closely drawn together
• Curls are similar to a corkscrew
• Curls are more coarser as compared to 3a and 3b hair types

 

4C HAIR CHARACTERICS

• Coils have a ‘z’ shaped pattern
• Coils are tightly kinked compared to 4a and 4b hair types
• Coils can shrink up to 50% or more of their natural length
• Coils have less definition and may require the use of styling aids in order for the coils to clump together.
• Hair strands range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse.

 

PATTERN

This particular system is based around the letters L.O.I.S which stands for:-

L   –   Bend, the hair has bends, right angles and folds with little to no curl.  You are daughter L.

 

O  –   Curl, If the stand is rolled up into the shape of one or several zero, like a spiral or corkscrew.  You are daughter O.

 

I  –   Straight, If the hair lies mostly flat with no distinctive curve or bend. You are daughter I.

 

S  –   Wave, If the hair strand looks like a wavy line with hills and valleys. You are daughter S.

 

TEXTURE

 

THREADY                 –           Low sheen, high shine, low frizz

WIRY                         –           Sparkly sheen, low shine, low frizz

COTTONY                 –           Low sheen, low shine, high frizz

SPONGY                    –           High sheen, low shine, high frizz

SILKY                          –           Low sheen, high shine, low frizz

 

 

STRANDS

• THICK
• MEDIUM
• THIN

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO:-

SHINE             –           refers to hair that reflects light along its surface.

SHEEN           –           refers to hair that sparkles as if filled with light.

 

It should be noted that your hair can have a combination of different patterns with one dominant pattern.

 

As always happy, healthy hair journey!

Naturalkinkstrinis2

The Versatile Blogger Award

Hi guys so i have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by  https://islandkynks.wordpress.com/. She has great content on her blog for great hair styles and tips for natural hair. This award was originated by Diwakar. It’s a great and fun idea. I hope you guys will enjoy this short post and the answers accompanied. We thank all you guys who have supported and read the blog thus far. We do appreciate all your lovely comments 🙂

RULES FOR THE NOMINEES:

You have to Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog!

Link the nominees and inform them about their nomination.

Nominate at least 15 bloggers of your choice.

Share 7 facts about yourself –

Facts about me:-

1. I like spicy food. Korean is good 🙂
2. I love art
3. I love nature like to paint it too 🙂
4. Blue is my favourite colour
5. I like to watch anime
6. I love science and researching cause you learn a lot
7. I am a determined person.

Nominees, Don’t forget to check out their blogs 😉

 

Natural Hair Lounge

Shaunz

The Fallible Queen 

Thuli Mac

shannydelioness

Lila Makopo

Queen Nique

HairMeWorld

skinnybrownie

AtimMercy

Charley McCaw

kurlycurls

scarsandsilence

lifexerin

Skatsz

 

 

As always be safe and have a great and healthy hair journey

Naturalkinkstrinis 1

HAIR POROSITY PART 1

 

1. WHAT IS HAIR POROSITY?

Porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture.

 

2. TYPES OF HAIR POROSITY?

There are basically three (3) types of hair porosity namely; low, medium and high.

 

Below are each type of hair porosity characteristics.

LOW POROSITY

• The cuticle of the hair is usually tight
• Resists moisture – making it difficult to moisturize hair
• Resists essential conditioning oils
• Prone to build-up

 

MEDIUM POROSITY

• The cuticle of the hair is looser
• Retains moisture

 

HIGH POROSITY

• The cuticle of the hair has holes which allows a lot of moisture to enter the hair strands
• Absorbs moisture and loses moisture quickly
• The cuticle of the hair is damaged due to heat, weather conditions, brushing or chemical processes
• Prone to breakage
• Hair is dry
• Hair is prone to frizz

 

3. HOW TO DETERMINE THE POROSITY OF YOUR HAIR

There are a number of ways in which to determine the porosity of your hair, but the              easiest method called the ‘floating hair test or water test’ is most commonly used.

The floating hair test is performed as follows:-

• You would need a couple of clean strands of hair. Place the strands of hair in a glass or bowl of water.
• Let the strands of hair remain in the glass or bowl of water for a few minutes, preferably 2 to 4 minutes.
• If your hair remains floating, you have low porosity hair. If your hair sank, then you have high porosity hair.

 

4. MANAGING THE POROSITY LEVEL OF YOUR HAIR

          LOW POROSITY

• Clarify your hair – Since low porosity hair is prone to build-up it is extremely important that you clarify your hair with shampoo on a regular basis.
• Deep Condition – Deep conditioning with heat works well for those with low porosity hair. Heat caps, hooded dryers and steamers work well in getting the deep conditioner heated enough so that the hair cuticles are lifted allowing moisture to enter the hair strands.
• Make use of water based moisturizers.
• Do not moisturize wet hair but damp hair.

 

        MEDIUM POROSITY

• The usage of heat should be kept at a minimum.
• Deep conditioning with heat is not necessary.
• Occasional use of protein deep conditioners can be beneficial.
• Use hair milks and lotions to moisturize hair.

 

        HIGH POROSITY

• Deep condition on a regular basis.
• Use heavier products.
• Make use of protein treatments. You can use a light protein treatment in between the month and a heavy protein treatment monthly based on the health of your hair.
• Ensure that you seal you hair with an oil or butter.

 

As always happy, healthy hair journey!

Naturalkinkstrinis2

 

 

BUILDING A NATURAL HAIR REGIMEN PART 3

SINGLE STRANDED KNOTS

 

These are tiny knots which form mostly at the ends or middle of a strand. Sometimes two form on the same strand of hair. No matter how healthy your hair is, once you have curly to kinky hair you will get single stranded knots. It is the nature of our hair to curl upon itself, however there are a few tips which you can do to prevent them:

 

1. Make sure your ends are moisturized. Knots form more when hair is dry and seeking moisture from other strands
2. Keeping your hair stretched. Wash and go’s for some cause more knots
3. Washing or detangling. Some methods cause more knots than others. If your hair tangles easily when washing loosely braid it up
4. Sleep with a satin bonnet don’t sleep with your hair loose
5. Apply extra product (oil or butter) to you ends for extra protection
6. Trim regularly

 

Note: In my opinion single stranded knots cannot be repaired, however I have heard of people taking a needle and trying to undo the knot. I do not recommend this as you still may end of breaking the hair, or damaging the layers inside of it.

 

Methods of removing:

There isn’t really much you can do when the knots form expect to cut them off or leave them be.

1. Trim your hair with shears
2. Pop them off but it’s not recommended. You can actually damage your hair and cause split ends.
3. Search and destroy method. This is where you search through your hair strand by strand and individually cut them off.

 

MAN IDK BOUT YOU BUT THIS AIN’T GONNA BE ME!!!!

 

IF YOU HAVE THICK HIGH DENSITY HAIR LIKE ME THE THIRD OPTION TAKES EXTREMELY LONG.

 

What is your favorite step in your regimen? Let me know in the comment section below. Mine is deep conditioning/ conditioning my hair.

 

Thanks for reading and stopping by Naturalkinktrinis 1