Top 10 Curly Hair Myths: Three Hair Types
We asked three of NaturallyCurly's favorite hair personalities-all different hair types-to help us understand some of the most common hair myths out there.
NaturallyCurly Type 4 expert Evelyn Ngugi Evelyn Ngugi Myth: Curly hair is easier than straight hair
True and False.
Let me explain. Some people will always be high maintenance, regardless of their hair texture or curl pattern. I know ladies who spend more time on their "more manageable" relaxed hair than I spend detangling my entire afro! It's all a matter of personality. I'm extremely simple, from my products (I only use about 4 total) to my styles (afro puff, anyone?). I was the same way with straight hair. A ponytail and I was set.
On the other hand, caring for highly textured hair is more time-consuming in one sitting, but we usually don't touch our hair for a week solid. So yes, I spend one whole hour detangling my hair (and that's BEFORE I shampoo and deep condition!) but once I style, I won't have to even think about my hair until next week-afro chicks don't shampoo frequently.
So, yes: afro hair requires high levels of patience and will take longer to properly care for, but no: that doesn't make straight hair "easier".
My hair is not difficult. Just different.
Myth: Does weather really matter?
True!
Weather will dictate what your hair can do and how it will feel. The more coily and textured your hair is, the more fragile it is. Each bend or spiral in your hair is a point of potential breakage-and I got A LOT of spirals.
But remember that everybody is different: my hair absolutely LOVES the humidity of Austin, Texas, in the summer. All that moisture in the air makes my fro super soft and curl up in millions of cute coils. Some types of afros hate the moisture in the air and get frizzy.
One thing I think we all have in common is battling the dry, cold winter months. The wind whipping against your 'fro may result in brittle hair. The moisture has been sucked out of it, and there's no moisture in the air to bring it back. Solution? A phrase we like to use called "sealing the hair." It's when you properly moisturize the hair inside while getting ready and lock in that moisture (water) with an oil. Since water and oil don't mix, the oil will lay on the surface of the hair, protecting it from wind and keeping the water from escaping! You can also keep your hair in protective styles or wear hats to protect your fro.
Myth: Curly hair is 2x longer than it appears
True. And make that 5x for me.
My hair looks like this on a daily basis:
If I were to flat iron it, this is how long my bangs are:
Most people have never seen me with hair that touches my ears let alone my shoulder!
Think of my curl pattern like a tiny little Slinky. The springy toy looks short and small, but have you ever stretched it out? It'll go on for days!
The term we use for this phenomenon is shrinkage. Some people have a lot of shrinkage, some don't. I have tons! And I love it! It makes my hair so versatile because I can rock different lengths throughout the week. I can wear my hair small and unstretched, I can stretch it out a little bit, or do a blow out for maximum length!
I will always be an advocate for loving your shrinkage, but if for some reason you don't like it and you want people to see more of your true length, try twist outs and braid outs.
Product guru CurlySuzy sports a bedhead look.
CurlySuzy Myth: Curly Hair is Easier Than Straight Hair
The answer is FALSE for me
My curls are the most difficult when I wake up. There is almost always no hope for second-day hair.
So, I have had to accept that I have to manage my hair on a daily basis. Most days I co-wash and then use a product lineup that will ensure curl definition and protection from frizz. It is time consuming, but I am use to it. Even though I wake up to hair that is seriously scary I do like my curls once they have been conditioned and styled.
I admit I have had fantasies of waking up in the morning and my hair does not look like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket. I know that will never happen and I have gotten use to setting my alarm clock a little earlier to get my curls ready for the day.
Product guru CurlySuzy wearing her usual beautiful look.
Myth: Does weather really matter?
Yes so true!
Curls are fragile and very sensitive to weather changes. My hair can tell you if it is about to rain or if it is so dry you need to water your plants. Both of these types of weather are a challenge and I have to be ready to combat my curls against these elements.
Humidity in small doses can be great for my curls. I get some extra volume and my curls are plumper. But too much humidity and things start getting out of control. The expansion rate of my curls far exceeds what I want, and frizz is a huge problem.
On the other end of the weather spectrum is very dry air. This situation calls for a lot of deep conditioning and really limiting the use of shampoo. I also air dry my curls and use a diffuser on my hair dryer for only a few minutes to get my curls dry before I go to work. My curls can become brittle and flat in very dry weather, so I have to treat them well.
CurlySuzy's hair wet, left, and dry, right.
Myth: Curly hair is 2x longer than it appears
Almost true.
When my hair is wet after I detangle it in the shower with a wide-toothed comb, it is longer but not quite twice as long. I do not have as much shrinkage as hair types 3 and 4. I find that I can get more of a wavy look if I use a heavier styling cream that does not activate my curls. If I want more of a curly look, I use a mousse and dry my hair with a diffuser. This style makes my hair look slightly shorter than the wavy style.
Alyssa Hawkins Myth: Curly hair is easier than straight hair
Half true
For me, my natural waves take a lot less time than straightening my hair. However, until you really know how to take care of your curls and embrace them, they can be harder to deal with. Mastering the art of second-day hair is something that also makes my waves much easier to do with. Second-day hair and finding products takes a lot of trial and error time, but once you have it figured out, you will find yourself saving so much time in the morning.
Myth: Does weather really matter?
Yes times a million!
During the humid times of the year (which in Texas is often) I don't have to add much product to my hair to hold my wave, but I need a lot of anti-frizz product. I, as a human being, hate the humidity, but my hair really loves it. It's annoying.
In the winter months I need the exact opposite of my humid days. I don't have the humidity holding my waves in place so I have to use products with a stronger hold, and I'm not looking for something to tame my frizz when it's colder. The weather completely changes my hair and what products I need to be using. I need a bathroom for spring/summer and one for fall/winter, as well.
Wavy hair blogger Alyssa Hawkins.
Myth: Curly hair is 2 times longer when it is straight
Not for me
This is one particular aspect of my hair that I really enjoy. When I get my DevaCurl Cut I know that I can straighten my hair and it will be about the same length.
Alyssa's straight hair isn't much longer than her curly hair.
When my hair is straight, it's maybe an inch longer, but that's about all I can get out of it.
Waves are just that; waves. They're not the spiral curls or the kinky curls so when you see wavy hair, that's about how long it is when straightened. With waves, what you see is (almost) what you get!
Check out NaturallyCurly.com for more tips for curly hair.
