Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks: Hair Types

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Fine 3C Hair Advantages!

Are you disappointed when you have tried to wear a decent twist hairstyle only to find that the full and plump twists evade you like a plague? Or, you've ended up with fine, thin twists and a lot of scalp showing? Or, in order to get a full, plump twists it ends up taking up a quarter of the side of your head? I raise my hand on each question.

Fine hair curlies downsides are scalpy twists, hair that is susceptible to breakage, fros that will flop and part like the Red Sea!

My 3c strands love to hang out with each other in thick clumps. They will tend to "ball-up," when hit with a spritz of water or when a creamy-based moisturizer is applied. Dried, moisturized hair causes 3c types to "look as though" they have a thick head of hair like there 4-type curlies. It wants to interwine and tangle itself, causing this hair-type to be plagued with Single Strand Knots (SSKs) or Fairy Knots.

Oh, and another thing, my 3c tresses HATE to be placed in a structured hair style. It prefers the Lion-Mane approach.

Realizing that I will never have those lush, thick ropes of twists cascading from my roots, I sought out the advantages to having the curly, coily fine strands that wind there way, like vines of ivy from my scalp. What? you may ask. Stay with me my curlies, there are some.

Now, that we have covered some of the cons of 3C, let's take a look at the pros for this hair types:

Less Product Usage

Having fine hair means that you will usually only need a dime to a quarter size amount of product to do the job. Coarser and thicker hair types will need more products to do the same trick. Fine hair types can also use lighter sealers like coconut and aloe gel while thicker hair tend to need to use a shea or butter-based product.

Faster to Straighten Hair

Our fine hair takes to heat quicker and easier than those curlies with thicker and coarser hair types. This means fine hair curlies should be extremely careful with the amount of heat that they apply to their tresses and should use their blow dryers at medium to low temperatures. DO NOT hold the flat iron on your strands for long periods. Keep the iron moving in long, even passes.

A Smooth Move!

Your fine tresses allow for a smooth and non-bulkly bun. Fine hair is easier to pull into a bun, hair knot, or smooth-style pony tail.

Breezing Through Summer

Fine hair is breezier in the hot, humid, summer months. This is were your "scalpiness" makes for comfort of style. The denser the hair, the more your scalp will tend to sweat causing you to feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Easier Washing Routine

Our thicker-haired curlies usually will have to part and section their hair prior to even attempting to wash their tresses. However, a blast under the shower with a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner will do the trick for our fine curlies.

Styling With Ease

Less hair, the easier the detangling process becomes. Most of us can finger detangle while thicker curlies resort to Denman brushes, sectioning tools, and elastic ties to hold sections while going through the detangling process.

There you are, seven advantages of having fine textured hair! It is very important to keep your 3C/4A type textures moisturized. For 3s it is important to keep your Leave-Ins light, creamy, and water-based. One of my all time favorites is Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner. My 3C/4A strands loves, loves, loves the glycerin in this product. In fact, if I happen to use another leave-in or styler without glycerin, I have my own LARGE bottle of vegetable-based glycerin that I will add to my product of choosing (even in the winter months!) The trick for winter is to apply your glycerin-based product first and than LAYER your sealer or styler over it. This will SEAL in the moisture that you applied and keep your hair supple, moisturized, and shiny for days!