Hope you are having a good week.
I wanted to discuss hair typing.
Hair typing natural hair is a double edge sword in my eyes.
The great part about hair typing is that it serves as a guide for newly naturals who are trying to figure out how to take care of their hair. The newly natural phase is a learning curve that can be overwhelming. Fortunately, hair typing can definitely aid one when it comes to product selection. What works for some may not work for others. It helps a newly natural narrow down product selection ultimately saving money in the long run. To me, if you are a natural newbie (TeenyWeenieAfro or not) check out the hair typing charts as a guide. There are also websites that suggest products that work with specific hair types which is awesome.
The worst part about hair typing is that it can be divisive between black women. Hair typing which was supposed to help others turns into a "better hair" or "curly vs. nappy" hair debate. To me, those conversations takes us back to the era of the paper bag test, or the field vs. house negroes scenarios. It becomes a hierarchy of "who comes closer to having more Eurocentric hair?". The ones with more "wavy", "more controlled", and "less frizzy" curls are at the top: highly valued, desired and admired. The ones without those characteristics however...will be at the bottom. Not as valued, desired, or admired by the majority.
For that reason alone I am not too keen on hair typing. What's typically used for good, ends up being destroyed by a majority, and makes the minority feel less than valued.
If it works for you..continue to use it! Just...make sure it's being used as a guide. Nothing more.
That is all (in Miranda Priestly's voice).
Talk to you soon!
Brie.
