Are there any 4b textured naturals who love their hair?

rainbowknots · Jul 7, 2011

I'm transitioning right now and I'm 4b. Lately I've been seeing a few threads about 4b naturals going back to a relaxer (not just here), then there's the thread on women burning their natural hair to loosen up the texture. And to be completely honest, it's a little discouraging. I keep seeing complaints about dryness and manageability, hair not looking "nice" for work. I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement. Are there any 4b naturals that really love their texture out there? What are you doing to combat the dryness and make your hair "nice" and "manageable"?

Before anyone asks, I want to go natural because I want long healthy hair. I'm tired of slapping relaxers in my hair only to wear it in a bun pretty much 99.9% of the time. My relaxed hair has so many different textures because of overprocessing and underprocessing and I'm just tired of the whole process period. I love some natural hairstyles out there. I can't wait to put my hair in two strand twists and do braid outs and twist outs. I don't do much with my relaxed hair right now, but I intend to experiment a lot with my natural hair.

Anyway, if you're a 4b natural and love your texture as is, can you post pictures or links to anything (blogs, videos, etc.) that gave you encouragement on your natural hair journey.

ezina · Jul 7, 2011

blaqphoenix said:
I'm transitioning right now and I'm 4b. Lately I've been seeing a few threads about 4b naturals going back to a relaxer (not just here), then there's the thread on women burning their natural hair to loosen up the texture. And to be completely honest, it's a little discouraging. I keep seeing complaints about dryness and manageability, hair not looking "nice" for work. I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement. Are there any 4b naturals that really love their texture out there? What are you doing to combat the dryness and make your hair "nice" and "manageable"?

yardyspice · Jul 7, 2011

I love my hair. I just wish it was as long as mwedzi's or some of the other women here. I've spent a lot of time getting to know her so I know what she needs and sometimes I can anticipate her needs.

rainbowknots · Jul 7, 2011

ezina

It was a legitimate question :look:

ezina · Jul 7, 2011

Sorry, couldn't help myself! Lol. I just thought the part in bold was cleverly worded! I meant no offense!

rainbowknots · Jul 7, 2011

ezina said:
Sorry, couldn't help myself! Lol. I just thought the part in bold was cleverly worded! I meant no offense!

No I wasn't offended. The picture was hilarious :lachen:

PureSilver · Jul 7, 2011

I'm loving my hair......but i can honestly say when i did my BC i wasn't 100% comfortable wearing my hair out. To this day, even though i'm long over and past the BC i've only worn my natural hair out once and it has grown tremendously, not to mentioned all the length i've retained with my sewins and cowashes + MT. I love my hair but like someone else mentioned i wish it had the length i'm dreaming night an day of so i can comfortably wear WNG's and rock any do.

I hope to be BSL stretched, i have serious shrinkage i would say 85% and shoulder length is afar off from where i'm at now. Maybe that BSL will come in another 2yrs.

Krystle~Hime · Jul 7, 2011

I love my hair texture and for nuthing I will want to loosen my texture for getting "curls".
from all hair types, our is the weakest, the dryest by nature.

THAT'S TRUE.

But you can totally battle this. you just need to search for method/products that will work for "her".

I don't understand and not happy with the fact that 4b can be the more rejected :ohwell:

(yeah OP, no one will ever start a thread by "are there 3B hair who really love their hair texture" ..) but whatever I can make/change people's mind.

Foxglove · Jul 7, 2011

Over here

There are still a few of us hanging around

Goombay_Summer · Jul 7, 2011

I would not call what we have a love affair more like a relationship based on acceptance and my willingness to always compromise because she is fiercely independent, has fine strands that tangle at the drop of a hat, and expensive taste in hair care product. However, my biggest revelation has been that often times I wanted her to behave in a manner that was not consistent with who she is we will forever fight the shrinkage demon and my wooly tresses will not never be manipulated into looking like any other grade of hair.

PerplexingComplex · Jul 7, 2011

We cool. Once I finally accepted that twists/twistouts are not friends of ours, we began living together nicely.

lilyofthenile · Jul 7, 2011

I love my hair. It's 4a and b and some places have 4c as well. I actually love it, I accepted it fairly quickly. Some days I want my hair stretched out for certain styles but other days i'm good with the shrinkage, helps with the diversity of my hair styling.

RegaLady · Jul 7, 2011

I love my 4a/b hair, mostly 4b. I wouldn't say that wearing a variety of styles means that you hate your hair though. I still wear buns, twists, twistouts, weaves, etc, just to have the variety that I love and I don't apologize for it.

My inspiration really comes from a TBL 4a/b mother and long haired 4a/b daughter. I have ALOT of natural 4a/b women around me, both in my family and friends that wear their hair in a variety of ways. They have such beautiful short, medium, long kinky hair and seeing them really makes me have an appreciation for my hair.

I do what I can to work with my hair. I have just accepted the fact that my hair is like a plant. The more I water or put water based products in my hair, the happier it is. I pretty much leave it alone unless I go someplace special. Like many have said, it really is a lifestyle and mental change. Breakage had me down, but I do what I can to combat it. My hair just doesn't like to be bothererd.

I always say at least try to go natural once, and see if it is something that works for you. And research the heck out of what works and doesn't work for your hair. It is trial and error.

Also brainwash yourself by finding fotkis, tumblrs, fashion blogs with women with long(or cool) 4bish hair. I realized I had to literally brainwash myself with images of cool, beautiful, trendy, classy natural haired women.

Leeda.the.Paladin · Jul 7, 2011

OP, I am not 4b but I would suggest (if you haven't been there yet) Nappturality. I know it has a reputation of being militant, but there's also a lot of good information and more importantly a positive upbeat feeling about 4b hair. Also there is a Cnapp forum http://cnappymenow.com/ . The lady who started it also has a blog: http://nappyme.wordpress.com/

They are both what would be considered militant but there are things you have to overlook in every hair board, as far as I'm concerned.

Transformer · Jul 7, 2011

I'm still in love with 4B. Since I'm over 50....I think being 4b has aided me in keeping thickness and length. But I've been natural for the last 23 years. I learned fast that hair coloring and relaxer didn't mix. Since I wasn't giving up the dye....the relaxer was out....best hair decision I ever made.

SimJam · Jul 7, 2011

4b here and loving it.

the only time i had issue with my hair was when it was abt 1 - 2 inches long and was too big be called a ceaser, too small to be a BAA and too short to do a twistout or even look decent with a headband on... lasted abt 2 months till i had enough hair to make a decennt style.

when i just BCd I also had to take a while to figure out what products and techniques worked for my hair because the ones that worked with my relaxed hair (especially products) just didnt fly with my natural hair eg. relaxed hair loved glycerine and coconut oil, natural hair hates them. Also my relaxed hair wasnt very picky, basically any old product was acceptable.

I've nvr had an issue with my texture, I knew what my texture was gonna be so I didnt have that "anxiety".

As many posters have said before its a matter of learning what techniques and products work best for my hair and learn from other ladies

you can check my fotki for pics and i have a few pics in my album here on LHCF

OndoGirl · Jul 7, 2011

I am newly natural again. I BC'd 4 months ago down to 1/4 inch of hair. Now my hair is 3 inches long, and I am wearing 2 strand twists. I can honestly say I love my natural hair and I can't stop touching it! The difference for me is that I already knew my hair texture because I had to wear it natural and short for school in Nigeria for 7 years - so no surprises, no 'I wonder what my hair type is' issues. I only felt pressured to relax when we returned to the States and I was ridiculed. When I was 19 I BC'd again, with the intention of locking my hair but I grew impatient with it, plus, once again I had people in my face making assumptions about me simply because of my short natural hair, so I caved and relaxed it again 6 months later. I am learning new tactics on haircare. I suggest you read every post by Nonie - especially if you are a type 4 like I am. She is awesome! I am sure the vets will chime in with some great advice too :grin:

.

beana · Jul 7, 2011

I am mostly 4b and love my texture. My goal for transitioning was the same as yours, to grow longer, healthier hair. July 16th makes a year and i do not regret it one bit.

I have always believed (maybe naively so) that most women have issues with the length of their hair, not the texture. I transitioned in weaves or wore my own hair in a ponytail most of the time.

I highly suggest that you become very familiar with your hair and accept that there may be some styles that you may want to stay away from. I'm not saying 4B's cant do them, but some styles may cause you mor trouble than joy. For example, for me personally, wash and go's wont happen or any method that requires my hair to dry loose.

MsLizziA · Jul 7, 2011

OP I'm not 4b but my sister is 4a/4b and she has some of the most beautiful hair i have ever seen. I do admire how 4b hair takes to twist outs and braid outs. The definition yall hair can achieve his beautiful!

rainbowknots · Jul 7, 2011

Thanks everyone for your responses. I did join Nappturality, but I haven't been on there much because this site has more women, with more experience and advice. I think I'll just have to stalk fotkis, and youtube for inspiration until I make the BC.

keepithealthy · Jul 7, 2011

MsLizziA said:
OP I'm not 4b but my sister is 4a/4b and she has some of the most beautiful hair i have ever seen. I do admire how 4b hair takes to twist outs and braid outs. The definition yall hair can achieve his beautiful!

I agree

4b hair holds those type of styles very well.

Don't be discouraged OP. You seem to already be going in the right direction. HHG

LynnieB · Jul 7, 2011

blaqphoenix said:
Thanks everyone for your responses. I did join Nappturality, but I haven't been on there much because this site has more women, with more experience and advice. I think I'll just have to stalk fotkis, and youtube for inspiration until I make the BC.

I found NP just the opposite. I found it to be an invaluable source of information as a new natural (along with other boards). There are thousands of posts in these forums that have good info in them.

Help Me With My Hair Forum: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77
Natural Styles Workshop Forum: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39
Homemade Products Forum: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20
Transitioner's Discussion Forum: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17

You can learn something from all of them (in addition to LHCF, YT and photo albums) and they all have something to offer even if you disagree with a philosophy. Sis, don't cut or limit yourself from sources of information, it only hurts you in the long run. Take what you can use and KIM.

:look:

Also cnappymenow is EXCELLENT!!!! I'm not a 4b but best believe when I first bc'd I looked at every, single source of information I could get my hands on so I joined several years ago. I'm sure I'm lapsed now but it's a fab site.

LadyPBC · Jul 7, 2011

I have lots of 4B texture and I find that the most disturbing is that it always looks so dry. I like my hair but I would love it more if I could find a way to give it some shine. Bottom line is that this is what God gave me so I'm going to appreciate it.

Nonie · Jul 7, 2011

@OndoGirl is right. Not only do I love my hair, I'm actually a bit full of myself coz of it. No seriously, I would not give it up for any other. I will mention that not only do I have the weakest hair (Afro hair has a groove along its length unlike caucasian hair and asian which are smooth all round), but I also have fine strands which further makes it wimpy. Yet, I would not change it for any other. I love the softness, I love the coils, I love the way it obeys me when I style it and holds the style until I say, "Let's do something else." I love how it seems so versatile and the only thing that holds me back from rocking every style I want is length. But that is slowly creeping in and I'm finding myself enjoying it so much more.

OP, I'll try to dig up some of my posts where I share my love story with my hair--or just post photos that I think give it away--but I do want to tell you that you will start to fall in love with your hair when you get to know IT and it alone. Not when you look at another's hair and try to make yours do what theirs does, but when you focus on your hair and learn from it what it likes. Don't just do what other 4B ladies do; but rather try out what they do and listen to what your hair thinks about it. If your hair doesn't respond in a way you like, then dismiss that theory, method or product...and try something else. In other words, do not fight your hair. But get to know it and understand it, and trust me, you'll become like me who really is so content with my hair that I won't even accept offers of free "new" products just because we, my hair and I, are doing just fine with what we have. We don't need anything more. And yes, I love my hair so much that I won't let anyone else do it. My friends tell me I'm crazy not to take advantage of my proximity to Reniece to get a weave, and I honestly think she's the shizzle in weaves, but while I'd let her do the hair of someone I love (my mom, my sis for example) in a heartbeat, I'm not letting her do mine. Nothing personal; it's just that my hair and I are in a monogamous relationship and like to keep it that way. Did I mention I'm hopelessly, deeply, madly in love with my hair?

Embyra · Jul 7, 2011

patiently waits forNonieto come here with her 50 pics on why she loves her hair :giggle:

edit just seen nonie post :lol:

Nonie · Jul 7, 2011

OP, I hope these threads inspiring/encouraging:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=545203

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=399382

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=327061

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=467284

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=473928

And now I bore you with me gushing over my hair :giggle:

In ^^ discussion someone pointed out how people go natural then hate their texture and this was my response:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=9726402&postcount=23

Maybe the whole thread will be helpful: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=430688

Here I'm having a blast showcasing my hair. The question was how does our natural hair naturally fall. :grin:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=9653922&postcount=17

More pics :grin:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=11268064&postcount=102

growinghealthyhair · Jul 7, 2011

I love my hair texture. I just BC'd in October

MsLizziA · Jul 7, 2011

Embyra said:
patiently waits forNonieto come here with her 50 pics on why she loves her hair

edit just seen nonie post

Embyra

you already know she coming with a whole powerpoint presentation

Nonie · Jul 7, 2011

blaqphoenix I just forgot to post a thread that I think you need to read just because when I was restarting my journey after a BC, what I share was my treasure find and has saved me money and a lot of headache and just made the journey a joy. It doesn't work for everyone, but you won't know which side you fall on until you try it: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=526649

*Frisky* · Jul 7, 2011

KCcurly said:
OP, I am not 4b but I would suggest (if you haven't been there yet) Nappturality. I know it has a reputation of being militant, but there's also a lot of good information and more importantly a positive upbeat feeling about 4b hair. Also there is a Cnapp forum http://cnappymenow.com/ . The lady who started it also has a blog: http://nappyme.wordpress.com/

They are both what would be considered militant but there are things you have to overlook in every hair board, as far as I'm concerned.

Do they still not let you post hair types on there? I posted a thread over there years ago asking for help with my step daughters hair and I used 4B in the post and it got edited and I received no responses :lol:

Are there any 4b textured naturals who love their hair?

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