Do you ever find yourself having texture envy?
Maybe you saw someone on YouTube and you admired their texture and wondered if there was any product out there that will loosen up your curls or make your hair more curly.
Unless your body has gone through some kind of hormonal change (puberty, aging, pregnancy, cancer treatments, etc.), it’s unlikely that your hair texture will change much.
Yes, puberty can change the texture of your hair. That’s why many of you have commented that your hair seems different since you were natural as a child.
NOTE: Transitioners may experience scab hair, which is an example of when you’re not seeing your true texture. You may indeed notice that your hair becomes curlier as you transition and your hair gets healthier.
Stretching is Possible
Having said that, you can do some things that may slightly stretch your pattern. For example, I wear my hair in small, two strand twists a lot, and I’ve noticed that when I wash my hair, my curl pattern seems a lot looser.
That’s because our hair does have some memory. If you wear your hair in a certain way all the time, natural hair will hold that pattern to an extent. Also, as your hair gets longer, it weighs more so your pattern will loosen up a bit from the weight that length brings.
Using heat on your hair often may also loosen your natural hair pattern (often called heat training). Just be careful, too much heat can permanently straighten your hair. Learn how to use heat properly.
However, don’t expect any drastic or permanent changes in your hair’s texture unless you chemically alter it. You may experience subtle changes, but expecting to go from course, wiry hair to curly/shiny hair is unrealistic.
Acceptance is Key
I hate to get all Oprah-esque on you, but being natural is really all about self acceptance. And if you don’t ever get to a point where you accept what your hair will or won’t do, then this journey will be tough.
Trust me, I can relate. When I first started transitioning, I was obsessed with watching certain people on YouTube who had looser curl patterns.
I used to think that if I just used the same products, I would achieve the same results.
But about four months into my transition, it was becoming clear to me what my hair was like and I knew I wasn’t going to have those springy, shiny curls like the people I had been admiring.
Sure, I can get really defined curls with gel, certain products or while my hair was wet, but as soon as it dries, it goes back to its cottony state. Yes, that’s my true hair texture in the picture above with no product.
The “No Product” Test
The thing to remember is whatever your hair looks like dry with no product is your true texture and how your hair wants to behave.
If you have curl/coil definition with no product then you have a hair pattern that naturally wants to curl or coil, and you will probably be able to wear curlier styles for longer periods with the right products.
But if your hair draws up and/or gets frizzy with no pattern, that’s what your hair wants to do naturally.
Yes, you can add gels and conditioner to bring the curls out temporarily or define your natural pattern, but at the end of the day, your hair is going to revert and do what it does naturally — and for many of us that means no/minimal definition with more of an afro look.
I knew the quicker I accepted my own texture, the easier this journey would be. Over time, I’ve learned to enjoy both the defined (see this twist out) and less defined looks (see my wash and go natural hairstyle) and you can too.
Let’s embrace the diversity of our beautiful hair, ladies!
If you haven’t discovered this yet, you will find that being natural is about much more than changing your hairstyle. It’s about accepting your own hair pattern and not trying to achieve someone else’s.
Just keep your hair moisturized and learn to embrace what God gave you.
Hi I cut all the perm out of my hair and went natural it has now been three months and I love that I don’t use chemicals anymore I’m just wondering what can I as far as styles cuz its real short. Also my daughter has permed hair and I want her to b natural she has not had a relaxer in three months her hair is really course and thick what can I use to make it softer so I wont have to chop off all of her hair she is eight. Thanks a bunch
Hi Shawanda,
Have you tried doing coils? You buy some non-flaking gel like Eco Styler and while your hair is wet and conditioned, you grab a small section of hair with the gel on your finger. Wrap your two fingers around the strands starting at the root and down to the ends. It will give you really defined, coily hair and lasts forever.
As far as your daughter I would start deep conditioning her hair weekly if you haven’t. Over time this will make a big difference in her hair.
Hi Lisa thanks for the comment I will try the coils and deep conditioning
Hey Lisa. I wanted to know about texturizers. If I put one in will my tight coarse hair be more loose. I really wanted to stay natural with no chemicals but I cant do anything with my hair so short. Plz help
i havent had a perm since May and Im going to go naturally but Im having a hard time doing something to my hair so it would last long.can u help
Hi Lyn
How have you been wearing your hair so far?
Hey, i been transitioning for 7 months and my hair is taking a long time. part of it is new growth natural but parts n ends is straight. i dont know what styles to put it in and its really frustrating.. Can you help me please ?
Hi Jelisa
Have you tried any of the styles listed under Hairstyles up at the top (under the Transitioning section?)
Hi Lisa,
I love your website..Thank you so much for this. I have been transitioning since Jan 2012. I am going natural for my hair’s sake. I have had a bald spot at the top of my head for the last few years about the size of a mini donut(sorry I couldn’t think of anything else), due to stress and multiple surgeries with anesthesia. Have you heard of anyone else who has experienced this? If so, what did they do, and are there any suggestions for hairstyles that can cover a balding crown? My hair is very coarse all around the sides, but I just can’t find any styles that will work other than a ponytail.
Hi Erica
I would honestly seek help from a professional. Sounds like you have some follicle damage or it could be from something else. Always best to ask a doc.
My daughter had a bald spot from me braiding her hair too tight in one spot. I have using Rosemary oil and really massaging that area and her hair is growing back. Her spot was slick as ice before, but the hair is really filling in to my amazement. So try that!
I love what you are doing!! Everytime i feel like quiting I look at some good videos and comments for inspiration. My question is… I like to alternate hair dos from a flat iron to doing some twist outs. I need to know if flat ironing the hair messes up my curl pattern down the line?? btw ive been transitioning for 8 mths…
signed miss discouraged
Hi Jontera
It can if you do it often. I wouldn’t do it more than a couple of times per month and make sure you are using a good heat protectant and don’t put the flat iron on a high setting. My best friend has been transitioning for almost 2 years and it looks as if she only has 5 inches of natural hair. She has way more than that, but the flat iron ruined her curl pattern so it looks like she only has a few inches of natural hair when she washes it.
Thanks Lisa!! I did however have another question… I do my twist outs and bantu knots usually twice a week. Im finding that my ends are getting strangy and unhealthy looking by doing the curls so much. Since then i have trimmed my ends, but what would you recommend for styles as far as the curls go without making my ends horrible. Are there any products to limit the damage?
Hi Jontera
Have you tried an Aphogee protein treatment? You can do these every 6-8 weeks to help strengthen your hair. Also when you do twist outs or rod sets, add small rods to the ends of your hair to help curl the remaining ends. The smaller the better.
I’m thinking of transitioning to going natural,but not sure where to begin. I have thick and coarse hair and i’m not sure if i should cut it or not. My mom says that i should braid it to thin it out. is that a good idea?
Braids are fine as long as you give your hair a break in between new installations. Also make sure they are not too tight.
Hi, I started my transition in early 2012, so it’s been about 8-9 months now with no relaxer. It’s been harder than I thought because no one really told me it would be more work and more money going from relaxer to natural. It’s hard too because I used a relaxer for 35+ years and I tend to be lazy about my hair, meaning I enjoyed the low-maintenance aspect of the relaxer. However, all those years of relaxers took a beating on my hair and it started to shed real bad late last year. What advice do you have for me as someone who wants as much low maintenance as possible but still wants to be able to go from straight to curly with natural hair? Is that even possible?
Hi vka
It depends on how you want to wear your hair. If you’re fine with an afro and wash and go styles then natural hair doesn’t have to take a lot of time. But if you want more defined looks and your hair is more kinky then you will have to work harder and spend more time on your hair.
For example, my hair is kinky and more of an afro texture if I just wash and let it go. If I’m wearing my hair in a puff like I am here that takes 15 minutes tops out of the shower. http://napturallycurly.com/2012/08/wash-and-go-natural-hair/
However if I want a more defined style, then that takes longer because I have to prep my hair with twists or product. See this page http://napturallycurly.com/2012/01/wet-vs-dry-twists-length-comparison-pics/
Also, make sure you confirm your hair is actually shedding because shedding and breakage are two different things. My hair was shedding from the root and I found out it was a thyroid problem, not a relaxer issue. While relaxing can thin your hair over time, it’s not always the culprit (especially if it’s excessive shedding) so make sure you verify the cause.
I’m thinking of transitioning to going natural,but not sure where to begin. I have thick and coarse hair. Trying to see if its best to do the job or let the relaxer grow out and go from there? Decisions!!!!
Hi NeNe
I created this page to help people begin http://napturallycurly.com/transitioning-from-relaxed-to-natural-hair/natural-hair-transition-guide/
In the first 2 months you won’t do anything different than you do with relaxing (except maybe start minimizing your use of heat) Transitioning hair does not like heat because your hair will become weaker over time and heat is not its friend.
Hi Lisa, i have been transition for three month, i need help on how to manage my hair. My hair is brittle.
Do any of these tips help? http://napturallycurly.com/moisturizing-dry-transitioning-hair/
i am transitioning nd my new growth is tight curls i used beautiful textures tangle taming moisturising shampoo only once and noticed it loosened my curls will my curl pattern go back to being tight or has this shampoo permanetly loosened the curls.i will not be using this shampoo again because i noticed it contains sulfate and has this also ruined my natural hair.my last relaxer was in july.
Hey I noticed alot of people talking about their curl pattern I been natural for two years and I don’t know what to do…if I wash and go my hair will be thick and nappy like if I do a style then my hair becomes straight and frizzy and dry I tried alot but it seems nothing is working I would love curl and shiny hair I am just asconfused about my hair since ive done the big chop.
Hi
Not everyone has a curl pattern or shine, so it depends on the person. My hair is very shiny the day after I style but it bushes/frizzes out too. It really depends on your texture. However, there are things you can do to promote sheen such as rinsing your hair in cold water or mixing water with apple cider vinegar and using this as a final rinse. Set your hair when it’s wet and add aloe vera gel to your styling routine. Sometimes adding a bit of gel to your twists/set will help bring curls out if you have them.
Thank you so much I shall try it out
Hi Lise Irby
My mother has said to me that when i was a baby, i had curly hair. However, since i was little, i have been getting perums, wavys, and kinky twists . Because of all this, it has damaged my hair to the point of braking off. So i have never once seen my hair curly when dry . I just went to the hair dresser two weeks ago and she tells me that i have good textured hair but she can’t tell if it is curly or not..So how do i know if i realy do have curly hair, how do i get it back to the textur it was and how do i keep it up?
-Thank You
Hi Dia
The only thing you can do at this point is begin your transition and stop getting relaxers. After about 3-4 months you will start to see your texture. It’s hard to know this early. In fact, it may take a full year to actually see what your true texture will be like because perms can alter your follicles and cause your hair to grow out dryer for a bit. Patience, patience.
Hi!
So glad I found this piece!
I’ve decided to go natural… again. I’m determined this time but I’m pretty sure some parts of my hair are still affected by heat damage (mainly the front). I use eco styler in my hair for work (as opposed to rocking a mini fro) and tend to slick the front right down and leave the back to form defined curls. It looks great but the front of my hair has taken to being slicked down so much that compared to the rest of the hair, it’s loose curls/ straight. I guess I’ll have to find an alternative style but I’m wondering if my hair at the front will stay like this until new growth or revert in the mean time?
Thank you!
Hi Vanessa
It may get more curly as your follicles get healthier so only time will tell. My front/edges were that way too because I had the most damage there.
The back of my head is very curly but a little patch in the front is very loosely curled. How do I know if it’s damaged or just a different texture than the rest?
HI Shanice
Do you use a lot of heat on your hair? The only way to know is to stop using heat for a few months and see how the patch in the front grows out.
Come to think about it that I always used to test that part out before i Straightened my hair. Is the only solution cutting it?
If it doesn’t curl up with a few conditioning treatments then I’m afraid so.
I think i have made a huge mistake. im a little upset because i think i changed my natural hair texture straight. i flat ironed my hair fo two weeks and i have been natural for one year. I washed my hair today and my hair hardly curled like it usually does. if i keep the heat off my hair will my texture come back or will i have to start all over?
Try deep conditioning it a couple of times. If it doesn’t come back then it is probably permanent damage. I’m sorry.
The good news is, it will grow back.
Hello Mrs. Lisa
I just wanted to know if I needed to do a big chop to curly hair. I have not had any heat to my hair in 4 months. But I have a straight pattern now. My hair has grown out and that’s the only curly part. What are some options. Thanks.
Hi Lisa,
I have been straightening my hair since i can remember. I only do it now once a month. When i do a twist out my ends are straight and it frustrates me. Is there anything that I can use to get rid of this straight hair?
Hey everyone ok I’m natural been perm less for three years maybe more. I recently started letting my hair breath from weaves and it been growing healthier faster. I want to maintain the health but I don’t want to wear the natural curl hair Afro because my hair only neck length and I want it long to I start going that. What should I do if I apply heat. I started only applying heat twice a week that it. I want to be natural with straight hair is that possible and still have great growth result I also take biotin to help if the heat damages it.
You can but you need to find a stylist that is good with maintaining natural hair with heat. I have a friend who is natural and wears her hair straight and her hair is past her shoulders. I have no experience with straightening natural hair though.
Hi I am a Black African American young woman,I have thick hair but it’s straight and doesnt hold braids or twist they always unravell …what can I do to achieve a more natural look?… I know you’ve implied stick to your natural hair is what’s best ,but honestly growing up I’ve had thick coarse hair it seems that when I got older now being 27 my hair is so straight it looks like I’ve went to the shop and got a perm or somethin everytime I wrap my hair…I don’t use perms I don’t even put heat on my hair….
Try argan oil product…..its kind of expensive but the shampoo really curls my hair
Hi I have been natural for about 4 years and I love it however my hair does not hold moisture very well. What can I do to better moisturize my hair?