Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's Just MY Hair

The learning lessons NEVER end. Yes my hair is curly. But it has a particular type of curl, clumping pattern and shape- independent of coil size and product. My hair is not particularly coily. Its clumps form some other shape- which I have always known and admired. But what I am beginning to realize is that because it does not clump into coils until the very ends, it also does not appreciate any technique aimed at reducing frizz or volume in the the interior. It also does not apperciate any meager attempts at influencing it's hanging direction. The density of it, and its desire to hang forward and not to the sides or back, guarantee a series of events. Rebel, rebel, and frizz! (or shrink lol).

If you can't tell, I am frustrated. Not because of what it is doing, but because of what I can't do, which is grow the front long. I had tried and let it get pretty long this time, stretched forward to the middle of my neck below my chin. However, because it was never facing the direction it wanted to face- if left loose it would rebel at the root and swell- then redirect. They call it a "cowlick" in some circles and mine is at the crown of my head :-/. Marvelous for wearing fauxhawks and bangs, but never so good for wraps in the relaxer days nor downward or backward facing curly hair in front. When I had a relaxer, my hair in front always had more split ends and was more fine in this area of my hair, most likely from the constant manipulation into doing something besides what it wanted to do. Wrapping it clockwise and counter clockwise and into slicked-back ponytails was probably very stressful for that area. So now I have a different problem. It grows just fine now that I don't torture it so much, but it ends up in my face. Perpetually and relentlessly in my face by mid-day. At this length it has been requiring the use of headbands and other accessories to release my field of vision from its grasp. Thus I have begun to notice the split ends and breakage again, and I can't continue to let it grow unchecked. The back of my hair, and even my temples have grown very long now, so the graduated layer cut will not work as well. This leaves me to worry about loosing over-all-length again and pondering my true growth potential, keeping aesthetics in mind. My area of expertise is over at this point and I may need to go see a stylist for a flattering cut. See the picts below to get an idea of the shape my hair grows into when left alone. Lovely at shorter lengths, but not anymore.






lol- don't mind my expression here- it does not reflect my issue with the shape of my hair, but rather the product that was in it.

4 comments:

  1. Gosh! You really are describing my hair to a tee! I just really started to understand this in the last few months. My isssues...
    I have a downward slope that won't go away and when I was relaxed it looked like I had layers cut into my hair because the front was always shorter. The crown of my hair is baby fine and resisted wrapping as a relaxed head. (imagine looking straight down from the ceiling) The hair you see if you were hovering over me....refuses to be told what to do. LOL!

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  2. These are the pics that confirmed we are true hairtwins! Especially the 3rd shot!

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  3. I love your hair and blouse in the fifth picture, where did you get it from

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  4. my gosh I wish I had found this a year ago! It feels like I've been natural forever (almost 4 yrs) and yet my hair clumps funny espec at the sides making it seem like it's not growing especially if I don't straighten or stretch it. I thought for so long that by natural hair didn't grow, but it just doesn't grow like other peoples. though its a relief to know I'm not the only one, it's humbling to think that in a few more years when i can stretch a curly strand to by bra strap or beyond, when it dries it probably won't look a lot different than it does now

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