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4 Fails That Almost Made Me Give Up Being Natural

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By Michelle Thames · Published March 9, 2017

Have you ever tried a hairstyle that was a major fail? Did you follow every single step in a YouTube video and your hair still came out wrong? I have been there and I almost gave up on being a curly girl several times. I learned from my experiences with failed hairstyles and it taught me that , “If at first, you don’t succeed, try try again.” Here are a few hairstyles that were a fail for me in the beginning, but after some patience and practice, I finally mastered them, well kind of.

Marley Twists

Failed Marley Twists may come as a shocker because this was the first style that got me noticed online with the natural hair community. My very first attempt at Marley Twists was a major fail, and I had to end up taking my hair down after several hours of trying this style. The second time around I had more time to devote to completing it correctly. I wanted to do the invisible root method and had to take my time to get it right. One important tip is to make sure you set aside enough time to try a new style in case it doesn’t work out for you, in the end, you will have a chance to change it.

Bantu Knots

Bantu Knots have always been a fail for me. Every single time I attempted Bantu Knots my hair would come out looking puffy and would have no definition at all. I told myself that this year I would try Bantu Knots again, so keep an eye out to see if I succeed at creating this hairstyle again. I have noticed from many YouTube tutorials it’s all about how you twist your hair in the knot. Also, to start with somewhat stretched hair to make the style more defined. Lastly, to make sure your hair is completely dry before taking your knots down. This will help you create a beautiful Bantu Knot set.

Wash and Go’s

I will admit my first wash and go styles were a complete failure. My transitioning hair didn’t do well with wash and go’s because the top would be curly and the bottom ends would be limp since they were still permed. I just recently tried a wash and go for the second time and was able to get great results. There is an art to creating the perfect wash and go. You have to make sure your hair is dripping wet when you apply the product to your hair by shingling or raking it through. You also need to leave your hair alone and not touch it so that your curls won’t frizz. If you still have relaxed ends, wash and go’s may not be the best option for you.

Goddess/ Halo Braid

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I can’t French braid well, so halo braids are still a struggle for me. Every time I try to flat twist or French braid my hair, it never comes out like the YouTube video I watched. Practicing your braiding technique will really help create a better halo braid style. Since I have been able to practice more, I noticed that I am getting better. Practicing a style multiple times really helps.

Failing in many of these protective styles has taught me to be patient with my hair. I learned that if it doesn’t work out the first time, to try the style again.

What styles have you attempted that were a fail?

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Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

Learn how get the spring and bounce back into your curl pattern.

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Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

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By Jessica DeFino · Updated December 25, 2024

In most cases, “loosening up” is a positive thing; it’s associated with relaxing, letting go, and having a good time. But when my curls decide to loosen up, it’s a whole different story.

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No matter what kind of wavy, coily, or curly you are, you can probably relate: curls that start out bouncy and fresh in the morning sometimes deflate, like a tire losing air, until they’re stretched, flat, and frizzy. But why?

“Curls have a mind of their own,” says Tara Love, the founder of Tara Love Hair, a salon that caters to African-American and multicultural women. “They are very unpredictable because you never know what they will do from one day to the next.”

Gravity

“Maybe the reason why curls fall or get looser is because of gravity,” she speculates. “The hair can also be heavy, as in high-density hair with thick strands. Fine, short hairs tend to curl tighter and experience no real gravity pull.”

If your hair is thick and dense, gravity is likely to blame for your stretched curls—and it’s not easy to fight a force of nature. That being said, you can make your hair less susceptible to the effects of gravity by using lightweight products that won’t weigh you down further. “For curly styles that you want to stay in place, leave-ins and oils are needed,” Love shares.

“I love an old staple called Infusium 23,” she adds. “It’s light and controls frizz. If you need a little oil, I love Jane Carter Nourish and Shine. It’s great for hair and body. Rub a bit in the palm and apply.”

It’s also a good idea to switch out your hard-hold gel for a light cream to keep curls buoyant. CurlTalk member @oh.hi.its.steph recommends SheaMoisture Curl Milk: “I find it to be perfectly moisturizing and curl-enhancing, but not terribly heavy either!”

Porosity

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High-porosity curls and waves are more likely to loosen throughout the day than low-porosity curls. That’s because high-porosity hair has large gaps and holes in the cuticle, making it very easy for the hair to lose moisture; and when moisture evaporates from high-porosity hair, it renders products less effective—which results in loose, frizzy curls.

“If you’re highly porous you might be in need of protein,” says this CurlTalk commenter. A silk protein treatment can help repair the gaps in your hair cuticles to keep your curls intact.

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Since highly porous hair loses moisture easily, it’s essential to stock up on ultra-hydrating products, like leave-in conditioners and sealers. You can also add anti-humectants to your hair care routine, like Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel, to seal the cuticle and keep moisture in. At night, try a heavy hair butter treatment—Mizani Strength Fusion Intense Night-Time Treatment is a great option—to lock in hydration and prep your curls for a new day.

The Amount of Hair You Have

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In one recent study, physicists studying the curvature of steel rods stumbled upon some interesting findings, namely, what makes curly hair go limp. Their conclusion? “The actual number of hairs per square inch on any individual’s scalp…that greater or lesser crowding may play a role,” according to Time Magazine. In other words, if you’ve got a lot of hair, your individual strands may just be too crowded to stay curly all day.

If this is the case for you, there are two things you can do:

One, incorporate a hard-hold gel into your routine to give you the all-day definition. After smoothing Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Shaping Cream Gel through your hair, twirl individual pieces around your finger to create a defined curl pattern and diffuse dry.