We all want what we do not have when it comes to our hair or at the very least a little variety from time to time. Nothing wrong with that so never feel you have to explain why you want to change up your look. It is your prerogative and your business. Never believe that certain styles are limited to certain textures. Take it from a natural hair veteran. We are resilient and creative, so never feel something cannot be mastered with your own texture. Keisha from Curly Q&A recently inquired about a sexy style she wants has an upcoming celebration and wondered if her 4c hair could be either really straight or in loose waves.
Question
My hair is a 4c type what is the best way to make it really straight or to get loose curls?
Answer
Often some women feel 4c hair is difficult or limited on style choices, but that cannot be further from the truth! Both straight hair and loose waves can be accomplished easily and safely if you have the right techniques. Type 4c hair is delicate like all textured hair. It craves moisture and needs specific attention to protect the strands, and with the correct knowledge it can achieve any style you desire. These tutorials demonstrate how easy it can be to achieve straight hair and loose waves with 4c hair.
Straightening my natural hair
TheChicNatural shares a video on how she goes from kinky to straight with little to no effort and minimal heat. She skips the blow-dryer by stretching her hair the night before and allowing it to dry before flat ironing the following morning. You see the entire process and she shares what temperature she uses on the iron, so you know exactly how she does it. Passing the flat iron only once on each section to keep the heat application light and non-damaging, she ends up with super, straight hair that is ready for anything.
There is always more than one way to create a style and Jessica Pettway opted for the blow-dryer to help straighten her tresses before flat ironing. She also gets sleek tresses with her passing the flat iron only once on each section and she credits the iron for doing such an amazing job. Jessica also discusses the temperatures she uses on her hair and showcases how her hair has movement and shine.
Loose waves on 4C hair
If loose waves are desired, then this is a great video on just how to do it. JanetMonfrèt starts off with blow-dried hair and sections it off before moisturizing and applying flexi rods. Her medium-sized sections are the perfect size for this look that takes little time to prepare. She gives step-by-step instructions (down to the direction to wind the hair around the flexi rod”> so you end up with little to no frizz. She ends up with sexy, big waves that have movement and shine. Perfect for any celebration.
Effortless beach waves on 4c hair
Now, we have Jessica Pettway back again to share her straightened tresses and creates beach waves. This carefree style uses nothing more than her fingers and some bobby pins. That’s right! She is creating this look with what our mothers and grandmothers called pin curls. It is perfect for a slightly curled, looser wave that is full, movable, and fun. This look is sexy and simple.
There is never a shortage of styling products you can use for wavy hair, whether your texture is thick, medium, or fine. The best products for wavy hair can help keep your waves smooth, frizz-free, and full of bounce. Type 2 waves can have a loose, S-shaped pattern, beach waves, or loose spirals with a thicker and coarser texture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbQK2PoIP6
While formulas that promise beach waves for straight hair or perfect spirals for tighter curl patterns usually garner a lot of buzz, there aren’t many headline-making products out there for naturally wavy hair. People often assume waves don’t even need product assistance. As someone with Type 2 hair, I’ll often hear, “You’re so lucky your hair just dries like that!”– as if I didn’t spend 20 minutes in front of the mirror that morning trying to get my hair to lay just so!”
“It’s another common misconception that wavy hair is thick, but plenty wavy girls are on the finer side,” says celebrity stylist Justine Marjan, who–besides being the go-to girl for the Kardashians–counts Type 2s like Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Tisdale, and Shay Mitchell among her clients. Her must-haves include light jellies and creams that won’t weigh down fine waves.
“Curly and wavy hair types are naturally more dry, so hydration and moisture are essential,” she adds. But what elusive miracle products will give Type 2 hair the definition, hold, and hydration it needs, without compromising on volume? We’re glad you asked. Here’s a list of the top styling products for type 2 waves.
Marjan swears by Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream because it’s “great for drier hair types that need extra moisture and definition.” This is one of my personal go-to’s, as well – I love that it’s infused with argan oil and smells amazing, too.
As a reviewer with Type 2c hair says, “I would suggest this to anyone who is in need of a product that doesn’t create frizz and doesn’t make [my] hair sticky or crunchy!”
With a slightly-tacky, creamy texture, ELEVEN AUSTRALIA Keep My Curl Defining Cream is a must-try for any Wavies who want extreme hold and definition. This completely changed my hair when I first started using it in high school, and it’s still on rotation in my product lineup!
You won’t find any sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and parabens in Not Your Mother’s Naturals–but it’s what you will find inside that makes all the difference. Tahitian gardenia flower helps shape waves, while mango butter reduces frizz and adds shine.
AG Hair Re: Coil Curl Activator has five stars from the NaturallyCurly community – so you know it’s good. Need more convincing? One CurlTalk reviewer promises that with Re: Coil, “My hair is consistently and predictably curlier, softer, and relatively frizz-free.”
Marjan always reaches for OUAI Curl Defining Cream (a cross between a cream and an oil) when she works with her celebrity clients. To get Insta-ready waves, she recommends “applying in sections for even distribution. If you are letting the hair air dry, make sure to avoid touching or scrunching the hair, as friction from our hands can cause frizz.”
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls is a miracle in a tube. It manages to leave waves super-soft (AKA, no crunch whatsoever) while still defining their shape and holding it all in place.
Over on the Type 2 boards on CurlTalk, Bread Beauty Hair Gel gets a lot of love. User Guide 65 says, “It gives my hair definition like I’ve never seen it before! I have to be careful how much I use, because all that definition takes away from the volume. But I get day two hair that needs no refreshing.”
If you prefer your haircare certified organic and all-natural, then you need to check out this alcohol-free styling gel from Curlsmith. It offers medium-to-firm hold, and ingredients that won’t harm your hair, all for under $30.
“My HG wave-defining products are hard-hold gels. I like the Rizos Curls light hold gel the best,” says Therese1, a Wavy who shares her feedback on Type 2 styling products on CurlTalk.
Sometimes, wavies can get away with skipping stylers with the right conditioner – that conditioner is DevaCurl One Condition. “It’s so creamy, but it’s light enough for my fine hair,” says a CurlTalk community member.
Another CurlTalk favorite? Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner. Users love that it keeps waves detangled and smooth, which is the first step towards a good hair day, right?
Even though Love Beauty and Planet’s Leave-In Smoothie isn’t marketed towards waves or curls, I find it to be the best leave-in formula on the market. I don’t have to follow up with other stylers – I love simply smoothing this through my damp waves and going!
LA-based hair stylist Helena Lambert opts for Living proof Style Lab Control Hairspray to lock in shape and shine. “If your hair type is frizzy, this will smooth any frizz,” she says.
Here’s how to get waves with more body and bounce, courtesy of Marjan: “Once the hair is completely dry, finish with TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray for volume.”
Lambert’s secret for “woke up like this” hair? “I’ll spritz DESIGNME PUFF.ME Volumizing Dry Texture Spray, scrunch the ends a bit, then gently twist it into a top knot. I leave it up for a bit, letting it semi-air dry. Then take it down and air dry it the rest of the way,” he says.
The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask is the way to go for hair that needs some extra attention. Marjan says she often uses it on her clients to add moisture and hydration to dry, frizzy waves.
You can deeply quench, nourish, and soften dry, damaged strands to get your hair back to looking healthy with these blends with creamy shea butter, rich coconut milk, and pure macadamia oil.
Wavies love this amazing, nourishing mask because it deeply conditions, hydrates and restores dry hair to its natural vibrancy and health with this replenishing treatment.
DIY TREATMENT
20. DIY Flaxseed Gel
If you’d rather whip up your own styler, try this combination from CurlTalk connoisseur BeinDeb: “I make [my DIY flaxseed gel] using a marshmallow root tea as the base, and add a pinch of honey and oil.”
Of course, you can’t rely on products alone for perfect waves. To get the most out of these stylers, make sure you’re not over-washing your waves or damaging them with your diffuser! What are your top styling products for type 2 waves? Share them with us in the comments below!
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