Death to the Curl Pattern Chart
Source: http://zenzele.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/curl_pattern.jpg
The birth of the hair typing system is attributed to Andre Walker, Oprah - The Oprah - Winfrey's hairstylist. In other words, I would say, he is a big deal. On his website www.andrewalkerhair.com, it states:
"Andre Walker created the original hair typing system to help you better understand your hair texture, take the best care of your hair and use the right products for optimal results."
The page features a chart with the visual representations and categories of Type 1 - 4 hair (with the exclusions of 3C and 4C). Off to the right, he lists the type of products that should be used for each hair type and within each box for every hair type it recommends "Get It Straight" products.
I am already not feeling Oprah's hairdresser y'all. If one's site features a photo of one with large curly hair, with the slogan "Make Peace With Your Hair," in addition to one's products - which cater to the naturally curly-haired crowd, why would one recommend "Get It Straight" products?
The creator of such a chart is debunked, and therefore the whole chart should be as well! But to further my point...
Naturally Curly. Curly Nikki. Blacknaps. Curl Centric. Ouidad. YouTube. Etc. Blah, blah and blah have all contributed to the hype over the hair typing system and knowing your curl pattern. While I must admit, I was once on a mission to figure out what my curl pattern is (3C/4A, if anyone was wondering), I hate the thought of it now.
I do not intend to take anything away from these sites and blogs. I see them as major contributors to and progressers of the natural hair community, and I respect them as such. However, this is one trend that has to end - immediately. Over the past couple of months, many of my natural, curly hair clients (new and returning) have bombarded me with questions regarding their curl pattern and which category they fit in. While I am overjoyed at their dedication to the process, there is nothing that makes me cringe more than questions about their curl pattern. I am here to say that no hairstylist dedicated to the health of your hair will care - just as you shouldn't.
Why won't they care? I am glad you asked!
They will not care because hair comes in all shapes, sizes, textures and patterns. There will be short hair, long hair, thick hair, thin hair, fine hair, course hair, shiny hair, dry hair, damaged hair, oily hair, and all we (should) care about is HEALTHY hair.
We should recommend products based on YOUR hair. No two heads of hair in any category will be exactly the same. My 3C/4A head will be completely different from the next. I, for instance, have extremely soft, medium-length, fine, neither dry nor oily hair. I have clients who have 3C/4A hair that is dry as the desert, long and thick, and therefore I cannot always recommend that they use the same products that I do.
Let us put aside the curl pattern chart and guide our focus toward seeking to know and understand every part of our hair. Let us begin to buy products not only for our curly hair, but our dry hair, our coarse hair, our soft hair and our thick hair. We must not let YouTube Beauty Professionals hold us hostage to the Curl Chart and open our eyes to see that there is more to embracing our curls, than our curls themselves! We must seek knowledgable curly-girl professionals, who want our flourish to flourish in all of its flourishment through each of the ringlets in our curls. The death of the curl pattern chart is the birth of exceptionally healthy hair with no groupings! It is the true beginning of making peace with every aspect of your hair!
