"How people with small curls should wear their hair"

[jeamaria]

I had a couple conversations that touched on hair w/ a fellow natural. This girl wears her hair in braids, fros, puffs, twist outs and other sets.

In her opinion, people with small curls shouldn't wear their hair defined because it looks "unnatural" and "like they are trying to be something they're not". She referred to the actress, Sophina Brown, whose hair she thinks looks disgusting, and has pointed out people whose hair would look right using a gel styler (at the most curly, a more silky-than-cottony 3b/c), and whose hair would not (anything tighter than loose 3c, regardless of texture, and anything non silky that's higher than 3b).

She also said that gels are unnatural because they "affect your texture", whereas oils and butters are not because they don't alter your texture.

She doesn't mind wearing her hair in defined curls from a wet-set, as they are larger, (usually the aforementioned 3b/c), but sees simply applying the gel, and not twisting it or rolling it onto a rod as unnatural-looking and "pretentious".

Well, my opinion of her opinion is probably pretty obvious. But I am interested to see what people think about the idea of definition on a smaller curl vs. definition on a larger curl- does one look more natural to you than the other? What do you think are the reasons why someone might think that?   

[elliemay72]

I guess folks are entitled to their own opinions and whatnot.  I am one of those with the teeny tiny curls (penspring to pencil) and I love the way they look when defined with a gel--I think they're cute!  Otherwise, my hair looks like a fluff of cotton candy (when dry), and that look is OK too, when that's the look I'm going for.  To sum it up, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?  I don't really care if people think my hair looks "natural" or not.  I don't care if other people's hair looks "natural" either.  I am curious as to why she feels the need to "break it down" and pass judgement on folks.     

[lsubabiedee]

 

what about people with tiny curls who have definition naturally? 

i don't know what she's smoking, but butters don't affect texture because they are natural?  well, when i apply butters to my hair, my hair gets less textured and sort of frizzy.

[nappy_crown]

Your friend is brain washed and doesn't even know it.   

[shndlyn]

what about people with tiny curls who have definition naturally? 

i don't know what she's smoking, but butters don't affect texture because they are natural?  well, when i apply butters to my hair, my hair gets less textured and sort of frizzy.

I agree with you lsubabiedee, when I put butters or creamy products in my hair, the weight loosens the texture and makes it frizzy...I don't use gels to define my curls, I use gels to "hold the style" my only other option would be hairspray...and that has alcohol.  Gels don't increase the definition of my tiny coils. 

[pixie]

If she told me that personally I don't think I would dignify that with a response.  I would give her the  , and keep on walking. 
It is true people are entitled to their opinion (even stupid opinions), but who is she to decide whose curls are "worthy" of definition and whose isn't?

[ruqayya33]

I guess folks are entitled to their own opinions and whatnot.  I am one of those with the teeny tiny curls (penspring to pencil) and I love the way they look when defined with a gel--I think they're cute!  Otherwise, my hair looks like a fluff of cotton candy (when dry), and that look is OK too, when that's the look I'm going for.  To sum it up, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?  I don't really care if people think my hair looks "natural" or not.  I don't care if other people's hair looks "natural" either.  I am curious as to why she feels the need to "break it down" and pass judgement on folks.     

WORD!!!

As to the question in the title of this thread:

How people with small curls should wear their hair? Any damn way they like to wear it!!

[Curlilocs]

IMO, she has some issues.  Those are the type of people I avoid communicating with.

[luvnaps]

WORD!!!

As to the question in the title of this thread:

How people with small curls should wear their hair? Any damn way they like to wear it!!

 I just love your answer to the question............................

[jazzi]

Only Botticelli curls qualify for definition? I have to disagree there.

B U T

the overall point-not all hair looks nice worn in a defined style-I agree with.  Very thin hair, in my opinion, shouldn't be worn defined.  It just makes it look thinner, even bald.  A body enhancing style would look better.  Severely damaged/stringy hair doesn't look great defined either.   Type 1 hair trying to go for the "wetlook" looks horrible too.  These are just my honest opinions.

I wouldn't go so far as to say circumfrence has anything to do with what should or shouldn't be defined, but condition matters a great deal.  The healthier and fuller it is, the better it looks.

  

[keepitmovin]

How is one pretentious when they wear their hair in it's natural state? I just don't get that. Butters, I agree, give you more fluffy, less defined hair, so, she's wrong on that accord...and gels, those are for locking in curls that you already have vs. creating something that's not there. 

Now, I have seen some folks that I would say are just trying too hard.  It looks natural, but it LOOKS like they are pushing it to call their hair curly vs. loving it and accepting it for what it is.

And if Sophina Brown isn't curly, then who in the hell is???  You are not allowed to view links.Register or Login

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/hh/1330166/HH/1330166/iid_1206453.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Brown,%20Sophina

[jazzi]

How is one pretentious when they wear their hair in it's natural state? I just don't get that. Butters, I agree, give you more fluffy, less defined hair, so, she's wrong on that accord...and gels, those are for locking in curls that you already have vs. creating something that's not there. 

Now, I have seen some folks that I would say are just trying too hard.  It looks natural, but it LOOKS like they are pushing it to call their hair curly vs. loving it and accepting it for what it is.

And if Sophina Brown isn't curly, then who in the hell is???  You are not allowed to view links.Register or Login

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/hh/1330166/HH/1330166/iid_1206453.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Brown,%20Sophina

ITA!

[svrbrownsuga]

Only Botticelli curls qualify for definition? I have to disagree there.

B U T

the overall point-not all hair looks nice worn in a defined style-I agree with.  Very thin hair, in my opinion, shouldn't be worn defined.  It just makes it look thinner, even bald.  A body enhancing style would look better.  Severely damaged/stringy hair doesn't look great defined either.   Type 1 hair trying to go for the "wetlook" looks horrible too.  These are just my honest opinions.

I wouldn't go so far as to say circumfrence has anything to do with what should or shouldn't be defined, but condition matters a great deal.  The healthier and fuller it is, the better it looks.

  

Jazzi I understand and agree with what you are saying but for the fact that this woman isnt even talking about peeps with like straight hair that scrunch their hair curly, kinda makes me agree with the other ladies. who is she to say someone with "small" curls should not use gel . I do know some women who do not use gel because they dont like it in their hair but alot of women that have curly hair rather white, hispanic, black etc.... use gel to eliminate some frizz and keep their hair in a certain style. I mean some women use mousse and some use spritz....I dont know but I think the woman who made this statement is entitle to her own opinion but with that she isnt making alot of sense and like elliemae said " what difference does it make?"    is it hurting her that some one with "cottony" 3c/4a/4b hair use gel? hmmm I would guess not. but hey like I always say : You be the judge 

[Toneahh]

Before I read the replies, I just don't understand how someone's hair that naturally grows out of the head can be un-natural.

[gmw]

IMO, she has some issues.  Those are the type of people I avoid communicating with.

 

I would say Willie Lynch did a good job on her. That is another way of saying, "Good Hair vs. Bad Hair".

This stuff goes deep.