I am a 4b/c and I went from combing with an afro comb (without detangling at all, I didn't even know what it was)  to brushing to fingerdetangling. Yes at first fingerdetangling takes, FOREVEEERRRR but you'll learn to be able to do it faster. Patience is still the key though!

Nu har jag börjat med att endast använda schampo 1 gång/ månad och annars så är det cowash som gäller 1 gång/vecka minst. 

As I said my hair texture is a 4b/c but mostly 4/c. Now that my hair is getting healthier and healthier and I've learned that patience goes a long way. I have also discovered more and more 4b coils in my hair. I've always had like 4 coils at different places in my hair but maybe my hair is 4b and not 4b/c.. Maybe my hair is just dry 4b hair :/

Wether my hair is 4b or 4b/c doesn't really matter to me as long as it is healthy and my hair actually shines by itself with no products in it! (*fierce*).
Yes it is normal to have more than one hair texture on your head. But to able to identify the different hair textures that sometimes look a like we will take a closer look at them while still keeping it easy.

Type 1: Straight

• Fine/ thin
• Very soft & shiny

B:

• Medium
• Voluminous

C:

• Coarse
• Bone straight

Type 2: Wavy

A:

• Fine/thin
• The hair texture is like an S.

B:

• Medium
• Frizzy

C:

• Coarse
• Tends to be resistent to styling.
• Very frizzy but has thicker waves.

Type 3: Curly

A:

• Loose curls
• Thick & full
• Frizzy

B:

• Tight curls
• Combined textures but mostly curls.

Type 4: Kinky

A:

• Soft
• Very fragile as all type 4 hair textures.
• Tight coils
• Curl pattern

B:

• Wiry
• Very fragile as all type 4 hair textures.
• Tight coils but less curls than 4A.

 

This is my result and as you can see my hair is mostly 4c/VIII and my hair haven't been braided or twisted so those two curls is like that by themselves (my edges.. They are slowly growing though) .



Tips:

• Less is more. Really, you might mess it up if you use too much off that gel and I don't know about you but I don't have the time to wash my hair or finding another hair style to do.
• It is much easier to work with clean, moisturized hair than dry or dirty hair. Already moisturized hair also saves you time.
• Work with your hair in sections. Saves you time when you are used to doing it and your full head is covered with products you use.
• Be careful when pulling the headband since we don't want to pull hairs off. Ouchless headbands seems to be good but I haven't tried it out yet so I can't tell for sure.
• When buying the boar bristle brush inspect it first before buying. Look at the bristles and make sure that they are strong and won't fall off after using it.
• Look for the Shea butter in different stores to find a good prize, I buy mine for 40 Swedish crowns at an african store in Stockholm (Aspudden).

Where to get it?

 
 
 

How I smooth my hair when I do the afro puff.

What I use:

• IC Fantasia Hair Polisher Styling Gel (- with sparkle lites).
• Raw Shea butter ( It also contains some other oil since I whipped it myself after purchasing it).
• My DIY leave-in conditioner or plain water.
• A boar bristle brush or a small comb.
• Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen spray
• A headband in a stretchy material.
• IC Fantasia Hair Polisher Carrot Growth Serum ( Another product I bought when I was a product junkie lol).

How to do it:

1. If your hair isn't detangled then that will be your first step, but I start with a 'fro that has been detangled and moisturized over night by doing the GHE method.
2. Do a knot on the headband so that you can adjust the size of it. This will make it able for you to adjust the size and the placing of your puff. Take the headband and let it hang on your neck (like a necklace). Take a little bit of the Shea butter and smooth your edges, back and front. Brush your edges,back and front gently with the boar bristle brush. Your hair should now have another shape compared to how it looked like at first, it should be smoother now.
3. Spray some of the leave-in conditioner or water not straight on your hair, but in your hands. Then smooth your edges,back and front as in step 2.
4. Your hair should be a little damp now from step 3, if not then apply more of the leave in-conditioner or water. Take a little bit of the Shea butter and mix with some hair gel. Apply it to your edges, front and back by using smoothing it at the same time. Brush it again with the boar bristle brush.
5. Take about 8-10 drops of the hair serum and smooth your hair, do nut put this on your scalp only on your hair strands.
6. Take your headband and adjust the size off it and start pulling it backwards and adjust again. Keep doing this until you have your desired finish look. You might have to do this a couple of times, learning by doing.
7. At this point you should have a afro/high puff with smooth edges, back and front. if not then re-do it until you are satisfied. Finish your look with the hairspray to get a nice sheen.



This the consistency you want. Notice the different between the hair gel + shea butter and the hair gel by itself. 

In the beginning of my hair journey I was a product junkie. I ended up with several jars that were almost full. Later on I understood that I was using them the wrong way but I have also learned that simplicity is the best for my hair.
The IC Fantasia Hair Polisher Styling Gel is one of them. I was so happy that my hair finally gonna be sleek and laid ,but no... No match at all, my hair got even more coily and shrunk :|.. I was so disapointed ant the jar was so big that I had to find a way to use it even if my hair didn't like it.

By adjusting the amount of hair gel and mixing it with different oils and creams I finally managed how to use it for my hair. My hair doesn't get sleek or laid but this product smooths my hair. I am still looking for something for my edges but that's another story.

+ It is alcohol free and doesn't flake or leaves a white residue unless you use too much. Less is more.

Where to find it?

If you stay in Sweden like me then you can find it in basically any african store that sells hair products. I think I bought mine for about 60-70 Swedish crowns. Which I think a little too much ,but it was a big jar and I'm only using a little bit at the time so I'm good.
If you don't know where to find an african store or if you stay outside Sweden than you buy it online for a cheaper price, I can guarantee you that but keep in mind that some sites don't offer free shipping for all countries.

How I use it?

Stay updated for that plus tips and pictures.

You will need:

• A spray bottle.
• Water
• Hair conditioner
• Oil/-s

(additional)+ honey, shea butter.

Where to get them:

Spray bottle: I bought it at my local store (ICA) for 10 Swedish crowns and yesterday it was still there so go and grab some if you stay in Sweden lol. Or else you can buy them at any local store that have a variety of products.
The size of it doesnt really matter, but the bigger the better.

Water: From the same place you get your drinking water from.

Hair conditioner: Any. The one you use ( don't worry you, water is the key ingredient in this DIY receipe) or one you got specific for this DIY receipe.

Oil/-s: Any oil you use for your hair. EVOO, mustard oil, vegetable oil, carrot oil, almond oil, palm oil, jojoba oil and so on. I used EVOO, castor and coconut oil.

+: I also used shea butter in it, but don't forget to melt it first or else it will just stay on the bottle walls.

How to:

1. Be prepared with everything. Spray bottle ready? Hair conditioner ready? Oil/-s ready? (In case you use shea butter or coco butter, melt it first! )
2. Put 1 part of conditioner. There is no measurements for that, you will have to figure out that yourself since it depends on the size of the bottle.
3. Now add 3-4 parts of water to the conditioner (that is in the spray bottle). Shake well
4. It is now time to add the oil/-s. It is enough with a couple of drops (about ½ tablespoon) of each oil. Shake again. The mix should be watery and look kinda milky.

Over oiling

Carrot, Moroccan, EVOO, Argan, Orofluid, Castor, ... The list is long of the oils that are good for your hair. I personally thinks that you can use any oil in your hair and see improvements, as long as your hair is healthy! 

 

Afro comb

1. Instead of keeping the moisture in your hair, your hands will steal some of it.
2. It will probably become a habit that you can't stop.
3. In case you have weak hair, know that you are just pulling hairs off (just a couple of hair straws but still..).

 

How do I start?

Number one is to find out what kind of hair you have to deal with. What is your natural hair texture, is it coarse/fine, thick/light and so on. To help you I'm gonna keep it really easy and take it step by step but let me remind you that I am not a pro at any of the things I write about. I am just speaking of my own experience. That can make it easier for you since I can share my pros and cons with you.

Hair texture

The bottom picture is the Andre Walker’s Hair Classification System and unfortunately I don't remember the name of the top chart.   

Knowing what hairtype you have is important since obviously all products don't suit for all. Even when you know your hair type it can be tricky to find what your hair loves and don't like at all. Keep in mind that the last thing you want is to become a product junkie or even a natural junkie(natural/organic hair care junkie).

My hair texture is 4B/C. It is mostly 4C but at some spots around my head I have some 4B's. It is normal to have more than one hair texture! So don't get scared or think that you have/are doing something wrong if you find some curls in your 'fro.

Girl, I don't think that this natural thing is for me. It probably wont suit me. Wait what?

• No, going natural isn't for anyone because it takes a lot of patience and time. If your hair is damaged you need to make it healthy first for it to grow out healthy. Your hair probably is growing anyway with all that damage/or without harsh damage BUT healthy long hair or hair that looks just OK. I choose healthy hair.
• Yes, once you learn how to take care of your hair and keep it that way you will see your hair's real potential to grow, shine and bounce. We love that :)

This will be a blog about nappy & kinky hair and bodycare. DIY's, home receipes, remedies, reviews, chat forum and tips to prevent your wallet from getting thinner and thinner. Everyone is welcome here wether you are black/white, is natural or not.

I am a black Swede ( african born and raised in Sweden) so this blog will also be in Swedish sometimes. Alot of my purchases that I will tell you guys about will be bought in Sweden.
When it comes to my hair I'm a natural 4b/4c. I do not use any heat or chemicals at all since almost 2 years. At first I was transistioning for about 6 months plus 6 months of my natural hair journey. No, it isn't as easy as it seems. But I love my natural healthy hair.

Feel free to comment, ask questions and share some of your own thoughts or tips.

(Om du vill ha bloggen på svenska eller annat språk så kan du använda dig av Google Translate verktyget som ska finnas på bloggen)