AboutDana Sear Expertise I can answer questions on all types of hairstyling, cutting, designing, coloring, corrective color, perming techniques,product knowledge, and in general, anything that has anything to do with hair.
Experience I have been a designer and educator for 26 years. I have been a salon consultant for Redken, affiliate trainer for ABBA Pure and Natural and am currently a member of the design team and trainer for my company. I specialize in corrective color, perming and style support, and image updates (make overs)
Education/Credentials I have been actively licensed for 26 years. I have a college degree in another field, and actively participate in and teach cutting, perming, coloring, and business building classes. I am a certified Redken Consultant and certified to perform and teach Chi Transformation.
Hello, I recently decided to wear my hair natural but have had no luck styling my hair in a way I like. My hair naturally forms a, part kinky, part coily, afro. I think I have type 4a hair. My hair's pretty thin but I have a lot of it. The majority of my hair forms tight coils and the rest (mostly towards the front middle of my head) is loose and kinky. I was thinking of getting my hair thinned out once it gets longer so that I could wear my hair like in the picture. Is this a bad idea? Is it possible for me to have this hairstyle without using a relaxer or any other chemical treatment or at all? If so how? Thanks in advance. :)
Answer Hiya Karis,
This hairstyle does not fall this way naturally. It is styled to look this way. Most likely, it is rolled or ironed into this spiral pattern. Based on what you told me about your hair texture, you could probably achieve this by rolling your hair on spiral rods and allowing it to dry. However, you probably need a texture service to even out the curl so it is the same all over.
I am not a big fan of thinning but a lot of people think it is necessary. I also doubt it will help if you don't do something to even out the curl pattern in your hair.
Most reputable salons offer complimentary consultations. I would highly recommend you make an appointment and take this picture with you. A designer will be able to assess your hair and curl patterns and determine whether or not you can achieve this style without a texture service.
I have several clients who like this style. Depending on their hair type, I either pin curl it, set it on perm rods and dry it under the dryer or allow the hair to dry naturally under the cap dryer and then use a small barreled curling iron and a curl forming cream to cur the hair into the desired spirals. I usually apply scalp oil or smoothing cream after I have done the curls but every client is different so that depends on your needs. If you have access to the long, bendable rods, you could try doing a wet set on your hair with those rods. I cannot imagine rolling my own hair on those darn things but they do give a great curl. And because the hair works its way up and down the rod, rather that piling up on top of itself as it would on a regular perm rod, it falls naturally into a spiral. Then, all you have to do is separate the curls with a bit of smoothing cream or serum on your hands to get the separated and defined curls.
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