Anyone navigating the corporate world with 4c hair will know that the pressure to look polished often comes at a cost to your kinks and coils. It’s a tradeoff I know all too well: working in fashion, where image can be everything and type 4 hair is rarely a la mode, I’ve had coily hair crises on too many occasions to count.
From fast paced fashion weeks to photoshoots and frequent travel, it’s often been challenging finding time to carefully style my hair – or professionals trained in type 4 hair textures that can lend a helping hand. But over the years, I’ve built up a toolkit of tips, products and tricks that offer convenience, and I’m proud to say my afro has thrived.
1. Embracing blowouts
Contrary to what trends might have you believe, sleek isn’t always synonymous with chic. Don’t get me wrong: I love that my 4c hair is versatile enough to achieve a straight silk press, should I choose. But a fluffy blowout has served me well everywhere from the FROW to red carpet events. Parting ways with the notion that my coily edges must be ‘tamed’ to look ‘professional’ has only benefitted my hair’s health too.
This has become one of my go to styles because it is simple. spares excessive heat and keeps 4c hair stretched – which prevents single strand knots from forming that can hamper hair growth.The pint sized Defrizzion hairdryer, – which folds (!) neatly into hand luggage – has been a staple in my toolkit, it’s so efficient and easy to take on all my trips. Its afro pick attachment has teeth small enough to detangle coils while the comb is widely-spaced enough that it doesn’t snag.
2. Protect and serve
In really busy periods, I’m partial to tucking my coils away completely into a protective style. Whether in knotless braids, cornrows under wigs or low manipulation two strand twists, a non-negotiable for me is that my 4c hair stays moisturised to prevent brittle ends when the style is uninstalled. The Shake + Shine Mist is the kind of product that makes doing this painless – you can point the nozzle right onto braids and let hyaluronic acid do the work of pulling moisture into your hair.
I’ve written countless articles on the mechanical damage and frizz that friction subjects your strands to. And yet, I’m still guilty of crashing into bed without a bonnet on after a busy day. Which is why I swear by the satin pillowcases. They are an easy win for the working girl and especially kind on type 4 hair that’s prone to matting and tangling. I’ve found they prolong the length of time protective styles – particularly braids – will last for.
3. Remember your roots
With a voluminous afro, it can be all too easy to neglect the scalp. But for those wondering how to grow 4c hair, this is a key part of where the magic happens. Research has shown regular scalp massage can increase hair thickness as well as blood flow and oxygen to the hair follicles. Build up on the scalp does the reverse, starving follicles of oxygen supply. It’s why I am careful to use properly clarifying shampoos even when wearing protective styles. Recently, I’ve found a red light scalp massager has been game changing for keeping my scalp calm.
Despite discourse that says otherwise, 4c hair is not unpolished or difficult to upkeep. With the right products and care, I’ve found wearing my hair can be freeing – and it can be done fast enough to fit a demanding work schedule, too.
