10 Hairstyles That Give Your 4C Hair The Shine It Deserves
To be honest with you, I don't feel like my 4C Queens get as much shine as they deserve. Yes, the beauty industry has made more efforts to include all hair textures in campaigns, product launches, etc., but we still have a long way to go. Sadly, 4C hair is very underrepresented and that lack of inclusion doesn't properly represent the natural hair community as a whole. If we're talking natural hair, every hair type needs to be included. Natural hair is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing nor does it have one look. I can't stress this enough.
Representation is everything and by not having it, people are constantly excluded and it creates a false narrative of what beauty is. It can be hard for some naturals to imagine how a hairstyle may look on them, what the best style for that hair type is, or simply love their hair if it's constantly left out of conversations. With that being said, here are 10 hairstyles that not only show the beauty of 4C hair but also gives it the shine it deserves.
10 Ways To Style 4C Hair
1.3 Strand Twist With A Curly Bang
Not only is this a cute holiday style, it's a fun twist on the traditional twist-out. Typically three-strand twists give you hair way more definition than a two-strand twist. So if definition is something that you struggle with or want more of in your styles, three-strand twists are the way to go.
2.Loose Twists
I love how loose twists look on 4C hair. I love how much volume is in each twist and it's a simple enough hairstyle for anyone to do. This can also serve as a low-tension and low-manipulation style while keeping your hair protected and moisturized. This is definitely a style to consider as the weather gets cooler.
3.Afro Puff
You honestly can't go wrong with a simple afro puff. It's a simple and easy style that comes with so much versatility. You can style it with twists, braids, bangs, etc.
4.Stretched Finger Coil With Cornrows
Chev has a mixture of 4B/4C textures but this is still a very cute style for both textures. This is a spin on the half up half down style. Instead, she has cornrows in the front and finger coils in the back. Finger coils are another way to get the most definition out of your hair.
5.Braid Outs
Braid outs can give both definition and length depending on how you do it. When it comes to getting the most definition with your braid out, it's best to braid smaller.
6.High Bun
This is a beautiful twist on the high bun style, especially if your hair is short to medium length. It's a crossover between a high bun and an updo and can be worn for any occasion and makes a great protective style.
7.Flat Twist Updo
This is a great updo especially if you have shorter hair. It's a flat-twist in the front and a two-strand twist-out in the back.
8.Your Natural Fro’
When it comes to styles that show the beauty of your hair, your natural fro' is definitely number one on the list. You can wear a side, middle, or no part. Either way, this is the go-to style to show off your hair.
9. Perm/Flexi Rod Sets
Rods sets, especially flexi rods, are great on all textures and types of hair. It's an easy way to get a bomb switch up from your everyday styles. The flexi rods that you use, as well as how many, depend on your hair length and the volume and fullness you can achieve.
10. Wash n’ Go’s
Typically wash n' go's don't provide a lot of moisture for naturals with type 4 hair, especially 4C hair, since it's so prone to breakage. However, if done right, it can be beautiful and hella moisturized.
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I Took Three Months Off From Work In The Name Of Radical Self-Preservation
In the fourth quarter of 2023, I finally did it. I pulled the plug! To be honest, it was a long time coming. I spent years juggling all of the balls in my life, and on October 2, 2023, I dropped every one of them and fell into surrender mode.
I couldn’t take it anymore - work, family, relationships, politics, death, the ramifications of COVID-19, and my fears creeping in. I had either put off dealing with these things, or I simply didn’t want to acknowledge them. Instead, my time, energy, and focus were on everyone and everything beside me. I pushed myself to the limit; then everything started to consume me. Burnout was swallowing me whole, you feel me?
All of this forced me to do some much-needed introspection which I turned into my self-proclaimed, "Fade to Black Season."
What is a “Fade to Black Season,” you may ask?
It’s a call to rest.
It’s a call to reset.
It’s a call to retreat into a deep, quiet space.
It’s radical self-preservation.
Deciding to step back from everything was not an easy decision for me. I contemplated taking a break from everything for many years until I couldn’t put it off anymore. If I didn’t take this time off, I knew I wouldn’t be able to truly show up for the life that I claimed that I wanted for myself.
I know I’m not the only one who has felt this immense weight on their shoulders. Why? Because I’m a Black woman. According to Every Level Leadership, 88% of Black women sometimes often, or always have experienced burnout. And let’s be honest here - Black women work harder than any other group. We are the backbone of our jobs, families, and community. Because of this, we must incorporate rest as an integral part of our well-being. In case there’s some pushback, I’ll leave this quote here for you to marinate on:
“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” - Zora Neale Hurston
The reality is that with piles of work and life obligations, many of us are walking time bombs. And, for me, two weeks of PTO/vacation wasn’t enough time needed to balance myself, so I took three months off. If you feel called to do so, let this be your inspiration to take your own “Fade to Black Season.”
Here’s what I did.
- Shadow Work: I became best friends with my journal and illuminated the things I hid from myself to heal. Shadow work consists of the things you don’t like about yourself, your conscious and unconscious fears, and other negative emotions that exist due to past experiences and trauma.
- Trigger Warning: During this time, I let my triggers become my wisest teacher. I asked myself why various experiences, news, or communications resulted in negativity. I observed them, listened, and learned why they took up so much space in my life. Then, I allowed myself to choose to be open to a different outcome or feeling moving forward.
- Get Back To Pleasure: I re-centered my pleasure. I had to remind myself of what turned me on. I allowed myself to take life slowly, engage my senses, and play. I signed up for every tantra workshop, went to art museums in the middle of the day, took movement classes, and went to dance parties. I moved all the stagnant energy out of my body.
- Let Others Lift You Up: I let my people love on me. I let my loved ones take care of me. This wasn’t easy. I was used to being everyone’s support system and soft space to land. However, in my time of need, I finally let my tribe show up and show out for me. My only regret is not letting them do this sooner.
- Social Media Break: I broke up with social media during this time. Reclaiming my time and attention was an integral factor in calming my nervous system. I put blockers on my phone, and when I felt the urge to swipe and scroll, I took a walk or picked up a book.
- Redefine Your Life: After doing this type of work, I knew that I would never be the same. In this new space, boundaries and balance are prioritized, and everything else has to fall in line. I now have the mental/emotional space and capacity to do my best work!
Best of all, during this time, I found God in myself, and I loved her, fiercely.
My “Fade To Black" Season allowed me to grieve in peace, rest, tap into unrelenting joy, and simply be. At this point, me and peace got a good thing going on. Nothing else will be tolerated!
For those of you who are nervous about taking the first step, use The Dufree Foundation’s DIY Sabbatical Guide to help you plan, prep, and prepare yourself for your sabbatical - this is something I wish I had done before I leaped. Consider going on a Divine Pause Retreat to learn tips and tricks to avoid mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual burnout.
For those who work in social impact, apply for The Durfee Sabbatical program, which offers $60,000 and a three-month sabbatical, so nonprofit leaders can be a lever for whole systems change.
The choice to take a sabbatical is up to you! Just remember to prioritize yourself and never pour from an empty cup.
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