Ask Curly Nikki: How Do I Handle Hair With Two or More Textures?

Calling all naturalistas: Do you have urgent tress questions? If so, you’re in luck. Every Thursday, natural hair blogger extraordinaire CurlyNikki will be solving your curly hair conundrums! Submit your questions by tweeting them to @EssenceMag with the hashtag #AskCurlyNikki.

READER QUESTION: Nikki, I have three different curl patterns and textures in my hair. What advice can you offer for achieving a consistent texture so I can wear a wash-and-go?

If we polled the natural hair community, we’d find that most identified themselves as having multiple textures. I’m a proud member of that club as well. My hair in the front is fine, loose and wavy, while my hair in the back is a little coarser, tight and coily. Nevertheless, I stay rocking wash-and-gos. Below, find three tips that may help you find your wash-and-go swag as well.

1. Clever Product Usage– Since the hair near my nape is fluffier and more prone to excessive shrinkage, I’m a little heavier handed with the product application back there and sometimes apply thicker products like gels to help the coils clump and hang to blend with the front. Don’t be afraid to layer products in one section while only using one product in other sections. You’ll be surprised at the more consistent results!

2. Wet Sets– While wet sets don’t officially qualify as a wash-and-go, it may be something you want to consider. Beyond full twist and roller sets, you can also experiment with twisting or braiding sections that need a little help in the texture department. Sometimes I twist the front sections of my hair to provide extra waves to better match the wash-and-go results throughout the rest of my head. If you have sections that won’t curl, rolling the ends with an appropriate sized roller or straw may keep things consistent.

3. Cut– Since my hair hangs in the front and shrinks in the back, I had my stylist maximize on this and work with my hair’s natural tendency. We opted for a layered bob, which gives my hair added volume, a dope shape and works with the texture of my hair. Be mindful of your texture during your next visit with the shears, as a seasoned stylist will be able to work magic. A good cut is everything when it comes to curly hair.

Hope this helps! Chime in ladies: what do you to even out your multiple textures?

Nikki “CurlyNikki” Walton is a successful psychotherapist and creator of one of the most credible online sources about natural hair care, maintenance, and decoding the psychological ties between black women and their hair. Visit her at her blog CurlyNikki or follow her on Twitter @CurlyNikki.