Why Women Are Choosing To Texturize
You’ve always worn your hair natural, so making any kind of change will take some courage. Your stylist suggested a hair texturizer or relaxer, and now you have questions.
Chemicals are chemicals, right? So what’s the difference?
What Is Texturizer?
Texturizers are considered much milder versions of the normal chemical relaxer. They work by loosening the natural curl pattern of the hair without completely straightening it. When the curls are loosened, it makes the hair easier to handle and manage.
Unlike relaxer, a texturizer does not disrupt or change the natural curl pattern of the hair, so it’s not considered a relaxer, even though chemicals are still applied to the hair in order to achieve that texturized result.
Black hair in its natural state can be coily, curly or kinky. When hair is completely chemically straightened, the process is called relaxing.
Texturizers 101 – A Quick Reference Guide
The Birth of Texturized Hair
We’ve come a long way from the 1900s when C.J. Walker created a line of hair products specifically for African-American hair. The evolution of black hair care has continued and continues to evolve.
In 1909 Garrett A. Morgan accidentally stumbled on a formula that led him to create the first chemical relaxers.
In 1954 George E. Johnson introduced the first perm hair straightener initially for men, and then a product called the Ultra Wave Hair Culture, for women. By doing so, he created what would ultimately become the black hair empire, Johnson Products.
By the mid-1900s, the seemingly insatiable desire for longer, more Caucasian hair texture was at its peak. The success of singer/actress Aaliyah became a major reference point for these aspirations.
What are the benefits of Texturized hair?
Texturizer on natural hair gives it volume, life, and sheen. It’s also a very effective way to tame hair or thin it out when it’s simply too thick and wild in its natural state.
The way this is done is to apply the texturizer for a short time, so that it doesn’t completely straighten your hair, instead producing a looser curl pattern that’s noticeably softer.
How People Are Texturizing Today
In addition to hair that’s texturized chemically, texture can also be achieved in the form of curls, waves, layers, and colors. Note though, that hair color can also be considered texturizing when done skillfully. When placed strategically, bold colors can give the appearance of depth. When you tell your hairstylist that you want to texturize, be sure to explain which form of texturizing you want.
How To Texturize 4C Natural Hair
Texturized hair is best for men and women with short or medium length hair.
Short Texturized Hair
http://www.circletrest.com/african-american-natural-short-hairstyles/#.WkLYe9_ibIU
Medium-Length Texturized Hair
http://www.beautystylo.com/how-to-texturizer-hair-styles.html
People with medium hair should consider shaggy styles. To give your style some pop, add some shades in a random pattern.
Afro-textured Long Hair
http://lifestylechallenge.deborahgabriel.com/2011/08/05/can-black-women-over-40-grow-afro-textured-hair-long/
To Texturize Or Not – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
What type of Texturizer is best for your hair
From regular or coarse hair to children’s hair, there’s a texturizer for every hair type, and even more products to help you take care of your texturized hair.
No-Lye Texturizer
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Motions-Enhance-and-Define-No-Lye-Texturizer-Texture-Softener-System-Kit/43160690
Texturizer For Coarse Hair
http://www.classycurlies.com/2012/08/natural-hair-truth-about-texturizers.html
Texturizer For Children
http://blackgirllonghair.com/2014/08/just-for-me-now-selling-texture-softeners-for-young-girls/
Hair Texturizing Products
Anti-Reversion & Styling Cream
https://www.softsheen-carson.com/texturizer
Repair Conditioning Treatment For Texturized Hair
https://www.amazon.com/Briogeo-Dont-Despair-Repair-Conditioning/dp/B00J4R760C
How To Care For Texturized Hair – Know The Facts
- Texturizers are still chemicals, so regular treatments are very important, to keep the hair strands strong.
- A texturizer used on hair that’s naturally wavy or straight, will not work. So, only use texturizer on natural hair that has the curls intact.
- Texturize with an understanding of your hair type. The results of the texturizing process will depend on your natural curl pattern.
- Bear in mind that when using texturizers on natural hair, the results may not be even. This means that some areas might turn out looser or straighter than others.
- If not used correctly, texturizer may cause breakage to very fine hair.
What’s Great About Texturizers?
- They loosen your curl pattern. Great news if you have very kinky/coily, hard to manage hair.
- It’s easier to retain volume since hair is not completely straightened.
- Texturizing also gives you tons of styling options because your hair is more manageable.
- You can stretch out your retouch period for longer because the new growth blends easily with the texturized hair.
What you should know about Texturizers
- They’re made with chemicals. If you have damaged hair and you’re a hater of chemicals, texturizing might not be for you.
- It’s easier to texturize short hair and get good results. The results may or may not be the best on longer hair.
- Since texturizing loosens the curl pattern, expect hair strands to be finer, and even lose some denseness.
We hope you’ve been able to glean some useful information from this article.
Not everyone is totally for or against chemically altering the hair.
A lot of people feel comfortable alternating between a chemical state and a natural state, to give the hair a chance to rest. It’s your hair and so long as your scalp and strands agree with you, then go for it.
Check back often to stay up-to-date with the latest articles on hair care and styling techniques for black hair. Need some ideas? Check out our articles 2017 Natural Hair Picks and What Is Hair Plopping.
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