Shannon in Kansas City YT: Shannon's Bible Study IG:@showmeshannon

So called 4C hair trends often on social media platforms such as You Tube. 4C hair is tightly curled hair. I prefer the term nappy but the term is considered offensive by many if not most people. The term nappy needs to be used carefully.

Nappy is a great descriptor. Kinky is OK with me too. When people talk about curly hair there is a broad range of images that come to mind. Nappy gets to the point which is what I prefer to do. There is nothing wrong or shameful with nappy hair. I said all that to get us on the same page or at least give you context.

I have nappy, 4C hair. I use to watch You Tube hair tutorials about 4C hair. I stopped watching them long ago because I found them to not be helpful for numerous reasons. That is an essay all it’s own and I don’t feel like discussing that topic. I’m going to recommend You Tubers that I have found to be helpful with good advice for 4C hair.

I think hair influencers that don’t focus on 4C hair or Black hair have the best advice. A lot of natural hair influencers and Black You Tubers want to talk about history, culture, rebellion against beauty standards and emotional trauma. They’re a drag and I didn’t click on their video for that.

I clicked on their videos for good advice about hair health and styling ideas. Black women hair influencers are great innovators and trend setters. They are very creative but they leave a lot to be desired as far as hair health. Their number one piece of advice was to cut damaged hair. A lot of their tips for maintaining hair health seemed far fetched and it was often expensive and time consuming. Their hair routines were not practical at all.

I like hair influencers that are not focused on 4c hair because they encourage the listener to find a hair routine that works for them. They talk to you about your hair the same as they talk to anyone else about theirs. 4c is not special or somehow different. 4c hair is neutral. The viewer with nappy hair is not burdened with a lot exhausting emotional baggage.

For further context I use chemical relaxers on my hair. It’s a decision that was made for me as a child and I never changed even though I’m open to going completely natural in the future. For now my hair is graying and I’m interested in growing it out because longer gray hair may be a nice look. I’ve been very reckless with my hair in the past. I’ve used relaxers, dye and used heat for styling. I figured if I damaged it too bad I would just cut it into a pixie or bob. Now I want to take better care of my hair, get it healthy and gain more length and fullness. These You Tubers have offered good advice that I could apply to my 4C hair.

Get Glam Fam

This influencer stressed the importance of moisture for my hair type.

Blowout Professor

This influencer stressed the importance of a good, consistent hair routine.

Sarah Ingle

This influencer is very knowledgeable about hair. The first hair You Tuber that opened my mind to influencers outside of the Black community was a White woman with very long hair (not this one). I was attracted to her message because she encouraged viewers to do what works for them.

She said she was sharing her hair advice because she receives a lot of questions and compliments about her long hair. She was very matter of fact. She didn’t put her hair texture on a pedestal the way I feel a lot of Black influencers put certain textures on a pedestal inadvertently.

I have been applying what I’ve learned from these You Tubers and a few others and I’ve seen progress. My hair is in good condition and it’s growing slowly and gaining length. I’m enjoying my modest success. Those of us with nappy, kinky, 4c hair need to just think of our hair as just hair to be invested in and cared for instead of covered up and hidden. Black women with typical characteristics of those of African descent should be able to enjoy the hair that grows out of our head.

My advice for women with 4c, kinky, nappy hair is to seek out good hair advice not necessarily 4c, kinky, nappy, Black hair advice. Seek out advice from influencers that speak directly and without drama and emotional turmoil. Unfortunately a lot of social media content geared towards women with kinky hair is a bunch of gaslighting nonsense that does more harm than good.

Consider your own variables such as hair texture, finances and time constraints. Apply what you learn to your circumstances. Develop a healthy hair routine that promotes growth and a healthy scalp. Stop unhealthy hair routines that cause thinning edges and patterned baldness or break your bank, make demands on your time, causes stress or hurt feelings. Have fun styling YOUR hair with a healthy and nourishing hair routine.