How to Define 4a/4b Hair Using Hair Gel [Video]
Written by Samara on February 23, 2010This video is a demonstration on how I finger styled my hair using the Fantasia IC Olive Styling Gel to create shiny beautiful spirals. I also used the Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner as my leave-in under the gel for ultimate definition and to add softness and moisture. This technique may not work for everyone if your hair is lacking a curl pattern, so please do not get upset if you find that it doesn’t work for you. Coarser hair types will benefit more with a twist out instead. Gel can also be used for a twist out if you want that silky, shiny look.
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7 Responses to How to Define 4a/4b Hair Using Hair Gel [Video]
Thank you for the video, your hair looks SOOO Healthy! love this style; How did your hair FEEL after it dried; soft? hard? does it dry clear? would love to know.
Keep up the good work samara
My hair dried very shiny and it was a stiff hold, but it wasn’t hard or crunchy. It softens with each day you wear this style as long as you are moisturizing your hair daily.
I appreciate the work you are doing; keep up the good work. Congrats!..on the baby & wedding. Can you please explain 4a & 4b hair as well as the other types you mentioned on the video. 3c/ 3a. I’ve tried doing the style you did here & mine did not turn out so nice, I will try again w/ your input.
Take care
I really don’t like discussing hair types because it’s a way of putting a label on us (African Americans). I do mention my hair type only so women with hair similar to mine can see how a style may work on their hair.
African American hair is so complex you may find you have several textures of hair on your head. Also some one with 4a fine hair may look and react different from a person with 4a thick hair because the hair is thicker and may have more shrinkage than one with fine hair and less shrinkage. (Ex. My son and I have the same type of hair, but his hair is finer than mine.)
Anyways, from what I understand from the “so-called” hair typing system. 4a hair is tightly coiled hair and 4b hair doesn’t have a curl pattern at all. 3 type hair has a curl pattern as well, but the curls are looser than 4 type hair. 3 type hair tends to be frizzy just like 4 type hair and hair serums and/or gels can be used to tame frizz for beautiful shiny curls and coils.
Great video! Great technique! I needed more ideas. Also try Kinky Kurly products.
Wow! I just saw this vid, your hair looks fantastic. I luv it. You are so right about different textures. At the nape of my hair it seems to be 3 something. The sides also seems to be 3 but coarser than the back. The other parts of my hair are 4 for sure and much easier to obtain a curl pattern. Thanks for taking the time to shownewbies like me how to style our hair
Thanks so much for this video! I’ve been growing my hair out for 3 months now and I have been trying to figure out how to wear the curly look. I’ve saved this page under my favorites for future reference!