aww thanks la colocha
I must say also that you must be my hair brother or something. Another inspiration to transition 
it's not quite long yet, lol, but it's getting there... but anyways, i have longish, type 4a/b hair -- it still shrinks like a mug though
... i just updated my fotki with pics:
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
thanks ajoyful! i've been at it long enough.
it's not quite long yet, lol, but it's getting there
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
oke: 
, but it does help with the definition. I did it on Thursday before court on Friday, and my utterly non-observant secretary kept commenting on how curly my hair was, and how there was no frizzing or anything. The other thing I do differently is add gel to my hair when smoothing it, because my hair needs more hold than conditioner alone. Def look into it.
Neith,
Have you tried Teri's method at www.tightlycurly.com? I have a section of hair that I could NEVER get defined, and I used her method with great results. It doesn't help the shrinkage at all
I guess I see your point, but I feel that I do see a big difference still. It's all beautiful hair nonetheless...there just needs to be a better typing system b/c I consider myself to be 4a also but don't feel that too many of the heads in this thread are anywhere close to mine.
Oh well
4a? - I don't think they are 
Either that or i'm not a 4a. Hmmmmmmm 
thanks ajoyful! i've been at it long enough.
I agree with you 100%. My 4a hair looks nothing like what i've seen in this thread. Beautiful heads of hair - absolutely
And it very well could be, it just means i've been confused for a while. tkj25 has what i call 4a/b hair (and its BEAUTIFUL too)
. I would really like to see what 4a hair is supposed to look like.
Can some one please post some pictures of what's supposed to be 4a hair. Hell now yall got me confused
erplexed
I think I'm a good example of 4a. Close to 100% or 100% 4a
I dunno... anyone can correct me if I'm wrong
I think others in this thread have some 3c thrown in. Or silkier hair. but I don't think there is anyone claiming 4a that doesn't have ANY in their head.
I've had almost no one argue that I'm not a 4a...
My curl pattern, in April after being sort of shingled.
My hair in March, unstretched, and undefined.
The back in March, unstretched, undefined.
A puff from 2007
Now, my coils are clearly 4a, and that's the only barometer used when determining "hair type." I might be considered a "silkier" 4a than some, but as you can see, I could also be considered a "spongier" or "coarser" 4a by others, depending on how my hair looks at a given time. My strands are fine and my hair overall is thin, so I'm not going to look like those thicker stranded 4as.
I do think that many "4as" could appear to be "3cs" or "4bs" as well, depending on hair style.
but anyways, i wanted to post some more pics because after reading the rest of the posts, i kind of feel the need to "defend" my hair type (which is one of the reasons i really don't like like this system). i also realized that maybe the picture i attached makes it look like my hair either isn't mostly 4a or 4a at all, since it's from the front where the curl is looser or nonexistent. below i'm adding a few from waaay back after my first BC when i left my hair unmanipulated more often (can we say tangles???). i've also posted some pics of coils and twists b/c i stumbled upon them and wanted to share
uggggh, i'm so upset because i had written this really long post and i lost it
basically, i think the "typing" system forces us to fit our square pegged hair into round hole categories. our hair is so diverse and varied, it defies categorization. i just hope these categories don't create divisions. i'm really grateful to have found a place with women of color who share my hair woes/experiences, and who have such a wealth of knowledge. i've learned so much from all of you ladies - whether we share certain hair characteristics or not.
[fwiw i didn't edit my face out because i'm tired and i'm clothed in these pics lol. sorry in advance for the super awkward angles/close-ups.]
at the bolded. I know where you are coming from. 
I think you have beautiful 4a hair!
From reading this thread I guess that people see 4a as being very coarse and for lack of a better word, very "nappy" all the time.
but this system only defines coil size. Not how coarse or silky someone's hair is.
Just like you have kinky 3b hair vs. "European" 3b hair. The curl diameter is the same. The actual look and feel of the hair is different.
I think you have beautiful 4a hair!
From reading this thread I guess that people see 4a as being very coarse and for lack of a better word, very "nappy" all the time.
but this system only defines coil size. Not how coarse or silky someone's hair is.
Just like you have kinky 3b hair vs. "European" 3b hair. The curl diameter is the same. The actual look and feel of the hair is different.
