• the locked state / locs (tangled loops),

• the closed state (natural loops defined),

• the frizzy state (disjointed curls),

So-called "kinky" hair is often presented as a specific hair type, lacking a particular shape, uniformity, and curls.

" Shrinkage " is an English term referring to the ability of so-called "kinky" hair to shrink or expand naturally, and to appear visually shorter than it actually is, thanks to the natural formation of curls, which clearly demonstrates the opposite.

The different sizes of natural curls mean that shrinkage does not appear the same.
The smaller the curls, the more the hair has the ability to shrink and appear shorter without needing to cut the hair.

Simply wetting the hair is enough to activate curl formation.

The smaller the curls, the less visible they are from a distance, even if the hair has defined curls. The appearance is even more hazy and uniform when the curls are small; they are almost invisible from afar.

The final frizzy texture of chemically altered curly hair

Hair that only appears frizzy when wet, that doesn't curl, stretch, or form spirals. This is often naturally curly hair that has been chemically straightened.

curly hair damaged by straightening treatments,

heavily bleached, naturally curly hair.

No gel, no water, no mousse will help to reactivate the formation of natural curls.

The appearance of unnaturally kinky hair is very different from chemically kinky curly hair.

Because curly hair in its kinky state is more alive, less dry, thicker, stronger, and its waves are visible and can be coordinated.

And with just a little water, creams, nourishing butters and a brush, you can unite your waves and achieve "wave" style hairstyles, regardless of the size of the curls.

This is impossible for hair whose kinky texture has been chemically altered: its weak waves give a smooth or frizzy appearance, without natural structure. And the volume is very reduced.

But it is also not comparable to the crimped look created with a comb on straight hair, with the Western backcombing technique to create volume.

In many cultures, the norm is to have hair detangled before styling, which obscures the visibility of curls.

And traditional or cultural hairstyles do not reveal the curls, and the hair is left loose and untangled.

As in other cultures, curls must be defined, as this is their standard for achieving their traditional hairstyles, or the cultural care applied defines their curls or waves.

There are communities whose traditional hairstyles consist solely of hair stretched with thread, or braids for buns, for example. Like others, they have hair care techniques that allow them to keep their hair stretched more often. And leaving their hair loose for extended periods, unprotected, without detangling, shaping, or styling it, means, culturally, that they don't consider their hair styled, unless it's very short and has been cut for specific reasons.

For others, it's more the look of curly hair in locs, which is part of their culture or spiritual beliefs.

Moreover, in many cultures, people do not traditionally leave their hair loose: they braid it entirely or partially, make buns, leave it loose in locs, or cover it.
Thus, the loops are not particularly visible at first glance, although they may be visible up close.

The choice of which curly hair texture to highlight is personal; the most important thing is to feel good about yourself as you are.

We are fortunate to possess this magical, multifaceted hair.

To learn more about curly hair, see: "Understanding Curly Hair" .