Yes, categorizing natural hair is actually a thing! Popular blogger CurlyNikki was one of the first to introduce the idea of a natural hair type hierarchy. It classifies waves, curls and kinks into a number and letter, based on the hairs “type”… whatever that is. CurlyNikki and other hair typers have good intentions for the hierarchy. It’s meant to make it easier for naturals to identify what products work best for their hair. But the word heirarchy alone suggests that there is an order from greatest to least. Here’s how it’s working against the self-loving core of the natural hair movement:
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