Got 4A curls and can’t decide if you should style on wet or dry hair? Girl, we break it all the way down. Wet styling gives you juicy definition, but dry styling brings the volume and stretch. Whether you want your curls to pop or you’re tryna get that big hair energy, this guide’s got you covered — plus tips to mix both and keep your hair happy.
Gods of hair have been kind to you if you are blessed with 4A curls. And if you are the proud owner of curly hair or curly extensions, you are very familiar with the fact that definition is the key. But when it comes to styling this beautiful texture, what is the best approach? Working with wet or dry hair has its pros and cons, but depending on your goal in terms of moisture and volume, you can decide which approach is most suitable for you.
Let us help you out pick out your winner for styling. Is it a wet one or the dry one for your 4A hair?
Before you jump to the styling methods, we need to understand what the texture is all about. 4A hair comes from the type of curl family, which has its other siblings 4B and 4C hair. It means there are three particular textures, with 4A being the loose curl pattern, which has springy coils that resemble a specific shape. The texture is soft and dense, typically characterized by fine to medium textures, as it is the easiest curl hair texture to manipulate. Some of the challenges it faces are:
Fast drying because natural oils struggle to reach the ends tips of your curly hair strands
The length makes the texture appear like a shape shifter, as it sometimes falls to shoulder length and sometimes to chin length when dry.
Gets frizzy easily, especially in humid weather, after the moisturizer is stripped off.
And this is the whole reason why styling 4A hair needs to be carefully considered, because the right method and products can make or break your look.
Wet styling is one of the most classic methods that people with curly or wavy hair use. Typically, a person applies the product while the hair is soaking wet. It usually happens after coming out of the shower.
Why Wet Styling of 4A Is Magic?
It enhances and embraces your natural curl pattern. Water helps to clump your curls together to form uniform coils, and with the right kind of curl cream or curl mousse, the definition becomes more precise.
Wet hair is more welcoming towards the product as it absorbs the product well, which can keep the frizziness away for a good amount of time
In wet hair, strands are usually flexible, and that is why with the help of a detangler, you can easily detangle knots, if any.
Why Wet Styling of 4A Is Tragic?
If you are a fan of length, then wet styling might be challenging. Your curls will get tighter and shorter once the wetness dries out.
If you have thick 4A hair, drying it may take a long time, so you'll need to be patient and may not be able to style for events you planned just a few minutes ago.
If you apply a lot of hair products to your wet hair, it can create white flakes or a crunchy texture. The buildup can actually weigh down your curls.
Dry Styling: The Stretch + Volume MVP
Stying Technique That Is Dope!
Dry styling involves adding product to your hair after it’s already dry, and this method works well, especially for creating twist-outs, braids, or simply adding fluff and volume to your hair.
Why Dry Styling of 4A Is Magic?
If you are a fan of good volume, then dry styling gives you a chance to stretch out your hair and make it bigger, fluffy and voluminous
It’s great to revive your hair without the wash and refresh your curls in the easiest way
When you wear dry hair, styling products can yield more results and also help preserve your hair's length. Therefore, both volume and length are possible.
Why Dry Styling of 4A Is Magic?
Dry hair can become brittle if not properly moisturized, so it's essential to treat it gently. Otherwise, a lot of breakage can happen.
If you want your curl patterns to be defined very well, you might have to face a little bit of disappointment because curl definition is not easy with dry styling.
Dry hair often fails to evenly spread product across all hair strands, which can sometimes result in uneven product absorption, making your hair look a bit wonky.
Why do you have to pick a side when you can enjoy both of them? If you want to have a length definition of your 4A curly hair. You can combine both of the techniques.
You can start styling on damp hair rather than dripping
Then try to style in sections like twist out and braids
After that, let it dry completely
Fluff and stretch using the banding method or low heat to add shape, lift, and movement
Conclusion
4A hair is nothing less than fairy hair. They are bold, beautiful, mesmerizing, and versatile. However, at the same time, if you want them to shine in their full glory, you need to be patient and use the right techniques to celebrate their texture. You can try both methods and see which one works best for you on a trial basis. Or, you can combine both methods to achieve the best texture outcome.
