Why Crie Natural Doesn’t Subscribe to Hair Typing
- CRIENATURAL
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Learn why Crie Natural rejects the divisive hair‑typing chart. Explore its history, limits and our better approach: focusing on hydration, texture & healthy curls.
A problematic history and marketing origins
The natural hair “type chart” categorizes hair into number–letter combinations and is often used to sell products. Andre Walker created the modern chart in the 1990s to promote his line of hair care products on The Oprah Winfrey Show, not to advance science. Earlier classification schemes were even more sinister: in the early 20th century, white supremacists used hair texture to judge people’s “proximity to whiteness”. While hair charts may give you a starting point, they oversimplify the diversity of Black hair.
Why hair typing doesn’t serve our community
Natural hair professionals and community advocates have critiqued the chart for years:
Divisive and hierarchical: The system favors looser curl patterns and reinforces texturism, leading people to think that type 3 curls are “better” than type 4 . This hierarchy encourages discrimination rather than celebrating all textures.
Limited information: Curl pattern is just one small factor in hair care. Porosity, strand size, scalp health and density affect how hair responds to products. Hair typing ignores these nuances, so two people with “4C hair” can have completely different needs.
A marketing tool, not science: Hair typing was created for product marketing and some stylists note that it often provides little guidance beyond selling you a specific line. It can misguide people into thinking their curls should look a certain way instead of encouraging healthy hair practices.
A better approach: focus on your unique hair needs
At Crie Natural, we celebrate the full spectrum of textures. Instead of chasing a label, we encourage you to:
Know your hair’s porosity and moisture needs. How well does your hair absorb and retain water? Does it like light creams or heavier butters?
Understand strand size and density. Fine strands need gentle handling; thicker strands may crave protein and deep conditioning.
Choose products based on performance. Your hair will tell you what it loves. Our Moist Hair Hydrating Co‑Wash cleanses and moisturizes in one step, gently removing buildup while leaving hair soft and hydrated. It features horsetail extract, plant keratin and provitamin B5 to strengthen and smooth strands, making it perfect for coils, curls and locs.
Join the #ThatsSoCrie community
Ready to reclaim your hair journey? Visit Crie Natural to explore our full line of products and educational resources. Watch tutorials on Crie Natural TV for step‑by‑step guidance and follow us on Instagram @allthingscrie for daily inspiration and community support. When you find products that make your hair feel its best, stick with them—regardless of what a chart says.
Dive deeper: watch our hair‑typing video
Want to explore this topic further? I recorded an educational video that breaks down why hair typing isn’t part of Crie Natural’s philosophy and how you can make product choices based on your own texture and goals. Click the thumbnail below to watch it on Crie Natural TV:
At Crie Natural, we make natural hair easy — because healthy, hydrated hair is always in style.
