Hello Curlies

I am thinking about changing our Curl Type section from Andre’s Type 2, 3 and 4. The Curl Forum Boards will also be changed to reflect this.

To Lorraines Curl Typing which I personally find a lot more helpful. Along with knowing your texture, density and porosity having an idea of your curl pattern is important.

Here is Lorraine’s Curl Typing

Corkscrew Curls, Botticelli Curls, Corkicelli Curls, Cherub Curls, Wavy Hair, S’Wavy Hair and Fractal/ZigZag Curls.

Let me know if you are happy to embrace Lorraine’s System please Thank you Curlies xx

Oh no!  Is this in the new book?  I havent ordered mine yet

I will order it this weekend.

I voted for the change but only because I dislike the Andre System intensely. Question - will the Massey version take into consideration people who currently label themselves as ‘4b’ and don’t have any discernible visible curls or coils?
And those with a multitude of curl types on their heads too?

As posted on the Curl Book thread, i love her method, it seems far clearer to me although I seem to have a mixture.

The other day I had Botticelli Curls (see Curl Diary for the piccies of this) and from the description of it looks cherub/corkscrew, but piccies sometimes look S wavy! Lol

I am going to properly study the book again tonight and look at my hair, but the description on S Wavy isnt my hair as its always curly and has been since birth (more so when I was younger).

If we change, I think it could make it a lot easier for newbies (like me!) as all these curl types can get confusing!!

angel_sista - 25 February 2011 01:37 PM

I voted for the change but only because I dislike the Andre System intensely. Question - will the Massey version take into consideration people who currently label themselves as ‘4b’ and don’t have any discernible visible curls or coils?
And those with a multitude of curl types on their heads too?

Lorraines details this as Fractal and ZigZag Curls
From her book she states

Curls that might be described as twizzles, micro-spirals or fractal corkscrews.

An almost steplike pattern to your hair. It may not look zigzag when you look at your hair as a whole but it will when you take a closer look at individual curls.

Hair that is relentlessly dry

Hair that is hypersensitive to rough handling

Curls that don’t change with the season

A receding hair line from having your hair pulled back too tight, relaxed, or the weight of a weave ( All curly girls are prone to this, but fractal and zigzag curls are more so than other)

A spring factor of 9 to 16 inches

Hope this helps   Get those votes in I would like a community decision by Tuesday 1st March

I voted for Lorraine’s system, not just because the names are adorable but because they do seem to take other factors (like texture) into consideration

I’ve always thought Andre’s system was next to pointless.  It’s kind of fun but otherwise tells you nothing about your curls or what they need.  I haven’t read the new CG book yet, but those descriptions, from what everyone says about them, seem to be far superior than the 2b, 3a, 4c classification system.  I vote for getting away from Andre!

hi keisha jo,

i have not read the book, however, just from the excerpt you gave, the lorraine system sounds better/ more relatable. the andre system has too many loop holes and doesnt allow for variables.  i think it would be better to adopt the lorraine system method. it has my vote.

Keisha Jo - 25 February 2011 02:40 PM

angel_sista - 25 February 2011 01:37 PM

I voted for the change but only because I dislike the Andre System intensely. Question - will the Massey version take into consideration people who currently label themselves as ‘4b’ and don’t have any discernible visible curls or coils?
And those with a multitude of curl types on their heads too?

Lorraines details this as Fractal and ZigZag Curls
From her book she states

Curls that might be described as twizzles, micro-spirals or fractal corkscrews.

An almost steplike pattern to your hair. It may not look zigzag when you look at your hair as a whole but it will when you take a closer look at individual curls.

Hair that is relentlessly dry

Hair that is hypersensitive to rough handling

Curls that don’t change with the season

A receding hair line from having your hair pulled back too tight, relaxed, or the weight of a weave ( All curly girls are prone to this, but fractal and zigzag curls are more so than other)

A spring factor of 9 to 16 inches

Hope this helps   Get those votes in I would like a community decision by Tuesday 1st March

I have to admit I voted for the old system, but wherever you girls go I shall follow ;o) hehe.

Only reason I voted the old is
(1) I havent read the new book and all the new curl types mean absolutely nothing to me so Ill have to start from scratch all over again, and
(2) does it really matter whether we refer to a curl type by name or number, so long as we understand what that name or number means? Surely adopting the new system just means relearning what references relate to what curl type. We’ll still have the ol “Botticelli Curls with a bit of zig zag at the back and s-shape around the face…” thing going on.

But if someone can tell me what the new name for 3A is, Ill go without too much resistance ;o)

Fluffy4eva,

I’m the same as u! I have ordered the book, hopefully I shall have it soon yayyyyy

So when I have figured out what is what I will let u know

fluffy4eva - 25 February 2011 11:18 PM

I have to admit I voted for the old system, but wherever you girls go I shall follow ;o) hehe.

Only reason I voted the old is
(1) I havent read the new book and all the new curl types mean absolutely nothing to me so Ill have to start from scratch all over again, and
(2) does it really matter whether we refer to a curl type by name or number, so long as we understand what that name or number means? Surely adopting the new system just means relearning what references relate to what curl type. We’ll still have the ol “Botticelli Curls with a bit of zig zag at the back and s-shape around the face…” thing going on.

But if someone can tell me what the new name for 3A is, Ill go without too much resistance ;o)

I prefer the old one, because I don’t think Massey’s system reflects type 4 hair that well, but that’s only from my limited reading about it. It doesn’t sound like 4a and 4b are reflected in her system, since you can have afro hair that has obvious clear curls (4a) but still within the afro hair range. I always thought her system was geared towards type 2 and 3, coz I know her 1st book didn’t include it.

Efuru - 25 February 2011 04:40 PM

I voted for Lorraine’s system, not just because the names are adorable but because they do seem to take other factors (like texture) into consideration

I agree, also Lorraine’s system makes more sense if describing it to say a hairdresser or a friend, her names are quite descriptive so anyone can understand them.

seriously i know nothing about Lorraines system. I am more familiar with Andres but i am willing to learn and expand my knowledge so i prtessume that the change ill be good for me.

hello keisha Jo,

i have not read lorriane massey’s book( but intend to get a copy sometime soonish) and was wondering if her equivalent descriptions for type 4 hair are anything like the LOIS system which is better than the andre walker in its reference to differing hair types within afro textured hair. thanks

Keisha Jo - 25 February 2011 11:43 AM

Hello Curlies

I am thinking about changing our Curl Type section from Andre’s Type 2, 3 and 4. The Curl Forum Boards will also be changed to reflect this.

To Lorraines Curl Typing which I personally find a lot more helpful. Along with knowing your texture, density and porosity having an idea of your curl pattern is important.

Here is Lorraine’s Curl Typing

Corkscrew Curls, Botticelli Curls, Corkicelli Curls, Cherub Curls, Wavy Hair, S’Wavy Hair and Fractal/ZigZag Curls.

Let me know if you are happy to embrace Lorraine’s System please Thank you Curlies xx

Thank you Curlies for voting. We will switch to this method as requested. What I love the most about Lorraines new system is that she has the image of the actual hair that reflects the name so it is a lot easier to know your curl pattern. 

Keisha Jo - 02 March 2011 03:47 PM

Thank you Curlies for voting. We will switch to this method as requested. What I love the most about Lorraines new system is that she has the image of the actual hair that reflects the name so it is a lot easier to know your curl pattern. 

Oooh cant wait to pick up my new book, I will find out what I am then woohoo xx