Tips for Caring for Your 4C Curls

One of our most commonly asked questions at are specifically about 4C natural hair, so we decided to dedicate an entire guide to 4C curls!

So what is 4C hair? 4C curl pattern is the tightest of all the textures, with curls forming coils, or a tight “s” form. This pattern tends to be more fragile and prone to dryness. Everyone has hair density and porosity, but here are some of the most defining qualities of 4C hair: 

1. Hair tends to dry out quickly, and struggles to maintain moisture. 

2. Hair can shrink up to 75%! 

3. Hair is prone to tangles and matting if not regularly detangled. 

4. Hair is fragile and prone to breakage.

How do you enjoy the uniqueness of your hair while tackling the challenges that come along with it? Let's go over some facts, and then we will get into the details of back practices and care. 

It’s a common misconception that 4C hair doesn’t grow long. This is not the case! Because 4C hair experiences so much shrinkage, it can feel like your hair is growing at a snails pace, or sometimes not at all.  That being said, if you silk or straighten your hair, you will notice the length is there. Also, since you are so prone to breakage, maintaining the health and moisture of your hair is important so your new growth isn’t upended by breakage or split ends. 

The kinks and coils of 4C hair prevent the distribution of sebum, which allows your hair to dry out more easily. Because of this, we recommend introducing a good natural oil and/or a Shea based leave-in moisturizer. Of course you should shampoo your hair, but over shampooing can be detrimental to your hair’s moisture. Good habits are shampooing between 2-4 times per month, and always opt for a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo that includes hydrating oils.

Another extremely important practice is detangling, and OFTEN. This is extra important for 4C girls because the tight curl pattern of your hair can cause hairs to curl and coil around each other, causing tangles. Tangles lead to breakage, which hinders the growth process. Detangle regularly and gently, using a tangle teaser brush or wide-tooth comb. When you come to any knots, don’t force the brush or comb through, always be sure to carefully work it out to avoid breaking the hair at the knot. 

Last, what’s a good game plan for treatments? While a lot of clients can get away with a treatment once a month or every other month, 4C clients aren’t that lucky.  We highly recommend a weekly deep conditioning treatment along with AT LEAST on monthly in-salon steam treatment.  We LOVE the Devacurl Melt Into Moisture Deep Conditioning Treatment for those at home weeks! 

We know there are unique obstacles for 4C clients but here at Versus Salon our goal is to educate our clients on best practices, and rest assured we are going to be there every step of the way on your Curl Journey!

How to Graduate with your Curls

Graduation caps are a sign of your hard work and perseverance, but oh lord do they mess up your gorgeous curls. Especially for the clients with a lot of volume or who wear their afro, it is darn well impossible! Never fear, Curlista’s, we have found a solution to make sure you are the source of envy as you cross that stage. 

Step 1: 

Take a few bobby pins and secure the section of your hair forward towards your face, stopping where you would like your cap to go. 

Step 2: 

Pull the rest of your curls forward so there is a flat surface for your cap to sit on. 

 Step 3: 

Attach the top of a stiff headband to the cardboard underside of your cap, positioning so the head band will go straight down to your head. We definitely recommend going with a heavy-duty adhesive. 

Step 4: 

Fold and tuck in the portion of the cap that would fit around your head, use duct tape or glue to hold it down to form a flat surface.

Step 5: 

Please the headband on and position to be comfortable, situate those curls, and don’t forget to slay! 

What is a Toner?

Unless your hair is already a very light blonde, it has shades of pigment in it. When you lighten your hair, the bleach has to work through each of those pigments to lift the color away. Depending on how long you leave the bleach in, your hair may still have unflattering and unwanted undertones. That’s where hair toner comes in.

Toner changes your hair’s undertone. That being said, it won’t completely change the color of your hair, but it will help you alter the shade of your natural or lightened hair. Basically, hair toner products neutralize unwanted tones to help you achieve a shinier, healthier, more ideal shade.

When you apply bleach to your hair, more often than not you’ll need a toner to neutralize unwanted undertones. Toners can take bright yellow or golden hair to a more natural-looking dusty, ashy, or platinum blonde. On the other hand, a toner can also neutralize any red tones in a darker color such as a brunette Balayage. 

Lately there have also been a lot of toning shampoos that have come on the market. These products are an amazing way to maintain your hair after it has been professionally bleached and toned. Our favorite toning shampoos are Matrix So Silver Shampoo and Matrix Dark Envy Shampoo. 

Even though most toners are deposit only, toners will still have a slight drying effect on your hair. Because of this, we ALWAYS recommend you use a great at home leave in conditioner such as Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner. As important as an at home routine is for maintaining moisture in your hair, in salon treatments are always a great idea. We recommend the Olaplex Treatment with any color service and in between to maintain the health of your hair. 

The possibilities are endless with tonners and it is a fun way to change your look without breaking the bank. Book with us at versussalon.com!

What is a Color Correction?

We are SURE you have heard the term “color correction”, and if you have had one in the past, you probably wondered why it was so time consuming and so expensive. It is a long and grueling process, and we are here to clear the air and answer all the questions you have! 

There are many types of color correction but the most common is going from very dark to very light, or correcting the use of at home box dye. Have you ever gone to see your stylist after you used box color to go dark and asked to be really REALLY blonde? Getting you to be super blonde after using dark box color on your hair is not nearly as simple as you think it is.

Your hair will need to be bleached or decolorized to the necessary level to reach the desired tone of blonde.  After using box dye, your hair will be more prone to lift with red or orange tones and can lift very unevenly, and we know no one wants orange stripes in their hair! The stylist then has to use more color or a toner on top of any unevenness to cancel out any and all unwanted tones in order to achieve your desired color, and ensure it is even. 

So why is a color correction so expensive? Well there are a few reasons we can point to.  Color corrections will typically  take up a stylist’s day, some appointments will take up to 6+ hours, and the stylist has to use mass amounts of product to achieve your desired look. Properly applying the right color is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT when it comes to fixing someone’s hair, and this takes time, patience, and skill. 

It is always a safe idea to book a consultation before making any color appointment, but especially if you believe you may fall in the category of color correction. Fixing color does not always require a full-blown color correction, but it is always smart to go in with realistic expectations, but the best way to do this is starting with a consultation right out of the gate. 

We are here for the bold transformations you all have your eyes on, a consultation with your favorite stylist today!

A Client Experience with Microweft Extensions

We’ve all done it, made that DEADLY hair mistake that just damaged our hair. I know for me it was bleaching, color changes, heat damage, the list goes on and on.  Fast forward ten years, and I have thin and fine hair, and I have lost A TON of density. The ends were a mess and my hair just lacked a lot of health and shine. Sound familiar, then Microwefts are PERFECT for you. 

Microwefts are hair extensions that involve a weft of hair, which is long seam of hair that is attached at the top. Your natural hair is threaded through silicon beads to create an area to thread the seam of the weft and secure it to your hair. The silicon beads are gentle on the hair and don’t cause tangling or matting of your natural hair at the attachment area. The crown area of your natural hair is left out at the top in order to create a natural look, and the extensions are cut to blend well with your natural hair, giving a seamless blended look. The extensions come in various lengths up to 22 inches, and in an array of styles such as straight, body wave, and curly. 

The best part of the microweft extensions is specific placement of the tracks, which allows you to pass the “Ponytail Test” with flying colors, meaning you can pull it into a top ponytail or top knot and not see the tracks. You can curl, straighten, and color the extensions just as you would your natural hair. 

During your service, we will educate you on the proper washing and maintenance techniques, and will recommend when you should come back to have the extensions moved up or removed. 

Microwefts are a super diverse way to change your look, call us for a consultation today!