4C Natural Hair Doesn’t Sleek Down!? LOOK AT WHAT SHE DID! Sleek down Short 4C Natural Hair Tutorial

Want to sleek down 4C hair into a smooth ponytail? There’s nothing like an old school ponytail. It can be casual or elegant, sexy or flirty, or downright messy! Whatever the case may be, ponytails are one of the best go-to hairstyles for any occasion.

If you have coily or curly hair, you know the occasional struggle to get it into a smooth, tamed ponytail. It can be frustrating. However, don’t worry, because I have a few tips to help you get a slick and sleek natural ponytail with your type 4 hair!

How to Sleek Down 4C Hair: Wash or Cleanse First

Unless you just blow dried or flat ironed your hair, a sleek ponytail won’t be as slick on “old” hair. That’s because of potential product buildup. So, wash your hair or cleanse your scalp beforehand.

Don’t feel like a full-blown wash day just for a ponytail? Then do a quick root cleanse or scalp exfoliation instead.

Grab a water spray bottle and spritz your scalp and roots. Next, lather in your shampoo and rinse. It’s a fast way to get the benefits of cleansing without the full routine.

Detangle and Stretch

Type 4 textured hair ranges from defined curls to super tight coils. As a result, it often shrinks more than any other texture. So, if you want a full and long ponytail, you’ll have to finger detangle and stretch.

Detangling helps you avoid problems when you apply gel or style. Stretching, on the other hand, is optional. I personally stretch my hair before ponytails because I have far too much shrinkage, and I’d like to show off my length.

Moisturise, then Gel Down

Hair gel can get hard, and it can be a little drying. That won’t work for any hair texture when you want a sleek hairstyle. So, when you shop for a hair gel, look for one made to nourish and protect hair. Ideally, it should also smooth down your edges for a sleek look.

Worried about your hair getting crunchy or hard? Simply mix in a little bit of oil, like coconut or olive oil.

Moisturising before you apply gel keeps your hair properly hydrated. In addition, it actually helps you sleek down 4C hair flatter. For the best results, use a heavy product like a moisturising cream or butter. You can also read more about hair care tips for Black hair from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Don’t worry if your hair looks white or creamy after you put it in the ponytail. It’ll go away once your hair sets and dries!

Set Your Sleek 4C Hair With a Scarf

The key to a super slick ponytail is laying it down flat! One of the oldest tricks in the book is to set your hair with a scarf for as long as possible.

Take a large scarf and fold it in half. Then wrap it around your head once or twice and tie it at the front. For the best results, sleep on it overnight. If you’re pressed for time, however, 10-15 minutes will do the trick.

Don’t tie the scarf too tight or behind your hairline. Otherwise, it’ll leave oddly placed lines in your hair and won’t fully press down your edges.

Clip on Your Ponytail

Now that all the slicking and laying is done, you’re left with the actual ponytail. Depending on how you detangled, or whether you stretched, your ponytail may be super defined or in a puff.

Personally, I prefer my ponytails super straight, so I use clip-ons or braided hair! Clip them at the base of your ponytail. Then cover the clips with hair bands or scrunchies. Worried about your hair showing? Simply bobby pin it up into your scrunchie, and it should be completely hidden.

Tip: If you’re using braided hair, put your real hair into a small bun. Next, cuff the extensions around the bun and place a sturdy hair tie around it. Finally, spread it out into a ponytail so it conceals the bun.

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Voila! You have your sexy, slick, and sleek ponytail!