Shrinkage, Silk Presses & Seeing My Real Hair for the First Time

Bee Harmoni
10 hours ago
3 min read

-A Natural Hair Revelation from EYH

In this insightful video, YouTuber StarPuppy shares her personal journey with 4C hair shrinkage. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of embracing her natural hair texture, offering a candid look into the realities many Black women face. Her approach is both humorous and heartfelt, making it a relatable watch for anyone on a natural hair journey.

Watch the full video here:

So boom—I'm officially transitioning to natural. And baby, this hair journey? It’s been something serious.

I can finally see my natural curl pattern coming through, and whew… I get it now. I truly understand why Miss Pat used to relax my hair like rent was due. That woman wasn’t being mean, she was trying to survive. 😩 My hair is very much 4C—like, capital bold underline 4C. Thick, full, and coily like a phone cord from 1993.

Let’s talk about it.

Shrinkage Ain’t the Enemy—It’s a Superpower

Listen. When I first saw how much my hair shrinks up after I wash it, I was like “Who cut me?!” 😳But now I know—shrinkage is not the villain. It’s the real MVP.

Why Shrinkage Matters:

It means your hair is healthy and hydrated.
It shows your strands got that snap-back elasticity.
It protects your ends by tucking them away naturally (God built in a protective style, okay?)
It’s giving volume, baby. You might be mad today, but tomorrow? It’s fluff city.

As Vernon François (celebrity stylist to the stars) once said:

“Shrinkage isn’t a problem. It’s a sign your hair is alive, thriving, and doing what it’s supposed to do.”(InStyle Magazine)

So don’t fight it. Just learn how to work with it.

But Let’s Be Real… That Silk Press Struggle Is Different

Now on the flip side, let me tell y’all about trying to silk press this 4C crown.

If you don’t dry your hair thoroughly before flat ironing, you might as well call it quits. That moisture sitting in your roots? That’s the reason your silk press be reverting before you even leave the house good.

What I’ve Learned:

You gotta blow dry like your life depends on it, especially them roots.
Use a good heat protectant (not your cousin’s cooking oil).
Go section by section like it’s a full-time job.
And don’t you dare half-dry it ‘cause you in a rush. You’ll be looking like a poofball with heat damage.

Honestly, a proper silk press could be its own blog series. No lie. There’s the prep, the technique, the products, the humidity drama—it’s a lifestyle.

My Go-To Products Right Now (4C Transitioner Starter Pack)

Here’s what’s been helping me out lately:

Shampoo/Conditioner: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey – my hair eats it up
Deep Conditioner: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey Masque – thick, like pudding
Leave-In: Camille Rose Curl Love – smells like cake and works
Heat Protectant: CHI 44 Iron Guard – do not skip this step
Flat Iron: BabylissPRO Nano Titanium – hot and heavy-duty, just how we like it

Final Word from Ya Girl

Transitioning to natural is like dating yourself all over again—you’re learning what you like, what you don’t, and how to love what grows from your scalp without apology.

So yes, this hair shrinks.Yes, it’s thick.Yes, it be disrespectful when wet.But also—yes, it’s mine, it’s magical, and it’s worth every minute of the journey.

And when I say EYH2DAY, I mean it. Expand Your Hairizons TODAY and every day. Whether it’s learning about your texture, trying a new routine, or just moisturizing those ends—you’re doing the work. Keep going.