It can be hard to figure out your curl type. One head of curly hair can have several different textures, all of which need to work together in a style. When curls aren’t cooperating, it’s easy to throw your hair up in a ponytail or even just want to chop it all off.
Understanding and accepting your hair texture doesn’t have to be complicated. To help, most people refer to a hair typing system specifically for curls. There’s controversy over whether it’s too narrow or broad, and changes have even occurred over the years.
Many people have found that, while not perfect, this system can still help you identify your curl pattern(s). This way, you’ll have a starting point when searching for the right products for your curly hair.
In this blog post, we’re uncovering the different curly hair patterns.
Curl Patterns
The follicle shape of your scalp determines your curl pattern. The more oval or flat your follicle is, the more curly your hair is. The more rounded your follicle cross-section is, the more straight your hair is.
Your curl pattern also determines the shape that your hair makes, whether it kinks, curves, or spirals around itself.
Most people who have textured hair have multiple types of hair on their heads, so you may have a combination of curls. Identifying your curl shape and hair pattern is best done after the shower while it’s sopping wet.
At a basic level, Type 1 is straight, Type 2 is wavy, Type 3 is curly, and Type 4 is coily.
Then there are three subdivisions. Types A to C are dependent on the width or the diameter of the wave, curl, or coil of your hair. Type As have the broadest pattern sizes, Type Bs hold a medium range, and Type Cs are the most compact among the three.
Identifying your hair type is essential so that you’re better equipped to care for your texture. Note that if your hair has experienced heat or chemical damage, you probably aren’t seeing your true curl pattern. Examine the hair strand and the difference between the texture at your root, versus the texture at the hair’s tip.
Type 2 (wavy hair)
This kind of hair is flexible, ranging from thin to thick, and features a distinct S shape that is more prominent near the scalp. This type takes the most time and effort to curl.
Type 2A
This hair type has little texture that’s easy to straighten. Heavy styling products can easily weigh down the strands. If this sounds like your hair, then you’ll want to stick to lightweight products with heavy holding abilities.
Type 2A waves have a lack of volume at the root. Use a watery, airy mousse to add a little oomph to the base of the wave, making it look fuller.
Type 2B
This hair type lies flat at the crown and has defined S-shaped waves beginning at the middle of the hair. The strands are thicker than 2A and require a little bit more work to straighten.
Type 2C
These waves are thicker and more prone to frizziness. They have well-defined S-bends that start at the base of the wave. Try co-washing your hair to avoid stripping strands of essential moisture.
Use leave-in conditioners under a mousse for a natural wave pattern and hydration.
The challenge with Type 2 curls is maintaining their shape, using a diffuser for optimal volume and hold as these curls often lose their bounce as the day progresses. Because wavy hair is more prone to frizz, anti-frizz/humidity protective stylers are key for creating and keeping gorgeous waves.
Type 3 (Curly Hair)
Type 3 curly hair varies from loose, lively loops to firm, bouncy corkscrews that possess some glossiness.
Type 3A
These strands usually form big, loose curls. To style this type of hair, use a curl-boosting product in your damp hair. To maintain the bouncy springs days after a wash, spritz a curl refresher.
Type 3B
This hair type has springy, curling curls with a rounded shape. This type of hair tends to dry out. Look for curling gels that contain humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture into the hair.
Type 3C
These curls are loose corkscrew curls that come in all shapes and sizes. The strands are tightly packed together, resulting in lots of volume. This hair type is prone to frizz, so if you don’t want frizz, use a creamy, sulfate-free cleanser that won’t dry your hair out further.
Type 4 (coily hair)
Coily hair, otherwise known as “Afro-textured” or “kinky hair,” has a dry, spongy texture. It can be coarse and wiry or soft and fine. Strands of coily hair form tight, small zig-zag curls straight from the scalp and tend to shrink significantly.
4A
People with this type tend to have thick, springy S-shaped coils. Wash-and-go styling is one of the easiest ways to style curly 4A hair.
Make sure you’re using a curl cream with moisture. To dry your curls, use a diffuser for extra fluffiness and volume.
4B
These strands are tightly packed and bend at sharp angles. They resemble the letter Z. For this hair type, style with a thicker curling cream.
4C
4C hair textures resemble 4B textures, but the tightly wound curls are more delicate and exhibit a pronounced zigzag pattern. This hair category undergoes the most shrinkage—around 75% or even more—relative to other hair types.
Since dryness and shrinkage are the main issues with this type of hair, use a hair mask to soften the hair while providing hydration. You can also use castor oil as a hydrating and sealing agent for this extremely dry texture.
Conclusion
Understanding your curl pattern is a journey of self-discovery that goes beyond just hair texture. It’s about embracing the natural beauty of your hair and learning how to care for it in the best way possible.
By identifying your curl pattern, you’ll know which products work best for you, helping you achieve healthy curls that you’ll love to flaunt. Remember that your curl pattern is unique to you and this guide is just a baseline to figure out which pattern you have. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to curly hair care, so experiment and decide what’s best for you!