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"Your co-wash reveals your curl pattern, while your styling product captures [it]," explains Dickey. Type 3C curls are tight corkscrews that range in circumference from a straw to a pencil. Strands are densely packed together, giving way to lots of natural volume. Frizziness is common with this type, so if that's not a look you're into, use a sulfate-free, creamy cleanser, like the Oyin Handmade Ginger Mint Co-Wash, that won't dry out your hair even more. Additionally, using a rich leave-in conditioner, such as Pattern Leave-In Conditioner, can help nourish your hair.
The Ultimate Curl Pattern Guide
4a curls are dense and have coils that are “springy.” These may are either wiry or fine and have the circumference of a crochet needle. “They are tightly coiled, experience a lot of shrinkage, and have a visible 'S' pattern,” Breyer says. With 3a curls, “you have big, loose curls and spirals similar in circumference to a piece of thick sidewalk chalk. Blowouts are usually no problem for you, nor is styling your hair in its natural texture,” Breyer explains. While there’s a range of curly hair (3a-4c), we’re focusing on 4a, 4b, and 4c hair types today.
Oribe Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème
It's a lot to think about, sure, but we tapped three industry curl experts to break down some of the finer points of the typing categories. Whether you've got soft bends cascading down your back or tight coils blossoming towards the heavens, there's an easy way to identify exactly what's going on up top. Follow our easy tip sheet below (complete with recommendations for the best products for your curl type) so you can be well on your way to becoming a curl-typing pro.
CURL PATTERN CHART: HOW TO FIND YOUR HAIR TYPE
This hair type’s waves can also be mistaken for frizz when improperly cared for. Lots of oils or heavy products can weigh the wave down and cause you to mistake your texture for something else. 2C hair has a texture that is getting thick, it's more likely to experience frizzing, and the S-bend starts right from the root and is very well-defined. It's important to keep this hair moisturized, so DiMeo recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo, which helps not strip natural oils and moisture away.
2B curls are waves with more defined S-patterns and a bit of frizz at the crown. 2C curls are wavy but thicker, coarser, and more prone to frizz, featuring defined S-shaped waves that start at the roots. Type 2b curls are wavy and have a slight frizz on the crown of the head. These curls are bendable and can be fine to coarse, with a definitive S pattern that lays closer to the head.
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Is The 1A-4C Natural Hair Scale Really Fit For Purpose?.
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Despite many misconceptions, this tightly coiled hair is quite fine and fragile. Coily hair grows at the same rate as other texture, however, if not treated properly it breaks more than other textures. Treat this hair type like a fine silk blouse – cleanse gently, detangle softly, and avoid harsh chemicals. Coily hair is the driest hair type, thus it is more prone to breakage and requires a gentle touch.
Hair Texture Classifications
If your hair separates easily into strands, you have high porosity; if it resists being pulled apart, you have low porosity. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise.
A strong indicator of your porosity level is the health of your cuticles, which is the outermost layer of the hair strand. When the cuticle is healthy, it lays smooth, closed, and retains moisture. If the cuticle is compromised by damage due to factors such as heat, over-processing, and natural weather, it lifts away from the hair shaft. Everybody is born with specific hair textures and it may change over the span of one’s lifetime. It’s very fragile, highly porous, and prone to breakage, which is why it needs a lot of love and care in the form of hydration and deep conditioning. Type 3B is a tighter curl, with a spring back of 1 to 2 inches that needs more TLC.
Type 2C hair is a mixture of waves and curls that form an S shape. It is prone to frizz and requires a lot of moisture to keep it looking healthy. Stylist Marcus Francis recommends using a hair mask twice a month to provide manageability and moisture. To smooth the hair cuticle and reduce frizz, apply a light layer of a cream-based product for blowouts or natural waves. Type 2a curls are characterized by barely-there waves with a tousled texture.
While type A wavies can easily alternate between straight and curly styles, while other hair types can be resistant to styling. Similar to 4B, 4C curl types have one distinct difference being that the zigzag pattern that they share is much more tighter. This means that the strands are a lot more fragile and it is the curl type that experiences the most amount of shrinkage out of all of the other types. 4Cs tend to be extremely delicate and often lead to breakage and yup! The most important thing is to cover your hair from root to end with hydration and being very gentle when it comes to styling.
Though for some this may already look like a typical curly hair, the 2C type does not form springs, a distinguishing feature between waves and curls. We like Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo and conditioner, which topped the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's volumizing shampoo and conditioner test. To balance movement of waves with straighter hair at the crown, apply a light mousse to boost your roots and avoid rich creams that can flatten the curl by weighing it down. Matrix Biolage Styling Whipped Volume Mousse, one of the top performers from the GH Beauty Lab's hair mousse test, fits the bill for this hair type. Hair type, from pin-straight to kinky, depends on the shape of the hair follicle itself.
Hair is thicker than 2A and it is slightly more difficult to style due to all the frizzies around the top of the head and the fact that you have more hair to work with. You’re gonna have to put a little more effort into straightening your hair but if you want to enhance your natural waves you can do so with these heatless tricks. Also, if you do decide to straighten your hair, you’re going to need extra protection to keep from damaging your curl pattern. The Mizani Thermasmooth Shine Extend is a great heat protectant that locks in shine at the same time, says Hardges.
The most exciting thing about 4C hair, besides its unique appearance, is its level of shrinkage. That means that 4C hair can look like it's only ear-length but really be bra-strap length. Caring for 4C hair is arguably harder than caring for any other hair type due to its extreme dryness and fragility. But don't let that scare you - with the right products and techniques, you can achieve healthy 4C hair that looks and feels fantastic. It is the curliest of all hair types and has the most volume you've ever seen.
You are going to want to gently and slightly pick-out your hair while applying a leave-in oil or cream to maximize your moisture retention. Those with 4A curls have the tightest, smallest coils/curls and follow a well-defined s-pattern. They usually retain moisture better than the other Type 4 hair and experience the least amount of shrinkage.
Specifically formulated for those with curly, coily, and tight textures, this leave-in conditioner restores your hair and locks in moisture. Even though it’s infused with a blend of moisturizing oils and honey, it leaves your hair feeling lightweight. Identifying what type of curly hair pattern you have is key to nailing down a hair method or routine that leaves you with healthy strands. The best time to examine your follicles is when the hair is wet since water weighs down the hair, altering how it looks compared to dry strands. Tonanzi notes that it's important to remember that most people don't fall into a single curl category and actually have multiple patterns on their hair. "The hair on our head grows differently depending on where it is—hair on the back of the neck will have a looser pattern compared to the hair on the front and sides," she says.
Dickey recommends using an airy, water-based mousse, like the Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam, to add a bit of oomph at the base, making hair look fluffier and fuller. Straightening the hair with a flat iron is also an option for a sleeker look. Products such as Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie and DevaCurl Wave Maker are great for Type 2b curls. Type 2b curls can look their best with the right products and styling techniques. That’s why we’ve examined two industry pros to break down the finer points of the typing categories and provide product recommendations to make the curl-care aisle less intimidating.
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