Having curly hair but wondering what exactly are my curly hair types i.e are they 3a type curly hair, 2b hair type, 3c curls, or even 4c natural hair?
We deeply feel you.
Decoding your curl type can be badly confusing. What’s more confusing is that several different textures can exist on one head alone, which all have to somehow look cohesive and layered when you style it.
But after reading this post this confusion should be a goner. In this post you would easily be able to figure out your curl pattern by looking at a clear curly hair type chart.
But more than that you would be able to know the unique characteristics of each curl type plus some quick savvy tips to take care of them effectively.
Without further ado, let’s dive straight into it.
Curly hair types: Do you have 2a, 3b, or 4c curls?
It is very important for you to know which types of hair you have before you even think about carving out a perfect hair care regimen. The reasoning is simple.
Every one of us has different hair concerns which are due to the different nature of our hair types. Following are the differentiating factors that set apart different types of hair we have.
Factors determining different hair types.
- Density
- Diameter
- Porosity
- greasiness
- elasticity
- curl pattern
Based on the above-listed factors, these are twelve comprehensive categories of hair. Go through it and in the end you would find some general tips to manage them.
Different hair types due to above-listed factors are.
1. Type 1 – straight hair
Unique Characteristics
Since they have straight hair strands, they tend to become greasy and oil too quickly because the oil produced from your scalp is able to travel down your hair ends with quite an ease. They have further these subcategories.
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SubcategoriesÂ
- Type 1A – found commonly in Asian descent women
- Type 2A – this type of straight here is slightly more voluminous and thicker than type 1A hair types.
- Type 3A – So the level of thickness is greatest of all three subcategories of hair types
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Haircare tips for type 1 – straight hair
- Since they are straight which means their growth is easy, however, being straight, they tend to become easily oily as the sebum is easily able to flow down the hair end – so they need a lot of cleaning and washes more often than any other hair type.
- The best-recommended products types for these types of hair are volumizing shampoos and conditioners especially a good hair drying shampoo
The bottom line:Â Keep them clean and use volumizing products
Type 2 – Natural Wavy hair
Unique CharacteristicsÂ
As the name indicates, these hair types have natural waves and generally thicker than the type 1 hair category.
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Subcategories
Their subcategories are defined by the nature of their waves and their thickness level. Keeping this in mind, there are essentially 3 main subcategories of wavy hair.
Type 2A – hair of this subcategory is fine with having S-shaped waves of hair. Also, they are easily styleable.
Type 2B – It is more frizzy than its previous hair category but thickness level starts to increase as compared to type 2A hair type
Type 2C – Just as previously said, in the increasing spectrum hair starts having a shape which is thicker, waiver and more coarse than its predecessors and hence making them difficult to style and manage due to increasing frizziness.
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Haircare tips for type 2 hair – Natural wavy hair
- By nature, they are prone to suffer from frizz. So your key to managing these hair types effectively is to keep them light and easy by controlling their frizz and adding a lot of moisture.
- The best products for these types of hair are moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that are hydrating and don’t hesitate to apply moisturizing masks too.
The bottom line:Â Do a lot of moisturization and manage their frizz
3. Type 3: Natural Curly hair
Unique Characteristics
As the name indicates, this type of hair is curly which is only straightened when it is wet or damp but as soon wetness goes, curliness takes over again.Â
However, these are easy to style as their curls are properly defined and visible.
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Subcategories
Type 3A – known by very thick, shiny but frizzy defined curly texture.
Type 3B – This has tighter curls and has a range of textures.Â
Type 3C –  This has extremely tight curls but remains easy to style
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Haircare tips for type 3 hair – Natural curly hair
- By naturally curly, they have one major concern which is never going frizz and ensuing lack of moisture. So, anything that effectively manages their frizz by adding a lot of moisture is the best choice for them
- Your choice of products for these hair types should be primarily based on their moisturizing ability. Or you can even by a customized shampoo, conditioner only for your curly hair types.Â
Other effective products could be hair oils, jellies, and mousse that could give you frizz-prone some clear definition and shape.
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The bottom line:Â Deal with frizz and loss of moisture
4. Type 4 hair – Natural kinky hair
Unique Characteristics
As the name indicates, these types of hair are extremely curly or kinky where some categories could have defined curls, but others don’t. However, these are generally very coarse, breakage-prone, and very delicate and too vulnerable to harsh beauty products.
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Subcategories
Type 4A – it is known by very defined curls but overall soft in texture
Type 4B – Further down the spectrum goes down further below, this type of hair has less defined curls and is very prone to damage or breakage.
Type 4C – This is the extreme hair types that have the tightest curls which are hardly defined and hence are most delicate and most prone to breakage to damage due to beauty products or environmental factors.
This is the hair type we have been discussing all through this post. Hope you find it very informative and practical for your 4c hair type hair problems.
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Haircare tips for type 4 hair – kinky (very curly) hair
- Since these types of hair are at the extreme ends of hair types, this means extreme efforts to keep them in order. In other words, you can try anything and everything that makes them better, heavily moisturize them, and control their stubborn frizz.Â
You can even approach professional hair care specialists for best-customized results.
- Products that promise to heavily moisturize them be it shampoo or conditioner is best for them. You are free to use any hydrating or moisturizing masks any other creams, jellies or lotions that properly moisturize them and seal in their moisture.
The bottom line:Â Use heavy moisturizers and do anything that makes them better
