One of the many questions that my lovely naturals ask is, “What’s my hair type and how do I find out?” When I first started my hair journey, I was obsessed with trying to find my curl pattern/hair type. I found out that I am mixture of Type 3/Type 4 hair. So with my new found information, I began to go out and find other women whose hair was similar to mine. I bought so many products (I still do that from time to time lol) and started twisting, washing, and styling my hair. One thing you must remember is no two heads are alike. What works for her may not work for you, but don’t give up! With much experimentation I found some great products that my hair loved. Now, I don’t so much focus on labeling my hair, I do what’s best/works for my hair. If anybody asks me what’s my hair type I just reply, “Curly and sometimes kinky.”
So let’s get to the good stuff: helping you determine your hair type. I hope this helps.
Type 2-Wavy Hair
There are 3 different Type 2 subtypes:
Type 2A: is gently, slightly “S” waved. The hair tends to be fine, thin, and very easy to handle. It is also normally easy to straighten or curl. Type 2a has quite a bit of shine.
Tips for 2a:
•Use sulfate free, gentle cleansers
•Use a light, silicone free-conditioner that won’t weigh down your hair
•Do not use a brush or combs on your dry curls
Type 2B: has a medium texture and has a bit more wave than type 2a has. It can be a little more resistant to styling and has a tendency to frizz .
Tips for 2b:
•Use lighter products like gels or a mousse that enhances the curl but not weigh down the hair.
Type 2C: thick, coarse, and wavy hair. 2c has more curls opposed to waves. It is more resistant to styling and will frizz easy. When styling 2c hair you tend to use a lot more gel to get desired style and to tame frizz. Many with type 2c hair have and underlying of straight hair, while others have an underlying that’s more ringlet-y and curly.
Tips for 2c:
•Use a cleansing cream or a sulfate free cleanser
•Create defined curls with a frizz-reducing thick conditioner.
•Use curl enhancing gel
Type 3-Curly Hair
Type 3A: curls are naturally big, loose, and often very shiny. 3a curls circumference are sidewalk chalk size. This hair type can be easily straightened, however this hair type is very much affected by the climate. Type 3a curly ladies can use a variety of styling products to achieve curl formation and definition.
Tips for 3a:
•Use a moisturizing sulfate free cleanser to get the most definition.
•Hydrate and moisturize your curls with a leave in conditioner
Type 3B: curls are well defined springy, copious curls that range from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrew. 3B curls are the about the size of a sharpie. Type 3B hair can be straightened, but it will definitely be some work. Type 3B hair generally isn’t particularly shiny and its texture can be quite coarse.
Tips for 3b:
•Use a moisture balancing cleanser on your Curly Spirally hair
•Revitalize parched curls with a hydrating leave-in conditioner
•Use stylers like gels and creams that promote curl definition and offers serious frizz control
Type 3C: Curly Coily
Type 3c hair has voluminous, tight curls in corkscrews, approximately the circumference of a pencil or straw. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together. Getting this type of hair to blow dry straight is more challenging than for 3a or 3b, but it usually can be done. The very tight curls are usually fine in texture.
Tips for 3c:
•Curly Coily hair with a moisturizing cleanser
•Use rich and nourishing conditioners to protect your fragile Curly Coily hair
•Use stylers that offer maximum moisture: creams, butters and oils. Hair milks are a great hydrating styler that will keep your curly coily hair manageable all day
Type 4 - Coily Hair
Type 4a: is tightly coiled hair that has an "S" pattern. It has more moisture than 4b; it has a definite curl pattern. The circumference of the spirals is close to that of a crochet needle. The hair can be wiry or fine-textured. It is very fragile with lots of strands densely packed together. Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types, which means it has less natural protection from damage.
Tips for 4a:
•Start your regimen with co-washing with a Type 4a recommended conditioner. This will cleanse and condition your coils without stripping out its natural oils
•Restore and renew your dry Coily Springy hair with a deep conditioner once a week. Hydrate, soften and nourish your Coily Springy hair with moisturizers
Type 4b: has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z". Type 4 hair has a cotton-like feel. The hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled or bent and very, very fragile; you must take great care when working with it. Type 4 hair can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots and lots of strands densely packed together. Type 4b hair often shrinks up to 75% of the actual hair length.
Tips for 4b:
•Use a heavy creamy cleanser to keep your coils healthy and moisturized
•Detangling your Coily Crimpy hair should be an essential part of your hair care routine. Detangle with a conditioner that has lots of slip and your favorite wide-tooth comb
•Seal in moisture and add shine to your dry fragile Coily Crimpy hair with hair milks and styling butters. Deep condition weekly to ensure strong healthy and hydrated coils. To intensify your deep treatment add heat
Type 4c: hair is composed of curl patterns that will almost never clump without doing a specific hair style. It can range from fine/thin/super soft to wiry/coarse with lots of densely packed strands. 4c hair has been described as a more "challenging" version of 4b hair. Some say 4c looks identical to 4b except that the curls are so tightly kinked, there is seemingly no definition. 4c hair can shrink more than 75%.
Tips for 4c:
•Limit your cleansing to heavy co-washing conditioners
•Use products like oils, creams and butters to moisturize and seal your coils
•Use heavy pudding and creams to help elongate your Coily hair. Don't forget to deep condition every 3 days to ensure healthy strong coils
So that was fun lol. By now you should have a pretty clear mind what hair type you are, but remember it’s not about the labels it’s about maintaining healthy, beautiful, strong, hair.
Oh yes, please leave comments, ask as many questions, and pass the blog along. I love to hear feedback.
Until next time loves!!