What is My Curl Type?
No two heads of curls are the same. Most times, one head has many curl types.
Everyone’s hair is unique and has specific needs to achieve healthy growing hair.
Learning your curly hair type is important because it helps you better understand your hair and what it needs to thrive.
Your curl type determines:
Maintenance
Products
Styling
Cut and Color options
This curl type guide will help you understand how to care for your curls and pick the best products for the job.
How are curls formed?
Curly hair starts from the scalp. The shape of the hair follicles dictate if your hair will grow in curls or straight.
Circle follicles produce straight hair, as oval-shaped follicles creates the bends and curves in curly strands.
The shape of your curls are also important in determining your curl type whether they form waves, curls or coils.
Most people with naturally curly hair have more than one curl type on their head, in some cases, they may have to style each section differently or use different products to create a cohesive look.
Curl Types Chart
The Hair Typing System was created by Andre walker, Oprah’s Hairstylist for over 25 years and modified by the curly community. Walker wanted to create a useful guide to head determine the many curl types a client could have.
Simple breakdown:
The numbers describe the shape of the curls while the letters describe the width or diameter of of the curls.
Main groups:
Type1 is straight hair
Type 2 is wavy hair
Type 3 is curly hair
Type 4 is coil hair
Subclassifications:
Based on curl shape or tightness
A- Looser or larger curls
B- Medium
C- Tight or smaller curls
What is My Curl Type?
Best time to determine your curl type is when hair your is saturated with moisture as the curl being to form and clump together.
Type 2: Wavy
Description
“S” Shaped
2A: Loose waves with a gentle bend
2B: mostly straight at roots with more defined waves below eye level
2C: Waves starting at the roots with defined waves mixed with ringlets
Issues:
Frizz
Maintenance
Shampoo every 2-3 days (2a/ 2b) or every 3-5 days (2c)
Use light oils for a pre-poo treatment to avoid stripping moisture from hair and encouraging frizz
Deep condition every two weeks
Styling Products:
Use light hold products to avoid weighing down curls
Mousse
Leave in cream
Heat protectant
Type 3: Curly
Description:
Defined and springy curls that form spiral or ringlets
3A: Uniformed curls about the size of large side walk chalk
3B: Circumference of a sharpie
3C: Pencil or straw, corkscrew curls, volume
Issues:
Frizz
Definition
Maintenance:
Shampoo once a week. Avoid sulfates that will dry out curls.
Co-wash midweek to refresh curls
Leave in conditioner
Light oil to seal in moisture
Deep condition week to bi weekly
Avoid heating tools to prevent heat damage
Styling Products
To define curls
Creams
Gels
Type 4: Coils
Description:
Tight Coils
Fragile
Coarse
4A: Small tight corkscrews, crochet needle, finer strands
4B: spring of a pen
4C: less curl definition, coarser and stands with higher density than b
Issues:
Shrinkage
Tangles
Moisture
Frizz
Maintenance :
Shampoo less frequently to maintain moisture and reduce breakage and manipulation. Shampoo no more than once a week
Co wash if needed
ALWAYS detangle hair wet or with a product that will provide slip
Daily leave in conditioner, moisturizer
Use oils to seal moisture from roots to ends
Deep condition weekly or bi weekly
Limit use of heat as it will compromise curls resulting in heat damage
Protective styles to avoid over manipulation.
Styling Products
Fight frizz and define curls
Defining gel, cream or custard
Conclusion:
Identifying your curl type can help you better understand how to care for your tresses. It will also help you find your curl type tribe which is beneficial to get advice and learn the versatility of your unique curls while preventing those dreaded bad hair days.
What are some of your tricks for taking care of your curl pattern?