Know Your Hair Type – Discover The Characteristics Of Your Curly Hair

There are staunch advocates for hair typing and others who think it’s a false premise for curly hair.

Whether you’re a believer in the hair type chart and its practical use or not, in the absence of any other mechanism for the transitioner, the person discovering their natural curls, or those who don’t have a qualified stylist on hand.  It serves as a good tool to familiarize and identify oneself and the requirements for caring for that particular hair type.

All curls have not been created equal and so it can be a challenge to know what your hair type is and as a consequence how to care for it based on your unique curly strands.

Hair Know-How Learning Curve

The hair typing chart is not prescriptive it acts as a good guide. And so you’re able to determine what characteristics apply to you. Caring for curly hair takes time and there’s a learning curve. But when you’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t, you essentially become an expert in your hair……………after that it’s plain sailing.        

The fact is for most curly girls even if you identify with one hair type it’s highly likely that you will have 2, 3 or even 4 different curl patterns on your head. Possibilities are 4a hair type at the front and 4b at the back. 3b hair type at the sides and 4a everywhere else. This isn’t a big issue, it just means that when you’re styling you may need to use different techniques to get all your hair to curl in the same way.

Products

For all hair types having great hair products is key to healthy hair. Products that don’t contain parabens, sulphates, silicones, and mineral oils. Essentially they need to be products that are not harmful to your hair and health. 

The Hair Follicle

The hair follicle determines hair type, i.e. semi-oval follicle, the hair will be wavy and with a flat oval follicle, the hair will be coily, kinky.

Hair Type Characteristics

Well after you have figured what your hair type is or whether you are more one type than another …………..then what? What do you do with that information?

We’ve put together the most common characteristics, nuances, and products for each hair type. It’s a great guide and aid to support you in your hair care journey and your ultimate goal of optimal hair health.

Let’s look at each hair type in more detail:

Type 2 – Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is the middle ground between straight and curly hair. The main characteristic of wavy hair is that it’s wavy as opposed to curls, that appear S-shaped throughout the length of the hair. The hair also tends to lay close to the scalp. Wavy hair can be fine, thick, coarse, or medium textured. 

The follicle shape for wavy hair is semi-oval that gives the hair strand its wave.

STYLING

When it comes to styling you could opt for straighter hair or enhance the waves so they are more curly and give more volume. When hair is wavy it can be subject to frizzing, and being weighed down with heavy products. In order to define waves, it requires product and scrunching to get defined frizz-free curls.

CONDITIONING

• Once a week wash and conditioning with lighter products 
• Applying a leave-in conditioner

NUANCES

• Scrunching to create curls 
• Diffusing to create curls

PRODUCTS

• Sulphate-free shampoo
• Mousse
• Leave-in conditioner
• Conditioner
• Oil  

Type 3 – Spiral Curls

Type 3 curly hair can range from looser to tighter curls. The curls are shaped more like a spiral. The hair is normally thick, coarse or medium textured. 

Forming spiral curls can be created through twirling the hair around the finger. Type 3 hair has a lot of volume coupled with length, they may experience some shrinkage but not a significant amount. The size of curls for type 3 hair can be naturally thin corkscrews or large spirals. 

The follicle shape for each hair is oval that gives the hair strand its curl.

STYLING

Wash and go’s work well for type 3 and provide volume. The hair can be subject to frizz. Gels and curling products work well to enhance curls.

Requires product and diffusing to add volume, and plopping (pineappling hair and covering with a t-shirt) or scrunching to get defined frizz-free curls.

CONDITIONING

• Deep conditioning 
• Once a week wash and condition or co-wash
• Applying a leave-in conditioner

NUANCES

• Diffusing to create curls
• Single strand knots
• Protective styling

PRODUCTS

• Sulphate-free shampoos
• Leave-in conditioner
• Conditioner
• Curl defining gels and creams

Type 4  – Coily/Kinky Curly

Type 4 can be described as coily or kinky, the curls can be very tight or zigzag in shape. Coils and kinks are delicate, especially where the hair bends, consequently being gentle is important to avoid breakage. Type 4 curls can be fine, medium, coarse to thick textured. 

Because coils and kinks can be tightly compressed type 4 hair can be frizzy and shrink by a significant amount when styling and defining curls. To avoid excessive frizz and shrinkage curly hair should be fully dried before takedown.

How products are applied to Type 4 hair can make a significant difference to the moisture level as it can be subject to dryness. Maintaining moisture through the layering of products e.g. cream and then oil is important for the health of coils and kinks.

The follicle shape for each hair is flat oval that gives the hair strand its coily, kinks.

STYLING

Curly coils and kinks can be air-dried or dried using a hooded dryer to set twist-outs, braid-outs and bantu knots. These styling options work really well to provide body and stretch to curly hair. Shingling of products works for wash and go’s with Type 4 hair to define curls.

CONDITIONING

• Deep conditioning once a week 
• Co-washing works well
• Applying a leave-in conditioner
• Oils

NUANCES

• Single strand knots
• Protective styling
• Shrinkage

PRODUCTS

• Sulphate free shampoos
• Leave-in conditioner
• Conditioner
• Curl defining gels 
• Cream moisturizer
• Oils

For information on 10 Steps To Prevent Single Strand Knots read our post.

The differences in hair types are somewhat subtle. Armed with information on hair care methods, if a regimen doesn’t work for you; you can change things up and try another method or regimen that may be better for your unique curly locks.

Have you used methods or regimens for another hair type that works perfectly for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

If you know someone is struggling to discover their hair type share this post!