Whether you’re a natural hair newbie or well-versed in the curly hair scale, the truth is that curl types can be tough to distinguish. But once you understand what your particular type of curl is and what it needs to thrive, you’re already on your way to better hair days. Below, we’re breaking down the key components of each curl type and the products you should have in your arsenal to help them look their very best.
What Are Curl Types?
The term ‘curl types’ refers to the various classifications of hair texture based on how tight or loose your curl pattern is. The most common way to categorize your unique kind of curl is with the curly hair scale, which is home to nine different curl types; it begins with 2A (open, looser waves) and ends with 4C (coarser, more compact coils). It’s worth noting that type 1 also exists on the hair type scale, but this subcategory applies to the density and bend of straighter locks.
Curly hair types can vary for a number of reasons, including genetics, age, or increased hair porosity. It’s also possible (and extremely common) for a person to have more than one curl type throughout their head. You may even notice daily differences in your curls depending on the haircare products you use, moisture levels in the air, and whether you’ve undergone chemical processing (like bleaching or perming).
Breakdown of Curl Types
Here, learn more about the different hair patterns to help you find your curl type.
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Type 2: Wavy
- 2A hair is the loosest curl pattern of all. It refers to hair with a slight bend, one that’s more defined than 1C patterns but less voluminous than the kinds of curls that come after it.
- 2B waves are slightly more defined but maintain a loose, beachy look. One of the key characteristics of 2B hair is how it typically lies flatter at the root rather than bending right from the scalp.
- 2C hair has more structured and voluminous waves that are just shy of forming into ringlets. According to experts, the pattern follows an S-shape, which can be a feature of both tight waves and loose curls. Speaking of which…
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Type 3: Curly
- 3A curls are very similar to 2C waves. This hair type bears the same S-shaped pattern but with slightly more bounce. One of the key characteristics of 3A hair is that it resembles a wavier pattern when wet, then springs into curls once dry. This curl type typically boasts looser, wider curls that are the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk.
- 3B curl types are a bit tighter than their successor—more like a permanent marker than a piece of thick chalk. This curly hair pattern features compact curls with lots of volume.
- 3C patterns are even tighter and more condensed, with ringlets likened to the size of a pencil, if you want to keep the school supply analogy going. Per the pros, this type of curl grows horizontally out from the head and can take on a triangular shape without the right haircut. It can often easily maintain its shape without much styling intervention.
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Type 4: Coily
- 4A curl types are where we enter coily territory. These curls are the finest and loosest of the type 4 bunch, with springy S-shape spirals about the size of a crochet needle. They’re also generally a bit easier to detangle.
- 4B hair types can be identified by their tight Z-shaped curl patterns. This texture is often coarser and prone to both breakage and shrinkage.
- 4C hair tends to have a combination of curls, coils, and zigzags. While this can be difficult to pinpoint, the defining characteristic of this hair type is its love (and need) of moisture. This pattern is usually dry to the touch and requires more maintenance than other curl types.
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How To Identify Your Curl Type
If you’re unsure of your exact curl type, experts recommend thoroughly washing and air-drying your hair without using any styling products. Once dry, you can examine your locks to see which curl type description fits best (just keep in mind that you may spot a mix of different patterns).
Inspecting your wet hair can also be helpful in determining your curl type. If your hair sinks into long, loose waves, then there’s a likelihood that it falls under the type 2 curl category. However, if it shrinks significantly when dry, then your hair most likely lives in the type 4 family.
While these tests can help you make an educated guess about your curl type, they’re not foolproof. We always recommend consulting your hairstylist for the most accurate assessment of your strands (they can also help you create a more personalized haircare routine). If you’re in need of immediate pro-backed advice, be sure to take our Hair Quiz
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How to Care for Your Curl Type
Now that you know what kind of curl you’re working with, here comes the easy part: at-home care. We’ve got you covered with some of our favorite styling tricks and product recommendations to help keep your waves, curls, or coils in good shape (no pun intended).
Type 2: Wavy
Tip 1: Type 2 waves can easily lose their volume, shape, and bounce. As such, we recommend starting your routine with the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Weightless Moisture Shampoo to provide up to 48 hours of wave definition without the weigh-down. After following it up with the corresponding conditioner, reach for the A Curl Can Dream Moisturizing Cream to help hydrate and define your locks. Apply it to soaking wet hair after shampooing and conditioning, scrunching it upward as you work. Complete your regimen with the range’s A Curl Can Dream Light Hold Gel for maximum definition.
Tip 2: Frizz-fighters are also essential for this curl type. The Pureology Smooth Perfection Smoothing Serum promises up to 72 hours of frizz defense, along with heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great primer for blowouts or styling. Or try the Redken Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame Leave-In Cream, which functions as a leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, and styling cream all in one.
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Type 3: Curly
Tip 1: Heat styling and chemical processing can be especially damaging on naturally drier curl types. To help repair and rejuvenate overprocessed curls, consider picking up Redken’s Acidic Bonding Curls Trio. The line is recommended for those with damaged wavy, curly, and coily hair; it includes a shampoo and conditioner to cleanse, hydrate, and repair curl strength, along with a leave-in conditioner to help boost hydration, add definition, and control frizz.
Tip 2: Clarifying shampoos can be great for tackling product buildup and grime in your hair, but the wrong formulas can be drying on curlier ‘dos. That’s why we’re fond of the Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, which features a nourishing, non-stripping lather specifically designed with different curl types in mind. When using a clarifying shampoo, we always recommend completing your routine with an intensely hydrating conditioner or mask, like the Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask.
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Type 4: Coily
Tip 1: Hydration is key when it comes to coily haircare. To help, Kérastase’s Curl Manifesto collection is chock-full of nourishing staples for coils, including an ultra-rich hair mask containing a combination of manuka honey and patented ceramides. The luxurious mask, which is suitable for daily use, helps give parched hair a boost of nourishment in one fell swoop.
Redken’s All Soft Mega Curls is another line brimming with coily hair-approved products to envelop your coils in moisture from start to finish. For more information, check out our article, Redken All Soft Mega Curls Review.
Tip 2: Overwashing delicate coily hair can strip away its natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Instead of sudsing up every time your strands look worse for wear, use a curl-replenishing styler to help bring your spirals back to life. The Redken Refreshing Curl Mist is an easy-to-use product that yields big results; simply spray it directly onto dry hair to help redefine curls, add hydration, and tame frizz in a pinch. (Psst: Discover five more ways to help refresh curls and coils sans jumping in the shower.)
Tip 3: If there’s one cardinal rule to follow, let it be this: Protect your coils at all costs. As mentioned, coils are delicate and more fragile than other hair types. Protecting your mane can be as simple as pineappling your hair before you go to bed (a technique that involves gathering your coils into a loose ponytail resembling a pineapple at the front of your head) to help reduce damaging friction against your pillowcase. It’s also a good idea to use leave-in treatments to preserve your hair’s healthy look and feel. The Mizani 25 Benefit Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner does all of the above and then some; it defends against heat damage, repairs damage, adds hydration, detangles, and more.
Next Up: Struggling With Limp, Frizzy Curls? Plopping Your Hair May Be The Answer
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Header photo credits (left to right): curls.by.lailee and @naturallyalybabe