Curls: What Are The Different Types? - JD Institute of Fashion Technology (2024)
Curls are the most desired hairstyle for one common reason, that is the out of the box and lucious look that it results in. Not every curly hair is the same all the time. But when it comes to styling wavy or straight hair with the help or hairstyling tools to make them curly for a particular occasion, then it falls under a completely different concept.
Natural curls cannot be predicted as to how they may look after the end of the drying process, whereas when styling the hair using a flat iron or a curling iron, one can determine the possible outcome of the hair result. But even in natural curls, there are various types.
In this type of curls, the hair isn’t completely curly nor is it straight. It comes in between the two types, the wavy curl. The wavy hair type looks like little waves that hit the seashore or similar to the letter ‘S’. This hair curl isn’t uniform throughout. Sometimes, the hair may be straight at the scalp and wavy at the bottom or wavy in certain areas and straight in some. Wavy hair curls are easily dehydrated, damaged and left looking dead if not taken care of properly. For the wavy hair type, it is important to use light-weight hair products with an immense amount of moisturizing ingredients to keep the hair looking glamorous and defined.
2. Loose Curls
The name of this type of curl is quite self explanatory. These curls are consistent throughout and look like the letter ‘S’. They are the same from the roots of the hair to the ends, with the same definition of curls. When this curl type isn’t taken care of properly can cause immense hair damage and frizziness leaving the hair looking unpleasant.
As the name suggests, these curls are compact. They are similar to looking like a coil, but are still to an extent loose compared to the coiled curls. This curl type requires utmost care, as if not given the right amount of moisture and care, can look very unpleasant and dead. The curls are much more finer and lighter than the previously stated curly hair types.
4. Coily Curls
The last, but most rare type of curl is the coily curl. This curl type is similar to that of an afro and when observed carefully, looks like the angular letter ‘Z’. These curls require the most amount of moisture, as the hair type is much thicker than the other curl types. Thus, coily curls require protective moisture as that will seap and keep the hair from the scalp to the root moisturized completely.
Curls are beautiful, when identified and taken care of properly. Every curl is unique, therefore having a curly hair routine that suits the requirements to achieve the most luscious curls is crucial. Among one of the best design institutes in Karnataka is JD Institute Of Fashion Technology that not only covers the design and fashion perspective, but also educates the students on hairstyle and makeup artistry, where hairstyles are taught from the most basic steps upto the most advanced techniques.
Identifying your curl shape and pattern(s) is best determined while your hair is sopping wet. A simple breakdown: Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coily. Easy, right? The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil.
Type 3 hair: 3A, 3B, 3C are tight ringlet curls or tighter S shaped curls that get tighter.Type 4 hair: 4A, 4B, 4C usually have a more zigzag shape because of how tight they are. Coils might also fit into this category.
Wavy Hair can be classified by three curl types: 2A - A slight wave to your hair.2B - Medium Wave form in the hair. 2C - Wavy hair that starts to form ringlets, especially when hydrated (wet) and styled correctly.
“Type 2 curls are more wavy, and Type 3 curls are more curly,” says Taylor. “If you have coily strands, then you have Type 4 curls.” These types of curls are then broken down into subcategories A, B and C; this classification is based on the width of the curl, she says.
"To differentiate between 2C and 3A hair, check if your hair is wavier or actually curled. If it's more of a wave, it's 2C, whereas if it's more of a curl, it's type 3."
There are four “types” of hair texture, which are broken down into Type 1 (straight), Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly) and Type 4 (coily). Easy enough! But within each of these types, there are three subsets – A, B and C.
2B hair consists of 'S' shaped waves in the lengths, but sits relatively straight at the roots. 2C hair has even more defined 'S' shaped curls that start from the root and continue down the lengths of the hair. Once you've identified you have wavy hair, you should also explore your hair's porosity.
Type 2B hair has a tighter pattern than 2A but is still not as tight as 2C. The wave begins to form midway down the hair shaft and can spiral into ringlets at the ends. There is still quite a beachy feel to 2B hair, although it is generally a little more defined than 2A hair.
To put it simply, all type 3 hair is definitively curly. The size, texture, and volume of those curls are then broken down into three subcategories: 3A, which has S-shaped, loose, softer curls; 3B, which has ringlet-shaped, voluminous, springy curls; and 3C, which has corkscrewed, tight, stiff curls.
3A curls have a circumference the width of a stick of sidewalk chalk. Even though 3A curls have a set of concerns unlike their curlier counterparts (4A, 4B and 4C curl types), these loose spirals have the tendency to lack moisture and definition and be prone to frizz (more on this below).
The B in 3B definitely stands for Body.You'll notice this hair has a lot of volume with tighter, well-defined, and bouncier curls. The C in 3C stands for Corkscrews. Type 3c ringlets are tight and resemble corkscrews but may not always be well-defined.
The 3 in type 3a hair means these strands are curly, not wavy like type 2, or coily like type 4. Type 3a hair has loosely curled strands that are s shaped, whereas type 3b and 3c are both tighter and springier. Type 3a hair tends to have fine to medium strands, we can be delicate and dry and can suffer from breakage.
2B hair consists of 'S' shaped waves in the lengths, but sits relatively straight at the roots. 2C hair has even more defined 'S' shaped curls that start from the root and continue down the lengths of the hair.
With its tight coils and sharp angles, 4C hair is the tightest and coarsest of all the curl types. The 4C hair type curl pattern is made up of super-tight zigzags that are densely packed. 4C curls are less defined than the other curl types, with strands ranging from very fine to super coarse.
Texture Type 5, is often characterized as very curly, define curls with s-shapes forming into coils. Also, known as Curl Type 3A. If your Texture tends to,grow down from the scalp then curls in defined S-shapes keep your strands in this category.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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