Different Types of Curly Hair: Which Do You Have? (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 types of curly hair? ›

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.

To identify your curl type, you may remove a few strands of hair, while it is wet, and lay them flat upon a surface, watch what happens as the strands dry. This can help you determine your curly hair type: S shaped curls - If your locks bend in a loose S shape, then you're likely to have a wavy hair type.

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.

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.

If your hair has defined, corkscrew curls, then it's 3A type. If your hair has looser waves, then it's type 2.

If your curls can wrap comfortably around a pencil, then your hair is considered type 3C. These curls are often called “tight corkscrews” because of their shape and size. When you examine 3C curls close up, they tend to stretch into their signature S-shape.

Then we get deeper into texture; 2a wavy hair, specifically, is really loose waves. Your waves are wide S-curves that can be straightened in a flash. Your texture may be described as “tousled.” You have very little volume at your roots and you've probably found that some products weigh down your hair.

What are the characteristics of 1C hair? 1C hair is mostly straight with a visible wave, especially towards the ends, more volume compared to 1A and 1B, and a tendency towards frizz.

3A curly hair is characterized by loose spirals about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk, and can be straightened easily. From type 3B to type 3C hair, the curl type gets tighter. 3A texture is fine to medium, without much body or volume in your hair.

Texture Type 7

If you have tightly coiled, springy coils closer to the scalp, you have hair type 7. Brown says this hair type is prone to tangles and knots.

What is the rarest hair curl type? ›

Type 1A: The rarest hair type, this one is very straight and fine with a “wispy” appearance. It's very difficult to get it to hold a curl.

Type 3 hair is a curly hair texture that ranges from light curls to tight, curly tendrils. It is characterized by a well-defined S-shape and springy curls with more height and volume at the root than type 2 hair.

2a – the most subtle curly hair pattern/type, a slight wave or kink to the hair. 2b is loose and bendy S-shaped strands but still more of a wave than a curl. 2c are more defined S-shaped curls which start from the root.

Curly Hair – Type 3a, 3b, 3c

Forms a definite “S”shaped like a corkscrew. About: Can be dry, damage prone and climate dependent. Coily Hair – Type 4a, 4b, 4c. Appearance: Very tight curls.

4B - Your hair is prone to dryness and breaks and has a zig-zag shape and experiences shrinkage. 4C - Your coils are dense and can range from fine and soft to coarse and wiry, your hair strand will have a "Z" shape and will experience significant shrinkage.

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.