Know Your Hair Type, Own Your Style And Enhance Your Look

How much thought have you given to your hair type other than you have curly or straight hair? If not, then the chance is you are not getting your haircare routine right.

Four hair types—straight, wavy, curly, and coily—are divided into subcategories with unique characteristics and needs. But there is more; you also need to know your hair texture.

Knowing your hair type is more complex than it sounds when choosing the right haircare products.

The Different Hair Types

When you look at the hair type classification system, you see it described according to your hair texture and density. In this case, the texture will refer to how curly or straight your hair is:

hair type comparison
  • Type 1 is straight
  • Type 2 is wavy
  • Type 3 is curly
  • Type 4 is coily

Then, you also get the subtypes A, B, and C, representing your hair width and density from thin to thick. The two you see combined, written in a letter and number, for instance, 1A, describe your hair’s prominent characteristics.

What is Your Hair Type?

While identifying your hair type might seem straightforward according to the classification system, it is not all cut and dry. Throughout your life, your hair fluctuates between different types, and you can end up with more than one type.

So, the best way to pick your hair type is to wash and dry it as usual and leave it to air dry without using products. Once your hair is dry, inspect it with a mirror to compare the strands with the hair type chart.

Whichever one on the chart your hair mostly aligns to is your hair type. However, note that it might not be an exact match. The reason is that the chart does not consider chemical and heat changes.

Type 1 – Straight Hair

Hair Type 1

This type of hair has minimal to no bending or waves, and the density to thickness can vary between ultra-fine, thick, and full. This is even broken down further:

  • Type 1A: This is the finest and straightest hair type. It is smooth and shiny, has no volume, and can get oily quickly. Styling 1A hair is tricky; you need the right products and tools.
  • Type 1B: The hair is very straight, has thicker strands with added body, and can better hold a style.
  • Type 1C: The hair is straight, dense, and thick, with a slight wave or bend on the underside of the head. It has a lot of volume and body but is coarse and more susceptible to frizz.

Type 2: Wavy Hair

Type 2 Hair

In type 2, you find loose yet tousled hair textures that are easily manipulated into different hairstyles. Still, frizz is a concern if you use the wrong styling products.

  • Type 2A: The hair has a flat root starting to bend around at your eye level. It is the flattest of all the wavy hair types, and it is not easy to keep a curl.
  • Type 2B: As with type 2A, the hair lies flat around the crown, but the waves are thicker, more defined, and have an elongated S-shape.
  • Type 2C: You see voluminous waves with an S-shape extending from the top of your head to the ends, but they lack coils and ringlets.

Type 3: Curly Hair

Type 3 Hair

You see curly hair with coils, twists, spirals, and ringlets. The hair has loads of volume but can also fall flat when not hydrated correctly.

  • Type 3A: You will have loose yet voluminous, wide ringlets forming around the head. Still, you fall between 3B and 3C if you have a tighter curl.
  • Type 3B: The defined spiral falls between curls and tight spirals with bouncy ringlets the size of a penny.
  • Type 3C: Your hair will look consistent with densely packed curls in a spiral form. The curls are much tighter than 3B burls with circumferences of a pencil or pen.

Type 4: Coily Hair

Type 4 Hair

Type 4 is also known as natural or textured coily hair that feels spongy when touched and tends to be thick, stiff, and voluminous.

  • Type 4A: This hair type is loosely packed and springy, with a crochet needle diameter. It can be coarse but softer to the touch than most type 4 hair.
  • Type 4B: The hair is not curly but more angular, with a zig-zag coil pattern and very tight bends as the inner coil of the pen spring.
  • Type 4C: The coily hair is both 4A and 4B with a coarse and thick texture as it is tightly packed and vulnerable to breakage and dryness.

How To Take Care Of Your Hair Type

Now that you can determine your hair type, you want the best care for healthy hair. We recommend you consult with one of our stylists to get a personalized hair care routine, but here are some pointers you can start with.

Type 1

If you have type 1 hair, you want to add body and texture without weighing your hair down, and recommend investing in volumizing products.

If your hair is on the fine side of the straight hair spectrum, for instance, type 1A or 1B, kick off your daily routine using a volumizing shampoo with conditioner.

Choose products designed for fine and flat hair to help give it body and lift and make it look thicker. For type 1C hair with thicker strands, reach for products that help control frizz.

As mentioned, styling fine, straight hair is quite a challenge. A modifying aid can help give the best grip for a voluminous blowout and keep your style put.

Another worthy note is that hair can quickly become oily at the roots. Dry shampoo can refresh your roots between washes, and several formulas are available.

Type 2

The main problem if you have type 2 hair, is keeping it smooth with defined waves without weighing it down. Luckily, there are loads of haircare products to suit your needs.

You can start by lathering your hair with a lightweight shampoo and conditioner. But if you have type 2 B or 2C hair, add a deep conditioning mask to your weekly hair routine. 

The mask will add the moisture your hair needs to stay hydrated. For styling those beachy waves, use a mister to dampen your hair with texturizing spray, which works well for type 2A hair.

Still, if you want a sleeker finish, add a lightweight serum to your hair instead.

Type 3

Curly hair needs tender, loving care, as it can spiral, twist, and form ringlets that dry out fast. Caring for curls also helps, as they need hydration.

You need not wash your hair daily; aim to lather your hair twice a week while conditioning with a pre-shampoo treatment. The treatment will help repair damaged hair and keep it nourished.

Lastly, to give your hair definition and bounce, apply a texture curl-enhancing lotion to damp hair and leave it to air-dry, or use a diffuser on your hair dryer to create soft ringlets.

Type 4

You must be gentle with your natural hair, which can break easily. Yet the good news is that you can go longer without washing your hair.

You can wash your mane once or twice a month using a hydrating shampoo, and it will help keep your strands hydrated, bouncy, and soft.

Follow it with a conditioner, or use a hair mask to nourish your hair. Then, while the hair is damp, apply a leave-in conditioner to hydrate it more.

When you wear your coils down, it helps to use a product to define your natural texture and give it a shine.

Still, if you wear your hair in a protective style, we recommend paying extra attention to scalp care and strands. You can use nourishing hair oil, but only a little.

You can then end it with a taming gel to smooth the edges, giving your coily hair an elegant, long-lasting finish.

Wrap-Up: Knowing Your Hair Type is Important

Knowing your hair type makes your hair care routine so much simpler to provide your mane with the correct products for hair health.

Each hair type has different needs, but if you still need help determining your hair type and want advice, consult one of our stylists.

They will help identify your hair and work on a plan that best suits your needs.

FAQ

How do you check your hair type?

If you have straight hair without a bend or curl, you are type 1. Hair with a slight wavy curve is type 2, and if you have curls, you are type 3.

Why is it important to know what type of hair you have?

When you know your hair type, you know what products to use in your hair care routine.

What determines what type of hair you will have?

It all comes down to your genetic factors determining hair texture, whether straight, wavy, curly, or coily.

Which type of hair is strong?

In the different hair categories, type C hair is strong and resistant to styling, making it difficult to keep hydrated.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn