

BUT I recommend doing this after you’ve showered especially if you don’t currently have a grooming routine. Knowing your curl type essentially comes down to looking in the mirror. Keep an eye out for a post detailing what works best for each hair type. The Hair and Beard oil works for other hair types as well! All you have to do is use less product less often. I recommend starting simple so you can be consistent so a little water and Nile Hair’s Hair and Beard oil is a great foundation for your path to great hair. For example, guys with type 4 hair need to focus on routinely moisturizing their hair.
CURL PATTERNS HOW TO
Knowing your curl pattern is the first step to knowing how to get healthy hair and taking this step will save you money on wasted products and methods that don’t work for your curl type. The letters within each numbered category describe how tightly wound the curls are. The number in the curl pattern system refers to the type of curl: Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly), and Type 4 (coily). The categories range from 2A to 4C with 1 describing someone with straight hair. Natural hair enthusiasts created this system to better differentiate between curly hair types which before this method could be pretty subjective. How many different curl patterns are there? But do you really know what that means? Or more importantly, do you know which category your hair falls under? Whether you're starting to grow out your hair and noticing it's not doing what you thought it would do or if you want to learn how to take better care of your hair, you’ve come to the right place.

Personalizing to the best of your ability will help you create and maintain beautiful natural hair.We’ve probably all heard someone describe hair by a number and a letter, for example, “4C”. Figuring out what type of hair you have is a key step in finding the right hair care routine for you. Also keep in mind key factors other than curl type, such as the porosity and density of your hair. However, it is important to realize that there are different steps, products and tools used for all these hair types ranging from 2A, 3B and 4C hair. Many women find that there have multiple curl patterns and curl types, and find their hair is categorized in between these hair types. It is crucial to also state that these hair types are not the end all be all of curly hair. 4C is known to be very sensitive and fragile so constant moisturization is needed. 4C hair is categorized by tightly coiled strands with Z shaped curls that sometimes can’t be seen by the eye. 4B is also accompanied by many different curl shapes like S shape coils.ĤC: The tightest of the curl patterns and has the most amount of shrinkage. 4B zig-zag hair tends to be porous and requires deep conditioning to prevent breakage. Moisture and hydration are key for these curls to look healthy.ĤB: It is characterized by densely packed curls that form sharp angles that make a Z shape. Type 4 hair is usually very dry but can be fine, soft or coarse.ĤA: Tight coils that have an S shaped pattern with a very small diameter where a crochet needle can fit. Curl strands are formed into very tight coils or zig zags from the scalp which can lead to major shrinkage. Type 4 hair is defined as coily, kinky, or afro-textured hair.

The texture of the 3C hair tends to be coarse compared to other Type 3 hair. 3C hair can have a mixture of curl patterns, from tight to looser curls. The curls have a very small diameter, the size of a straw. These curls are prone to breakage, frizz and dryness, so weekly washes and deep conditions are recommended.ģC: Tight defined coils that are described as corkscrew curls. 3B hair usually has more volume than the 3A.

3A hair is one of the more manageable curl types since they are soft and require minimal styling, because they have a lot of natural bounce.ģB: Well defined curls that are tighter and curls like springs or corkscrews. Type 3 hair can also be dry so curly hair benefits from moisturization.ģA: A soft curl, hair that has loose spirals of curls, usually without shrinkage. People with Type 3 hair can have thin, medium and thick hair. Type 3 hair is defined as curly hair, where strands clump together and create spirals and ringlets. 2B hair can be described as beach waves.ĢC: A deep wave and is seen as almost curly hair or a loose curl. Frizz is usually an issue with 2A hair type.ĢB: S shaped waves that are much looser than curls and is important to create volume and moisturize as to avoid frizz. Type 2 hair typically involves wave like strands that can range from barely noticeable to almost curls.ĢA: This wave type is seen as a very loose S shape and a soft wave. Type 2 hair is defined as “wavy” hair, an in between straight and curly hair with a unique loose S shape.
