Your Hair Type

Understanding Your Hair Type

Your hair type plays a huge role in how it looks, feels, and responds to products. Whether your strands are straight, wavy, curly, or coily, knowing your hair’s natural tendencies helps you care for it properly.

Type 1: Straight Hair

Type 1 hair lies flat against the scalp and has a naturally smooth texture. Because natural oils travel easily from root to tip, it tends to get greasy faster than other hair types—kind of like the sleek styles we all tried to achieve with flat irons back in the early 2000s!

  • Type 1A – The rarest of the bunch, this hair is ultra-straight, fine, and prone to oil buildup. It doesn’t hold curls well, making styling a challenge.
  • Type 1B – Slightly thicker than 1A, this type has a bit more volume and texture, making it easier to style.
  • Type 1C – The thickest and coarsest of straight hair types. While it’s naturally sleek, it’s also prone to frizz, especially in humid weather. The good news? Air-drying can give it effortless beachy waves.

Type 2: Wavy Hair

Type 2 hair falls between straight and curly, with a soft "S" shape that gives it a naturally tousled look. It doesn’t get as oily as straight hair but is more prone to frizz.

  • Type 2A – Fine, lightweight, and easy to style, this hair type holds waves well and responds beautifully to styling tools and products.
  • Type 2B – Slightly thicker and coarser than 2A, this hair has more defined waves and tends to be a bit frizzier.
  • Type 2C – The most textured of the wavy types, these waves start right at the roots and have a more defined, voluminous shape. Think Shakira-level waves!

Type 3: Curly Hair

Curly hair has a distinct, springy shape that gives it volume and movement. While full of personality, it’s also prone to dryness and frizz due to its coiled structure.

  • Type 3A – Loose, well-defined curls that are soft and voluminous. These curls tend to be large and bouncy but can get frizzy.
  • Type 3B – More defined than 3A, this hair has tighter curls and a thicker texture, with a medium-to-high porosity that allows it to soak up moisture.
  • Type 3C – Tight, dense curls that are full of texture and volume. It’s the thickest and most defined curl type within the Type 3 category.

Type 4: Coily Hair

Type 4 hair features tight curls or coils that sit closely together. It’s the most fragile of all hair types, as natural oils struggle to travel down the strands, making dryness a common concern.

  • Type 4A – Tiny, tight coils with an "S" shape. This hair has the most elasticity but also experiences up to 70% shrinkage when dry.
  • Type 4B – More of a "Z" pattern than an "S," this hair has sharp angles that create a zigzag look. It’s highly textured and needs plenty of moisture.
  • Type 4C – The most tightly coiled and delicate of all hair types. It experiences the most shrinkage—up to 75% or more—making hydration key to keeping it healthy.

Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters

Understanding your hair’s natural tendencies is the first step to keeping it healthy and looking its best. Whether you’re working with sleek strands, bouncy curls, or coily texture, the right products and care routine can make all the difference!