What Type of Curly Hair Do I Have?

It can be difficult and confusing when having to determine your curl type. It is important to note that several types of curls can exist on one head. Curl types are determined by the way your follicle shapes as it grows out of your scalp.

The flatter or more oval-shaped follicles the curlier your hair will be. If you have circular cross-sections, the straighter your hair will be. Curl patterns are determined by the shape that your strand makes such as a kink, a curve, or how they wind into a spiral. Some people can have a combination of all these shapes. A small tip from JuvaBun, the best way to figure out what curl type your hair is, wet it first! 

Curly Hair and The Different Types

There are different types of hair. Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coils. Sub- classifications such as A to C are based on the width or the diameter of your wave, curl, or coil pattern. Type Cs are the smallest. Here is a rundown of the different types of curly hair, 

Type 2 (Wavy)

• Type 2A 

Type 2 is the wavy strand, this means your hair is bendable, can be fine or coarse, and has a definitive S pattern that lays closer to the head. This hair type is a fine texture that’s very easy to straighten. People who have this hair texture must use very little hair product as it can weigh the hair strands down. This will result in the hair being limp and looking lifeless. 

• Type 2B 

This hair type is closer to the crown of the head and lays much flatter. It also has a defined S-Shaped wave that starts from the mid-length. The strands are also thicker in diameter than the 2A type. It will also need a little more product to get it straight. 

• Type 2C 

This hair type is thicker than the other two and can frizz. The S- bends are well-defined and begin at the roots. Try using a leave-in conditioner under a mousse to lock in your hair’s natural wave pattern and to hydrate it. 

Type 3 (Curly) 

Curly hair can range from loose, buoyant loops to tight, it can also be springy corkscrews which can be prone to frizz. 

• Type 3A 

These strands are shiny and large loose curls that can have a diameter about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. 

• Type 3B 

This hair type has springy ringlets with a circumference that is like a sharpie. This hair texture can become dry, so be sure to use products that are hydrating and moisture strands. 

• Type 3C 

These curls are tight corkscrew-shaped that range in circumference from a straw to a pencil. These strands are densely packed together which gives more volume to your hair. You will also experience frizziness with this type of curls. 

Type 4 (Coily) 

This type of hair is afro-textured and has kinky strands. It is usually very dry and can be spongy in texture but soft and fine or coarse and wiry. Strands form very tight and small curls of zigzags that form from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage. 

• Type 4A 

People who have this hair type have a dense springy S-shaped coil. You should style this hair type more often to keep the coiled texture soft and pliable. 

• Type 4B 

These hair strands are densely packed and can bend in any sharp angles like the letter Z. 

• Type 4C 

This texture is the same as 4B but has more tightly coiled strands that are more fragile and have a very tight zigzag pattern. You will experience a lot of shrinkage with this hair type than other hair types. 

How Can You Tell Which Curls You Have? 

To determine what type of curl you have you can perform a test at home that is quick and easy to follow. Wash your hair with a gentle clarifying shampoo and then condition and air dry your hair. Products and blow-drying can interfere with the natural curl pattern of your hair.

If you must dry your hair, use a microfiber towel and not a cotton one as that will cause your hair to frizz. Split your hair into multiple sections and examine your hair in the mirror. If your hair fits any of the descriptions that we have discussed as the different hair types, then that should be yours. 

What is Hair Porosity? 

Hair porosity refers to the ability of your hair to absorb and retain its moisture. This will help when you want to style your hair and help you determine how many products you should use on your hair such as to maintain, style, hydrate, or deep condition. It ranges in three categories: Low, Medium, and High. If you have low porosity, your hair cuticles will be flat and tight, and it will be difficult for hair to absorb water or hair care products.  

Medium porosity means that the hair cuticles are slightly raised, and it is easier to manage and maintain medium porosity hair. High porosity hair cuticles mean that your strands are completely porous and raised.

This makes it easier for your hair to absorb hair products and hold moisture, but it can lose it just as quickly. High porosity is also a sign of damaged hair and needs to be repaired by using the proper treatments and products. 

How To Test for Hair Porosity!

You can also test your hair’s porosity while you are testing to determine what your curl pattern is. This is also a quick and easy test that you can perform at home. 

Firstly, wash your hair and do not use any conditioner. Allow your hair to air dry, make sure not to use a towel or any other fabric to dry your hair. Take a strand of your hair, make sure to rinse the shampoo off properly as you should not have any product on your hair, put it in a glass of room temperature water.

Let the strand sit in the water for 15 minutes. If your hair floats it has low porosity. If it immediately sinks or breaks before 15 minutes, it means that it has high porosity. If it is in-between, it means that your hair has medium to normal porosity. 

19 The Best Products To Use For Different Curly Hair Types 

It can be tough to find the right product especially if you have a variety of curl types combined as one. Some days you might want to defrizz your hair, other days you want to have more defined curls or add in more moisture for the days when your hair looks a bit dry. 

Here is a list of hair care products that can be used for different types of curls and can help with different types of problems!

1. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream 

This hair can keep your curls defined and add some extra volume to them. 

2. Curls So So Def Vitamin C Curl Defining Jelly 

This product includes vitamins A, B, and C to moisturize your curls and keep your coils intact by making sure that they don’t dry out. 

3. Kerastase Curl Manifesto Curl Refreshing & Restyling Spray 

This is a lightweight spray that instantly hydrates, redefines curls and coils, and can be used between washes to enhance your hair’s shine and reduce any frizzing. 

4. Talia Waajid Protective Styles Bamboo Biotin and Basil Curl Activator 

This will activate your curl memory so your curls will form naturally when you use the product. It also works beneath the surface of the hair to keep it strong and free from breakage. 

5. Pantene Curl Affair Curl Reshaping Cream 

It can be used on air-dried hair or diffused hair to help block out humidity and keep your hair smooth. Apply the argan oil and vitamin B5 – infused refresher to help moisturize, smooth, and reshape any curls that you might crunch while you were sleeping. 

6. Kristin Ess Ultra- Hydrating Curl Co-Wash 

This formula has hydrated glycerin and hydrolyzed linseed, which is rich in omega fatty acids and to keep curls from drying out – it also gets rid of the dirt on your hair and scalp. 

7. Sunday II Sunday Revive Me Daily Moisturizing Spray 

This Argan oil and antioxidant-packed green tea that nourishes dry hair as you style. It can also be used as a scalp treatment to help soothe itchiness. 

8. Herbal Essences Potent Aloe & Mango Shampoo & Conditioner 

This product is used for curly textures in mind, which are smooth and shine-enhancing. The main ingredients aloe, shampoo, and conditioner are sulfate-free, which also helps cut back on your hair and are extra dry. 

9. Rucker Roots Texture Styling Mousse 

Mousse has moisturizing vitamin E and biotin to make your hair stronger every time you use it, 

10. Adwa Beauty Boamint Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel 

This product has helped formulated with cactus, sweet almond, and vitamin- E- rich pumpkin seed oils to leave hair feeling super soft and conditioned. 

11. Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Curl Defining Cream  

This defining cream is made with coconut oil and shea butter to keep those thirsty curls hydrated. It also fights frizz and minimizes breakage. 

12. Oribe Curl Gelee 

It includes hydrating murumuru, mango, and cocoa seed butter, as well as curl-enhancing neem seed oil and a cuticle strengthening avocado butter. This gives your hair a high-shine finish, slippage, and detangling as well as smooth curls and leaves your hair without a crunch. 

13. Taliah Waajid Curly Curl “Gello” 

This is used to moisture curls but if you use too much it can weigh it down. 

14. Curls Cashmere + Caviar Hair Silk 

This cashmere and caviar extract serves to hydrate and strengthens your hair as a perfect base for any style. You only need to use a little of this hair silk to achieve this look. 

15. Form Beauty Multitask Leave-in Lotion 

This lightweight formula is made using coconut oil, shea butter, and argan oil that pack your strands with hydration and glorious elasticity. You can use this lotion to detangle your hair and as a moisturizer for your curls. 

16. Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash 

This product removes dirt and excess oils without weighing down any curls. 

17. Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Lotion 

This is a lightweight product that can be used to freshen up your curls and keep them hydrated. It also provides extra moisture and leaves hair smelling fresh. 

18. Maui Moisture Curl Quench Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie 

This formula is well suited to be used on dry curls by clumping them together and banishing frizz to give your curls definition. You can use your fingers to massage through your strands and can be used on air-dried or blow-dried hair to create soft coils. 

19. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel 

This is a great travel product especially if you are going into areas where the climate changes often. It will help keep your curls intact for days. It also has UV protection that protects hair from heat and UV damage. If you are not sure which product is best suited to your hair, try to combine a few of each to get the right formula to help you find the perfect hair care routine for your curls. 

Are You Ready To Define Your Curls?  

Be sure to take note that not every one’s hair has the same characteristics and it might show the exact same strands as in the descriptions. Chemical bonds can also contribute to how your curl pattern would be.

Once you have determined your curl pattern, use products that can enhance these curls and keep your hair healthy and strong without adding damage to your hair. While you are at it, don’t forget to check out the JuvaBun catalog for the best hair tools, materials, and products!

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