Men's Curly Hair Types: The Ultimate Guide & Chart

curly hair type chart

Some of the best aspects of 3A hair are its carefree aesthetic and fun volume. In addition to familiarizing yourself with your curl pattern, it’s helpful to understand your hair’s porosity and density. Breyer explains that if you have high porosity hair and want more curl definition, you may need a higher hold product, because your hair sucks in moisture like a sponge. Those with low porosity hair require more moisturizing products because their hair has a difficult time absorbing products,” she notes. “If your hair is fine, you want lighter products than if your hair is dense, so that your hair isn’t weighed down,” Breyer says.

How does porosity affect my curl type?

“My favorite products for kinks, coils, curls, and waves are those from my own collection. I created the Curl Shampoo and Curl Conditioner specifically for wavy, curly, and coily hair,” François says. When talking about hair that isn't straight, people and brands tend to lump curly hair into its own big category, assuming that all coils, kinks, curls, and waves can have a one-size-fits-all approach.

You’re not there yet: also read our articles about porosity and elasticity

Are you tired of being confused by the different textures on your head of curly hair? Do you feel like giving up because it’s too complicated to style? Decoding curl types can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. These curls will likely still feature tight corkscrews that may only be about the diameter of a toothpick.

Your Complete Guide to Hair Care and Styling for 3B Hair Type

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But all of the work is worth it because when you get your type 4 hair to a healthy, thriving state, the results are absolutely stunning. Hair type and curl pattern describe the specific shape of your hair strands, the way it naturally grows. Your hair type is actually dependent on the shape of the hair follicle on your scalp. Similar to pores in the skin, hair follicles are the holes from which your hair grows.

"When the hair is damp, apply a curl cream with defrizzing and moisture properties to help maintain moisture and reduce frizz when diffusing or air drying," DiMeo says. A top drugstore conditioner to try for curly hair is Not Your Mother’s Tahitian Gardenia Flower and Mango Butter Conditioner. Don’t be discouraged if you spot multiple curl types - this is perfectly natural. For example, you may have tighter curls framing your face, and looser, less defined curls at the back of your head. Now that we’ve decoded your curl type you can properly take care of your curls and actually identify the type of curls you didn’t realize you had. It’s safe to say that we all know that your hair can hold several different textures and it can be so difficult to somehow make everything look cohesive when styling it.

Other Curl Type Classification Systems

Either way, moisture and hydration are paramount to keeping your coils looking and feeling their best. Hardges recommends the LOC (leave-in, oil, cream) method to really lock in the moisture your hair needs. As for styling, she loves Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator, an aloe-based, firm-hold curl-enhancing gel. 4B curls are most vulnerable when wet, so make sure your hair is well-conditioned before styling. This hair type can have either a compact zigzag pattern that doesn’t twist around itself or tightly-wound s-shaped curls. Type 4 curls can shrink when dried, so to determine if this is your curl pattern, give it a closer look when hair is wet and dried.

Fixing Frizz

Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty. It’s the most fragile texture due to having the fewest cuticle layers protecting it from dryness. The top hair concerns with type 4 hair are avoiding tangles, maintaining moisture, and fighting off shrinkage. Prior to examining your hair, be sure that it has been recently washed (rinsed in cold water) and doesn’t have any hair products applied to it.

With proper care, 4B hair can lend itself to various styles and tolerate a range of products. I have found that using a satin or silk pillowcase and avoiding heat styling tools has helped reduce frizz and keep my wife’s curls healthy and defined. Remember to embrace and celebrate your unique curls, and have fun experimenting with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. They also tend to be drier, so applying oils or creams is essential to combat the dryness without weighing down the curls. Unfortunately, as with any index of information, some believe that hair type also denotes a hair hierarchy.

Type 3 curls are more spiral-shaped, ranging from loose, large loops (3A) to tightly coiled, springy curls (3C). Both types can benefit from hydration and frizz-controlling products. Type 4a curls are characterized by tight, small, kinky curls that are naturally dry and can range from fine to coarse. These curls have a visible curl pattern and require significant moisture to stay healthy. To keep Type 4a hair hydrated, it’s recommended to use creamy humectants as leave-in treatments and curl-defining custards or gelee for twist-outs and braid-outs.

This hair type usually is very voluminous and has very defined curls. 3b hair benefits from low to no heat, lightweight products that don't weigh the curls down, and layering in the hydration. Slightly "S"-waved hair that sticks close to the head and tends to be fine in density. This type of hair dries quickly and straightens easily and is generally pretty low maintenance.

curly hair type chart

The Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream with the Hair Rules Nourishment Leave-In Moisturizer is Dickey's go-to cocktail combo. The combination of both products will help define your curls without leaving them hard or crunchy. Use a diffuser to dry your curls for even more fluff and volume. To style Type 2b curls, lightweight leave-in conditioners, airy sprays, and volume-boosting foams are recommended. Heavy curl creams should be avoided as they weigh down the hair.

2b is a bit curlier at the tips of the hair and is approaching the shape of Type 3. There is no curl here, and sometimes you may find it difficult for hair to hold a curl, even after using heat tools or curling implements. Both porosity and elasticity can affect shrinkage—which can also give you a lot of insight into the health of your hair. While many naturals prefer to find ways to elongate their curls, if your hair is the type to revert the moment any type of moisture is applied—as annoyed as you may be—consider it a blessing. Kimble says the LOC method is going to make your hair more hydrated, giving you more elasticity for styling.

Hair gels generally can keep this type of curl in place and also provide frizz protection. We recommend alcohol-free Dove Amplified Textures Shine and Moisture Finishing Gel to enhance natural curly texture, made with softening jojoba and coconut oils. No need to boost volume for this curl type, as these spirals create fullness by bouncing off each other. Type 2C waves are usually identified as small to medium size waves that form into a letter S shape as they grow.

It's likely that the hair may feature a mix of both 4A and 3C curls. The best products for this hair type will be super hydrating hair oils, curl gels, and leave-in conditioners like the TWISTED SISTA Intensive Leave-In Conditioner. Just beyond the straight hair category (type 1) is type 2A hair.

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