How well do you know your curls? Since the term “curly” means a lot of things to a lot of people, it’s worth taking a closer look at your texture. When you understand your curl pattern, it’s easier to find the best styling techniques, products and haircut.Read on to get to know your curls even better!
Type 1: STRAIGHT
Top Concerns: Lack of Body and Volume
Go-To Products:Volumizing shampoo, texturizing spray
1:Straight to minimal wave thin to thick.Lack of body or volume. Marginal stretching with return.Compact to slightly raised cuticle. Less prone to frizz
Type 2: WAVY
Top Concerns: Fighting frizz and finding light products that give hold Go-To Products: Mousses, leave-in serums and heat-protectants 2A Your wave pattern is close to straight, but has a loose, gentle bend. 2B:Your waves are mostly straight at the roots and more defined waves form below eye level. 2C:Your well-defined waves start at the roots and mix with actual ringlets.
Type 3: CURLY
Top Concerns: Curl definition, fighting frizz and avoiding drying products Go-To Products: Creams, gels, gentle shampoos 2C/3A Your spirals are similar in size to the large sidewalk chalk. 3B: Your ringlets have the circumference of a Sharpie marker. 3C: Your ringlet width resembles a pencil or a straw.
Type 4: COILY
Top Concerns: Maintaining moisture, avoiding tangles and shrinkage Go-To Products: Daily conditioner, deep conditioner and leave-in conditioners 3C/4A Your strands have a small, tight S-shape. 4B: Your curls have more of a small, tight Z-shape. 4C: Your strands are less likely to clump into a “coil” unless styled like a twist out.
We hope this guide will help you embrace the natural beauty of your hair type and maybe even give you some new insight on what products work best for your individual hair type.