What is your curl type?

Good hair care starts with knowing your curl type. By understanding your curl pattern, you can better determine how to care for and style your curls. The overview highlighted in this blog was created by Andre Walker, the hairstylist for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Find your curl type for the best results!

 

2A

Light “S”-shaped waves in the hair. The hair lies close to the head and does not spring up. This hair type is often fine and thin and easy to style. It can easily be worn straight or wavy.

 

2B

More pronounced “S”-shaped waves than type 2A. This hair type also lies close to the head and does not spring up. It is slightly more difficult to style than 2A and tends to frizz.

 

2C

This hair type is often thicker and coarser in texture and has more defined curls than types 2A and 2B. It is harder to style and more prone to frizz. Often, this hair type has a straighter underlayer or, conversely, a more tightly curled underlayer (ringlets).

3A

Type 3A curls have a clear “S” pattern. These curls are well defined and springy. Naturally, they are large, loose, and often beautifully shiny. 3A curls have a diameter similar to sidewalk chalk. In general, this hair type is easy to straighten. The appearance of 3A curls is highly influenced by climate.

 

3B

Highly defined, springy, and voluminous curls, ranging from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrew curls. The diameter is about the size of a marker. This texture type is difficult to straighten, though it is possible. 3B curls generally have less shine and can feel quite coarse.

 

3C

Tight corkscrew curls with lots of volume and a diameter similar to a pencil or straw. The curls may be kinky (zigzag-shaped) or very tightly coiled with a high hair density. It is generally possible to straighten this hair type, but it is much more difficult than with 3A and 3B hair types. 3C curls are often fine in texture.

 

4A

4A curls are tightly coiled and have an “S” pattern. The hair is better hydrated than 4B curls and has a clearly defined curl pattern. The diameter of the spirals is similar to that of a crochet hook.

4B

This curl type has a “Z” pattern and less defined curls. Instead of forming round curls or spirals, 4B hair bends at sharp angles like the letter Z. This hair type feels cotton-like and is very fragile, so handle it with extreme care when styling. It can range from fine and thin to wiry and coarse, with very dense strands. 4B curls can shrink up to 75% of their actual length.

4C

This hair type consists of curl patterns that form beautifully when properly moisturized. Moisture and nourishment are essential. The texture of 4C curls can range from fine, thin, and super soft to wiry, coarse, and densely packed. This curl type is often worn in twists or styled using braiding or twisting techniques.

Now that you know your curl type, it’s time to order the right products for your hair. Good news: our curl products are suitable for every curl type. The amount of product your curls need and how you use it may vary depending on your curl pattern.