GUIDE TO CURLY HAIR TYPES

If you have been blessed with naturally curly hair, chances are you’ve spent many years attempting to fight frizz, define your curls, grow your hair, and build the voluminous locks you’ve always dreamed of. Unfortunately, many curly girls are unaware that there are three primary types of curls, all of which contain three subcategories that all require their own unique products and routines. 

Curl types are defined by the way the hair grows from the follicle, which determines the texture and curl pattern of the hair. We have created a guide to curly hair types to help you understand your unique curl pattern, and how to care for them so that you can achieve lushious, vibrant, bouncy curls!

TYPE 2 CURLS

Type 2 curls are most commonly referred to as wavy hair. This curl pattern is light and falls into a  very loose “S” shaped pattern. 

Type 2A curls are the very next step up from poker straight hair. There is an ever-so-slight texture to the hair, which is often very fine, and the roots fall closely to the scalp which can cause a lack of volume. Type 2B curls, while still wavy, have a fuller, more defined “S” shape and thicker strands. The third variation, which are 2C curls, appear as significantly thicker “S” shaped waves, and tend to be more vulnerable to frizz. 

If you have Type 2 curls, it is best to avoid heavy oils and creams that will weigh your hair down. To fight frizz without the heaviness, use a lightweight moisturizing spray such as the KhalidaNaturals Intense Hydrating Leave-In Spray.

TYPE 3 CURLS

Type 3 curls are what usually come to mind when someone mentions curly hair. The tightness of the coils will vary, but Type 3 curls create defined ringlets that are often springy and quite dense. 

Type 3A curls have loose, bouncy spirals that are approximately an inch in diameter. Type 3B curls have a bit more volume and are typically categorized as tight ringlets that are more coarse and dense. Finally, Type 3C hair has tight, defined corkscrew curls that have lots of bounce and natural volume. It is at this point that curls begin to produce significant shrinkage and are most often about the width of a pencil.

To keep your corkscrew curls shiny and defined, use a natural cream such as our KhalidaNaturals Moisture Galore Curling Custard to lock in moisture and keep your curls defined and free of frizz or flyaways.

TYPE 4 CURLS

Type 4 curls are officially kinky-curly territory. These beautiful coils are tightly wound, and produce the most shrinkage of all the curl types. Type 4A hair is dense and springy, with curls that create a tight “S” shape. Type 4B curls are also very dense and can often feel dry and coarse. These curls fall into more of a “Z” shape pattern, and are very dense, which allows them to hold their shape extraordinarily well. Finally we have Type 4C hair, which is very similar to the other Type 4 curls, although 4C tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage. Type 4C coils have about 75% shrinkage and produce a wiry “S” shaped curl pattern.

Type 4 curls benefit most from intense hydration, so it’s important to use a product like our KhalidaNaturals Moisture Galore Deep Conditioner to repair and hydrate delicate hair that is more prone to breakage.