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What is your curl type?
HOW TO
Wavy, curly, coily or textured: read our guide to discover all about your curl type
We are used to distinguishing straight or curly hair, but did you know that there are many more types? There are three types of straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair and three of coily or textured hair. If we go beyond the simple distinction between straight and curly hair and go for a more detailed classification, you too may find out that your hair is different from what you think.
Curl Patterns
As mentioned above, there are twelve types of hair. Each type is identified by a number – from 1 to 4 – that grows progressively as the hair movement increases. Type 1 refers to straight hair, type 2 to wavy hair, type 3 to curly hair, type 4 is for coily and textured hair. Within each category, there is an additional subdivision into A, B, C that describes how the curl winds.
WAVY
2
A B C
CURLY
3
A B C
COILY
4
ABC
Shampoo and conditioner for curls
Caring for curly hair starts with shampoo. Curly and wavy hair tends to get frizzy by nature, but if you use products that are too heavy, it can lose vitality and volume. In your curl care routine, you first need a moisturizing shampoo that gives elasticity and softness. Then follow up with conditioner every time you shampoo your hair, and swap in a nourishing hair mask once a month. To learn more, read our complete guide to the best products for curly hair.
Wavy hair
Type 2 waves can be very delicate or more evident and develop following an S pattern on lengths.
2A - Wavy and fine hair
The 2A texture is generally flatter at the root, and it becomes softer from the ears down to the ends. Being barely visible, this type of wavy hair that can be straightened easily.
2B - Wavy and thick hair
Your hair is mostly straight at the roots and fall in S bends that are more defined from the mid-length to the ends. It is a medium texture with some frizz especially around the head.
2C - Wavy and full hair
Waves are defined from the roots. This texture is generally thick or coarse and is prone to frizz.
Styling products for wavy hair
Curly hair
The spirals of type 3 curly hair may range from loose to tight and bouncy. They are almost always prone to frizzing.
3A - Large spiral soft curls
Curls feature big and large spirals. Ringlets tend to be shiny with a well-defined scroll shape.
3B - Tight spiral curls
This type of curl is characterized by spirals that start right off the roots. Curls are bouncy and are halfway between ringlets and corkscrews. They have volume and tend to be coarse and full.
3C - Corkscrew curls
It is thick hair prone to frizz and the curl size if fairly tight, typically with the circumference of a pencil or straw Type C hair is the one with tightest spirals in category 3, yet it’s also the one that tends to feature the largest volume.
Styling products for curly hair
Coily and textured hair
This hair is commonly referred to as coily and textured hair. It is naturally very dry, thus requiring extra moisture and care. Shafts form small zig-zag curls.
4A - Tiny coils
This type of hair can shorten up to half its length once dried: the width of the spiral does not exceed that of a pencil.
4B - Z-shaped or S-shaped coils
Zig-zag coils that do not form a true spiral, but rather a broken line. Hair is very delicate, with great volume and prone to frizz.
4C - Tight textured hair
These coils have the highest degree of contraction once dried. The spiral is very tight and the hair shaft very delicate.
Styling products for coily hair
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