Did you know that curly hair qualifies for several subspecies, according to which you can choose the right care and styling? It’s not enough to just use products specifically for curls and sleep on a silk pillowcase – in fact,
the “curly” topic is much deeper than you think! In the new material, we have compiled a guide for you on different types of curls, which will help you better make friends with your hair.
At the moment, most people, when determining the type of their curls, rely on a system that was invented long ago by American hairstylist Andre Walker. Of course, it is not ideal, you yourself probably know that there simply cannot be strict limits here, and even several different types of curls can occur at once on one head.
However, basic tips will not be superfluous, because they will help you better navigate the large assortment of care products on store shelves, as well as choose the right styling. In this material, you will find Andre Walker’s classification of curly hair, improved by other masters of hairdressing.
Where to begin
To correctly determine the type of your hair, you need to understand that initially, the type of curl depends on the shape of the follicles, from which the hair on the head actually grows. So, the flatter or oval the follicle, the more curly the hair growing from it will be. And, on the contrary: around hair follicles on the head, the hair is smoother and straighter.
The type of curl is also determined by its shape. Of course, on the heads of most “Sue curls” – a whole combination of curls – from light waves to tight spirals. It is believed that it is best to calculate the true shape of curls when your hair is wet.https://yastatic.net/safeframe-bundles/0.83/1-1-0/protected/render.htmlADVERTISING
In total, curly hair is divided into 3 main types (type 1 – straight hair, types 2-4 – curly hair), which in turn qualifies for subspecies from A to C. You will probably wonder: why do I need this rather complicated hair first glance system? We answer: having correctly determined your individual type of curls, you can easily figure out how best to take care of your hair. Well, now more about each of these types!
Type 2 – wavy
Curly hairs of the second type are very flexible in their texture. However, they can be both thin and thick. Their main feature is a clear S-shaped pattern of the curls themselves and their snug fit to the head.
Type 2A
Representatives of type 2A have thin, tousled hair that is very easy to straighten. People with this hair texture should not use harsh styling products that can only weigh down their hair – after which they will look limp and lifeless. In this case, light mousses, foams, and sprays are ideal.
Type 2A waves like Laura Dern’s usually don’t have strong root volume. Such girls can safely use styling products that visually make their hair more lush and fluffy at the very base.
Type 2B
Type 2B hair fits snugly at the crown and forms a clear S-shaped silhouette, starting somewhere in the middle of the length – a good example of the owner of this hair texture is Salma Hayek.
The main difference between 2B and the previous type is the thicker strands in diameter. To straighten such hair, you will need to make great efforts and use powerful styling tools. Sprays are great for creating surfer waves. With them, the hair lies naturally and vividly – no unpleasant crunch, squeak, and sticky strands.
Type 2C
Type 2C waves are usually denser to the touch and most susceptible to frizz. The S-shaped curl is very clear and is formed even at the roots. A bright representative of this type of hair is the sultry beauty, Shakira.
Care Tip: Between regular shampoos, use specialized sulfate-free, non-foaming products. They moisturize the curls along the entire length and work great with the texture of the curls. Some hairstylists also recommend that 2C hair types apply a leave-in conditioner before using styling mousse. This will moisturize the hair and provide it with the most natural look.
Type 3 – curly
Curly hair of the third type ranges from weightless and relaxed spirals to very bouncy curls that have a high shine and are very pliable when curled.
Type 3A
Owners of this type can boast of shiny hair with curls of a rather large diameter. To properly style such hair, you must first apply a special nourishing styling cream to them (you should use it already on dry hair) – this will help emphasize the natural texture of the curls. After that, it is better to avoid combing – otherwise, you risk becoming like a dandelion. To better fix the springs, it remains to sprinkle the hair with a texturizing spray.
Type 3B
Type 3B hairs are soft springy rings with a diameter similar to that of the marker. Such curls are usually prone to dryness, so they always need additional moisture. Use styling products that have just such an effect. They should be applied to slightly damp hair – so the curls will turn out to be as clear as possible.
Type 3C
Type 3C curls resemble tight spirals, the diameter of which varies from the diameter of straw to a pencil. Usually, such curls are stacked with a large voluminous hat. In caring for such hair, it is important to avoid overdrying. As for styling, it is recommended to apply a texturizing mousse over-styling cream. Their joint work leads to better fixation of curls.
Type 4 – spiral
This curly hair is commonly referred to as afro-textured. By nature, they are very dry and spongy, while they can be either soft and thin, or dense and rather hard. Such hair is small zigzag curls that form right in the root zone.
Type 4A
People with this type boast hair that is tight, springy S-shaped spirals. In diameter, they have the same circumference as a crochet needle. To make such curls look beautiful, you will need regular styling.
To keep curls in shape and stay soft and pliable, you need to use a leave-in moisturizer for curling – it is best to use it after every wash and care.
Type 4B
This type of curl is able to bend at a sharp angle, resembling the letter Z. The main advantage of type 4B curls is that they can be styled in many ways. Such hair will ideally lie down if you use a light hair mist on a daily basis – with it the hair instantly looks moisturized. Styling creams are also suitable as additional styling products. They are easy to distribute through the hair directly with the palms – so the spirals are compacted and the status is clearer.
Type 4C
This texture is very similar to the previous one. However, in this case, the curls are more crowded and thin – so much so that their zigzag shape is usually not noticeable to the eye. This type of curls is characterized by the greatest natural shrinkage – it is about 75%.
This is the main problem of this type of curls, so you need to take care of them in a certain way. It is recommended to use a large amount of leave-in moisturizer to stretch the curl a little in length. Another great moisturizer for this type of curl is good old castor oil.
