The important thing to remember when dealing with curly hair is that not all curls are created the same and as a result each curl type needs to be maintained and cared for accordingly.
There are 4 main types of hair 1,2, 3, and 4 these numbers identify the curliness of the hair, so moving from type 1 which is bone straight to 4 the hair gets curlier,however these curly hair types also have their own subcategories respectively A,B and C. The letters A,B and C identifies the size of the curls within each number e.g 2a, 3c or 4b.
Type 2 Hair
Type 2 hair has a wave pattern throughout the hair which forms in the shape of the letter "S.Type 2a hair tends to be fine and thin, easily manageable. It can also be easily straightened or moulded into curlier looks. Type 2b hair is medium textured and is more prone to frizzing. and the curls tend to be slightly tighter. Type 2c hair is thick and coarse, has a greater resistance to styling and it more frizzer than 2b hair, and has a greater tendency to frizz.
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 TYPE 2A-Fine and thin
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 TYPE 2B-Medium -Textured
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 TYPE 2C -Thick and Coarse
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Type 3 Hair
Type 3a,3b,3c have a tighter and well-defined curl pattern . This type is very springy, shiny, and bouncy.This type of hair is prone to frizz in humid weather conditions.When wet the hair becomes a little wavy nearly straight returnds to its curliest states once dry.
Type 3a hair has the loosest curl pattern. It tends to be shinier with big curls.Type 3b hair has a tighter curl pattern. This type has a medium to tight corkscrew curls. Type 3C hair has a tightly curly look and tend to appear kinky. Type 3c hair texture has a tight corkscrew curl to kinky curl pattern. The curls are very tightly curled and the strands tend to be densely packed together.
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TYPE 3A-Looser Curl
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TYPE 3B-Tighter Curl
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TYPE 3C-Tightly Curly-Slightly-Kinky
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Type 4 Hair
The number 4a.4b, 4c is curled tightlyto kinky hair. African-American/Black hair usually falls into this category.
This type is typically very curly to coarse hair with a tendency to be prone to dryness and frizziness. These hair textures are delicate and breaks easily than other types. Extra moisture is usually needed to prevent the hair from drying out and breaking.
Type 4 hair is fragile and tends to be less shiny than all the other types. Instead of having shine this type of hair will appear to have more of a sheen. This type needs to be moisturized regularly, treated gently and should only comb when wet to prevent breakage.
Type 4a tightly coiled hair. When stretched the curl has an "S" pattern. Type 4b has a more "Z" pattern. Instead of the hair looking like a "S" shaped curl the hair has more of a "Z" or zigzag pattern. Hair in this category is the coarsest and requires extra moisture.Type 4c hair is thick and coarse with tight curls.Type 4c hair is difficult to comb, and attempting to detangle it when it is dry can cause a lot of damage.
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TYPE 4A-S Pattern
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TYPE 4B-Zig-zag Pattern
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TYPE C -Wiry Texture
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At the Footer of every product category page we have put together a simple to understand chart and product recommendations for each of the curly hair types to help you better understand your curls and the best products to manage and maintain beautifully curly hair.
