The Easy How-To Guide For Finding Your Curly Hair Type

If you have curly hair you've probably scratched your head in confusion trying to figure out what type of curly hair you have and why it matters. Anyone trying to understand their curly hair knows that trying to understand curly hair can make you want to rip your curls right off your head in frustration. If this sounds familiar, don't fear. You're not alone, we've been there and we can help!

How Do Curls Work

There isn't just one right way to take care of curls, which makes trying to care for your curls even more overwhelming, but let's start with the basics. Curls are different from straight hair in many ways, but the most important is that curly hair has a different follicle shape. According to Allure, curly hair follicles are flatter and more oval than straight hair follicles. The flatter the follicle, the curlier the hair.

According to Ouidad, curls allow for exposure at the cuticles in your hair. This means that curly hair has a hard time keeping natural moisture. That's why it's so important to use moisture-rich, hydrating hair products.

Before You Start

There are a few things to know before you get started trying to find your curl type.

First, the easiest way to tell which type of curls you have is to make sure your hair is completely wet before trying to find it.

Second, most people have a combination of curls and waves, so your curly hair might not fit perfectly into a curly-type box, but the different curly types serve as a great jumping-off point to start figuring out your curls.

Curly Hair Types

There are three basic types of curly hair: wavy, curly, and coily. Each of these types have subcategories.

Type 2 Wavy

Bendable, coarse but fine, definitive S shape, lays close to the head

Type 2A

Fine, tousled hair. This type is characterized by tousled texture. This type should avoid using heavy products in their hair because they can take away volume easily. This type of hair is easy to straighten.

Celebrity examples: Emma Stone or Amanda Seyfried

Type 2B

This type of curl lies flat on the head but has a distinct curved S shape that starts about halfway down.

Celebrity example: Salma Hayek or Tori Kelly

Type 2C

This type of hair is thicker than 2A or 2B types. The S-shape is tighter and more defined and the wave starts right at the root of the strands.

Celebrity examples: Shakira or Lorde

Type 3 Curly

Anything from loose loops to bouncy ringlets, they have a sheen, but are prone to frizz.

Type 3A

Loose curls that start at the scalp. These ringlets have sheen and bounce. These curls are highly prone to frizziness, so it's important to use the right hair products.

Celebrity example: Julia Garner or Annalynne McCord

Type 3B

These curls are very springy and have the circumference like a pen or marker. They are susceptible to dryness so a good tip is to look for gels and creams that have moisture attracting ingredients, like humectants.

Celebrity examples: H.E.R. or Crystal Westbrooks

Type 3C

These curls are just like corkscrews. They are very tight and are usually dense. Frizz is very common with this type of curl, so pay extra attention to all of your hair products and make sure they won't extract any of your hair's moisture.

Celebrity examples: Nathalie Emmanuel or Yara Shahidi

Type 4 Coily

Referred to as kinky hair, naturally dry and wiry, Curls are small and zig-zag shaped.

Type 4A

This hair type is very dense with tight S-shaped coils. Extra moisturizing is extra important, so keep your creams and leave-in conditioner close by.

Celebrity example: Megan Thee Stallion

Type 4B

This hair type has tight Z-shaped angles and are strands are packed densely together. And you guessed it, moisture is crucial!

Celebrity example: Teyonah Parris

Type 4C

These tight coils are in a very tight zig-zag pattern. The coils are more fragile and shrinkage can become an issue if you're not careful. Extra moisturizers can go a long way for this type of hair.

Word of Advice

Now, I know all of this seems like a lot, but you don't have to have it all figured out right away. Don't get discouraged, it gets easier and once you figure out your type, you'll be unstoppable.

We're here to help with some of the most common questions curl-havers ask. Check out our other blog posts and for trending curl topics subscribe to our newsletter here.