Beautiful in all its bouncy, loopy, coiled or quirky variations, "curly hair" is a broad hair care category that includes many types of curl textures, forms and patterns.
If you've been blessed with curly hair and want to make the most of this natural asset, then understanding the different types of curly hair and what works best for you is vital for propercare and styling.
In this article, we’ll delve into the science behind curly hair, identify the various curl types, discuss their characteristics, and give you tips for caring for each type.
The Science Behind Curly Hair
Two primary factors determine hair curliness: genetics and hair follicles.
How Genetics Impact Curly Hair
The reason your hair is straight or curly is largely due to genetics. The shape of your hair follicle, which is decided by your genes, is what makes your hair curly or straight.
People with curly hair have genes that create oval-shaped follicleswhich makes the hair curl. It's not just one gene that does this, but a bunch of them working together, which is why people in the same family with similar genes can have different types of curls.
How Hair Follicles Determine Curl Pattern
The shape of your hair follicles is what makes your hair curly or straight. Curly hair comes from follicles that are asymmetrical (aka, oval-shaped),which bend the hair as it grows, while straight hair grows from symmetrical (aka, circular) follicles.
Your scalp can actually have different shaped follicles in different places, which is why you might have various curl patterns on your head.
How to Know What Type of Curly Hair You Have
To find the best hair care routine and products for your curly hair, it's critical to identify your specific curl type(s).
The best way to do this is to wash and condition your hair, let it air-dry, and examine the nature of your curls in a mirror. Use a hand-held mirror to see the back of your hair, which may have different curl configurations. And don’t forget to lift up your hair.... many curly girls have different hair texture in underneath layers.
The Spectrum of Curl Types: From Wavy to Coily
Oprah Winfrey's hair stylist, Andre Walker, is credited with developing "the Hair Chart", a standardized classification system where hair strands arecategorized into four main types, each with its own unique characteristics.
- Type 1 are straight and have no noticeable curl pattern. This type of hair tends to be shiny and smooth, but can also be prone to oiliness.
- Type 2 are wavy and have a slight "S" shape. This type of hair can range from loose, beachy waves to more defined, bouncy curls.
- Type 3 are curly and have a more pronounced "S" shape. This type of hair can range from loose, spiral curls to tight, corkscrew curls.
- Type 4 are coily and have a tight, spring-like curl pattern. This type of hair can range from small, tightly coiled curls to larger, more defined coils.
Within each curl type, there are further subcategories that represent variations in curl tightness and definition. These subcategories are labeled as A, B, and C.
- Type 2A curls, for example, are loose and have a gentle wave pattern, while Type 2C curls are more defined and have a tighter wave pattern.
- Type 3A curls are loose and have a well-defined "S" shape, while Type 3C curls are tight and have a corkscrew-like pattern.
- Type 4A curls are tightly coiled and have a defined "S" pattern, while Type 4C curls are tightly coiled and have a more zigzag-like pattern.
Characteristics of Different Curl Types
Each curl type has unique characteristics and requires tailored care. Let's explore the characteristics of Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4 hair.
Type 2 (Wavy) Hair Characteristics
Type 2 (Wavy) Hair CharacteristicsType 2 hair falls on the wavy spectrum. It ranges from loose, gentle waves (2A) to more defined and S-shaped waves (2C). Type 2 hair tends to be prone to frizz, and individuals with this curl type often struggle with maintaining definition.
Type 3 (Curly) Hair Characteristics
Type 3 hair is characterized by well-defined curls that range from loose curls (3A) to tight corkscrews (3C). Type 3 hair is prone to frizz anddryness and requires proper conditioning and hydration to maintain its natural bounce and shape.
Type 4 (Coily) Hair Characteristics
Type 4 (Coily) Hair CharacteristicsType 4 hair is the tightest and most coily of all curl types. It ranges from small, tightly coiled curls (4A) to densely packed coils (4C). Type 4 hair tends to be extremely dehydrated, frizzy, fragile and more prone to breakage, requiring careful handling and gentle detangling techniques.
Caring for Your Curl Type
Now that you have identified your personal curl type from the standardized descriptions of curl patterns, let's explore some essential hair care tips specifically tailored to each type.
Type 2 Hair Products: Our Top Picks
According to Color Wow Chief Chemist, Dr. Joe Cincotta, Ph.D, “The main issues wavy-haired women have to deal with are: dryness, frizz, breakage, volume and hair thinning.Therefore, I suggest a cleansing shampoo, a premium rinse out conditioner, a super-light leave-in conditioning mist for moisturization/hydration and styling products that are weightless and add volume to hair. These are key to wavy hair.”
Our wavy hair essentials:
1.Color Security Shampoo
The only 100% clean, sulfate-free shampoo that leaves no residues. For all hair types.
2.Color Security Conditioner
Easy detangling and weightless hydration. Won’t oxidize and yellow color. Built-in heat protection.
3.Dream Coat for Curly Hair
One-step solution for frizz-free, crunch-free curls. Delivers the combined benefits of gels + serums + creams without crunchiness, greasiness or weight.
4. Money Mist Leave In Conditioner
Powerful post-shampoo detangler moisturizes and strengthens to the core for super silky, glossy, frizz-free curls without weighing hair down.
Type 3 Hair Products: Our Top Picks
“The main hair challenges for people with Type 3A-3C curls are: dehydration, major frizz, detangling/knots, hair shedding and breakage, volumeand hair thinning,” Dr. Joe says. “For these curls, I suggest a pre-shampoo detangler, residue-free shampoo, a deep moisturizing conditioner, supplemental oil replenishment and styling products that add moisture without weight or greasy buildup."
Our core curly hair essentials:
For deeply moisturized, perfectly bundled, glossy, frizz-free curls, our Curl Wow rangeis a must! Every formula (except shampoo) features our "naked technology" - a game-changing delivery system that breaks down vital, curl-nourishing oils into tiny particles that can actually penetrate into strands, instead of pooling up on the surface. Which means curls get extra moisture inside and out, but the hair never
1.Snag-Free Pre-Shampoo Detangler
Adds slip to curls for easy shampooing, a deeper clean + less breakage
2.Hooked 100% Clean Shampoo
Super-sudsing, sulfate-free, no-residue formula delivers optimal fresh hair + scalp. Plus, our Procapil Complex® helps anchor strands to reduce shedding.
3.Coco-Motion Lubricating Conditioner
Lubricates the protein chains inside dehydrated curls to bring back bounce, elasticity + fluid motion.
4. Money Mist Leave In Conditioner
Powerful post-shampoo detangler moisturizes and strengthens to the core for super silky, glossy, frizz-free curls.
5.Flo-etry Vital Natural Serum
Replaces the essential scalp oils (sebum) that curls lack because oils can’t flow down the natural bends + twists. Clinically proven to deliver 84% less breakage.
6.Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray
Mix-to-activate spray combines a “layer” of advanced styling polymers with a “layer” of powerful moisturizing oils for perfectly defined, weightless, glossy, frizz-free curls.
Type 4 Hair Products: Our Top Picks
“Curly/coily hair has its own unique challenges: dehydration and difficulty retaining moisture; matting, tangling and knots; breakage and difficulty growing; frizz and curl shrinkage," Dr Joe explains.
“For this hair type, I recommend a pre-shampoo detangler, a cleansing shampoo, an intense hair masque followed by a leave-in conditioner, products for moisturization/hydration and styling products that add moisturization and weight to hair to maintain its volume and avoid shrinkage.”
Our coily hair essentials:
The complete Curl Wow line, with supplemental rich conditioning to infuse curls with essential moisture:
1.Snag-Free Pre-Shampoo Detangler
Adds slip to curls for easy shampooing, a deeper clean + less breakage
2.Hooked 100% Clean Shampoo
Super-sudsing, sulfate-free, no-residue formula delivers optimal fresh hair + scalp. Plus, our Procapil Complex® helps anchor strands to reduce shedding.
3.Money Masque
This deep hydrating hair treatment is celebrity Stylist Chris Appleton’s 1-step-prep for luxe, super healthy hair.
4.Money Mist Leave In Conditioner
Powerful post-shampoo detangler moisturizes and strengthens to the core for super silky, glossy, frizz-free curls.
5.Flo-etry Vital Natural Serum
Replaces the essential scalp oils (sebum) that curls lack because oils can’t flow down the natural bends + twists. Clinically proven to deliver 84% less breakage.
6.Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray
Mix-to-activate spray combines a “layer” of advanced styling polymers with a “layer” of powerful moisturizing oils for perfectly defined, weightless, glossy, frizz-free curls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curly Hair Types
Is wavy hair a type of curly hair?
Wavy hair is considered a distinct category within the curly hair spectrum, classified as type 2 in hair typing systems.
It features a loose, S-shaped pattern that sets it apart from the tighter spirals of type 3 curly hair, ranging from soft waves to more defined, almost curly forms.
How many types of curly hair are there?
There are three main curly hair types in the standardized system: wavy (type 2), curly (type 3), and coily (type 4). Each type has subcategories (like 3A, 3B, 3C for curly hair) that further define the hair's curl pattern and texture. "Type 1" is actually straight hair!
Can I have two types of curly hair?
Yes, it's quite common for people to have more than one type of curl pattern in their hair. You might have looser curls (like 3A) in some sections of your hair and tighter curls (like 3B or 3C) in others.
This can be due to a variety of factors, including genetics and the way your hair responds to length, weight, and styling.
How do I know my curl type?
To determine your curly hair type, wash and condition your hair, let it air-dry, and then observe the curls. It's common to have a mix of different curl patterns on different parts of your head. Compare your curls to a hair type chart for a visual reference, and remember that texture can also vary, from fine to coarse.
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