Know the Different Curly Hair Types
Learn how you can better take care of your waves and curls by learning about the different curly hair types.
Do you have curly hair? Knowing your curly hair type can help you take care of your mane better. It helps you choose the right brush for your hair type, the right hairstyle, and the right products that keep your hair looking its best. This means that whatever hair product or hairstyling technique works on your straight-haired friend might be different from yours. Read on to learn about the different curly hair types and find out where yours belongs to.
Different Wavy and Curly Hair Types
The different curly hair types are categorized into numbers and letters, which may sound very clinical. But trust us, these are just labels, so don’t feel intimidated. Now, let’s get to know kulot hair better.
1. Type 2A
The “S” waves add movement to your hair. Model: Sophia Traspe, Sunsilk Camp Hairkada, @sophiatraspe
Type 2A is the least curly among the curly hair types. It is characterized by an “S” shape that gives your hair a tousled look. It tends to be finer and thinner than other curly hair types.
2. Type 2B
This hair type looks like beach waves. Model: Rochelle Lim, Sunsilk Camp Hairkada, @rochellelim
Next in the list is Type 2B which has more defined waves. It is also “S” in shape but looks a bit tighter than Type 2A. Because of its tighter “S” shape, Type 2B also tends to look thicker than Type 2A.
3. Type 2C
Type 2C is curlier than the other two and it no longer takes the “S” wave form. When sectioned, you’ll find that there are actually two or more curl shapes in them.
Editor’s tip: Keep your hair from getting dry and looking dull by conditioning it daily. And if you’re into nature-powered hair products, try Cream Silk Rich Organic Powerfusion Rich Moisture Ultra Conditioner. It is infused with coconut oil and shea butter, which are known to moisturize. It also has different flora oils and extracts that work to smoothen, soften, and nourish your hair.
4. Type 3A
This curly hair type consists of loose spirals that appear springy. When detangling this type of curl, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers and gently comb the tips of your hair first. Stay away from fine-tooth combs and brushes with narrow bristles, as these may cause frizz and breakage.
Editor’s tip: Gently cleanse your curly hair with TRESemmé Detox & Nourish Shampoo. It has green tea extract and Hawaiian ginger root extract that help in cleansing and detoxifying your hair. It also has tea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Use it with TRESemmé Detox & Nourish Conditioner, which coats and nourishes each strand and makes your hair smooth without weighing it down.
5. Type 3B
Type 3B curly hair has springy ringlets that tend to become dry easily. Styling gels are your best friend if you have this hairstyle.
6. Type 3C
This type of curly hair is characterized by tight corkscrew-like shapes. The tight coils give your hair volume, which is great, but they are also prone to frizz. Make sure you keep your curls well-moisturized so they stay manageable.
Editor’s tip: Keep your curls moisturized Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Colour Shampoo. The same murumuru butter that helps moisturize colored hair also keeps curly hair from getting dry. Pair it with Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Colour Conditioner or best results.
7. Type 4A
This curly hair type is dense and springy and has a smaller, S-pattern coil. As a result, you get tighter curls and thicker hair.
8. Type 4B
Type 4B has tighter coils than Type 4A. You’ll also notice that your hair shape looks more like a “Z” than an “S” shape. If you have this type of curly hair, you should avoid drying your hair with an ordinary towel or using heat-styling tools often, as these practices will make your curls dry and frizzy.
9. Type 4C
Similar to Type 4B, Type 4C has tightly coiled strands that give you big, voluminous hair. To rock this type of curl, you must consult with your stylist to give you a curly haircut that suits your hair type, texture, and face shape. This way, your hair gets the right volume and bounce and the curls sit nicely on your head.
How to Take Care of Your Curly Hair
While hair care routines may vary from person to person depending on one’s hair type and needs, there are tips that you must remember when taking care of your curly hair. Here they are.
1. Use a moisturizing shampoo.
Because curly hair types are more prone to dryness and frizz, a shampoo that has moisturizing ingredients can help you keep your kulot hair in good shape. Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru butter, and argan oil help in moisturizing hair, so if your shampoo has any of these, consider including it in your hair care regimen.
2. Always condition your hair.
This tip applies to all hair types, whether straight or curly, but we cannot emphasize its importance in taking care of your curly hair. Conditioners replenish moisture that shampoos, during the cleansing process, may have stripped off. Conditioners are crucial in keeping your curls smooth, soft, and manageable, so make sure to use one every day.
Editor’s tip: Try Dove Nourishing Oil Care 1 Minute Serum Conditioner for your curly hair. It is infused with serum capsules that contain coconut, argan, almond, and sunflower seed oils, and vitamin E. These work to tame frizz and transform rough, dry strands into smoother, softer hair.
3. Give your hair a deep-conditioning treatment.
Pampering your curls with a hair mask treatment helps moisturize and nourish your hair even further, so make sure to do it at least once a week.
Editor’s tip: Give your hair a salon-quality hair treatment with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth KERA10 Smoothing Mask. It has KERA10 Protein Complex, which goes up to 10 layers deep into your hair. It gives your hair 10 salon benefits in one wash. These include keeping it soft, smooth, and shiny, taming frizz, detangling your hair, and offering heat protection.
4. Use a hair diffuser when drying your hair.
A hair diffuser directs airflow to your hair without disrupting the natural shape of your curls. This makes it a better drying and styling tool for curly hair than a regular blow-dryer. But still, even when using a hair diffuser, set the heat to low or medium to prevent frizz and heat damage.
So, there you go. Learning about your curly hair type helps you understand how to style it and know which products use to help you manage it. Share this with your fellow kulot friends so all of you can identify your curl type.
