First of all, your hair is BEAUTIFUL!
Determining your hair type is the first step you should take towards starting a healthy hair journey. This quick post will guide you on how to identify your hair type and curl pattern and can help you make decisions on which products your hair will love and which ingredients you should avoid.
CURL PATTERN AND HAIR TYPE
Your hair type and curl pattern define the primary shape of your hair follicle. This is the way your hair naturally grows without any chemicals, products or heat treatment. Hair type is determined by the shape of your hair follicle on your scalp. The more oval shaped your hair follicle is, the curlier your hair. Ultimately, your natural hair texture is determined by your DNA.
The easiest way to identify your curl type is by using the classification system coined by stylist Andre Walker.
THE HAIR CHART is only a guide to help you on the start of your healthy hair journey. There are other factors that determine your hair type including hair porosity, density, and the condition of your scalp.
Below is everything you need to know about how to determine your hair type and how you can improve your hair care routine to better suit your specific hair type.
TYPE 1 – STRAIGHT
TYPE 1A (FINE)
Very soft, shiny, hard to hold a curl, hair tends to be oily, hard to damage.
TYPE 1A (MEDIUM)
Has much body. (i.e. more volume, more full).
TYPE 1A (COARSE)
Hard to curl (i.e. bone straight).
TYPE 2 – WAVY
TYPE 2A (LOOSE WAVES)
Can accomplish various styles. Loose “S” pattern. Hair sticks close to the head.
TYPE 2B (DEFINED WAVES)
A bit resistant to styling. Hair has more of a defined “S” pattern. Hair Tends to be frizzy.
TYPE 2C (WIDE WAVES)
Hair has wider waves. Resistant to styling. Hair tends to be frizzy.
TYPE 3 – CURLY
TYPE 3A (LOOSE CURLS)
Thick and full with much body. Definite curl pattern. Hair tends to be frizzy. Can have a combination texture.
TYPE 3B (TIGHT CURLS)
Medium amount of space of the curls. Can have a combined texture.
TYPE 3C (CORKSCREWS)
Tight curls in corkscrews. The curls are very tightly curled.
TYPE 4 – COILY
TYPE 4A (DEFINED COIL)
Tightly coiled. Has a very defined “o”-shaped pattern.
TYPE 4B (Z COIL)
Tightly coiled. Little less defined kink pattern. Has more of a “Z”-shaped pattern.
TYPE 4C (TIGHT COIL)
Tightly coiled. Almost no visible defined kink pattern, unless seen from up close. Has more of a very tight “o”-shaped pattern.
We hope this guide has helped you get to know how to identify your hair type and curl pattern!
Be sure to share this post with friends so you can compare results! And as always, comment below or send us a message on Instagram if you have any follow-up questions or want more detailed tips and tricks for your specific skin type. We love chatting with you!
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