What is Hair Type? And What is Your Hair Type?

Figuring out your hair type can be confusing. Is your hair straight, wavy, curly, or a little of everything? Finding your hair type can help you pick the right products and routines to keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful.

Determining Texture 

Your hair texture is the pattern that your hair is when it naturally dries. Your hair texture is used to determine if your hair is fine, medium, or thick. Your hair shape then falls into four different categories that help determine your hair type. 

• Straight hair or Type 1 is when there is no curl in the strands whatsoever. 
• Hair with a slight “S” shape to it is considered wavy hair or Type 2. 
• If your hair dries in defined curls it is Type 3. 
• If it dries in tight, defined coils it is considered coily or Type 4. 

Determining  the width of your wave, curl, or coil pattern is next. These are the subsections, of each type and are noted as A, B, and C. 

• Type A is a wide pattern such as loose beach waves. 
• Type B is a medium wave or curl. 
• Type C has the smallest pattern. 

Putting it Together

• Type 1
  Type 1 is straight hair and tends to be fine. If you have Type 1A hair, you should look for lighter products that won’t weigh your hair down. Type 1B and Type 1C have thicker strands and more volume.
• Type 2
  Type 2 hair is naturally wavy hair. Some Type 2s might have more curl to their waves than others but they all have a soft “S” shape. 2A hair is usually thinner with very soft waves. 2B hair is medium all-around in thickness and waves. 2C tends to have more defined waves and can frizz. Type 2 hair can be styled easily and move between natural waves and straightening or curling with different styling tools and products.
• Type 3
  Type 3 hair is curly! It’s the type of hair that you can comb through straight when it’s wet but dries into bouncy, defined curls. All Type 3s tend to struggle with frizz. Brushing out Type 3 hair can contribute to frizz and make it harder for the curls to keep their natural shape. Type 3 hair should be well moisturized and avoid brushing or combing for the most part. 3A has looser curls, while 3B has medium curls and 3C has extra springy tightly wound curls.
• Type 4
  Type 4 hair is coily hair. It’s so curly that a 4A can easily coil around a chopstick. Type 4 hair can feel very coarse and thick, but it is very delicate and susceptible to damage. Type 4 hair needs the most moisture and benefits from products like shea butter and coconut oil to keep it healthy and shiny. 

Finding your hair type can be difficult, so if you’re struggling to figure out yours, make an appointment with  one of our stylists. We’ll help you figure out your hair type and recommend the products and routines you need to keep your hair looking healthy and gorgeous.