What is My True Hair Type?

Ever wonder why your hair is the way it is? Whether you have thick, curly, thin, long, or short, there are four hair types: straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Understanding the shape depends on the details of these four categories. In the long run, knowing your proper hair type can help with purchasing products, styling, and the overall care of your locks. 

Straight

Let's get straight to the point with straight hair. This style is known for having no-curl, whether or not the hair is thick or thin. As a result, no wave leaves the hair more susceptible to oil.

 

1A

Image by Getty Images

1A can be difficult to style hair. The hair is usually thin, delicate, straight, and doesn't hold curls. Typically people with straight 1A hair should avoid conditioners that weigh the hair down.

 

1B

Image by Getty Images

1B is straight with some bends. This type tends to have fuller strands but still no curls.

 

1C

Image by Frazer Harrison

1C is straight with a coarser texture. This hair is very thick and can hold styling well.

 

Wavy

The wavy hair type falls between curly and straight, the happy medium of the best of both worlds.

 

2A

Image by Getty Images

2A is wavy and fine and can be styled for the sleek straight look, or can use a curling iron to add extra definition to emphasize the waves.

 

2B

Image by Getty Images

2B has a wave with a slight S-defined shape. The typical texturized wave look is perfected by leaving the hands off as much as possible and styling with the hands and mousse to define the natural waves extra.

 

2C

Image by Alberto Pizzoli

2C has wavy hair with a perfect S-defined shape. These hair types thrive on moisture and deep conditioning.

 

Curly

In order to be in the curling club, your hair has to have actual curls that have spring. Other waves help create the curly look, but overall, there is more definition for the curly category.

 

3A

Image by Gilbert Flores

3A has loose curls that are large in diameter and with a blend of waviness. This style can easily frizz if the weather is humid or even brushing your hair. However, this texture is easy to apply when the hair is wet or styled to a straightened look.

 

3B

Image by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

3B has tight and springy curls that are prone to dryness. These curls have the circumference of a marker. This hair type is known to frizz frequently, so use leave-in conditioners to help create bounce.

 

3C

Image by Cass Bird 

3C have the thickest curls and spring back into shape when stretched. These curls are noticeably tighter than 3B curls and are typically the width of a straw. However, this style is known for having the most dryness, so add hair oil to your routine to prevent over-dryness.

 

Coily

Coily hair is all about the kinks and angles. This hair type has a range from tight-coiled to spring-like. This kind of hair is the coarsest and driest hair type of all. This style is the hardest to get moisture to the scalp to help maintain the shine.

 

4A

Image by Richard Shotwell

4A loose coils that can fit around a pen. This style can shrink to less than half its length when it dries. Incorporate a deep conditioning masque, creams, and butter to help hair health.

 

4B

Image by Instagram

4B has sharp zig-zag coils that are more prone to shrinking and drying out. Using more gels to keep the hair moisturized can help with the definition.

 

4C

Image by Michael Buckner

4C has a dense texture with tight coils and no distinct curl pattern. With this hair type, it is crucial to frequently nourish the hair with rich conditioners instead of focusing on shampooing.