Are you curious about your curl type and the best ways to care for your curls? You're not alone – figuring out your curl type and how to care for it can be a bit of a mystery, especially if you're new to the world of curly hair.
But don't worry – I'm here to help! In this blog post, I'm going to give you a rundown of the different curl types, how to identify which one you have, and the best ways to care for each type. Let's dive in!
The Different Curl Types
So, first things first: What are the different types of curls? If you know about the spectrum of curl patterns, you know that there are four main groups: Type 1 hair (straight), Type 2 hair (wavy), Type 3 hair (curly), and Type 4 hair (coily). Each type has its own unique traits and needs to be cared for in a different way.
Here's a quick breakdown of each curl type:
Type 2 (Wavy Hair): Wavy hair has a defined "S" pattern and is often fine to medium in texture. It can range from loose, beachy waves to more defined, springy curls.
Type 3 (Curly Hair): Curly hair has a well-defined, loopy curl pattern and is often medium to thick in texture. It can range from loose, bouncy curls to tight, spiral curls.
Type 4 (Coily Hair): Coily hair has a tight, zig-zag pattern and is usually thick and coarse in texture. It can range from fine, springy coils to dense, kinky curls.
How to Identify Your Curl Type
So, how do you know what kind of curls you have? There are a few different ways to do it:
The "plop" method: To do this, you'll need to wet your hair and then put it in a t-shirt or microfiber towel to dry naturally. You can tell what kind of curls you have by how they look when they are dry.
The visual method: Look at pictures of the different kinds of curls and pick the one that looks most like yours.
The hair typing system: This method involves using a combination of texture, density, and porosity to determine your curl type. The best way to figure out your combination of hair types is by asking a professional, though there are some methods you can try at home.
Caring for Your Curls
Now that you know what kind of curls you have, you can look for products and methods that are made for your curls. Here are some general tips on how to take care of each type of curl:
Type 2 (Wavy Hair)
Type 2 hair is wavy and can have anything from loose, beachy waves to more defined, springy curls. In contrast to other curl types, type 2 hair is distinguished by its looser "S" shaped curls and is typically less prone to dryness than other curl types. As the curl pattern with the least definition, oil and products tend to build up much faster. Because of this, we suggest that you wash your type 2 hair a little more often so that products don't build up.
Its texture is usually fine to medium, and it may frizz and tangle easily. However, it may still lack volume at the roots and can be easily weighed down by using too many styling products or leave-ins. Use strong hold stylers that can help keep your curls' shape for longer periods of time if you want to give your waves more body and hold.
Also, because type 2 hair curls are looser, they may be more likely to flatten out between washes. Its shape can also change based on whether the weather is wet or dry. Understanding how your hair responds to various weather conditions will help you choose styling tools and methods that will enhance your waves and preserve their natural shape. We suggest that people with type 2 hair use water-based products like mousses and gels, which can help define and enhance the waves in your hair. These products can help you get rid of frizz and tangles, which will make your hair look healthy and full of life.
Type 3 (Curly Hair):
Type 3 hair, also known as curly hair, has tight, springy curls that range from loose and bouncy to tight corkscrews. This type of hair can have a variety of textures all in one head and is more prone to frizz if it isn't properly moisturized. Type 3 hair usually has an S-shaped curl pattern and a lot of volume at the roots.
It doesn't shine as much as straight or wavy hair because its cuticle doesn't lay flat. In order to maintain its health and hydration, type 3 hair frequently needs a lot more moisture. Type 3 hair needs to be cared for and kept moist in order to stay healthy and strong.
To take care of type 3 hair, you should wash it twice or three times a week with a gentle shampoo or co-wash that doesn't contain sulfates. Conditioning is also important if you have high porosity hair to keep your curls healthy and moist. To keep your hair from breaking, gently untangle it with a wet brush or wide-tooth comb while it is still wet and saturated in conditioner.
Before you style your hair, use a leave-in conditioner to add moisture and cut down on frizz. Gels and other strong hold stylers can help keep your curls defined and full. To give curls more definition, twist small sections of curls around your finger while the hair is still wet. Avoid touching your curls as you dry your hair to keep the curl pattern and reduce frizz. Instead, wait until your hair is completely dry before you scrunch and fluff it.
Type 4 (Coily Hair):
Type 4 curly hair, which is also called coily hair, has a tight, zig-zag pattern. One of the hardest things about caring for type 4 hair is that it tends to be dry and brittle. This is made worse by the shape of the hair, which makes it hard for the natural oils from the scalp to move down the strands. This can cause hair to break and get frizzy, which can be hard to manage. Type 4 hair may also have fine but dense strands that can be mistaken for coarse hair. In reality, these strands are often weak and need to be taken care of carefully to stay healthy. Because type 4 hair curls tightly, it tends to shrink when it dries, which can make it look shorter. For type 4 hair to stay healthy and strong, it is important to use products that keep it hydrated and fed.
To get the best results with your type 4 hair, you need to use the right hair styling techniques and products. We suggest applying styling products to wet hair in sections to make sure they get spread out evenly. You can even use them in the shower to make sure your hair stays hydrated. Using strong hold gels can make your wash-and-go style last longer. For twist-outs or braids, you can use products with less hold. You can help your type 4 hair bounce and look its best with the right techniques and products.
Since Type 4 curls tend to get dry, you should use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep your curls soft and strong. You can buy a treatment or mix things like avocado, olive oil, and honey together to make your own. Don't wash your hair too much. Even though it's important to keep your curls clean, washing them too often can take away their natural oils and make them dry.
Other Factors
When it comes to caring for your curls, your curl type is undoubtedly a crucial factor to take into account, but it's not the only one. How your curls look and feel can also be affected by your hair's porosity, or its ability to absorb and hold moisture.
Hair Porosity
Porosity is divided into three categories: high, medium, and low.
High porosity hair has many open cuticles and tends to take in and release moisture quickly. If you have high porosity hair, you might notice that your curls feel dry and frizzy even when you use products that add moisture.
Low-porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly sealed and are usually resistant to moisture. If you have low porosity hair, you may find that your curls take a long time to absorb products and that too much product makes your curls feel heavy and greasy.
Medium porosity hair is somewhere in the middle. It soaks up and holds on to water in a pretty even way. People with high or low-porosity hair often have problems with their hair being too dry or too oily. If you have medium porosity hair, you may not have these problems.
In Summary
Understanding your curl type and the porosity of your hair will allow you to better care for your curls and achieve the desired look. For example, if you have Type 3 curly hair and high porosity hair, you may need to use products that are made to seal in moisture and avoid using heat styling tools to stop frizz. On the other hand, if you have Type 4 coily hair with low porosity, you may need to use products that help your hair absorb moisture and think about using a steaming or deep conditioning treatment to help open up your cuticles.
Every head of curls is different, so you need to try different things to see what works best for your curls. Don't be afraid to try different products and methods until you find what works for you. You can keep your curls looking healthy and defined with the right care and attention. Good luck curling!
If you enjoyed this information on understanding your curl type and hair porosity, be sure to follow us on social media and join our mailing list for even more curly hair tips and empowerment content. Our social media channels are a great resource for finding new products and techniques to try, as well as connecting with a community of like-minded curl enthusiasts.
Follow us on social media and subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date on the latest trends, product recommendations, and tips for embracing and celebrating your natural curls. We can't wait to connect with you and help you on your curl journey!