which curl type do you have?
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Type 4
Type 4 hair is characterized by tightly coiled curls, with a texture that ranges from fine and thin to coarse and wiry. This hair type has the most shrinkage (up to 75% of its actual length) and can appear much shorter when dry than when it is wet or stretched. Do to the fact that it's tightly coiled, the curls takes longer for natural oils to travel from the scalp down the hair shaft, leading to dryness.
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Type 3
Type 3 hair is characterized by its curly texture, with distinct and well-defined curls that form spirals or ringlets. This type of hair can have a lot of volume and body but can also be prone to dryness, frizz, and tangling because the natural oils from the scalp takes a bit of time to travel down the curls.
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Type 2
Type 2 hair is known as wavy to big curly hair. It falls between straight (Type 1) and curly (Type 3) hair, featuring an “S” shape wave pattern. It is often less prone to frizz than curly hair, but it can still have a bit of volume. There are several subtypes of Type 2 hair:
Here are a few reasons why the traditional curly hair chart might not always feel accurate:
1. Mixed Textures: Many people have more than one curl pattern on their head, especially across different sections like the crown, sides, or nape, making it difficult to classify their hair as just one type.
2. Porosity & Density: The chart doesn’t account for important factors like how porous the hair is (how well it retains moisture) or how dense it is (how much hair is on the scalp), both of which can drastically affect how the hair behaves.
3. Shrinkage Differences: Shrinkage varies widely, even within the same curl type, which can make hair look shorter or tighter than it actually is. For instance, 4A hair may have more defined coils but shrink considerably, while some 3C types might appear looser even with less shrinkage.
4. Product Impact: Depending on how you style or treat your hair, the curl type can look very different. Some products enhance curls, while others might weigh them down or stretch them out.
5. Environmental Factors: Humidity, dryness, and even water quality can affect how curls form or hold throughout the day, so hair might not consistently look like it fits in one category.
Many people prefer to embrace their hair’s unique texture rather than try to fit it into a specific type. The hair chart can serve as a helpful starting point, but personal experience and experimentation often yield the best understanding of what works for someone’s curls.
how accurate is the chart?
Curly hair charts can sometimes feel limiting or not fully accurate because hair texture is incredibly diverse and doesn’t always fit neatly into predefined categories. Factors like porosity, density, and curl diameter vary widely even within the same “type.” Additionally, the way curls behave can be influenced by the environment, the products used, and even hormonal changes.
type 2 hair
• 2A: The waves are loose and fine, with a soft, barely noticeable texture. This type is easy to straighten or style in various ways.
• 2B: The waves form more defined, medium-textured “S” shapes. It tends to be a bit frizzier and more difficult to straighten than 2A.
• 2C: The waves are thick, coarse, and well-defined, almost approaching curly. This subtype is prone to frizz and has more volume.
Type 2 hair is generally versatile and can hold styles well but may require products to enhance definition or control frizz.
TYPE 3 HAIR
• 3A: This subtype has large, loose curls with a shiny and springy texture. The curls are well-defined but less tight, often resembling big, soft loops.
• 3B: The curls are tighter and more voluminous, forming medium-sized ringlets with more definition and bounce. This hair type is generally coarser than 3A and has more texture and frizz.
• 3C: This subtype features tightly coiled, corkscrew-shaped curls that are dense and thick. It has the most volume and shrinkage of the Type 3 category, often appearing shorter than it is when dry.
Type 3 hair can be beautiful and bouncy but may require extra moisture and care to maintain curl definition and manage frizz.
TYPE 4 HAIR
• 4A: This subtype has dense, tight coils that form a defined “S” pattern when stretched. The curls are springy, and the hair retains more moisture than the other subtypes, though it still requires plenty of hydration.
• 4B: The curls have a more “Z” pattern, with sharp angles instead of rounded coils. The hair is less defined, often appearing fluffy, and is more prone to shrinkage. This type tends to be more fragile and requires careful handling to avoid breakage.
• 4C: The tightest and most coiled of all hair types, 4C has no distinct curl pattern and is densely packed. It tends to be the most fragile, with significant shrinkage. This subtype is prone to dryness and requires intensive moisture and care to maintain health and manageability.
Type 4 hair is versatile and can be styled in many ways, but it often requires a consistent routine of moisturizing and protective styles to prevent breakage and retain length.
