How to discover your curly hair type
What is my curly hair type?
Ever wondered which curly hair products will work best for you? Rather than overflowing your shelves with a bunch of products that turn you into Sideshow Bob, get to know your hair better so you can skip to the good bit. Everything you need to know starts with this chart, which organises every curl, kink and coil into a satisfying system.
Since the natural revolution, us curly girls are wanting to know more and more about our luscious locks. Long gone are the days when crunchy mousse was the only option, now, we're almost overwhelmed with choice.
To complicate things further, every curly girl and boy I know has completely different hair, and even within the wavy, curly and coily categories, there's lots of variation.
But don't worry, with this trusty chart you'll soon be fluent in curl language and completely curltured.
How to work out your curly hair type:
If you look closely, you can see the subtle difference between a wave (2c) and a curl (3a). This distinction separates each category; 1 is straight, 2 is wavy, 3 is curly and 4 is coily. The difference between the As, Bs and Cs depends on how curly or coily your pattern is.
Compare a single curl of yours to this chart, or if your pattern is irregular, use a two or three. Look carefully at exactly how your hair curls. See if it comes full circle to create a ringlet, and how far apart each curl forms. Don't worry if many of them are different, variation is natural.
Why do I need to know this?
It’s vital that you know which hair type you have, as it determines which products will work best with your hair, saving you time and money.
While 1a - 2c need lightweight products, 3a - 4c need all the moisture they can get. Curly and afro hair is naturally drier and more prone to breakage, so it must be treated with care and regularly moisturised.
This chart will also help you understand which methods work best with your hair. If you have wavy hair, you can get by with a brush, but 3s and 4s should opt for a wide-tooth comb to minimise breakage. Although 2s can get away with simply tying their hair up overnight, most 3s and 4s need to use a bonnet or scarf.
What’s more, it also means you can follow beauty influencers and YouTubers with your hair type, because their results will be the most similar to yours. This is super helpful when you're reading reviews or deciding which products to buy.
So that you don't have to, I have compiled a list of products which would work best for each hair category and help you to achieve the curls of your dreams.
Best hair products for 3A – 3C:
Shampoo:
Perfect for afro hair types, Maui Moisture knows everything there is to know about curly hair. The Maui Moisture Revive and Hydrate Shea Butter Shampoo combines nourishing plant oils to purify, moisturise and soften the strands. Infused with shea butter, you're sure to have flawless hair all day long.
19
£8.99
Conditioner:
When it comes to conditioning, Cantu needs to be your go-to! Designed to nourish and bring your tresses to life, their Shea Butter Natural Hydrating Cream Conditioner has become a global favourite for those with curly hair.
47
RRP: £12.50Current price: £10.00
Mask:
An essential for any curly girl, a nourishing hair masque replenishes moisture and revives strength. The Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment is packed with hair-loving ingredients, including Marula Oil, Marufa Butter, Camellia Oil and Wheat Bran that work to define, nurture and protect your luscious locks. My top tip when it comes to masks it that you leave it on for at least an hour before you wash it off!
19
RRP: £30.00Current price: £22.50
Best hair products for 4A – 4C:
Shampoo:
Designed for curly and coily hair, the Living Proof Curl Shampoo has got it all. Purifying and hydrating, the formula has got everything your curls could wish for. Free from parabens and silicone and powered by a biomimetic blend, this formula will leave your curls feeling hydrated and defined.
5
£31.00
Conditioner:
Specially formulated for dry, brittle hair, the Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Sulfate-Free Hydrating Cream Conditioner is ultra-hydrating. As type 4 is the most prone to dryness, hydrating products should be at the top of your list. Free from all the nasty stuff (sulphates, silicones and parabens), and packed with nourishing ingredients (pure Shea Butter), this creamy conditioner has the perfect amount of slip for easy detangling.
71
RRP: £7.00Current price: £5.60
The secret to bouncy, shiny and luscious curls? The Bouclème Curl Cream! This lightweight cream is full of good-for-you ingredients like kukui nut oil and coconut extract that intensely hydrate your curls from root to tip. The best part? It protects you from frizz and humidity!
70
RRP: £22.00Current price: £16.50
If you're still on the lookout for the perfect product for you, there's an entire afro & curly hair section here on LOOKFANTASTIC.
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