The Essential Guide to Every Curly Hair Type

Finding your exact hair type can be daunting, but once you figure it out, you’ll be better equipped to take care of it. Whether you have type 2 or type 4 hair, your locks are wonderfully unique and worthy of care.

Join Ziba Style Bar by demanding the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities revisit the Hairstyling Program Standards of Ontario and mandate that all hairstyling education institutions include a comprehensive training program on Black & textured hair.

Sign the petition for change.

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2A hair type

If you have 2A hair, you have fine, slender waves that don’t take very long to straighten. Your hair takes an S-shaped pattern that typically lays closer to your head and is pretty easy to manage. If you’re after more volume, the right haircut can create the appearance of thicker, fuller locks. Be careful not to weigh your hair down with heavy products that can suck the volume out of your hair and leave your strands looking limp.

Try this:

AG Cloud Air Light Volumizing Mousse – a light-weight mousse to build volume and texture that boasts a number of natural ingredients.

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2B hair type

This is your traditional ‘surfer hair’ – loose beach-like waves that are flatter toward your crown and picks up in volume around the middle. Your waves are more clearly defined than 2A hair, but definitely more prone to frizz. You know all too well that changes in weather can drain the moisture from your hair or bully your hair into becoming one big static-y mess. Start your battle with frizz in the shower, choosing shampoos and conditioners that specifically aim to smooth out your locks.

Try this:

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo – a silicone-free shampoo with a rich lather that’s your first defense against frizz.

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2C hair type

With type 2C hair, the S-shape starts right at your root and continues all the way down, resembling a curl pattern, but not quite. As we move up the scale with type 2 hair, the frizz intensifies, but your toughest battle is most likely with dryness. Your hair could be described as thick or coarse and needs special care to lock in moisture. A leave-in conditioner could give you the moisture-surge you need to keep your hair in check throughout the day.

Try this:

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Cream – a leave-in cream that combats frizz and gives you touchable body.

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3A hair type

You can spot 3A hair by the bounciness and shine – it’s got a ton of body and has a loopy ‘S’ shape. When styled properly, this hair type has large, loose curls and a lot of movement. Try styling it while wet with a curl cream and letting it dry into its final curl pattern. Avoid touching it too much during the drying stage to keep away the frizz.

Try this:

OGX Morrocan Curling Perfection Defining Cream – a curl cream that’s infused with Argan oil for shine, moisture, and soft, bouncy curl.

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3B hair type

Like 3A hair, 3B hair has large curls and a lot of bounce. The main difference is that the curls are tighter and the ‘S’ shape loops around into more of a complete circle. As we move through this curl chart, the hair tends to need more and more moisture, so opt for a product that gives you both moisture and curl definition.

Try this:

Bumble and Bumble Curl Defining Cream – a UV protective cream that helps with defining your curl pattern while keeping them flexible.

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3C hair type

This hair type comes with tight coils and intense volume. The corkscrew curls are closely packed together and even hold their ‘S’ shape when stretched out. Like most curly hair, oil or sebum from the scalp, doesn’t get evenly distributed down the hair strands because of the curls that block the way. Because this hair toes the line between curly and kinky, the curls are usually parched. Use a good deep conditioner after your conditioner for an extra infusion of moisture.

Try this:

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Protein Treatment – a deep conditioner that helps to hydrate, recondition, strengthen, and smooth dry, heat-styled hair.

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4A hair type

Type 4 hair is best described as kinky or Afro hair types. 4A hair is easy to identify with it’s super-tight coils with the circumference of about a crochet needle. The hair is fragile and needs gentle care, so styling daily – especially after washing – is critical to keeping these coils soft and healthy.

Try this:

Kinky Curly Knot Today– a cream conditioner that can be rinsed out or left-in to easily detangle hair and smooth cuticles.

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4B hair type

Instead of an ‘S’-shape, 4B hair takes a ‘Z’-shape, with less of a defined curl pattern. Textures can range from wiry and thin to coarse, and is prone to shrinkage, causing the hair to look much shorter than it actually is. Because 4B hair is constantly battling dryness, it’s important to treat it – try a hot oil massage at least once a week with coconut or castor oil.

Try this:

Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Rehydration Hot Oil Treatment – a pre-shampoo treatment that penetrates deep to lock in moisture.

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4C hair type

Needless to say, 4C hair is the tightest coil in the hair texture chart. When it’s freshly washed, there isn’t a definite curl pattern, and as it’s the most fragile hair type, it requires gentle care. Twisting, braiding and shingling through the strands can help create coils and curl patterns. Heavier creams are best for this hair type for added moisture and weight.

Try this:

Carol’s Daughter Milk Curl Defining Butter – a nourishing cream styler to keep curls defined for up to 24 hours.

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Sign the petition to include all hair types in beauty schools

Despite our varying hair types, the beauty industry is still focused on catering to Eurocentric standards of beauty. Beauty schools only equip hair stylists to style type 2a to type 3b hair, leaving a whole group of women to come up with out-of-the-box solutions when it comes to their hair care. Beauty education institutions should be inclusive of all people and hair types, which is why Ziba Style bar is demanding change.

Join Ziba Style Bar by demanding the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities revisit the Hairstyling Program Standards of Ontario and mandate that all hairstyling education institutions include a comprehensive training program on Black & textured hair.

Sign the petition for change.