Curl Pattern Guide: Types of Curly Hair and How to Find Your Curl Type
When you are trying to find the best products for your hair and how to care for and style your hair wigs, it’s helpful to know about your hair pattern and types. Follow us to learn about how to identify the curl pattern and everything you should know about each hair curl type.
Classification and Types of Hair Curl Patterns
Hair patterns describe the shape of your hair, which depends on the form of the follicle on your scalp. There are four basic curl types of your hair wigs, named from Type 1 to Type 4, and different sub-categories within each type, presented by A, B, and C. The numbers indicate the pattern of curls, and the letters divide the hair into different types based on the width or diameter of the hair. Here is the breakdown of the hair pattern classification.
Type 1: Straight
Type 2: Wavy
Type 3: Curly
Type 4: Kinky
A: Widest
B: Medium
C: Tightest
How to Identify Your Curl Type?
It does not require much other than visual identification when recognizing your curls, but some factors may affect the look, for example, the longer hair will result in a looser curl pattern as the weight will stretch your curls. In addition, each person can have more than one type of curl in their hair, which means you may have a combination of wavy, curly, and kinky. Straight hair is the most intuitive; it does not have any waves and curls, so here we mainly focus on the other three types of curls.
Type 2 Curl: Wavy Hair Types
Generally, wavy or type 2 hair tends to have an S pattern, and the waves range from soft waves to deep waves. Wavy hair can’t form swirls or twists that wrap around itself; this is the main difference to distinguish between wavy and curly hair.
2A Hair (Soft, Fine Waves)
Type 2A hair is fine and has very loose waves that look like a gentle tousle, mostly straight at the roots and slightly curling near the ends. It lacks volume at the scalp and is easy to straighten with heat tools. Because it’s light, heavy creams or oils can weigh it down, so using light mousses or serums helps add volume without flattening. Products with rice water can strengthen the hair and prevent breakage. This hair type is great for people who want soft, natural waves but need a little boost to keep them lively.
2B Hair (Defined S-Shaped Waves)
Type 2B hair has thicker strands than 2A and shows more defined waves that start mid-length, forming a clear S-shape. The crown lies flatter, and the waves have more texture. It can be a bit frizz-prone, so using light styling products and diffusing hair when drying helps keep waves bouncy and alive.
2C Hair (Thick, Well-Defined Waves)
Type 2C hair is thicker and has very well-defined S-shaped waves starting right from the roots. These waves are closer to curls, but still wavy, and this hair type is more likely to frizz. Moisturizing is important, so sulfate-free shampoos that don’t strip natural oils work best. Layering styling creams over mousse locks in moisture and enhances the wave shape. This hair type can hold curls better but needs careful hydration to avoid dryness and frizz.
2A vs 2B vs 2C, What's the Difference and How to Tell?
2A has very loose, gentle waves that begin around the middle of the hair and look almost straight at the top. 2B has more noticeable, defined waves that start closer to the roots and form a clear S-shape. 2C has the strongest waves starting right at the roots, with bigger volume and sometimes loose curls. It’s also drier and frizzier than the others. To tell your subtype, observe your hair air-dried without products: 2A looks almost straight with soft waves at the ends, 2B shows clear waves from mid-length, and 2C displays strong waves or loose curls starting near the scalp.
Best Hairstyles for 2A Hair
Shoulder-Length Haircut: This cut adds body to your naturally flat waves. It’s long enough to show off your soft, gentle waves but short enough to keep them light and bouncy, just like Arizona Muse’s tousled style.
Soft Glam Waves: Give your waves a fancy, old Hollywood look by styling them into smooth, soft curls. This style works well with 2A hair’s loose texture and adds shine and elegance, think of Gisele Bündchen’s glamorous waves.
The Shag: It features choppy, feathered layers that create fullness on top and reduce weight at the ends. This haircut works beautifully with 2A hair, adding volume where you need it most and giving a carefree, textured vibe that suits different hair lengths.
Best Hairstyles for 2B Hair
Messy Beach Waves: Enhance your natural S-shaped waves with sea salt spray to get that effortless, tousled beach look. It’s perfect for 2B hair because the waves are already defined.
Medium-Length Cuts: Hair that’s not too short or too long works best. Medium-length cuts help balance your waves so they don’t get weighed down or too frizzy. Angled cuts like Lily James’ add shape and movement.
Half-Up Half-Down Styles: This style helps control extra volume by pulling back some hair while leaving the rest loose. It highlights your face and keeps your waves looking soft and natural, making styling easier on thick hair.
Best Hairstyles for 2C Hair
Deep Side Part: A simple yet effective way to add volume to 2C hair. It lifts the roots and creates a fuller, more dynamic look, making your waves appear even more voluminous and textured. This style is easy to achieve and perfect for showcasing your hair's natural movement.
Layered Bobs: Layers keep your hair from looking too heavy or flat by adding bounce and shape. Whether you choose a shaggy lob or an angled bob, layers make your thick, wavy hair easier to manage and more lively.
Long Face-Framing Cuts: Layers around your face brighten your look and keep your waves light and bouncy, even if your hair is long. This cut is great for showing off your natural wave pattern while framing your features beautifully.
Type 3 Curl: Curly Hair Types
When the waves start from the root and go all the way to the tip, this is what we are going to talk about - curly hair, with patterns ranging from soft curl to ultra curl. Wet curly hair looks like waves, but dry curly hair takes on a 3D swirl shape.
3A Hair (Large, Loose Curls)
Type 3A hair has big, loose curls that look soft and shiny, with a curl size about as wide as a sidewalk chalk. It tends to be fragile and can get frizzy if touched too much. Applying curl cream when hair is damp helps keep curls moisturized and defined without frizz. This type is easier to manage than tighter curls and looks best with lightweight creams that add shine and softness. Avoid rough handling to keep curls smooth and bouncy.
3B Hair (Springy, Medium-Sized Ringlets)
Type 3B hair has tighter curls than 3A, forming springy ringlets about the size of a Sharpie marker. These curls are thicker and more prone to dryness, so products with humectants are ideal. A hydrating gel helps define curls and reduce frizz. Using a special curl brush to help shape the curls without breaking them. This hair type needs regular moisture to stay healthy and springy.
3C Hair (Tight, Dense Corkscrew Curls)
Type 3C hair features tight corkscrew curls that are smaller than 3B and packed close together for natural volume. This hair is very prone to frizz, especially in humid weather, so gentle sulfate-free shampoos and layering mousse and styling cream on wet hair help curls clump and look softer. The curls are strong but need moisture and careful styling to keep defined and avoid dryness or fluffiness.
How Do I Take Care of 3A Hair?
Know your hair porosity: Understand how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture—this helps you choose the right products and avoid weighing down or drying out your curls.
Avoid sulfates: Sulfates in shampoo can dry out your curls, so always pick sulfate-free cleansers to keep your hair soft and healthy.
Keep your hair hydrated: Use leave-in conditioners, deep conditioners, and hydrating masks often to keep your curls moisturized and prevent dryness and damage.
Try pre-poo treatments: Before shampooing, apply a nourishing oil or conditioner to protect your curls and scalp from losing moisture during washing.
Don’t overwash: Wash your hair only about once a week to keep natural oils in your curls, which makes hair stronger and less dry.
Use the pineapple method at night: Tie your curls loosely on top of your head before sleeping to prevent frizz and keep your curls bouncy and defined.
Choose the right products: Use curl-friendly products like moisturizing shampoos, curl creams, gels, and serums that control frizz and boost definition without weighing curls down.
Condition regularly: Make conditioning a must to keep curls soft, shiny, and easy to manage. For extra care, use a weekly hair mask to deeply hydrate your strands.
Style gently and protect from heat: Avoid excessive heat styling; if you do use heat tools, always apply heat protectant and use the lowest heat settings to prevent damage.
Leave your hair alone: After styling, try not to touch or comb your curls too much during the day, because handling them can cause frizz and ruin the curl pattern.
Detangle carefully: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently remove tangles when your hair is wet and conditioned, avoiding breakage and knotting.
Type 4 Curl: Kinky or Coily Hair Types
Kinky or coily hair forms very tight and small curls from the scalp; the type 4 hair curl can be fine or coarse in texture. Kinky hair is fragile and prone to shrinkage and breakage.
4A Hair (Soft, Dense S-Shaped Coils)
Type 4A hair has tightly packed, springy coils that form small S-shaped curls, similar in size to a crochet needle. This hair type requires regular moisturizing with curl creams and leave-in conditioners to keep coils soft and easier to manage. Using a scalp massager helps remove buildup and keep the scalp healthy. 4A curls look great with wash-and-go styles that show off their coil pattern clearly.
4B Hair (Tight Z-Shaped Zigzag Curls)
Type 4B hair is tightly coiled with a sharp Z-shaped zigzag pattern instead of round curls. The strands are densely packed and prone to dryness, so gentle cleansing conditioners and moisturizing leave-in sprays are essential. This hair type is versatile and can be styled in many ways, but keeping it well-hydrated is key to preventing breakage and making curls easier to define.
4C Hair (Very Tight, Fragile Zigzag Curls)
Type 4C hair has the tightest curls with a very small zigzag pattern that often shrinks up to 75% or more when dry. This hair is the most fragile and prone to breakage, so it requires heavy moisturization with natural oils like shea butter, argan, and coconut oil, plus thick creams for hydration. Avoiding harsh shampoos with sulfates keeps the hair healthy. Deep conditioners and hot oil treatments are great to maintain softness and strength in these very tight curls.
Can You Straighten 4C Hair?
Yes, you can straighten 4C hair because heat temporarily breaks down hydrogen bonds in the hair, allowing it to change shape. However, this effect is reversible, and the hair will revert to its natural texture after washing or exposure to moisture. But it requires careful preparation and gentle heat to avoid damage. Because 4C hair is tightly coiled and fragile, using the right techniques and products is essential to keep your hair healthy and strong.
1. Start with a Clean, Moisturized Base
Wash your hair thoroughly with a clarifying or sulfate-free shampoo to remove buildup, then deeply condition or use a moisture mask to hydrate your strands before styling.
2. Prep Hair with Leave-in Conditioner and Heat Protectant
Apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner followed by a heat protectant spray or serum to shield your hair from heat damage and reduce frizz.
3. Blow-Dry Hair Smoothly
Use a blow dryer with a nozzle attachment on a medium heat setting and a paddle or boar bristle brush to stretch and smooth your hair as much as possible before flat ironing.
4. Flat Iron in Small Sections
Divide hair into small sections and use a ceramic flat iron set to a moderate temperature; run the iron slowly once or twice over each section to avoid excessive heat exposure.
5. Finish with Nourishing Oil
After straightening, apply a lightweight bond-repairing or moisturizing oil to lock in moisture, add shine, and protect hair from dryness.
How Often Can You Straighten 4C Hair?
It’s best to limit straightening to 2-4 times a year to minimize heat damage and maintain healthy curls. Over-straightening can lead to dryness, breakage, and loss of curl definition.