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. With a hair texture chart, 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 or 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
Hair Type & Texture Chart
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
Wavy hair, classified as Type 2, features an S-shaped pattern that ranges from soft, loose waves to more defined, deep waves. Unlike curly hair, wavy hair does not form tight spirals or coils that curl all the way around themselves, which helps tell the difference between wavy and curly textures. Type 2 hair usually has some volume and body, but can be prone to frizz and dryness if not cared for properly.
2A Hair (Soft, Fine Waves)
Type 2A hair is soft and fine, with loose, gentle waves that mostly lie flat near the roots and curl softly toward the ends. This hair tends to be lightweight and may look less thick because of the fine strands. It’s easy to straighten with heat tools, but it can be weighed down by heavy creams or oils. Using light mousses or serums works better to add volume and keep the waves lively. Strengthening ingredients like rice water can help prevent breakage and keep hair healthy.
2B Hair (Defined S-Shaped Waves)
With thicker strands than 2A, Type 2B hair shows more clearly defined S-shaped waves starting around the middle of the hair shaft. The waves add texture and fullness, though the hair often lies flatter at the crown. This type is prone to frizz, especially in humid weather, so using light styling products and drying the hair with a diffuser helps keep waves bouncy and well-shaped.
2C Hair (Thick, Well-Defined Waves)
Type 2C hair is the thickest and most textured of the wavy hair types, with strong S-shaped waves beginning right at the roots. These waves are close to curls but still classified as wavy. This hair is more likely to frizz and can become dry, so moisturizing shampoos without sulfates and layered styling with creams and mousse help lock in moisture and enhance waves. Type 2C hair holds curls well when styled but needs good hydration to stay smooth and shiny.
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
Curly hair, or Type 3, is known for its beautiful, bouncy curls with lots of volume and texture. Since natural oils have a harder time traveling down curls, this hair type tends to be drier and needs extra moisture to stay healthy.
3A Hair (Large, Loose Curls)
Type 3A curls are big and loose, about the size of a sidewalk chalk, creating soft, shiny ringlets. These curls are delicate and can become frizzy if handled too roughly. Applying curl cream to damp hair helps maintain moisture, keep curls defined, and reduce frizz. Compared to tighter curls, 3A is easier to manage and looks best with lightweight products that add softness and shine.
3B Hair (Springy, Medium-Sized Ringlets)
Tighter than 3A, Type 3B curls form springy ringlets roughly the thickness of a Sharpie marker. These curls are thicker and more prone to dryness, so products with humectants (that attract moisture) are helpful. Hydrating gels help define curls and control frizz, while using a special curl brush shapes the hair gently without breaking the curl pattern. Regular moisturizing is essential for keeping 3B curls healthy and bouncy.
3C Hair (Tight, Dense Corkscrew Curls)
Type 3C curls are smaller, tighter corkscrews that pack close together, giving lots of natural volume. These curls are very sensitive to humidity and can frizz easily. Gentle sulfate-free shampoos and layering mousse with styling cream on wet hair help curls clump nicely and stay soft. Although strong in shape, 3C curls need careful moisturizing and styling to 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
Type 4 hair is coily, with very tight curls or coils forming either S-shaped or Z-shaped patterns. This hair type has the most volume of all but also experiences the greatest amount of shrinkage, sometimes up to 75%. It is naturally fragile and requires gentle care and lots of moisture to stay healthy.
4A Hair (Soft, Dense S-Shaped Coils)
Type 4A hair features tightly packed, springy coils shaped like small S patterns, roughly the size of a crochet needle. These coils are well-defined and have a soft texture. Regular moisturizing with curl creams and leave-in conditioners keeps coils soft, easier to detangle, and defined. Using a scalp massager can help remove buildup and promote scalp health. Wash-and-go styles show off 4A’s beautiful coil pattern best.
4B Hair (Tight Z-Shaped Zigzag Curls)
Type 4B hair coils tightly with a sharp, Z-shaped zigzag curl pattern instead of smooth curls. These strands are densely packed and prone to dryness, so using gentle cleansing conditioners and moisturizing sprays is very important. 4B hair is versatile and can be styled in many ways, but keeping it well hydrated is key to preventing breakage and making those zigzag curls easier to manage and define.
4C Hair (Very Tight, Fragile Zigzag Curls)
Type 4C hair has the tightest, densest curls with a very small zigzag pattern. This hair shrinks a lot—sometimes by over 75%—and is the most fragile type, prone to breakage. It needs heavy moisturizing with natural oils like shea butter, argan oil, or coconut oil, plus thick creams for deep hydration. Avoiding harsh shampoos with sulfates helps keep 4C hair strong and healthy. Regular deep conditioning and hot oil treatments are excellent for maintaining softness and strength in these very tight coils.
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.