How to Tell What Type of Hair You Have?
Sep 12, 2024 | By Maria Eliza Pineda
Do you know how to tell what type of hair you have? The first step to taking good care of your hair is knowing what kind of hair you have. Using random products without knowing what your hair needs is a fruitless effort. If you’re still not entirely sure about your hair type and get lackluster results from your hair care routine, there is a chance that you’re not giving your hair the proper attention. You might be drying it out, over-moisturizing it, weighing it down, and more.
Different hair types have different moisture levels, textures, and volumes. No product is one size fits all. To find out what products you should be using and what your hair care routine should be like, you need to determine the amount of moisture your hair has, the volume, the texture, and your curl pattern.
How Do You Tell What Type Of Hair You Have?
Straight, wavy, curly, or coily. Not quite sure what your hair type is? Have a look at the guide below.
Type 1A
1A hair is pretty “straightforward.” See what I did there? This just means that your hair has a minimal wave to it and sticks straight. This usually means your hair strands are more prone to over-moisture or oiliness. Something to watch out for is limpness and lifelessness, especially those with thin or fine hair. Make sure to put some volume around your roots and get a good cleansing shampoo to use regularly and a deep cleansing shampoo to use once in a while to get rid of the buildup that will weigh your hair down.
Is my hair 2A or 2B?
2A hair is just slightly wavier than 1A hair. You will know that you have 2A hair if you see some loose S-shaped beach waves throughout your hair. Your hair will still be mostly straight but with a little curve to it. 1A hair has a similar texture to 2A hair in that they are both prone to oiliness and limpness at the roots. Ensure you also get an excellent regular shampoo and deep cleansing shampoo that will put some volume in your roots and eliminate the excess sebum.
Type 2B
2B hair is where hair starts to get those fully formed S-shaped waves. This wavy hair type usually has much more volume than 1A and 2A hair, but it is also prone to dryness and frizz. 2B hair is best cared for with a balanced routine of hydrating the ends and strands and putting volume at the roots. For 2B hair, ensure you have a gentle but still thoroughly cleansing shampoo and a deep cleansing shampoo occasionally. Your waves will also benefit from a small amount of leave-in conditioners or gel to eliminate frizz and form them nicely.
Type 2C
2C hair is still considered a “wavy” type, but its S shape is tighter than 2B waves and more defined. As your hair gets wavier or curlier, it tends to get a little drier. 2C hair can be just a bit drier than 2 B hair, so you have to get a good conditioner and lightweight shampoo to give your hair moisture while keeping it voluminous. You also won’t need to wash your hair as often. 2C hair can also benefit from curl creams and gel to form the waves nicely and keep the frizz to a minimum.
Type 3A
3A hair is the first of the “curl” category. The previous hair types were in the “waves” category.
Instead of an S shape, your hair will start to form that perfect loose ringlet. 3A hair is very voluminous and dry. It’s less about creating volume and more about defining your curls and giving them the needed moisture. You should use a lightweight shampoo and a good conditioner for regular use. You won’t need to wash your hair often, but you might need to put in a few more styling products to define your curls, so you will still need to deep cleanse and condition every once in a while. You might also benefit from a treatment that enhances shine but keeps your curl pattern intact.
Type 3B
3B hair has a tighter curl pattern than 3A hair. The ringlet-y tight curls could be wrapped around the barrel of a wide lipstick tube. 3B hair is prone to more “shrinkage, " meaning that because the curls are a little tighter, they will appear shorter. Keeping the moisture and definition in your hair is a top priority. A super gentle shampoo or co-wash would be best for your hair, not to dry it out. You must wash it even less as this hair can be dehydrated. Leave-in products like hair oils, curl creams, and gel would define your curls and keep them nice and shiny.
Type 3C
3C hair is the last hair type in the “curls” category. This has the tightest ringlet that can be wrapped around a pen or pencil. 3C hair is highly voluminous and would benefit from even less washing and washing with hydrating co-washes and conditioners. Although your tight curls will already be super defined, adding hair oil, curl cream, and gel will keep the frizz down and enhance your curls’ shine.
Type 4A
4A hair is the first in the “kinky” or coily hair category. This just means that the ringlets are super tiny and shrink significantly. This hair type is super voluminous. Instead of growing downwards, the volume and shrinkage will have your hair grow taller and broader in a gorgeous poof of curls around your head. This hair type is dehydrated and requires even more infrequentwashing with a co-wash and moisturizing conditioner. Adding shine and moisture back into your curls is the priority, so a good hair oil, curl cream, leave-in conditioner, and gel will be your best friends. However, since you are using many products in your hair, you will also need to have an excellent deep cleansing shampoo and deep conditioner occasionally.
Type 4B
4 B's hair has an even tighter kink. Your ringlet will look more like a Z shape, and its circumference can be wrapped around a knitting needle. This hair type is also highly voluminous, prone to shrinkage, and dry. You must only wash it when necessary: when there’s too much product buildup. You won’t get any excess sebum, and your hair will have no volume problem. The top priority is to keep it healthy and hydrated by using moisturizing products such as humectants, emollients, hair oils, and leave-ins. For styling, you can use curl creams and a gel to define your curls and keep the frizz to a minimum.
Type 4C
Last but not least, 4C hair is the kinkiest among the hair types. 4C will have the most shrinkage and the tightest curl circumference, so your hair will look like it is growing taller instead of longer. This hair type is dehydrated, so washing when only necessary is the best. Use co-washes and deep conditioners to hydrate your hair and keep it healthy. Lots of hair oil or “pre-poo” before washing and detangling is essential so that your hair doesn’t get matted and can continue growing. Even 4C hair is very dry, and some deep cleansing is still required once in a while to get rid of buildup.
You can also check out videos like these to help you identify what type of hair you have:
All Hair Is Good Hair!
Do you know how to tell what type of hair you have now? If so, always remember the motto: all hair is good hair! Whatever kind of hair you have, you are beautiful, and your natural hair is gorgeous, too. All you need to do is take good care of your locks so they stay healthy and happy and you can wear your natural hair with pride.