Most people with textured hair have more than one type of pattern on their head, "so you may have a combination of, say, kinky, coily, wavy, and curly," adds François. Identifying your curl shape and pattern(s) is best determined while your hair is sopping wet.
A simple breakdown: Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coily. Easy, right?
The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil. Type As have a wider pattern size, Type Bs medium, and Type Cs the smallest of the three. "The real beauty of identifying your hair type is that you're better at understanding how to care for your texture so you can have more versatility," explains Anthony Dickey, the curl wizard behind the Hair Rules salon and brand.
In this story:
- Type 2 Hair
- Type 3 Hair
- Type 4 Hair
Type 2 (Wavy Hair)
Type 2 waves are bendable, can be fine to coarse, and have a definitive S pattern that lays closer to the head. This hair type “takes the most amount of time and work to form a curl,” says Brooklyn-based hairstylist Jonathan Matais-Bernard.
Type 2A
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Getty Images
This hair type has a fine, barely there texture that's very easy to straighten. People with this texture have to be wary of using heavy styling products that can easily weigh strands down, rendering them limp and lifeless. If that sounds like you, Matais-Bernard recommends opting for lightweight products "with a lot of hold.”
For this, he likes the Davines Curl Moisturizing Mousse. “It gives the perfect balance of hold and weightlessness,” says the stylist.
Type 2A waves also lack volume at the roots. Dickey recommends using an airy, water-based mousse, like the Aveda Phom*ollient Styling Foam, to add a bit of oomph at the base, making hair look fluffier and fuller.
Type 2B
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Getty Images
This hair type lies flatter at the crown with defined S-shape waves starting from the mid-length. Strands are thicker in diameter than a 2A, and you'll have to put a bit more elbow grease into getting it straight.
To enhance your natural surfer-babe waves, use a texturizing mist like the Ouai Wave Spray, enriched with rice protein. The Ceremonia Guava Beach Waves Hair Texturizing Spay is another great option for moisturizing and playing up your natural waves without weighing your hair down.
