I know what you’re thinking: I’ve curly hair, and it’s not just frizzy. And no, I’m not talking about the wavy seaweed look. It only happens when your hairstyle is foiled with a spritz of hairspray in front of a mirror.
Curly hair can be straightened and styled into different looks. But even any curl pattern can work for you if you take care of your hair correctly. So if you’re wondering which type of curl pattern you have or how to deal with it, here’s everything you need to know about them. Moreover, how hair products for curly hair will be best for you.
How Can You Recognize Your Curl Pattern?
It is essential to know your curl pattern type. You can recognize it by examining your hair.
Curl Pattern Types:
- Centralized Curls (1a) – This type has a tight, compact curl evenly distributed throughout the head and sides of the crown. The top layer of hair has longer strands than other areas in the head.
- Distributed Curls (1b) – These curly locks have similar distributions as those above, but they’re not as dense as 1a or tight as 1b. It leads to more loose waves or curls within this type; however, there will still be some tightness at their roots due to genetics or environmental factors. For instance, climate change, etc.
Other Different Types Of Curly Pattern:
There are many different types of curl patterns. The following lists the other most common curl patterns and their characteristics.
- 1. Medium Curl: The medium-curly hair has some waves but still has some texture. It is not very curly, but it is not entirely straight. It is somewhere in between wavy and curly.
- Classic Curl: This curl pattern has a minimal wave or movement and is slightly curlier than the straight hair around it. Additionally, this curl looks best on someone with very little body or a lot of natural volume in their hair but no movement in their curls.
- Loose Curls: Any type of loose curl can be considered “loose” because there is no defined shape to the curl at all. But this curly hair tends to have more volume than its counterpart, making it look thicker and fuller than other curls.
Steps To Tame Your Curl Pattern:
- Apply a leave-in conditioner
The first step to taming your curly hair is to use a leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioners coat the hair with a protective layer. Moreover, it helps to prevent damage from heat and styling products. They also add moisture to the hair shaft, which allows it retains its natural luster and bounce.
- Use a detangling spray.
If you have frizzy curls, try using a thickening spray before you air-dry your hair. Spray this into your hands and then apply it throughout your damp curls, massaging in to distribute evenly. This can also be used when you wash your coils; just apply it at the end of step 4 instead of before bedtime!
- Use a wide tooth comb to detangle the curls.
You should never use a brush with stiff bristles. It will make your hair frizzy, so always make sure you are using a wide tooth comb. It will quickly run through your hair. Moreover, you will easily remove the frizziness.
What Type Of Products Should You Use For Curly Hair?
Below are some of the best hair products for 2b curls you should use on your hair.
- Use a leave-in conditioner to detangle and moisturize.
- Use a curl cream or gel to define and hold curls in place.
- Use a curl-defining cream to smooth frizz, flyaways, and other pesky aspects of your hair. As a result, it can look unkempt during the day (such as those annoying stray hairs).
- Invest in some serum if you have curly hair bordering on unmanageable (like mine). It’ll help tame frizz while adding shine!
Tricks To Style Your Curly Hair
Styling curly hair can be a daunting task. Whether you use the best curl cream for 4c hair or for 2c. It’s challenging to find the right products that will make your curls look bouncy, voluminous, and shiny. But there are some tricks that you can use to style your curly hair.
- Use a wide-tooth comb.
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your curls. Curls are naturally wavy, so you should avoid using a regular brush that would cause damage to your hair. Instead, untangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb curl and prevent breakage or frizzing of the locks.
- Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for your curly hair. Curly hair is prone to dryness due to its texture, so it’s essential to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner after washing your hair. You can also add a leave-in conditioner for extra moisture for an even more silky feel on your hair after drying it with air or blow-drying techniques. So, when you style your hair, you will see a lot of shine. Moreover, your curls will look healthier and more beautiful.
If you’re using heat styling tools like flat irons, straighteners, and curling irons regularly (more than twice per week), you should always use a heat protectant spray. Applying a heat protectant spray before applying any product will help not to get burned off by extreme temperatures during styling sessions.”
Why Are Curly Hair Hard To Manage?
Curly hair is the most difficult to maintain, especially when you are a man. You must be careful because your curly hair can get tangled and become a mess. However, if you have the proper knowledge and skills to handle curly hair, it will be easier for you to manage.
The first thing that you need to know about curly hair is that it needs more attention and care than straight or wavy hair. This is because curly hair has many layers, making it more prone to breakage, tangling, frizziness, and dryness. If your hair is not adequately cared for, then it can cause damage to the follicles in your scalp. So, it will lead to dandruff build-up and eventually causes the balding of your scalp.
To prevent these problems from happening, all you need to do is use a good shampoo and conditioner every day. Moreover, use a good detangling spray after washing your hair in the morning before going out or doing any activity where you may get caught up in a tangle of curls.
Tips to make curls manageable:
Many people with curly hair have difficulty making their hair straight, but it can still be done. All you need is a few tips and tricks.
- Use a spray bottle of water and spritz your hair from the roots to the ends. This will help add volume and create a frizz-free look.
- Use a leave-in conditioner on wet hair as you style it for extra moisture and shine. You can also use volumizing mousse or another styling product that adds texture to your hair.
- Try using a blow dryer before going out in public, especially if you’re styling your curly hair while it’s wet from washing it with soap and water after swimming or sweating in the heat outdoors.
- Use oil on dry or freshly washed hair to tame frizz and keep curls defined all day long! Rub some into your hands and then massage it through your curls from root to tip before curling them up with a curling iron or wand attachment on your flat iron
Conclusion:
In short, knowing what kind of curls you have and how to deal with them is essential. There are many different curly hair types, but each has its look and feel. The best thing about having a particular curl pattern is that it will help you learn more about yourself and your hair type. Moreover, you should use the right frizzy hair products for curly hair. It will make any type of your hair gorgeous.
FAQs
What is a curl pattern? ›
Your curl pattern and your hair type are two different ways to categorize your hair. Your curl pattern is the overall shape and size of your curls, while your hair type refers to the state of your strands—specifically its fineness or thickness.
What is my curl type or pattern? ›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.
What are the 4 basic curl patterns? ›- Type 1: straight hair.
- Type 2: wavy hair.
- Type 3: curly hair.
- Type 4: coiled hair.
Type 3 curls are amongst the most common curl types. This curl type is the happy medium between type 2 and type 4 curls. It is flexible but thick- meaning it can be a hit or miss when using different products to style this hair type.
What is a cURL example? ›Curl examples include sending a JSON file to a server, submitting a web form, user authentication, proxy support, saving the server response to disk, and more. Most of the examples given can be done right in the browser using the ReqBin Online Curl Client.
What are the 3 types of curls? ›Knowing your curl type can help you identify the best products, treatments and styling techniques for your curls. The curl type system focuses on 3 types - wavy, curly and coily, which are then broken down in 3 further sub types that are determined by the shape and diameter of your curl.
Why do I have 3 different curl patterns? ›The truth is the opposite- most people have two (or even three) curl patterns. This is completely normal! Just as the skin on your face is different from the skin on your leg, your scalp's hair follicles can vary significantly around your head.
How do you define curl pattern in natural hair? ›- Rake a gel or curling cream into your hair after washing and moisturizing.
- Use a Denman brush, the shingling method or praying hands method to get more definition.
- Lightly twist hair or use banding method to stretch.
- Air dry over night or use heat.
- Take down twists/ bands.
Don't worry though, having a variety of textures in your hair is completely normal! The most common reason is genetics. Not only can genetics play a role in your hair texture but your location, along with humidity and the weather can also change the textures in your hair.
What do Type 3 curls look like? ›Type 3: Curly Hair
This category encompasses hair that curls into springs and corkscrew shapes. When hair is wet, curls usually look like waves but take on a three-dimensional swirl shape as they dry.
What do 3A curls look like? ›
3A hair is made up of well-defined and springy curls that have a loopy, “S” shaped pattern. Their circumference is the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. 3A ringlets have a fine to medium texture. This curl type benefits from lots of body and movement, but is prone to frizzing and dryness.
What do 3C curls look like? ›3C hair is the curliest of the type 3 curly hair pattern. And since type 4 hair is considered coily instead of curly, type 3C hair is the curliest of curly hair. If you have 3C curls, your curls have the width of a pencil and are shaped like corkscrew-like ringlets. Type 3C hair is also very dense and full of volume.
What are the rarest curl types? ›Coily Curls
The last, but most rare type of curl is the coily curl. This curl type is similar to that of an afro and when observed carefully, looks like the angular letter 'Z'. These curls require the most amount of moisture, as the hair type is much thicker than the other curl types.
Like all type 2 hair, 2c hair is wavy, but that often feels like a technicality. Your S-bend hair is thick and the waves start at the roots. If you've ever been confused about whether your hair is wavy or curly, it's likely you have the 2c hair type.
What ruins your curl pattern? ›If you've noticed that your curly hair looks more brittle and less bouncy than usual, there's a chance your curl pattern could be damaged. From hair dryers and straighteners to over washing and over brushing, your curls go through endless amounts of wear and tear on a daily basis.
What does curl k do? ›By default, the curl program attempts to verify certificates against its list of certificate authorities, and attempts to verify self-signed certificates will fail. Therefore you must use the –k option to disable attempts to verify self-signed certificates against a certificate authority.
What does curl h do? ›curl -H is a command line option for the curl command that takes a single parameter of an extra header to include in the request.
How do I check my connection with curl? ›- The remote server name or IP address.
- The protocol for the service to be tested (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.)
- The port number for the network application you want to test.
Type 2 hair is a type of wavy hair that falls between straight and curly hair. It has an “S” shape and a slightly textured appearance. Type 2 hair can range from loose loops to thick, coarse S-shaped waves.
What is Type 1 curls? ›The number refers to curl families, while the letter points to how tightly wound your curls are within that. Curl type 1 is pretty much the absence of curl—in other words, straight. Type 2 means waves, while 3s are spiraled curls, and 4s are kinks and coils.
Is my hair type 2C or 3A? ›
"To differentiate between 2C and 3A hair, check if your hair is wavier or actually curled. If it's more of a wave, it's 2C, whereas if it's more of a curl, it's type 3."
What is a 2B hair type? ›2B Hair type is best described as wavy hair. This hair type is not quite curly and it's not quite straight. If your hair is mostly flat and straight at the roots but gets wavier and more “S” shaped toward the bottom, then you have 2B hair!
What is a 4c curl pattern? ›Type 4c. 4c hair is the queen of thick, bold afros. From afar, 4c hair looks like a thick fro, but if you look closely, you'll notice very tight, small springs or coils on each strand. Coils are pretty different from curls.
Can you train your curl pattern? ›Curl training will help to restore the memory of the curl of the hair. With time, the hair will bounce back naturally. With repeated training, you can get back to the curls you were born with before the damage.
Why is it important to know your curl pattern? ›' Discovering your curl pattern allows you to understand your hair's unique characteristics, make better product selections, and know your styling do's and don'ts. The curl pattern begins at Type 2a all the way to Type 4c.
How do I make my curly hair not frizzy? ›- Deep-condition often. Use a hydrating hair mask 2-3 times per week to hydrate your locks from the inside out. ...
- Take a break from heat styling. Flat irons, hairdryers, and curling wands can burn your hair's cuticle and disrupt your curl pattern. ...
- Get a trim.
3A hair specifically is a fairly common curl type, though it's not always easy to identify because of its similarity to other curl patterns in the type 3 category.
Does curl pattern change with age? ›As you get older, your curls may drop, loosen, or even form new curl patterns due to hormonal changes, like menopause. Environmental factors such as gravity, climate, and pollution also play a part. The thinner and weaker your aging curly hair is, the less likely it is to actually curl.
What is the difference between 3A 3b and 3c curls? ›To recap, 3a is curly and wavy with minimum dryness, and with only a bit of moisture, it shines! 3b is bold, beautiful, and bouncy, while 3c is corkscrew-shaped and tightly curled.
Is curl pattern the same as texture? ›It's also important to note that hair texture does not define curl pattern. The amount of natural curl a hair has is determined by its cross-sectional shape. And curls are formed based on the shape of your hair follicle. Essentially, the rounder your hair follicle is, the straighter your hair is going to be.
Why is my hair a mix of wavy and curly? ›
It's very normal to have a mix of curl patterns on the same head of hair. It starts with your genetics. You see, the gene for curly hair is not completely dominant. It can remain dormant until activated and then it changes the shape of the hair follicle which changes the hair that grows from it.
Why did I have straight hair and now I have curly hair? ›Puberty, menopause and pregnancy all cause hormonal shifts that can make your tresses go from straight to curly hair. In fact, 40-50% of women experience major changes in their hair while pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact, one of those women was one of the founders of Royal Locks.
Why do my natural curls go straight? ›Others have curls and straighten them out. But for a few people, their hair actually changes shape and texture on its own — and not just because of the weather. Scientists don't know exactly why this happens, but it probably has to do with a combination of genetics, hormones and body chemistry.
Are my curls 2B or 2C? ›2B hair consists of 'S' shaped waves in the lengths, but sits relatively straight at the roots. 2C hair has even more defined 'S' shaped curls that start from the root and continue down the lengths of the hair.
What is 2A 2B 2C hair? ›Wavy Hair. Wavy Hair can be classified by three curl types; 2A - A slight wave to your hair. 2B - Medium Wave form in the hair. 2C - Wavy hair that starts to form ringlets, especially when hydrated (wet) and styled correctly.
Do I have 2A or 2B curls? ›Type 2A hair is fine and thin with individual strands forming an “S” shape when dry. It is easy to use styling products to curl or straighten Type 2A hair. Type 2B hair is wavy and slightly frizzier than Type 2A hair. When dry, individual strands create an “S” shape with some frizz.
What do 1a curls look like? ›Type 1a hair is 100% straight. There is no hint of curl pattern or wave, it's simply straight and flat as a pin. Another defining feature of type 1a hair is its thinness. Each strand of type 1a hair is extremely fine and therefore, easily falls out or sheds.
Is 2C 3A hair curly? ›2C and 3A hair are different concerning their appearance. While 2C hair has a wavy style, 3A hair can give a curlier look. You can determine which type of hair you have with their shape.
What do 1b curls look like? ›Generally straight from the roots to the ends, but with some subtle bends mid-body, finished off with gently curled ends. Shiny and sleek (just like type 1a hair) Mostly fine hair strands interspersed with a few coarse fibers.
What do 1C curls look like? ›Meet type 1C hair: the waviest of the straight hair without being definitively wavy (confusing, we know). So what exactly does that mean? Type 1C hair tends to feature strands that lie flat at the root with subtle body, arcs, and bends throughout the mid-sections. It can hold a curl and air dries like a dream.
What does 2C curls mean? ›
What Is the 2C Hair Type? The 2C hair type is characterized by loose, “S”-shaped spirals that start at the root and continue all the way down the hair strand. The “S” shape is more pronounced than other type 2 subcategories, but the curls are not as defined as type 3 or 4 hair.
What type of hair is 4a? ›Type 4a hair has a dense, kinky curly texture with lots of volume to spare. The size of each curl is about as wide as a crochet needle. The coily texture has more of an S pattern than other type 4s, which is why it experiences much less shrinkage when going from wet to dry.
What is Type 3 and 4 cURL pattern? ›Type 1 – Straight hair, no natural curls. Type 2 – Wavy hair, no complete curl only "bumps" or "waves" Type 3 – Curly hair, curls resemble the letter "s" Type 4 – Kinky hair, curls resemble the letter "z"
What is 3A to 4C hair? ›The classification system, originally created by hairstylist Andre Walker and later expanded on by the natural-hair community, breaks down curls into types and subtypes—type 3 curls (that get progressively curlier from 3A to 3C) and type 4 coils (that get progressively more kinked from 4A to 4C)—to help you find the ...
Is 2C curly or wavy? ›Like all type 2 hair, 2c hair is wavy, but that often feels like a technicality. Your S-bend hair is thick and the waves start at the roots. If you've ever been confused about whether your hair is wavy or curly, it's likely you have the 2c hair type.
What is 2B or 2C curls? ›2B hair consists of 'S' shaped waves in the lengths, but sits relatively straight at the roots. 2C hair has even more defined 'S' shaped curls that start from the root and continue down the lengths of the hair.
What is a 2c hair type? ›Type 2c hair is the apex of waviness. Its ultra-defined natural waves are not easily ignored or erased. Through wind, rain, or shine, it's wavy texture will not lose its shape— though it may experience a little frizz or excess volume. Even when your 2c hair is being unruly, don't take this hair type for granted.
How do you manage 2B hair? ›Use a clarifying shampoo and conditioner: 2B hair is easily weighed down by product buildup and impurities. Strip out the gunk and refresh your waves with a clarifying formula. Don't neglect moisture: Wavy hair can still be prone to dryness and damage.
Is my hair 2A or 2B or 2C? ›2A - A slight wave to your hair. 2B - Medium Wave form in the hair. 2C - Wavy hair that starts to form ringlets, especially when hydrated (wet) and styled correctly.
Why is my 2C hair so frizzy? ›The 2C hair type is usually thicker and coarser than other wavy hair types, and it's much more prone to frizz. Balancing moisture with lightweight styling products is a must for getting perfect, frizz-free 2C waves.
Is 2A hair curly? ›
Type 2A hair is the loosest of all wavy hair. Type 2A waves are loose and lax S-shaped waves and can sometimes be hard to determine if not styled properly. At the root, this curly type may be straight, but the shaft and/or ends of the hair have a slight bend that creates the wave.
Do I have 3A 3B or 3c hair? ›To recap, 3a is curly and wavy with minimum dryness, and with only a bit of moisture, it shines! 3b is bold, beautiful, and bouncy, while 3c is corkscrew-shaped and tightly curled.