I spent nigh a decade perfecting my curly hair routine. I've done hours of research, purchased countless natural pilus products and watched dozens of YouTube videos all in hopes of understanding my God-given spirals. And the matter is, despite what yous may believe, every curl is different. From type 2 wavy to 3C corkscrews and 4A coils, there are so many different natural hair patterns information technology can exist quite hard to determine which mode yous have and what products to use. That's where we come up in. We tapped Devachan curl proficient, Nicolle Lemonds, to become the scoop on the diverse natural hair types and so you can step away informed.

First of all, what exactly is a curl design?

Your curlicue shape depends on the shape of the hair follicle. The more round the hair follicle is, the straighter your strands will exist. And the flatter the follicle is, the curlier your pilus volition be. To make things easier to empathize, you'll often hear experts categorize curls past the shape and how the hair bends with one being super-straight to iv beingness tightly coiled (more on that below). As yous learn to place your ringlet pattern, you'll improve understand how to style, treat, and protect your curls.

And for the record, it'south totally normal to take more than than one curl type. The combination can be due to genetics or caused by over-processing, colour treatments, heat-styling, and other impairment caused to the hair strand. Your pattern may likewise alter depending on how long you've sported natural tresses. Don't fret if you see some curls that are straggly and semi-straight. "If you're transitioning to natural, y'all may simply see your true coil pattern at the root where your new growth is," Lemonds says.

How exercise I notice my natural curl pattern?

Start with wet hair. If your pilus is wavy, information technology will appear direct when wet and volition shrink virtually 10 percent in length as information technology dries. If it falls in the curly category, it will look wavy when it'south wet and information technology'll shrink almost 25 percent in length when it's dry. And if you have coily strands, you lot volition have tight coils when moisture and y'all tin can expect major shrinkage—every bit much as 50 percentage—when your strands dry. Once you've identified which of the three main categories your pilus falls into, you can dive deeper into the subcategories.


Type 2-Wavy

There are 3 types of waves that range from a slight bump to a very visible S-design throughout your strands. Folks with wavy hair mostly utilize lightweight products that hydrate, heave and agree their waves in place. Retrieve mousse, cream, lightweight gels, and serums.

2A

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If you lot have pilus that has a slight bend, but still lays pretty close to the caput, you'd identify as 2A. "This type of wave tin be easily manipulated to straight or given more than wave with the proper product," says Lemonds. She adds that many people with blazon 2A may not even know they have wavy hair every bit the slight bump is oftentimes weighed downward. To fashion your delicate curls, she suggests using a curl amplifier or volumizing product and drying with a diffuser to keep the wave intact. Hither are some of our top picks.

2B

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Similar to 2A strands, this whorl design lays closely to the caput, but this time you'll see a consistent Due south-shaped pattern throughout the hair. Lemonds suggests using lightweight products to add definition, similar Briogeo Scroll Charisma Frizz Control Gel for a soft, touchable hold.

2C

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This pilus blazon is the waviest in the category and the South-shaped design is very apparent and may start closer to the scalp. Women with 2C strands may also discover that the big waves tin appear equally ringlets throughout their caput, too. For this curl blueprint, try choosing a production with light agree and frizz-protection similar Aveda'south Be Curly Roll Enhancer.


Type iii-Curly

Curly hair tin can range from loose ringlets to tight spirals. According to Lemonds, it tends to be drier than wavy hair and oft needs heavier products that hydrate and concord the curls in place. "If you take curly hair, I suggest washing no more than than twice a week to ensure your hair retains its moisture levels," Lemonds says. She also suggests deep conditioning every quaternary or 5th wash and then strands don't get frizzy and parched. Even though moisture is key to treating and styling type 3 curls, attempt to avoid heavy products that can weigh them downward.

3A

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This curl type looks wavy when moisture, merely springs into curls equally information technology dries. Lemonds compares this size curl to sidewalk chalk. Your curls can go weighed downwards if you use heavy products, and so we suggest avoiding anything that has butter in the proper name. And whatever styling product you pick, don't overdo it. One of our favorite stylers for 3A pilus is the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Scroll Enhancing Smoothie.

3B

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Lemonds compares this curl shape to the size of a Sharpie. Tighter than 3A curls, but still relatively large ringlets, 3B curls tend to get dry out chop-chop and oftentimes demand a hold product to stay in place in-between washes. Nosotros recommend a styling cream for moisture, followed by a defining gel like the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel.

3C

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You guessed information technology, 3C curls are oftentimes referred to as corkscrews and they are the size of a pencil. For this ringlet type, Lemonds suggests using more cream than gel when styling and refreshing with conditioner and water as needed. We love the Ouai Coil Conditioner because it'south super hydrating and makes hair soft and manageable postal service-wash.


Type 4-Coily

Coily or kinky hair is the tightest amid the curl types with curls springing straight from the scalp. With this pattern, keeping your curls moisturized is central. And opt for styling methods that stretch the whorl to avoid significant shrinkage. Lemonds recommends laying on the conditioner thick and washing your type four coils a maximum of one time a calendar week to lock moisture in.

4A

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Similar to 3C, this coil pattern looks like a corkscrew, but it'southward almost the size of a chopstick. Think super tight coil. You'll want to focus on hydration and fighting frizz and then nosotros suggest a high-hold gel like Oribe Gyre Gloss that will lock-in your roll blueprint without drying out strands.

4B

4B strands are then tight that they can sometimes be hard to encounter roll definition. "They're more of a zigzag and need a product to weigh down the coil to get more than length," Lemonds says. Because the hair is so dense, Lemonds recommends using a shine spray. The Drybar Sparkling Soda Shine Mist smells bang-up, adds major sheen, and tames flyaways.

4C

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This is the tightest of all curls which makes the pattern difficult to see. This coil doesn't easily retain moisture or absorb product and then applying too much can leave a white, gritty film. For this texture, we recommend a heavy styling cream that's total of hydrating ingredients like As I Am Double Butter Rich Daily Moisturizer and finishing with a shine spray or oil.


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