Classifying Your curl type and properly caring for them

  This hair chart breaks down curly hair into 3 main categories and 8 sub categories within the 3 main curly hair types. Keep in mind curly girls tend to have two, maybe even three different curl types. For example, I have type 3a/b so you can follow more than one of these types and modify your routine to get the best out of your curls.    

Type 2 (Wavy)

2a (Fine / Thin) – Hair tends to be very soft, shiny, difficult to hold a curl, hair also tends to be oily, and difficult to damage.

2b (Medium) – Hair tends to be frizzy, and a little resistant to styling.

2c (Coarse) – Hair is also resistant to styling and normally very frizzy; tends to have thicker waves.

Examples of type 2 (wavy)



    

  Type 3 (Curly)

3a (Loose Curls) – Hair tends to have a combination texture. It can be thick & full with lots of body, with a definite “S” pattern. It also tends to be frizzy.

3b (Tight Curls) – Also tends to have a combination texture, with a medium amount of curl.

3c (Very tight Curls) – The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.

Examples of type 3 (curly)





      Type 4 (Kinky)

4a (Soft) – Hair tends to be very fragile, tightly coiled, and has a more define curly pattern.

4b (Wiry) – Also very fragile and tightly coiled; however with a less defined curly pattern – has more of a “Z” pattern shape. 

4c (tight) opposite of 4a. 

Examples of type 4 (curly) 



Best way to Care for your curly mane:

1. Don’t shampoo your hair everyday.Most shampoos contain harsh sulfates that can strip your hair and can cause your hair to become dry and brittle. I suggest using a sulfate and paraben free shampoo only once a week. Every other day, wash your hair with a moisturizing conditioner. Give your hair a blast of cold water right before you get out of the shower – it decreases frizz and seals the hair follicle.
2. Put hair products in only when hair is wet. If you wait until after your hair is dry to put products in, they will do nothing to stop the frizz and poofiness. Make sure to turn your head upside-down and scrunch sections of the wet hair up to your scalp with your hand.
3. Don’t dry your hair with a towel.Rubbing a towel on your hair to dry it will only cause frizz.  If your must, twist your hair in the towel and then leave it be. If you can, twisting your hair with a cotton t-shirt will decrease frizz significantly.
4. Condition, Condition, Condition. Curly hair tends to be dry and frizzy because of its structure. Deep condition curly hair at least once, if not twice, a week. Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.
5. Blow dryers are unnecessary. The less heat on your hair, whether it’s curly or straight, the better. Air drying curly hair is the best option – you get no heat damage which means your hair will be healthier and less prone to damage and frizz. When you do blow dry, use a diffuser and a heat protectant on your hair.
6. Flat iron your hair less frequently. The heat of a flat iron can cause significant breakage or even make you lose your hair’s curl pattern if used too often. When you do use a flat iron, make sure to spray a heat protectant on your hair and make sure it dries before you use your flat iron (or your hair will sizzle and burn!)
7. Trim your hair only twice a year. Curly hair tends to shrink exceptionally, so trimmings don’t need to be as frequent. Unless you see split ends, cut your hair once in the summer and once in the winter to see maximum growth.

Now start being fully CULFIDANT!