Monday, April 29, 2024

The 9 Curl Pattern Types and How to Identify Yours

4c hair chart

We recommend alcohol-free Dove Amplified Textures Shine and Moisture Finishing Gel to enhance natural curly texture, made with softening jojoba and coconut oils. Type 2C waves are usually identified as small to medium size waves that form into a letter S shape as they grow. Though for some this may already look like a typical curly hair, the 2C type does not form springs, a distinguishing feature between waves and curls. This wave type is easy to comb and requires a minimal amount of styling.

Goldwell Topchic Hair Color

It benefits from anti-frizz shampoos and conditioners, lightweight hair oils, and humidity-resistant styling products. Most people have no idea how to care for 4C curls, so a regular curly hair routine won’t cut it. 4C hair is tightly coiled, often fragile, and prone to breakage and moisture loss. To care for 4C coils, prioritize moisture and avoid harsh chemical treatments. According to François, this styling cream works across all hair textures and is great for doing two-strand twists with curly, kinky, and coily hair types. "It works great with several styles like finger twists with wavy, kinky, coily types," he says.

Love Beauty and Planet Vegan Biotin & Sun-Kissed Mandarin Sulfate Free Shampoo

We recommend air drying because it’s the least-damaging option for 4C hair. If you want to use a hair dryer with or without a diffuser, the products and oils you’ve added to your hair act as a great heat protectant. Your scalp’s natural oils (sebum) have a really hard time making their way down the sharply angled kinks that make up each strand. The moisture that does reach your strands is quickly lost due to the high porosity nature of your strands.

The 4C Hair Type Quick Reference Guide & Care Tips

The choice to use hair typing is personal and depends on individual preferences. As per usual, the goal of this hair typing system is to clear up the confusion so women can embrace their naturally curly hair and find the best hair products for their hair. In this example, your hair would contain primarily a combination of “O” shaped spiral curls and “S” shaped curly waves with defined hills and valleys. L’Oreal is one of the most well-known haircare and dye companies in the United States, even though the business is actually based in France. This manufacturer tends to focus on keeping hair healthy during the dyeing process and makes several product lines with a variety of gel and cream formulas. Some cover grays, some added shine, and some can even highlight after applying a base color.

4A hair is dense and coiled tightly into defined spirals with an S-shape pattern. This is the loosest coil in the type 4 coily/kinky category, but it’s still a very tight coil like a corkscrew. The tighter your curl type is, the more bends are present in each hair strand. Since oil (sebum) travels from the scalp down strands to moisturize hair, it has a harder time making its way down super curly strands like type 3B hair. Understanding your hair type however, is important because each hair type is unique and may require products and hair care routines that are best suited for the hair type. 4C hair follicles are believed to have a twisted structure and thinner diameter compared to other hair types hence the coily nature of the hair strands.

Without proper hydration, these coils become brittle and weak- almost to the point where they feel like straw when you touch them. Not only does this damage the curl pattern, but it can also lead to breakage and split ends. There really isn’t a 100% all-encompassing, one-size-fits-all answer to every curl type. Everyone’s hair is unique and different; no two heads are exactly alike (even if someone has a similar hair texture as you). 4C hair type often appears voluminous and has a lot of shrinkage, meaning it can appear shorter than it actually is when stretched.

Identifying your hair strand within the LOIS system starts with using a strand of frayed thread. One piece of a frayed thread (like a piece of sewing thread) is used as a proxy to determine the size of your hair strand. Type 3C was created after Andre Walker released his hair typing system by a community member at NaturallyCurly.com. He was hoping to immediately debunk the often ridiculous good hair vs. bad hair debate prior to diving into a discussion about hair typing. The colors created by this product tend to be darker than those produced by other brands because of the limited ammonia. This product also boasts a low odor thanks to limited ammonia included in the formula.

Hair Types 2021: How to Style Your Curly, Wavy, Straight Hair - Cosmopolitan

Hair Types 2021: How to Style Your Curly, Wavy, Straight Hair.

Posted: Wed, 01 Dec 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Embrace protective styles—but within reason.

Don’t be afraid to overdo it – it’s almost impossible to over-hydrate this hair type. The shampoo will remove any oil remaining on top of your strands, but much of it will have already penetrated deep into your hair for long-lasting moisture. Try applying a moisturizing oil that can penetrate strands, like coconut oil or castor oil, as a pre-shampoo hydration treatment. Let the oil sit on your hair for about 20 minutes to allow for absorption. 4B hair is chronically dry and needs hydration to avoid breakage, more shrinkage, and brittleness. Properly moisturizing your 4B hair is the key to keeping it manageable and healthy.

Each hair type is identified with a number (ranging from 1 to 4) and a letter (ranging from A to C), such as 3a, 1b, 2c, or 4c. Length retention and growth are common desires for anyone with a head of hair. But many naturals incorrectly assume that cutting their hair will set them back on their growth journey. Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012.

She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. In chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Whether you have 2b waves or 3c curls, these are the best ways to care for it.

Natural curly hair, especially with tightly packed coils, doesn’t need daily combing. 4c hair mostly has low porosity; it doesn’t absorb moisture as much as other hair types, which is why dryness and brittleness are the most common hair problems for those with 4c hair. Braids and twists are popular choices, but you can also opt for crochet styles, which can sometimes be faster to install. All of these styles allow you to play with color, texture, and length without damaging your hair.

Due to its delicacy, 4C hair thrives with gentle care, deep moisturization, and protective styling. 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.

This is the hair type that requires the most moisture—heavy butters like the Melanin Hair Care Twist Elongating Style Cream ($20). Curls are more voluminous and have a smaller circumference than Type 3a curls—the size of a Sharpie marker. This hair type usually is very voluminous and has very defined curls. 3b hair benefits from low to no heat, lightweight products that don't weigh the curls down, and layering in the hydration. "If you have type 2 curls, the Andrew Fitzsimons AF1 Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner ($16) is perfect for lightweight conditioning, detangling, smoothing, and softening."

To retain the moisture longer, you can use the Liquid-Oil-Cream (LOC) method. With this method, start by spritzing your hair with water, followed by applying an oil such as Coconut or Olive oil. 4C hair is prone to dryness and hence keeping it moisturized is essential to prevent breakage. 4C hair can grow long provided it’s well-maintained in order to minimize breakage and retain the acquired length. The biggest challenge with 4C hair is poor length retention resulting from breakage caused by dryness, tension or improper handling.

4c hair chart

The front section of your hair for instance, may have tighter curls compared to the back or vice versa. Those with 4C hair need to be extra careful when combing their hair, as even one session can result in disastrous breakage. This creates difficulties in moisture absorption, and as a result, your hair may become dry. When your cuticles are wide open, the hair easily lets moisture in, but it is harder for your hair to retain moisture and stay hydrated as it loses it as fast to the environment. Keep it simple and use it as a starting point and “guide.” They are meant to offer general direction, not be the only source of information. Even though hair typing systems aren’t perfect, they can be a great way to start learning about your hair.

The general thought (according to the LOIS hair typing system) is that a piece of thread is approximately the size of a medium-sized strand of hair. Unfortunately, many people believe that Andre’s Hair Typing System is hierarchical and intentionally places kinky hair in the bottom (“worst”) category. We don’t endorse or recommend any particular hair typing system. However, we recognize that the system created by Andre Walker is substantially more popular well-known, and communicated than the other hair typing systems.

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