Did you know that when we say ‘curly’, we are actually generalizing 3 hair types? Curly is a loose term used to describe wavy, curly and coily hair. Knowing your curl pattern will help you to choose the right type of products and techniques for your hair.
An alphanumeric system is used to identify types of curly hair. 1,2,3,4 represent the degree of the number of turns formed by hair strands. Number 1 is straight (meaning there are almost no turns); 4 is extremely coily/kinky (meaning there are lots of turns within a strand). a, b, c determine the texture of the hair. The letter ‘a’ denotes a finer hair texture, ‘b’ is medium and ‘c’, thick. What makes curly hair curly (or straight hair straight).
Types 1a, 1b, 1c are straight hair so I am going to start from 2.
Here are the different types of curly hair – Come on, let’s figure out which type you are! After which, you can use it to find suitable products – Beginner Friendly Products – Curly Hair Starter Kit
Wavy hair
Type 2a: Fine Waves
Drew Barrymore
2a hair has slight waves towards the end of the hair. It can easily be straightened or curled.
Type 2b: Well defined waves
Tyra Banks
2b hair has waves that retain their shape easily and don’t easy become straight like 2a.
Type 2c: Voluminous waves
Salma Hayek
2c hair is the on the border of being called curly and is fairly coarse.
Curly hair
Type 3a: Loose curls
Mariah Carey
3a hair has large sharp curly “S” shaped bends. It is loose and voluminous.
Type 3b: Tight curls
Beyonce Knowles
3b hair has a mix of spiral shaped hair to tight corkscrew shaped clumps. It is springy and bouncy.
Type 3c: Thick spiral curls
Halle Berry
3c hair type is voluminous, tight screwy curls with hair strands densely packed.
Kinky/Coily hair
Type 4a: Tight curls/coils
Yaya Da Costa
4a hair is tightly curled and is the last group with a visible defined “S” like curl pattern
Type 4b: Thick tight coils
Solange Knowles
4b hair has a “Z” type zig-zag pattern with almost no curl definition or pattern. The problem of shrinkage is large here.
Type 4c: Extremely tight coils
Lupita Nyongo
4c hair is the tightest coil structure and has no curl definition. The Z pattern is so tight that it can cause kinky curls to shrink up to 75% of the hair’s actual length.
I am 2c/3a
Now that you have figured out your type, here is a post to help you take care of your curly hair- My curly hair routine .
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Hi! I am Anjana and I fell in love with my curly hair after years of hating it. YOU can too!
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sheetal
October 24, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Detailed info Anjana … Actually my hair type is same as yours … 🙂 🙂
Anjana .. waiting for the hair cut suggestion for curly hair … I’ve to attend a wedding in next two weeks .. Hope you will write it soon 🙂 Thanks in Advance 🙂
Curls and Beauty Diary
October 24, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Hi5 Sheetal :). Get a layered cut. Anything other than a straight cut!
sheetal
October 26, 2015 at 10:40 am
okkkk… Anjana .. Thanks a lot dear 🙂
king
December 21, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Hi! I think mine is 3a on the inside, 3b on the outside. The outside appearnce bothers me a lot. It’s too bouncy and springy. too much volume too. I feel like it’s a big puff fluffy cotton candy.. what should I do with this type of hair? To make it look less thick? I want to attach a picture but unfortunately can’t. Thanks!
Anjana
December 22, 2016 at 11:03 am
Hey, you can send the pics to info@curlsandbeautydiary.com
Riddhi
June 22, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Hello, m new to your blog. Inspired a lot by your daily routine for curly hair.
M having mix of 3a 3b curls. And a lot lot of frizz. M confused which product to start with
anjana
June 22, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Hey Riddhi, if you have more than 1 curl type, you can try the product for the hairtype that is more pronounced.
k
December 6, 2017 at 4:12 pm
nice
Pavi
January 13, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Hey anjana. I have 2a type. But I m not sure if it is fine or coarse. How do I conclude which type. Do suggest me a protein shampoo under 500 .
Anjana
January 16, 2018 at 11:21 am
I have explained it in this article Pavi – Beginner Friendly Products – Curly Hair Starter Kit I am not aware of protein shampoos. Why are you looking for a protein one?
Niveditha
March 7, 2018 at 12:50 am
Hi Anjana I am new to this journey of taking care of my hair and am quite confused about my hair type as sometimes it looks straight and sometimes it seems wavy. People usually ask me whether I have straightened my hair on my shower day but it is very easy for me to do hairstyles in my hair and also my hair becomes frizzy after shampoo … Can you help me in determining my hair type.
Anjana
March 7, 2018 at 10:44 am
Sure Niveditha, mail me some pics
Chithra
October 4, 2019 at 11:29 am
Hello Anjana,
Your blog is indeed a great inspiration to people like me. I have decided to embrace my natural hair since reading your blog.But like some of your readers am also confused about my hair type for my hair behave different all the times. Will you help me to figure out my curl pattern?
Anjana
October 7, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Chithra, please send me some pics of your hair on Instagram (and tell me that I had asked you to send, for context)
Tejaswini Kumar
June 1, 2018 at 11:56 pm
Hi Anjana! definitely this helped me a lot, in determining the type of curls I have. Thank you sm dear 🙂
I have gone through this already but I raised up with some doubts so I’m leaving a comment here.
Can you suggest me the haircut and the color which will suit to my hair. Mine is 2a/3b curly hair (just like you).
Anjana
June 4, 2018 at 11:29 am
Check this Tejaswini https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/haircuts-for-curly-hair/
Dorothi Ghosh
July 27, 2018 at 12:03 am
Hi Anjana! I am just following your blog very recently. I use Sunsilk soft and smooth shampoo, enliven conditioner and patanjali aloevera jel. But after air drying my hair become frizzy. My hair is 3a inside and 3b outside. So it’s very difficult to manage. Can you please guide me how to improve??
Anjana
July 29, 2018 at 12:39 am
I’d suggest you to include a good gel. Even your conditioner may not be suited for your hair. Check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
monica
August 3, 2018 at 9:01 am
i am 3c and 3b it sucks sometimes
Anjana
August 3, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Why Monica?
shalu
August 3, 2018 at 9:03 pm
hey anjana
i have got loose curls lil like yours
i have been following u since 3 months n i have become a big a fan of urs :-*
i have also bought products as per ur suggestion
but i had few questions before i start with ur routine
u said that we should not brush our hair when its dry
but then my hair really gets tangled and its very difficult to sought them if i dont brush regularly and then theres a lot of hair breakage too
what should i do..?
Anjana
August 6, 2018 at 3:17 pm
https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/7-ways-keep-curly-hair-tangle-free-between-washes/
Pina Baglioni
August 3, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Hi Anjana
This is the first time I’ve been on this site. I had my hair beach wave permed… The girl who did it did a wonderful job. She did a cold perm on me because I wash that
gray right out of my hair.
Since I’ve always had straightish hair I followed your regimen. I don’t wash my hair till It really needs it. I spray my hair with a half water half conditioner in the morning or I would really look weird. Its shoulder length… so mornings …and hair is like watching a cartoon…
anyway this really works for me sometimes actually most of the time, I use beach salt water spray.. it’s a good
& smells great…along with curl define. The days I wash it, Its all about leaving the conditioner in, adding a leave-in and taking the dog for a walk…
Ok this is turning into a book… last but not least, it usually looks great with crunching a little while I’m out.. and if going somewhere special..mabey a little diffuser…
ok that’s all. reading this will take you all day.
lolol
That’s an Italian for you. allot to say whether people are listening or not. Signing out 😍
Pina..
Anjana
August 6, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Haha I loved reading it Pina 🙂
Iesya
August 23, 2018 at 11:27 am
Hi Anjana! This entry definitely helped me a lot in determining the type of curls I have. Thank you 🙂 my hair is 3a on the outside (dry and have lot of tangles) and 2c on the inside. So which routine that should I follow?
Anjana
August 23, 2018 at 3:01 pm
The routine is the same 🙂
Melissa
October 8, 2018 at 7:06 pm
I think my hair is on the bottom like 3a but I don’t know what the rest of my hair is, could be a 2a, 2b or 2c. I just don’t know. For me it looks just frizzy and everything else than on the pictures above 😅.
Anjana
October 8, 2018 at 8:00 pm
haha 🙂
VIDYA
November 15, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Hi Anjana,
Came accross ur blog, when I decided to maintain my curls.. first trying to identify my curls type..I have never maintained my hair ,I just oil a nyt before shampoo and I plait my hair. Curl reference which u gave are well defined and maintained I feel. So I couldnt match my curls type, is there any way I send my pic and u define?
Anjana
November 15, 2018 at 4:23 pm
You can send me a pic on Instagram
Heather
January 31, 2019 at 11:48 pm
I’m late to this party, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your site, Anjana. Thank you, too, for this particular post, as I’ve had a very hard time determining which type of curls I have. Now I finally know my hair is a mix of 3a and 3b curls!
Anjana
February 1, 2019 at 2:22 pm
I am glad Heather 🙂
Soumi Das
February 13, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Hi. Till now I am not sure about my curl type.. after washing nd defing my hair becomes like 2C, nd in normal days it stay like 2B nd when it’s rough it becomes like 2A.. what is my actual hair type?? Plz suggest something.. 😥
Anjana
February 13, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Sounds like my hair 🙂 🙂 Don’t get too caught up in the curl pattern definition Soumi
Anshu
September 4, 2019 at 2:30 pm
I love your hair….
I have a 2b/2c curl sometimes and it looks like 3a on few days if not disturbed while drying. My hair is frizzy and i want a more defined curl. Please suggest me shampoo and conditioner which will be best suited.
Anjana
September 12, 2019 at 11:15 am
https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Jennifer Owens
October 5, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Hello
Thanks for posting this amazing blog. It consists of very useful information. The language you used in this is very simple & easy to understood. Post some more blogs related to “Indian wavy hair”. It would be really helpful for those girls who want to look gorgeous in party or any other function.
Thanks & Regards.
Prachee
April 12, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Hi Anjana,
I am not able to identify my curl pattern , can you please help?
Anjana
April 14, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Prachee, please send me some pics of your hair on Instagram (and please give me the full context of the conversation we had here)
Pooja
April 24, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Me too 2c. Taking smoothing process from last 9 years. Now, I am facing roughness, frizzness, hair fall and breakage. I am doing the same as you have suggested in your chemical treated hair blog. I have gone through smoothing and keratin treatment in Feb 2020 and now I have decided to have my natural curly hair. Thank you so much Anjana for your guidance. I appreciate your efforts ❤️
Please suggest good shampoo, conditioner and cream or serum or gel whatever I should use after wash my hair.
Anjana
April 28, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Hi Pooja, please check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
jordan
April 26, 2020 at 3:57 am
I love your site!! Thank you so much!!
Anjana
April 28, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Glad to hear that, Jordan 🙂
Dharani T v
May 2, 2020 at 12:04 pm
How to check if my hair is protein senstitve
Also
Please let ne know if himalayan organics hair care range is cg friendly .available on amazon
You said body cupid keratin was having silicones
Can u please name it so that i know to look for it
Anjana
May 4, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Dharani, you can use the search feature in the blog to look for posts. https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/protein-helps-curls-protein-sensitivity/
Please share ingredients list for products that you want feedback on.
I checked the links you shared for bodycupid.
Anis
November 26, 2020 at 4:02 am
hi there, i am very confused about my hair type. i have curls that look like 3a/b on my neck and some on the sides specially after i air dry my hair but then there are also waves and even almost straight hair on top of my head.
i asked my hair stylist and she said that i just have “different types of hair” but i mean really how am i gonna care for “1a-3a/b” hair?
as a kid i had full 3b/c curls all over my head.
do you have any advice on this ?
Anjana
November 26, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Hi Anis, yes you can have different hair types. Try to find what the majority of your hair is and choose your products/routine accordingly