Most people tend to focus on their hair type at the start of their natural hair journey. Knowing your curl pattern is essential, and you can check that with our curl type quiz. But when you’re planning your curly hair routine, porosity is just as important.

In fact, understanding your hair porosity is vital for natural hair types. That’s because the curls, coils, and spirals in natural hair stop your scalp’s natural oils from traveling down your stands, which can make them dry. It can be hard to hydrate low porosity hair, so you need to take extra care to moisturize your low porosity curls.

So let’s take a deep dive into what causes low porosity, how to identify it, and some of the best products for low porosity hair. You’ll also discover some handy tips that will make caring for your tresses simple.

What Is Low Porosity Hair?

Porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and loses water or moisture. It’s usually described as one of three porosity levels: low, medium, and high porosity.

If you have low porosity hair, your hair strands are covered in tightly packed, overlapping cuticles that lie flat against the shaft. This protective barrier makes it difficult for water, oils, and conditioners to penetrate into the strand’s center, which can lead to problems like dryness, tangles, split ends, and breakage. It’s also why low porosity hair is usually extremely smooth.

It’s helpful to remember that no type of porosity is better than any of the others. But it’s another piece of information that will help you learn how to manage your hair and keep it looking its best.

Causes of Low Porosity

Although factors like chemical processing, heat damage, and environmental factors can influence your hair porosity, they are more likely to cause high porosity by damaging and opening up the cuticle layer. This allows hydration into the strands easily but affects your hair’s ability to retain moisture.

Low porosity is usually due to genetic factors, and there’s not much you can do to treat low porosity hair. So it’s better to work out the right products and hair care routine for your mane, so that you can make it look as good as possible.

Identifying Low Porosity Hair

Knowing some of the most common low porosity hair characteristics can help determine whether your hair has low porosity. 

Does this sound like your hair?

• Hair products sit on the outside of the shaft instead of being absorbed
• Your strands take a long time to soak through when you go in the shower or swimming pool
• Protein-rich deep treatments leave your hair feeling stiff and brittle
• Your hair strands feel rough, coarse, or wiry

Testing Your Hair

So how do you tell if you have low porosity? Luckily there are two quick and easy ways to check your porosity at home.

Although it’s not 100% accurate, the water test (or float test) is a quick way to determine porosity. First, wash your hair to remove any product build-up or dirt, and dry it without adding any styling products. Once it’s dry, take a few strands and drop them into a glass of water.

If the strands float at the top of the water, this probably means they have low porosity. If the strands sink to the bottom of the glass, they probably have high porosity, and if they float in the middle, you probably have medium porosity hair. 

Bear in mind that if you have long hair, your hair may have low porosity at the roots and higher porosity towards the ends. It could be worth cutting your strands in half and testing the roots and ends separately.

You can also check the porosity of your hair through careful observation. Low porosity hair tends to be smoother and shinier, thanks to the flatter cuticle. If you find that oils and conditioners sit on your strands instead of being absorbed, and if you’ve never dyed your hair or used excessive heat, you probably have low or normal porosity. 

You will probably also find that your hair takes a long time to get soaked through when you go in the shower or swimming pool. 

But if your hair easily absorbs oil and conditioner, and your locks soak through very quickly in the shower or pool, you probably have high porosity hair. You might also find that your strands don’t look very shiny and might even feel bumpy due to the raised cuticles.

Treating Low Porosity Hair

One of the most crucial things you can do for low porosity hair is provide it with plenty of hydration. You may have to work a little to get your hair to absorb moisture, but there are several ways to achieve good hair health.

Wash Days

On wash days, reach for a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid drying out your low porosity locks. It’s also a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to remove any product build-up. This will give your strands the best possible chance of absorbing the conditioning treatments that follow.

Avoid heavy protein-based products that will weigh down your locks and cause product build-up. Lightweight formulas containing hydrating ingredients like argan oil, vitamin E oil, or grapeseed oil are better for low porosity locks.

Steaming your hair for 15-20 minutes before washing can open up your cuticles, which helps to deliver much needed hydration deep into your strand. If you don’t have a hair steamer, try sitting in your bathroom with a hot shower running to fill the room with steam.

Between Washes

Between washes, use lightweight, water-based products to keep your locks hydrated. 

If water appears at the top of your product’s ingredient list, it’s probably 50-90% water. These will be absorbed better than oil- or silicone-based products, which are more likely to build up on the outside of the hair.

If you want to use oils or silicones, opt for lightweight products to avoid weighing down your locks. 

LCO vs. LOC Methods

As well as picking the best products for your natural hair, you can also get more from your products by using the LCO method. 

This variation of the LOC method involves drenching your hair in liquid or leave-in conditioner, then applying cream over the top of that, and finally sealing in all that gorgeous moisture with hair oil.

Layering your products like this can really help your low porosity strands absorb more moisture.

Picking the Right Products

Some of the best products for your locks include:

• Alkaline Shampoos: Clarifying and exfoliating shampoos open up your hair’s cuticle, which can help to get more moisture into your strands. 
• Oils: Olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil hydrate your hair and help to seal in moisture
• Butter: Shea butter and mango butter will moisturize your hair without weighing it down
• Leave-in Conditioners: A good leave-in conditioner will hydrate your hair and make it more manageable
• Deep Conditioner: Regular deep conditioner treatments are essential as low porosity hair tends to be dry

Ingredients to Use With Low Porosity Hair

These ingredients are suitable for your locks:

• Behentrimonium methosulfate – read more in our guide to Behentrimonium methosulfate
• Hair-friendly alcohols like Cetyl alcohol or Stearyl alcohol
• Humectants – read more in our guide to humectants for hair
• Good oils and butters such as Avocado oil and Shea butter – remember, not all of these will suit everyone
• Natural ingredients like aloe vera gel, flaxseed gel, marshmallow root, and slippery elm 
• Cetrimonium chloride
• Some proteins like keratin, collagen, and hydrolyzed silk

Ingredients to Avoid With Low Porosity Hair

It’s best to avoid these ingredients:

• Strong sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate
• Heavy silicones – these should be avoided or used sparingly as they can cause build-up
• Propylene glycol
• Drying Alcohols – these will dry your locks
• Some polyquaternium ingredients – these build up
• Some large proteins (which should be used with caution because they can build up easily)
• Heavy ingredients like lanolin or petrolatum that will build up on your hair strands

The Best Low Porosity Hair Products

There’s a wide range of products for low porosity natural hair on the market, and this is not a complete list. However, it will give you a good starting point and some ideas of products you can try.

Choosing the right products will also depend on other factors like your hair type and density. So take time to try different products and hair routines; when you’ve found what works for your hair’s porosity, looking after your locks will become much easier. 

Shampoos

Find a longer list of the best shampoos for low porosity hair here.

SheaMoisture Low Porosity Protein-Free Shampoo

SheaMoisture Low Porosity Weightless Hydrating Shampoo

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Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Briogeo Scalp Revival Exfoliator Charcoal Shampoo

$42.00 ($5.25 / Ounce)

I love using this gentle exfoliating shampoo to keep my scalp healthy.

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12/18/2023 06:16 am GMT

Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

Bounce Curl Enzyme Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

$32.00 ($4.00 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 03:41 am GMT

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Sulfate Free Shampoo

$25.20 ($2.96 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 09:01 am GMT

Kinky Curly Come Clean

Kinky Curly Original Hair Care Come Clean Clarifying Shampoo

$23.60 ($1.48 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 06:31 pm GMT

Conditioners

SheaMoisture Low Porosity Protein-Free Conditioner

SheaMoisture Low Porosity Weightless Hydrating Conditioner

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Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner

Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner

$7.98 ($0.61 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 10:16 am GMT

Giovanni 50:50 Balancing Conditioner

GIOVANNI 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Calming Conditioner

$18.99 ($0.79 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 10:51 am GMT

Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner

Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner

$16.82 ($16.82 / Count)

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12/17/2023 09:41 am GMT

Jessicurl Too Shea Extra-Moisturizing Conditioner

Jessicurl, Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner for Curly Hair

$18.85 ($2.36 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 09:56 am GMT

Other

Briogeo Rosarco Oil

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Hair Oil

$30.00

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12/17/2023 11:06 am GMT

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk | Leave-In Conditioner

$14.79 ($1.85 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 03:11 am GMT

TWIST Boss Bounce Light as Aire Buildable Styling Cream

TWIST Boss Bounce Light as Air Buildable Styling Cream

$15.69 ($1.85 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 03:21 am GMT

BondiBoost Rapid Repair Serum

BONDIBOOST Rapid Repair Serum

$28.00 ($6.62 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 11:41 am GMT

LUS | Love Ur Curls Irish Sea Moss Gel

LUS Brands Irish Sea Moss Gel

$24.00 ($3.00 / Ounce)

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12/17/2023 04:21 am GMT

Low Porosity Curly Hair Products and Treatment – Tips and Tricks

Once you’ve identified that you have low porosity hair, these simple hair care tips will help you to keep it in the best possible health.

Cleanse your hair with products for low porosity hair

Ensure you use a nourishing shampoo for low porosity hair, and avoid sulfates, as these can dry your locks even further. 

Focus on moisturization

Low porosity hair struggles to absorb hydration, so use products that will help to keep added moisture locked into your strands. 

Humectants like collagen, keratin, and hyaluronic acid help to attract moisture and lock it into your strands, so look out for these ingredients in shampoos, conditioners, and deep conditioning treatments. 

Avoid heavy formulations

You might think you need to use deep conditioners with rich creams and butters to battle dryness. But your hair can’t absorb these heavy products, so layering on lighter products can give better hydration.

Embrace steam treatments 

As well as using warm water to open the hair cuticle, you can also use a hair steamer to help your conditioning treatments penetrate deep into the hair shaft. If you don’t have a steamer, try running a hot shower to steam up your bathroom. 

Section hair before applying products

Simply slathering the product over your entire head won’t give you maximum benefit. Take the time to section your hair first to ensure every strand gets coated in your product or conditioner. Applying conditioner with warm water will help to improve absorption by opening up the cuticle.

Clarify regularly

Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture, but product build-up on your strands will worsen the problem. So use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to deep clean your locks and make it easier for your conditioning treatments to do their job.

Schedule regular trims

Low porosity tends to cause dry and brittle hair, so split ends and breakages can be a common problem. Regular trims every 6-8 weeks will help to avoid them and keep your hair looking healthy.

Products for Low Porosity Hair FAQs

Looking for more information on products for low porosity hair? The answers to these frequently asked questions may help!

Is Low Porosity Hair Healthy?

Low porosity hair isn’t necessarily healthier than higher-porosity hair, both can have good and bad qualities. But it has tightly closed cuticles that make it look healthier and shinier than high-porosity hair. 

Stresses such as heat or chemical treatments often result in high porosity strands, so having low porosity hair probably means you haven’t subjected your locks to this type of hair damage.

How Often Should Low Porosity Hair Be Washed?

How often you need to wash low porosity hair will depend on many factors. These include your hair type, how much oil your scalp produces, the products you use, and your lifestyle. 

However, low porosity hair generally requires extra hydration, so it’s best to avoid leaving it too long between wash days.

What Hair Type Is Considered Low Porosity?

Low porosity hair can be straight, wavy, or curly and there’s no firm link between hair porosity and any natural hair types.

Should You Use Rice Water on Low Porosity Hair?

There’s no clear answer to this question. Some people find that rice water works well, but others find that protein builds up on the outside of the hair strands, which may cause damage.

If you want to use rice water in your hair care routine, it’s best to test it first on an underneath section of your hair to avoid any damage.

How Fast Does Low Porosity Hair Grow?

There’s no particular evidence that low porosity hair grows faster or slower than high or normal porosity hair. However, it tends to be dry and brittle, and breaks easily, so it’s essential to nourish and moisturize your tresses regularly to help with length retention.

Low Porosity Hair Products – The Bottom Line

When all you want is a soft, shiny mane of hair, caring for low porosity hair can feel like a challenge. But low porosity isn’t necessarily bad; in fact, it can be a sign that you haven’t subjected your hair to damaging chemicals or heat treatment.

There isn’t much you can do to change your hair’s porosity, but you can carefully alter your natural hair care routine to work in your hair’s favor. There aren’t any strict rules you need to follow; just use your judgment to choose lightweight products that contain ingredients that suit low porosity hair. 

By understanding your hair’s needs, choosing the right products, and following some simple hair care tips, you will soon discover how to care for your low porosity curls and keep them looking gorgeous.

The post Low Porosity Hair Products – How to Choose One for Your Hair! appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

So we’ve put together your essential guide to curl types, helping you understand all the different curl types and identify your curl pattern. With this information, you’ll find it easier to pick the best hair products to suit your hair!

Let’s start by discovering why your hair is wavy, curly, or coily.

What Causes Curly Hair Patterns?

Hair types are determined by genetics, and although you can use heat or chemicals to alter how your hair texture looks, you can’t change your hair pattern. 

Your visible curl pattern partly depends on each hair follicle’s shape. Straight hairs grow from round hair follicles, and oval hair follicles create waves. If you have twisted oval follicles, the hair that grows from them will be curly.

And the size of the hair follicles determines how thick or fine each hair strand is. The larger the hair follicle, the thicker the hair fiber that grows from it.

The chemical bonds within the strands also contribute to your hair pattern. The cysteine groups that form your hair are spread further apart in straight hair than in wavy and curly hair. The oval shaped and twisted oval follicles create more chemical bonds in your strands, resulting in a tighter curl.

Curl Type or Curl Pattern?

One thing I want to clarify before getting into the rest is there is a difference between curl type and curl pattern. But people use these terms interchangeably.

Curl pattern is the shape your curls make, which is what most of this article is about. This is what people usually mean when they say curl type.

Curl type is really hair type. It refers to your hair’s characteristics, such as texture, porosity, and density.

Why You Should Know Your Hair Curl Type

Working out your hair type can be confusing, especially because most people have a mix of hair types. Your hair might be curlier in some areas and straighter in others, and somehow you have to make it all look good.

Knowing your curl pattern doesn’t really help much though. You won’t choose products based on your curl pattern. For example, your curl pattern doesn’t tell you if your hair needs more or less moisture, light or heavy products, or specific treatments. But knowing your hair characteristics will help with that.

Understanding your hair type and how to care for it is one of the essential steps toward caring for your locks. Even if you can’t pin your hair down to one type, having a good idea of your curl type will help you understand how to care for your hair and pick the best hair products.

How to identify your curl pattern

The Andre Walker Hair Typing System is one of the easiest ways to categorize types of curly hair, or more accurately, curl patterns. This system divides textured hair into four main categories:

• Type 1: Straight
• Type 2: Wavy
• Type 3: Curly
• Type 4: Coily

So how do you tell if you have wavy, curly, or coily hair? The easiest way is by looking at the shape of your hair strands. 

Type 1: Straight strands lie flat without much wave or body. 

Type 2: Wavy strands aren’t quite straight or curly but form an S-shaped curve. 

Type 3: Curly strands cluster together into loose spirals and might need some added moisture to give more definition.

Type 4: Coily strands form tight coils, while kinky hair has a tight zig-zag pattern rather than curls or waves. These types are fragile and need special care to prevent breakage. 

Each category is divided into sub-classifications, A to C, based on the width of your waves, curls, or coils. Type A has wider curls, Type C has the tightest curl, and Type B lies in the middle. You can see the differences in the curl pattern chart below.

Types of Curl Patterns

Hair typing is a great starting point for understanding the best product and styling options for your hair. So, putting aside type 1 straight hair, let’s look at each of the nine curl type categories. 

Type 2 Hair

Type 2 waves can range from barely there to almost curly, and when it’s wet, the weight of the water may make wavy hair look almost straight. The main difference between wavy and curly hair is that wavy hair doesn’t form twists that wrap around themselves. 

Type 2 wavy hair needs plenty of moisture and nourishment, but using too many styling products can weigh it down and make it look limp.

Type 2A Hair

2A hair type tends to be straight at the crown and then forms loose waves towards the end of the hair strands. Air-drying will help to accentuate your natural waves.

This wavy hair type also tends to lose its shape easily, so you should avoid heavy products that can weigh your locks down. Instead, use a light mousse to add volume at the roots and enhance your desired look with sea salt sprays to add tousled texture. 

Read more in our 2A hair guide.

Type 2B Hair

Type 2B hair is straight at the roots but falls in medium-large S-shaped waves from the mid-lengths down. The strands tend be more resistant to straightening than 2A hair, and will also have more frizz.

You can use texturizing products to enhance your natural beachy waves and add a light gel to keep control of any frizz.

Read more in our 2B hair guide.

Type 2C Hair

Type 2C waves are on the border of curly hair, and you might also have a few curls of type 3A hair. However, 2C type hair doesn’t form springs, which are one of the distinguishing features of curly hair types.

2C strands are prone to frizz, so you may find it hard to manage frizz without weighing down your strands and losing volume. Serums, leave-in conditioners, and gels will be your best friend in the fight against frizz, and sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase will also help.

Read more in our 2C hair guide.

Type 3 Hair

Type 3 curly hair can look wavy when it’s wet, but the strands curl together into springs and swirls as it dries. Type 3 curls can vary in size from soft loops to tight corkscrews, and frizz is a common problem for this hair type.

So look out for products that prevent frizz and define your curls to keep them looking fantastic.

Type 3A Hair

3A curls are wide spirals about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk and fall loosely from the crown. This curly hair type is bouncy, full of life, and doesn’t need much styling. A curl cream and light gel will help keep your locks under control.

Type 3A has loose curls that can be straightened with heat styling tools or a blow-dry brush, but they tend to be dry. That makes regular deep conditioning a must, and you should always use a good heat protectant to avoid further drying your curls.

Read more in our 3A hair guide.

Type 3B Hair

The medium-sized corkscrew springs of curl type 3B are around the size of a Sharpie marker. They have plenty of curl definition and natural volume. 

However, 3B curls can be prone to frizz, tangles, and breakage, so use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry your locks gently after washing. A moisturizing custard or gel will keep frizz at bay and give your curls extra shine. 

Read more in our 3B hair guide.

Type 3C Hair

The 3C hair type has tightly packed springs that are smaller than the other curly hair types, with curls the width of a pencil or straw.

Curl type 3C also tends to be drier than types 3A and 3B. Rich oils and butter will weigh down your curls, so cleanse your locks with gentle shampoos or cleansing conditioners and use weekly deep conditioning treatments to keep your curls soft and full. 

Read more in our 3C hair guide.

Type 4 Hair

Type 4 hair can have tightly coiled strands, a compact zig-zag pattern, or a combination of both shapes. It also experiences more shrinkage than type 3 hair, so examining the strands when they are wet might make it easier to identify your curl type.

Type 4A Hair

Type 4A has tightly coiled S-shaped strands that loop into tight rings about the size of a crochet needle. These tight corkscrew curls make it hard for the natural oils from your scalp to travel to the ends of your textured hair, which means that type 4 hair is dry and easily damaged.

To minimize damage, use rich, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, and avoid rubbing your locks dry. Creamy humectants and custards will protect your locks, add moisture, and reduce frizz.

Read more in our 4A hair guide.

Type 4B Hair

4B hair often has a mix of zig zag strands and small S-shaped coils with less curl definition than other hair types. All of those sharp angles and bends stop your scalp’s natural oils from reaching the ends of the densely packed strands, so this curl type is often dry and easily damaged. 

Rich, nourishing conditioners and masks are essential for 4B hair, and you could try the LOC method to keep it in top condition.

Read more in our 4B hair guide.

Type 4C Hair

4C hair has the tightest curl pattern of any category in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. These tight zig-zags have little curl definition and up to 75% of the wet hair length can be lost as it dries.

It’s also the hair type most prone to breakage, so you must constantly moisturize your locks with rich creams and custards and use a good shampoo to prevent buildup. Regular deep conditioning is essential for these fragile strands, and you can protect your locks from overnight damage by wearing a silk bonnet for sleeping on a silk pillowcase.

Read more in our 4C hair guide.

How to Choose the Best Products for Your Curl Type

Knowing your hair type is a great first step toward figuring out your hair care routine. If you know you have coarse curls, you can skip over lightweight leave-in conditioners and head straight for creams and butters. And if you know your hair only has fine waves, you won’t risk weighing them down with rich, heavy products.

But there are other factors you need to consider, like your hair porosity, elasticity, and curl variation.

Determine Your Hair’s Porosity

Hair porosity describes how easy it is for your locks to absorb moisture and how easily the strands lose moisture again. 

Low porosity hair has closely packed cuticle cells that make it hard for the strand to absorb water, but it doesn’t lose moisture easily. On the other hand, high-porosity hair has cuticle cells that are spaced further apart. This means the strand absorbs hydration quicker but also means that hydration is easily lost.

It’s best to stick to products containing lighter ingredients, such as aloe vera, on low-porosity hair. If you have high porosity hair, reach for rich products containing ingredients like coconut oil instead.

To see if your curls are high or low porosity, observe how quickly your hair absorbs water. If you want to know more, our guide to hair porosity has all the details. 

Assess Your Hair’s Texture

Probably the most important hair characteristic, your hair texture is the diameter if the hair strand.

Your texture will determine the weight of the products you use. Finer hair requires lighter products while coarser hair requires heavier, creamy products. Finer hair will also need more protein than other types to help strengthen the strands.

Again, it’s normal to have a variation of textures around your head. Go with the recommendations for whichever texture is most prominent or problematic for you.

Consider Your Density

Density refers to how many hairs you have, or how much hair you have overall. High density means you have lots of individual hairs, where as low density means you have fewer hairs so your scalp show more easily.

Knowing your density can help you with knowing how much product to use and which styling techniques will yield your desired results.

Evaluate Your Hair’s Elasticity

Elasticity refers to how easily your hair bounces back when you stretch the curls out. So take a few strands and stretch out the curl – if they don’t coil back fully, you need to give your hair more moisture.

Check your Curl Variance

If you have a mix of hair types, you may need to treat each section slightly differently. But that doesn’t mean you need to go shopping for a whole different set of products; you can usually use slightly more or less of a product to suit each section.

Curly Hair Type Quiz

If you need help figuring out your hair type in order to choose the right products and techniques, this curl type quiz can help you. It will not tell you what curl pattern you have, as that is not helpful to determine what your hair needs. It will give you a general idea of your porosity, density, and texture and provide some tips for products.

Curly Hair Types – FAQs

Identifying your curl type can be tricky, so here are the answers to some questions you might still have.

Is It Possible to Have Multiple Curl Patterns?

Yes, definitely! 

Most people will have a mix of curl types; for example, you might mainly have 3B curls but have 3C hair at the back of your neck. And your strands might be finer and more fragile in some areas. 

But generally, one curl type will dominate your hair, which you should use as a starting point to help you choose products and styling techniques. 

Should Your Hair Be Wet or Dry to Determine Its Curl Pattern?

The weight of the water on wet hair will change your curl pattern temporarily. Apply a curl-defining gel to your dry hair and let it dry before identifying your curl pattern.

Is 2C Hair Curly or Wavy?

2C is the last of the wavy hair types and can border on curly hair. However, the strands don’t twist together to form springs, which differentiates 2C waves from curly hair.

Final Thoughts: Identifying Curl Types

Knowing your hair type is one of the most essential pieces of information to help you care for your locks properly. It will help you understand how to wash and style your hair and choose the best hair care products.

Of course, there’s more to good hair care than simply knowing your hair type. You must also consider factors like your hair porosity, elasticity, and curl variance.

But following the information in this guide will help you better understand your hair’s needs, which is a great starting point for beautiful hair.

The post Curl Types – What Are They and Why Do They Matter appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

4C curls can be dry, frizzy, and prone to damage, especially if you use chemical treatments or heat styling tools. But once you’ve worked out the hair routine that suits your curls, this type of hair can look absolutely stunning.

So read on to learn more about this delicate hair type and discover how to pamper your 4C curls and keep them looking luscious.

4C Hair – The Basics

4C hair is one of the subcategories of the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. This describes straight hair as Type 1, wavy hair as Type 2, curly hair as Type 3, and coily hair as Type 4. In each hair type, the letters A to C describe the tightness of the curl patterns, so A has the loosest curls, and C has the tightest curl pattern.

Type 4C hair has the tightest curl pattern in its category. In fact, the tight Z-shaped coils can be so densely packed that it’s hard to define individual coils without using styling techniques like twisting and braiding.

4C hair is delicate, prone to frizz, and tangles easily. Without additional hydration and regular detangling, it can become brittle and matted. So if you want to avoid the need for drastic cuts, following a hair care routine that uses high-quality products designed for your hair type is essential.

Of course, curl pattern isn’t the only factor that determines your hair’s health. You also need to consider factors like your hair’s density, texture, and porosity. Knowing all of this information will help you rock the natural beauty of your 4C coils.

Characteristics of 4C Hair

4C hair has the tightest coils of any type 4 hair texture and hair growth travels horizontally at first before falling downward when the strands are very long. 

This tight curl pattern means that type 4C hair experiences a lot of shrinkage, up to 75% of its length, which gives this type of hair its dense volume.

The sharp angles in each 4C hair strand also make it hard for your scalp’s natural oils to transfer down to the ends of your hair, leaving your locks dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage. 4C hair’s tighter curls need to be detangled regularly to avoid matting, but without proper care, brushing and detangling can damage your locks even more.

How It Compares to Other Type 4 Textured Hair (4A 4B 4C Hair)

The letter in each hair type describes the width of the curl pattern, so 4C has the tightest curls of all of the coily hair types.

The 4A hair type has dense, springy, S-shaped coils around the size of a crochet needle. 

The 4B hair type has strands that bend in a Z shape and are less defined than type 4A. 

The delicate strands of 4C type hair are closely packed, which gives this hair type an afro look, and its curls are less defined than type 4A hair or type 4B hair. It also experiences more shrinkage, losing up to 75% of its length as it dries.

All of these types of curly hair are prone to dryness and breakage due to the kinks and bends in their densely packed coils. That means they all need to be treated with extra care and require frequent moisture boosts.

4C Natural Hair Care Routine Tips

Finding the perfect 4C hair care routine to leave your natural hair looking amazing may take a while. But once you’ve chosen the right products and techniques, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous 4C curls.

Understand Hair Porosity 

Healthy hair absorbs moisture by raising the cuticles on the hair shaft and then retains moisture by laying the cuticle flat to lock hydration in. Low-porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture through the cuticle, while high-porosity hair has open cuticles that allow moisture to be absorbed and lost too quickly. 

Understanding your hair porosity is essential to good hair health, as it helps you choose the right products to use on your locks. Our hair porosity guide will help you determine whether you have high or low-porosity hair.

4C Hair Products

Sulfate-free Shampoo

All curly hair types tend to have dry hair, but it’s a particular problem for the 4C hair type. Overwashing will strip the precious natural oils from your coils, and using regular shampoos will make the situation even worse.

So it’s vital to pick a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, like Maui Moisture Curl Quench Shampoo and Conditioner. These will cleanse your locks without stripping away sebum.

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo + Conditioner

$10.80

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You may only need to cleanse your 4C hair twice a month, and washing your hair in sections will make cleansing tight coils easier.

Deep Conditioner Treatments

4C hair must be conditioned frequently to keep it healthy. So layer on hydration with a rinse-out conditioner in your shower, daily leave in conditioners, and a weekly deep conditioning treatment, hot oil treatment, or hair mask.

A rich, nourishing hair mask like Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask is an excellent addition to your haircare routine. Masks contain ingredients like argan oil and shea butter that deliver even more softness and hydration than regular conditioners.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Scalp care

If you love wearing your 4C curls in protective styles, it’s essential to care for your scalp with a pre-poo or scalp scrub to keep it clean. Adding a hair oil like Mielle Rosemary Mist Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil into your haircare routine will keep your scalp moisturized. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

$9.22 ($4.61 / Fl Oz)

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Co-Washing Benefits

Co-washes are cleansing conditioners you can use to freshen up your hair and scalp until your next wash day. They will reduce surface build-up and nourish your hair, leaving it feeling clean and soft. 

Look for a co-wash specially formulated for coily and curly hair, like Gold Series from Pantene Deep Hydrating Co-Wash, which is sulfate-free and contains argan oil.

Gold Series from Pantene Sulfate-Free Deep Hydrating Co-Wash with Argan Oil

$8.99 ($0.59 / Fl Oz)

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Try the LOC/LCO Method

The LOC method, sometimes known as the LCO method, is a great way to add moisture to parched 4C curls. 

This simple method will give you beautifully hydrated curls that are ready for styling. First, spritz your damp hair with a leave-in conditioner (that’s the L), then seal in the hydration with a hair oil (that’s the O) before finishing up with a styling creme. 

Detangle Regularly 

Regular detangling is essential for 4C curls as they are highly prone to frizz, tangles, and breakage. 

Coat your damp hair with a generous amount of conditioner or curl cream, and use your fingers to gently detangle your hair. Whenever you come across a knot, gently pull each hair strand out rather than tugging at them. 

Detangling your hair regularly might feel like a chore, but it makes it much less likely that you’ll have to spend time dealing with matted hair.

Silk and Satin

Regular cotton pillowcases suck moisture out of your locks, leaving them dry, frizzy, and tangled. 

Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase will help protect your hair overnight and reduce the amount of detangling you have to do in the morning. You could also try wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf or wearing a silk bonnet overnight. 

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

$19.19

Everyone should have one of these! They prevent wrinkles, frizz, tangles, and feel luxurious. A basic necessity for anyone with curly hair but also skincare lovers.

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Braiding your hair in large plaits overnight will give your 4C coils some added protection.

Get Regular Trims

Like all hair types, it’s essential to trim 4C hair regularly to keep it looking healthy and remove split ends. Even if you’re trying to grow your hair, snipping off split ends as soon as you spot them will prevent them from spreading and causing breaks further up the hair shaft. 

Ideally, you should trim your hair every 6-8 weeks, but some people may only need to visit the salon every 12 weeks. It all depends on the condition of your hair. 

Always try to visit a stylist experienced with cutting your natural hair type. Ask them to cut your hair dry rather than wet due to the amount of shrinkage that 4C hair experiences.

Keep Styling to a Minimum

Constantly touching and styling your 4C hair can easily lead to breakage, as your coils are very fragile.

It’s best to avoid heat styling as much as possible and use curl-defining products instead of heated styling tools to tame your curls.

How to Style 4C Hair

Short and long styles all work well on 4C hair. If you want to be able to wash and go, you might prefer a short afro, but if you have the time to spend on them, longer styles really showcase your coils. 

Protective styles can help promote growth and protect your locks from pollution and heat, and they look amazing!

Here are some styling options for your 4C coils:

A Two-Strand Twist-out

Twist-outs are a great protective hairstyle and one of the most popular styles for natural hair. Wear your two strand twists for a few days, then switch things up by unraveling the twists to reveal stunning corkscrews.

A Twisted Braid Updo

Add texture and personality to an elegant updo by adding braids in the bun or twists on the sides. Or why not add both for a seriously eye-catching look?

Box Braids

Box braids are a classic protective style for 4c hair, that help to care for your locks and look fabulous. Remember to care for your scalp when wearing a protective hairstyle by applying oil regularly. 

An Afro

Rocking an afro is one of the most beautiful ways to wear natural hair. It celebrates the natural texture of your 4C hair and doesn’t need much styling. Just spritz it with a leave-in conditioner, and you’re ready to go!

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots are a protective style with a long history and they are a great way to style your 4C locks. To get this look, you simply need to part your hair into small sections and twist each one around your finger to form knots.

A Classic Puff

The classic puff style is one of the easiest natural hairstyles and an excellent option for short 4C hair. Why not accessorize this fun style with a headband or satin scarf?

Space Buns

Space buns are a fun hairstyle, and the 4C hair texture gives this effortless style an edge. Braiding your coils before you twist them into buns will take the look to the next level, and you can also frame your face with a few twists.  

FAQs

Did we miss your query in the guide above? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about 4C hair:

How Do I Know if I Have Healthy 4C Hair?

4C hair is a mass of dense, tightly packed coils with very little visible curl definition. Gorgeous healthy 4C locks are shiny with a soft texture. They are prone to so much shrinkage that shoulder-length 4C curls might be as long as bra-strap length when wet. 

Why Is 4C Hair Difficult to Manage?

4C is very fragile because of all the kinks and bends in the hair strands. These make tangling more likely and create weak points that break very easily.

How Can I Tell if I Have 3C vs 4C Hair?

3C hair has tight corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil or straw, and even after they’ve been stretched, a clear S-shaped curl remains. On the other hand, 4C hair is more coily than curly hair, and it’s hard to pick out individual curls.

Remember that knowing your texture, density, and porosity are more important than curl patter. If you’re not sure how to find your hair type, our quick curly hair quiz will help you work it out!

4C Hair – Final Thoughts 

4C hair is a kinky hair type that can be identified by its tight Z-shaped coils with little curl definition. The hair strands are delicate, prone to frizz, and easily tangled or broken.

Caring for 4C hair means avoiding frequent washing and heat styling, providing regular deep conditioning treatments to keep your hair moisturized, and gently detangling knots. 

This hair type is very versatile, and if you’re blessed with 4C locks, you can try out a wide range of fantastic hairstyles. Whatever look you go for, a little TLC and high-quality hair products will help ensure your 4C locks look their best!

Want to remember this? Save Managing Your 4C Hair Type: What It Is and How to Care For It to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post Managing Your 4C Hair Type: What It Is and How to Care For It appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Many people think 4B hair is difficult to look after, but that’s not necessarily true. OK, it does need a little extra care and a LOT of extra moisture, but with the right products and styling techniques, your 4B curls can look amazing.

So this guide will show you how to identify 4B hair, together with hair care tips and some of the best hairstyles for 4B hair. We also have some product recommendations to help you care for your gorgeous natural hair.

What Is 4B Hair?

4B hair is a coily hair type that falls between type 4A and type 4C in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. 

This system divides all hair types into four classifications (1-4) which describe whether the strands are straight, wavy, curly, or curly. Each category is then split into three sub-classifications (A-C) which describe the tightness of the curl pattern. 

So 4B hair has a coily curl pattern somewhere in between the defined coils of hair type 4A and the tightly coiled texture of type 4C

Of course, it’s important to remember that hair type is only one factor influencing your hair’s needs. You also need to consider your hair porosity, density, and texture, which will help you create a healthy hair care routine that brings out the natural beauty of your hair. 

If you’re unsure of your exact hair type, our easy hair type quiz will help you work it out.

Identifying 4B Natural Hair Characteristics

The curl pattern is the easiest way to identify 4B hair. It has a Z-shaped or zigzag pattern with sharp angles, rather than distinct coils like 4A hair or the less distinct pattern of 4C hair. 

If you have hair type 4B, your locks could either be fine and wiry or rough and coarse. The sharp angles of the Z shaped curls make it hard for natural oils to travel down from your scalp to the ends of the hair strands, which leaves your hair dry and looking fluffy. This means that 4B hair needs regular moisturizing treatments to keep it looking healthy. 

Type 4B is also prone to shrinkage and could shrink by as much as 50-75% as it dries.

How 4B Hair Differs From Other Type 4 Hair

If you have type 4 hair, you might not be sure whether you have Type 4B or one of the other two coily hair types. And, of course, most people have a mix of different hair types, although one hair type will be more prominent than the others. So how do you tell the difference between 4B and the other coily hair textures, 4A and 4C? 

Here are a few easy ways to spot the difference: 

4A vs. 4B Hair type

The 4A hair type has springy S-shaped curls about the size of a crochet needle. They are soft, loose, and more defined than 4B. You’ll also notice that 4A coils are less interlocked than 4B curls, spiraling away from each other.

4A curls are looser than 4B curls, making them less likely to tangle and break and less prone to shrinkage. This also gives them a more fluffy appearance than 4B hair.

4C vs. 4B Hair type

Like Type 4B, 4C curls are z shape but tend to clump together, whereas 4B has more distinct hair strands. 

4C hair type has the tightest curl pattern in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, with very springy coils that may shrink as much as 80%. But that means it’s also the most fragile type and can easily break. 

Type 4C is perfect for a bold Afro but needs special care to keep it looking great. 

Caring for 4B Hair Type

4B tends to be dry and fragile, so it needs a little extra TLC to keep it looking fabulous. Here are a few vital tips on the proper care for 4B hair:

Work with your Hair Porosity 

Your hair’s porosity will affect how you care for 4B hair. If you aren’t sure whether you have high or low porosity hair, our Guide to Hair Porosity will help you find out. 

Low porosity hair struggles to absorb hydration because it has tightly packed cuticles that form a barrier to keep moisture out. You should use lightweight moisturizing products containing ingredients like aloe vera. Gel-based styling products will give good curl definition without weighing down your locks.

High porosity locks absorb moisture easily but the raised cuticles make it struggle to retain moisture, and this can be caused by genetic factors or through damage from heat or chemical treatments. You will need a more intensive hydration routine with richer, heavier creams containing ingredients like coconut oil.

Gentle Handling 

The Z shape kinks and dry strands of 4B hair are particularly prone to breakage. So you need to handle your coils with extra care, and it’s better to avoid touching your locks as much as possible. 

Wearing a protective hairstyle minimizes the times you have to touch and handle your hair, which can help reduce breakage.

Optimize Wash Routines

Your wash day routine is essential to good hair health, and you need to ensure you have the best products on hand. 

Curly and coily hair needs masses of moisture, so look for moisturizing shampoos packed with emollients to soften, smooth, and hydrate your hair. It’s also best to follow up with a rinse-out conditioner before layering on additional moisture after your shower.

Leave Longer Between Washes

One benefit of the 4B hair type is that it doesn’t need washing as often as some other hair types. You can start by washing your locks every 3-5 days, but you might find that they only need to be cleansed once a week. 

If you have a very active lifestyle or find that your scalp becomes irritated with infrequent washing, you may need to wash your hair more frequently. If so, pick a gentle shampoo and conditioner and follow up with a leave-in conditioner to avoid your hair becoming even drier.

Sectioned Washing

Wash day can be very time-consuming for people with coily or curly hair types, and washing your hair in sections is a great way to make the task easier. Washing your hair in sections makes it easier to cleanse your scalp to avoid scalp irritation, and can also help to stretch out your hair and reduce the risk of tangles and breakage.

Keep Hair Moisturized

4B hair is often dry because the Z shape coils’ sharp angles make it difficult for sebum to travel from the root to tip of each strand. So adding plenty of moisture is one of the keys to great-looking, healthy 4B hair. 

Make sure you have a great range of moisturizing products close at hand, including leave-in conditioners, deep conditioners, hot oils, and hair masks. 

You should replenish moisture daily with a leave-in conditioner, light cream, or oil and pamper it with hair masks or deep conditioner treatments at least twice a month. Monthly hot oil treatments with oils like castor oil or almond oil will seal in extra hydration. Just massage the oil into your hair and leave for up to two hours before washing it off.

The LOC Method

LOC stands for Leave-in, Oil, Cream, and the LOC method involves applying these products to your hair to boost hydration and encourage moisture retention.

You start by adding a leave-in conditioner to your hair and then follow up with a layer of oil to lock in moisture. Finally, finish off with a styling cream to leave you with moisturized, frizz-free strands ready for styling.

Silicone-Free Products

Silicone in hair care products helps make your hair soft and shiny at first. But over time, it will form a coating on your strands and can make your hair feel dry and heavy, especially if you have low porosity hair.

You could use a clarifying shampoo to remove the buildup, but these can be very drying, so follow up with a good moisturizing conditioner. It might be easier to choose silicone-free products instead to avoid the problem entirely. 

Protective Styles

Protective styles like braids, Bantu knots, and updos will give your hair a rest from styling and also stop you from handling your locks too much. This helps to keep moisture locked in and encourages healthy hair growth. 

When your hair has been styled, you need to add extra moisture when needed and wear a wrap or silk bonnet overnight. It’s also important not to wear a protective hairstyle for too long, as this can cause weaknesses in the strands or even hair loss. Advice varies on how long you can wear a protective style, but 8 weeks should be the maximum.

Stretch Out Your Hair

Wearing styles like twist-outs, perm rods, and Bantu knots to stretch out your hair will keep your strands from getting tangled up and make your locks look longer. You can do this on freshly washed hair or spritz your locks with water to dampen them. 

Scalp Care

It’s essential to keep your scalp clean, healthy, and moisturized. Wash your scalp with plain water in between wash days to clean any buildup, and if you’re wearing braids or cornrows, apply a light oil to your scalp once or twice a week. 

Use Silk or Satin Pillowcases

Silk and satin pillowcases are a great addition to your healthy hair care routine because they help to protect your curls from tangling and breakage while you sleep. Wearing a protective style overnight will also give your curls extra protection and reduce hair loss. 

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

$19.19

Everyone should have one of these! They prevent wrinkles, frizz, tangles, and feel luxurious. A basic necessity for anyone with curly hair but also skincare lovers.

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Detangle with your fingers

Brushes and combs can snap fragile 4B strands and cause split ends, so using a wide tooth comb or your fingers to detangle as much as possible is better. 

Finger-detangling wet hair from ends to roots will help you gently remove knots without causing hair damage. Applying a conditioner or detangling product to wet hair first will make the strands slippier, so detangling is even easier.

Avoid Heat and Drying

4B hair is very fragile and prone to dryness and breakage. Using heated styling tools like curling wands and blow dryers will make your locks even drier, so let them air dry whenever possible.

If you must use heated styling tools, always apply a heat protectant first and use a diffuser on your blow dryer to protect your coils.

Regular Cuts and Trims

Regular trims are incredibly beneficial for all hair types, as they help keep split ends at bay so your hair looks healthier. You don’t need to trim 4B hair as often as some other hair types, every three or four months should be enough for healthy 4B hair.

Most Effective 4B Hair Products

4B hair needs gentle care, and the best products for 4B hair will nourish it with natural moisturizers. Here are some of the best products to choose for 4B curls:

Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner

Maui Moisture Curl Quench Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have 4B hair, it’s essential to choose a shampoo and conditioner that will cleanse your hair thoroughly but without stripping away its natural oils. This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner contain a blend of 100% virgin coconut oil and aloe vera to deliver intense hydration, fight frizz and make your curls and coils more manageable.

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo + Conditioner

$10.80

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Moisturizing Products

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk

4B coils need plenty of moisture, so an excellent leave-in moisturizer will be your hair’s best friend. This Carol’s Daughter leave-in conditioner contains rich, hydrating ingredients like agave nectar and soybean oil to strengthen and protect your strands.

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Original Leave In Moisturizer

$10.84 ($1.36 / Fl Oz)

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Mielle Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

A rich, creamy hair butter is another excellent way to nourish and hydrate your 4B curls. This one is full of ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, and essential oils to give your coils moisture and shine. 

Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

$13.65 ($1.14 / Fl Oz)

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Edge Control

Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel

This extra hold edge control gel will smooth frizzy hair and flyaways to give you a sleek, long-lasting style. It’s flake-free and contains pure shea butter to condition your hair, leaving it shiny and smooth.

Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel with Shea Butter

$4.28 ($1.90 / Ounce)

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Curl Definition

Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel 

This curling gel will give your hair bounce and stretch without any dryness or flaking. The flaxseed nourishes your hair and keeps your coils looking fabulous for days. 

Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Recipes Don't Shrink Elongating Hair Curling Gel

$6.98

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Detangling

SheaMoisture Deep Moisturizing Detangler

A good detangler is essential for 4B hair, and this one contains shea butter to help release knots and tangles while softening and conditioning your curls. 

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler

$11.70 ($1.46 / Fl Oz)

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Beautiful 4B Hair Styles

4B hair is versatile, so there are plenty of options for cutting and styling 4B hair. Here are just a few of the options:

Layered Afro

This layered look is a simple, easy-wear 4B hairstyle that also helps to reduce the risk of tangles and breakage.

Voluminous Afro

A voluminous Afro is dramatic and eye-catching, the perfect way to really show off the full glory of your 4B coils.

Picked Afro

You’ll need some length on your locks to achieve this style, but a big, picked-out Afro is the ideal way to make the most of your natural texture. Be sure to add plenty of moisture and heat protectant before you blow-dry and pick out your Afro. 

Short Afro

If you need to deal with heat damage, why not dare to go short or even rock a Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA), which is a natural hairstyle no longer than 2 inches max. Your stylist will be able to give you some tips on caring for your new short style.

Medium Length Afro

Although chopping your hair to a medium-length Afro might feel scary, it makes transitioning from relaxed to natural hair much easier. 

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots are a traditional protective style that’s been around for over a century. You can keep them in place for up to two weeks, and they are a great way to maintain your growing hair. 

Frosted Highlights

Coloring or highlighting 4B coils is a great way to switch up your style but remember that color can make your hair even drier, so make sure you give it plenty of moisture. 

Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks are cool, chic, and a great way to wear your 4B hair. Depending on how you style them, locks can be as feminine or edgy as you like!

Cornrows

Cornrows are one of the classic protective styles, and you can mix them with a short natural style like a pixie cut for a seriously badass look.  

Box Braids

Box braids are a great protective style for 4B hair, and a box braid bob is a cool twist on this popular look. 

Perm Rods

4B coils hold a curl really well, so a perm rod set will allow you to create gorgeous, eye-catching ringlets.

A Matte Style

For a change from glossy hairstyles, why not try a cool, stylish matte look. 

A Classic Puff Updo

You can’t go wrong with a classic puff updo. This stylish look highlights your hair texture and is a perfect low-effort styling option. 

A Hair Scarf 

Adding a hair scarf is an easy way to style your hair when you’re short on time, and it also helps to give your hairline a break from everyday wear and tear. 

Pixie Style

A chic pixie cut is a great way to embrace your 4B locks, and you can switch things up with different accessories and styling options. 

Two Strand Twist-out

A two-strand twist-out is one of the best protective styles for 4B hair, giving your curls fantastic definition. And your hair will still look amazing after you’ve taken them out. 

Voluminous Curls

Make the most of your curls with this stunning style. You just need to use the right styling products, and the result will be pillowy-soft, voluminous curls. 

FAQs

Are There Challenges to Having 4B Hair?

The 4B hair type is prone to having dry hair that is frizzy and breaks very easily. The advice in this guide will help you choose the care techniques and best products to deal with these challenges. 

Is Type 4B Hair Thick or Thin?

4B hair can be fine or coarse, but it generally tends to be quite dense, which gives the appearance of thick hair. 

4B Hair – Final Thoughts 

Although the 4B hair type can be dry and fragile, with the right care and high-quality products, these dense, zig-zag coils can look absolutely stunning. Because it’s so versatile , you have a wide range of hairstyle options, which means you’re sure to find something that suits your style.

And after reading this guide, you now have all the information, styling techniques and hair tips you need to keep your 4B locks looking their best!

The post Managing Your 4B Hair Type: What It Is and How to Care For It appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Whether you’re at the start of your natural hair journey or have been wearing natural hair for years, understanding your hair type is essential for great-looking, healthy hair. It makes choosing the best hair products and hair styles easier and will help you find your perfect hair care routine. 

So read on to learn how to tell 4A curls from the other coily hair types and discover some great hair care tips for your gorgeous natural curls. 

What is 4A Hair?

4A hair falls in the type 4 category of the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, meaning it is coily or kinky hair. The other classifications are type 1 (straight hair), type 2 (wavy hair), and type 3 (curly hair types).

Each of those classifications is broken down into three sub-types, A to C. These describe the size of the curl or the amount of texture. A is the least textured, and C has the tightest curls. 

Type 4A is the first coily hair type, and it has looser coils than the other 4 types. 

What Does 4A Hair Look Like?

Type 4A hair has a dense, kinky natural texture with masses of volume. Each 4A curl is about as wide as a crochet needle, and its defined curl pattern is S shaped, so it experiences less shrinkage than types 4B and 4C. 

The kinks and curls in each strand make it difficult for your scalp’s natural oils to travel down the hair shaft from roots to tips. Dry hair is a common problem for this hair type and can easily lead to frizz. So you will need to use regular hydration to keep your hair moisturized and healthy with well-defined curls. 

The Feel of the 4A Hair Texture

Compared to 4B and 4C hair types, type 4A hair has the softest, silkiest texture. Unfortunately it also means that 4A strands are more easily damaged if you touch or brush them too often.

This hair type is also more likely to be damaged by dyes and relaxers, so it’s best to avoid chemical treatments as much as possible.

If you’re unsure about your hair type, our quick Curly Hair Type Quiz will help you know your most important hair characteristics which can help you find the right products and techniques.

The Difference Between 4A vs. 4B vs. 4C Hair Type

The curl pattern is the main difference between the 4A, 4B, and 4C hair types. 4A curls have an S pattern, while 4B hair has a tighter Z-shaped pattern. And 4C locks have the tightest curl pattern, with very tight coils that are hard to separate.

Because of their tighter curl patterns, 4B and 4C hair types are even more fragile than 4A curls. They tangle and break more easily and also experience more shrinkage.

You may find that you have a mix of 3C and 4A hair. The 3C hair type has classic corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil, which are a bit bouncier than 4A coils and less dense. 

Caring for 4A Natural Hair

Now you know what 4A curly hair looks and feels like, you need to know the best way to care for the 4A texture. 

Let’s begin by looking at the best products for 4A hair.

Choosing the Right 4A Hair Products

Remember to consider your hair’s porosity and density, as these will help you select the perfect products to pamper your locks. 

Moisturizing Your Type 4A Hair Daily

4A hair needs plenty of moisture daily to prevent it from drying out. The easiest way to do this is to spray your hair and scalp lightly with clean water and then use your favorite hair oil to help your hair retain moisture. Argan oil, avocado oil, or Jamaican black castor oil work well, but don’t overload your curls. 

If your hair isn’t very dry, you could use a little serum or spritz it with a leave-in conditioning product to keep your curls frizz-free. 

Shampooing Your Type 4A Hair

Don’t shampoo your hair too often, as this will make it even drier. Twice a week may be enough, but experiment until you find the right frequency. 

Once your hair is wet, gently detangle it to avoid matting. Then use a sulfate-free shampoo, focusing on your scalp and roots before letting the suds rinse through to cleanse the mid-lengths and ends. 

Top Pick

TWIST On-repeat Gentle Oil Infused Shampoo, 13 ounces

$6.00 ($0.46 / Fl Oz)

Cleanse without stripping with this gentle and hydrating shampoo.

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Conditioning Your Type 4A Hair

Hydration is the key to great-looking 4A type hair, so be sure to pamper it with plenty of moisturizing products. 

As well as moisturizing daily, you should also use a deep conditioner each week. Heavier conditioning products like butter and creams will deliver an extra dose of the intensive hydration and nourishment your hair needs.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Avoid Tension on Hair

Protective styles are a great way to protect your 4A hair, but don’t leave your style in for too long. Wearing them for longer than six weeks can cause irritation and an itchy scalp or even lead to traction alopecia and hair loss.

Minimize Heat Usage

Delicate 4A hair breaks easily, so it’s better to avoid heat styling tools as much as possible. Minimizing heat styling can reduce breakages and give you softer and shinier curls.

If you must use hot tools, use a low heat setting and cover your curls liberally with a heat protectant first.

Sleep With Satin Fabric

Super-absorbent cotton pillowcases draw moisture out of your hair overnight, causing tangles, frizz, and breakage.

Switching to satin or silk pillowcases will help retain vital moisture in your locks. You could also try wearing a satin-lined bonnet overnight or tie your hair up in a high pineapple with a satin scrunchie. 

YANIBEST Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap for Sleeping

$15.99 ($15.99 / Count)

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Be Gentle With Your Curls

Coily hair is fragile and needs to be handled with care, so avoid hard accessories like bobby pins and metal hair clips, which can cause breakage. 

If your locks get tangled, apply a detangling lotion and use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to carefully detangle them from the bottom up. 

Use the Plop Method

This simple routine for drying curly hair helps to retain moisture in your ringlets, maximizes softness and boosts curl definition.

Remove Excess Water by Squeezing

Use a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water from your wet hair. Don’t use a regular terry towel or rub at your locks, as these can both cause damage to fragile coils. 

Apply Appropriate Products

Apply a good leave-in conditioner all over your hair, avoiding your scalp. Add a little argan oil or a few drops of serum to the ends to control frizz and prevent dryness.

Time to Plop

Lay a long-sleeve T-shirt down with the collar closest to you, and plop your hair down, right in the center of the shirt’s body so the collar is by your forehead. Then pull the body of the shirt around your head and keep it in place by tying the sleeves behind your neck. 

Drying

Leave your hair wrapped in the T-shirt until it is completely dry. When you remove it, you’ll have defined curls without any crunchiness.

Pick the Right Hair Styles for 4A Hair

This hair type is really versatile, so you have a wide range of styles to choose from. But your curls are easily damaged, so try and minimize manipulation, especially if you want to grow your 4A locks. 

Layering will add volume and movement to your ringlets, and protective styles will help you to prevent hair damage. But avoid tight ponytails and twists, as these can cause damage to your scalp or even traction alopecia. And visiting the salon for a regular trim will help to eliminate split ends and keep your hair looking healthy.

Best 4A Hair Styles

Here are some of the best styles for you to try on your own locks:

Pigtails: This is a fresh, fun hairstyle that will protect your hair. Tie your coils in two loose pigtails with soft ties to avoid breakage.

Bantu Knots: This is a traditional protective hairstyle from southern Africa that has been around for over 100 years. They are made by twisting a section of your hair until it forms a knot and can be kept in place for up to two weeks.

Puff: A puff is a curly ponytail tied high on your crown. Secure it with a soft tie or satin scrunchie, and dress it up with a colorful headband or scarf.

Wash and Go: Let your curls do their own thing with a classic wash-and-go style. Just be sure to use a good moisturizing leave-in conditioner or curl cream to keep your ringlets hydrated all day.

Braid-outs: This simple style will enhance your curl pattern and add elongation to your ringlets without using heat, and causes less frizz than twist outs.

6 Common Myths About Type 4 Hair

It seems like everyone has a story about how you should or shouldn’t look after type 4 curls. Here’s the truth behind some of the common myths that you might have heard:

1. Type 4 Hair Does Not Grow To Be Long

It’s harder to spot hair growth on tightly coiled hair compared to straight hair or wavy hair types. You might not see how much it’s growing without carefully stretching out a coil.

Your locks will grow long if you keep caring for them properly and get regular trims to prevent split ends and breakage. And if you’re really desperate for instant results, you could try adding extensions for a while!

2. Washing Type 4a Hair Is Not a Necessity

Regular washing is an essential part of caring for 4A hair, as it will keep your scalp healthy and make your curls more defined. But your hair type is prone to dryness, so make sure you use moisturizing products as part of your wash day routine. 

3. Type 4 Is Difficult to Manage

Managing natural hair can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult. You may need some time and error to find the care routine that suits you and your locks, and then you’ll find that looking after coily hair can be pretty straightforward.

4. You Shouldn’t Straighten Type 4a Hair

Straightening Type 4 hair can damage the strands, but if you use caution and care for your straightened hair properly, you can avoid causing severe damage.

Some in the natural hair community choose not to straighten their hair. But if you want to straighten your natural hair, go ahead – it’s a personal decision, after all!

5. Type 4 Hair Is Stronger Than Other Types

Type 4 hair is often thicker than Type 1 to 3, but the curl pattern and kinks in each individual strand make this hair type quite fragile. Type 4A can be brittle and breaks easily, so you need to treat it with a little TLC.

6. Protective Hairstyles Help To Grow 4A Hair Longer

Protective hairstyles can rest your strands and let them grow longer and stronger, but it’s also essential to give your hair a rest from the style every two to three weeks. Never leave your hair in a protective style for more than six weeks maximum.

FAQs

Still looking for more info on 4A hair? These are some of the questions we get asked most often:

Can 4A Hair Be Silky and Smooth?

Absolutely! 4A hair has a natural silky-smooth texture that feels gorgeous, but you can give it a little extra help by pampering it with moisturizing products.

Should I Have Long 4A Hair or Short 4A Hair?

As long as you care for your curls well, you can wear your 4A hair as long or short as you like. The important thing is to follow a good haircare routine and get your hair trimmed regularly to keep it looking healthy.

Final Thoughts on 4A Hair

4A coils are bouncy, voluminous, and attract attention, however they also need careful management. You’ll need to deal with dryness daily, and your fragile coils can easily snap if you handle them too roughly.

But well-defined 4A curls look fantastic, and they feel silky soft too. So with the information from this guide, a good haircare routine, and a little TLC, your 4A hair will surely thrive!

Want to remember this? Save How to Care For 4A Hair In Style to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post How to Care For 4A Hair In Style appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Do you have type 1B hair? You might be unsure because many people didn’t even know this hair type existed until pretty recently. In fact, all of the straight hair types used to be crowded together into one classification.

But beautiful 1B hair is a very versatile hair type, so if you’ve been blessed with 1B locks, there’s a lot to be happy about!

This guide to 1B hair will help you work out if you have 1B hair and give you some tips on caring for your tresses, to keep them looking their gorgeous best. And we’ll also share some of the best product recommendations for 1B hair.

Let’s start by finding out what 1B hair looks like:

Finding Your Hair Type: Do I Have 1B Hair?

Type 1B hair is one of the straight hair classifications in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. This system has four main types ranging from straight hair (type 1) through wavy hair and curly hair types to coily or kinky hair (type 4). Each hair type category is split into three sub-classes, A-C, depending on the size of curl or wave each hair strand has. 

Everyone’s hair is unique, and your locks probably won’t fit neatly into one of these 12 hair types. But knowing which one is most like your own hair makes it easier for you to care for your mane and keep it looking great. Our easy hair type quiz can help you work out which hair type you have, though it won’t tell you the exact pattern.

So what does type 1B hair look like, and how does it compare to the other straight hair types?

What Is Type 1B hair?

Type 1B hair is the middle Type 1 category, so it doesn’t have completely straight strands like 1A hair but doesn’t have as much texture as type 1C. And while it’s probably fine to medium texture, you might also find a few coarse fibers in the mix.

1B Hair Texture

Most people with type 1B hair will find they actually have a mix of hair textures. Some of their strands may be super-straight, while others may be pretty wavy. But overall, the 1B hair texture is straight with a little body and slight waves towards the ends, which makes it easier to curl and style than type 1A. 

Unfortunately, those gentle waves can also cause the ends to get dry, while at the same time, you may have problems with an oily scalp and greasy roots. And because type 1B hair is often quite fine, it can get damaged when you style it or even when you’re sleeping.

1A vs. 1B vs. 1C Hair

It can be hard to tell the difference between type 1B hair and the others in the type 1 category. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at your wave pattern.

Type 1A hair is totally straight, and you’ll have to work hard to get a wave or curl. Type 1C hair has a subtle wave through it and can sometimes struggle with frizz.

Type 1B falls somewhere between these two types, with more volume than type 1A and a gentle wave from the mid-lengths through to the tips.

Examples of 1B Hair

1B hair is incredibly versatile, and you can make a ton of different styles work with your locks. It straightens easily, holds a curl, and works well with various hairstyles like ponytails, updos, and braids. 

Just remember to apply a heat protectant before you bring out the hot tools, and keep your use of styling products to a minimum to avoid build-up.

Here’s some 1B style inspiration to show what you can achieve with your gorgeous locks:

Midlength and Long 1b Haircuts

If you’re blessed with 1B hair, you have plenty of options for long and mid-length hairstyles. Long layers will accentuate your natural wave pattern, while a shoulder-length layered cut is great for keeping hair voluminous.

And you can also add an extra dimension by cutting in curtain bangs. They’ll look amazing with your type of hair and they’re also really easy to grow out when you feel like changing your style.

Short 1B Hair

A short crop is a great way to give 1B hair more body, as it helps stop the hair shafts from lying flat against your head. The Pixie cut is easier to maintain on the 1B hair type than on wavier types, but you do need to commit to regular trims to keep it looking great.

If you go for a short cut, long layers and choppy ends will look good. Don’t overdo the layers, as they can mess with your hair’s natural texture.

1b Hair Men

Men with the 1B hair type have many options when it comes to hairstyles, but keeping it shorter will  add volume and make styling easier. If you grow your hair longer, styling can get trickier, but adding a few layers will give it more movement.

1B Hair Routine

1B hair is pretty easy to care for. It doesn’t usually get really dry or frizzy, and you don’t have to worry too much about breakage. 

But every hair type always looks and feels better with a little TLC, so here are a few tips for keeping your 1B hair looking great:

Check Your Porosity

Hair porosity describes how easy it is for your hair to lose or retain moisture, and knowing if your hair is high-porosity or low-porosity is essential for healthy hair.

Rich moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil are ideal for high-porosity hair while low-porosity hair needs lighter moisturizers like aloe vera.

Not sure how to check your porosity? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hair Porosity to find out for sure.

Use a Balanced Hair Washing Schedule

If you have the 1B hair type, you need to find a happy balance between washing your hair too little or too often. If you overwash 1B hair, your scalp will increase its oil production, and the excess sebum will cause your roots to become oily, giving you limp locks. On the other hand, If you underwash your 1B locks, you’ll find they look greasy and feel heavy.

How often you need to wash type 1B hair varies for everyone, but generally, it needs to be cleansed every two or three days. If you wash your locks daily, they may feel oily when you first change your routine. But stick with it – your hair and scalp will soon adjust and calm oil production.

Make sure you pick an oil-controlling shampoo and a lightweight conditioner, focusing the conditioner on the ends. Using a clarifying shampoo every three or four washes will keep your scalp feeling fresh and prevent natural and product buildup. You can also use a dry shampoo to freshen your locks between wash days. 

Avoid Damage

Although 1B hair strands can be thick, they’re more likely to be fine, which also means they’re easily damaged. Avoiding as much damage as possible will keep your hair looking its best, so save hot tools for special occasions, and don’t use hair colors too frequently. 

It’s also better not to leave your 1B hair wet for too long, as the added weight of the water on wet hair can stretch and weaken the hair shaft. Use a microfiber towel to remove excess water, and then apply a texturizing spray or air-dry balm and let your damp hair air dry. If you choose to blow dry your locks, use a heat protectant first.

Avoid Heavy Oils

The 1B hair type tends to be oily at the roots, and then the soft waves can cause dry hair from the mid-length down to the tips. So it’s crucial to avoid overwashing as this can make your scalp increase oil production, leading to greasy-looking hair. 

So although you need to moisturize your locks, it’s best to avoid heavy oils and pick lightweight conditioners, including leave-in conditioners and hair masks. Whichever conditioning product you’re using, apply it to your hair from the mid-length down so that you hydrate the ends without overloading the roots.

Protect Your Hairstyle

It’s always important to protect your type 1B hair from damage, and protection is even more essential if you have fine hair. Use satin nightcaps or pillowcases to reduce frizz and tangles, and use soft silk scrunchies when you tie your locks back. 

Minimizing your hair’s exposure to chemicals like colors and perms will also keep it looking healthy. And if you decide to use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant first.

The Best 1B Hair Products of 2023

Each hair type has its own needs, and picking the right combination of hair products and tools to look after your hair is essential.

So here are some of the best products for 1B hair to help keep your locks looking their best. 

Take these into the shower

Beautiful hair starts in the shower, and these specially-selected hair products will give you an ideal start to your care routine.

Scalp Massager

Using a scalp massager makes it easier to spread shampoo through your hair while also stimulating your scalp and improving the circulation to your hair follicles. It’s suitable for every hair type, and the unique design makes it comfortable to use.

Kitsch Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

Since many curly and wavy haired people use less sudsing shampoo, a scalp shampoo brush helps really cleanse the scalp and boosts hair growth!

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Clarifying Shampoo

Product build-up is a common problem for type 1B hair. Using a clarifying shampoo every few washes will eliminate the build-up and keep your hair feeling clean and refreshed. This clarifying shampoo is gentle enough to use on sensitive scalps and safe for color-treated hair.

Top Pick

Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Clarifying Shampoo

$17.00 ($1.89 / Fl Oz)

This is my top pick for clarifying all hair types. It removes buildup the best and is still gentle on curly hair.

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Shampoo and Conditioner

It’s essential to pick specific shampoos and conditioners that suit your hair type, texture, and porosity. Type 1B hair strands are often fine, and these Maui products contain the perfect blend of light, nourishing ingredients to keep fine 1B hair looking great.

Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Shampoo + Conditioner

$17.98

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Arvazallia Argan Oil Mask

This sulfate- and paraben-free hair mask works wonders on all hair types, including your 1B locks. It contains argan oil to nourish your hair, leaving it silky-soft, healthy, and manageable.

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair

$12.95

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Keep these on your Beauty Counter

Add these items to your hair care kit to help your 1B locks stay looking their best:

Detangling Hair Brush

A specially-designed detangling brush is the best way to eliminate tangles and knots from your locks. This Tangle Teezer brush is ideal for use on fine and fragile strands.

Tangle Teezer The Fine and Fragile Ultimate Detangling Brush

$10.99

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Boar Bristle Brush

Using a boar bristle brush is a great way to distribute excess sebum from the roots to the tips of your hair. It will smooth and polish your hair while also reducing frizz and helping to prevent hair breakage. 

Diane 100% Soft Boar Bristle Brush

$6.58

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Weightless Hair Oil

Choosing a lightweight hair oil is essential to avoid weighing down your locks. This vegan hair oil is sulfate- and paraben-free and will lock in more moisture to give your hair extra shine and softness.

VERB Ghost Oil – Vegan Weightless Hair Oil

$20.00 ($10.00 / Fl Oz)

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Leave in Conditioner

A good quality leave-in conditioner is a vital part of your hair care kit. This popular conditioner is a great detangler, eliminates frizz, and restores shine to your locks.

Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner

$5.71 ($2.86 / Fl Oz)

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Serum

This lightweight hair serum will help to seal split ends, tame frizz, and leave your locks soft and shiny. 

OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil Spray

$7.90 ($1.98 / Fl Oz)

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Heat Styling Tools

Your 1B locks can easily be damaged by heat styling, so it’s essential to invest in high-quality hair tools if you choose to style your hair. This popular straightener will straighten or curl your locks while millions of ions deliver added shine.

BaBylissPRO Flat Iron Hair Straightener, 1-1/4 Inch Nano Titanium Prima 3000

$189.99

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Caring for 1B Hair Overnight

If you’re a restless sleeper, all that tossing and turning overnight can damage your hair. These products will help to protect your locks while you’re asleep:

Satin Bonnet

This sleep bonnet is lined with satin to reduce friction between your hair strands. It’s adjustable at the side, which stops it slipping and makes it comfortable to sleep in.

YANIBEST Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap for Sleeping

$15.99 ($15.99 / Count)

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Satin Hair Scrunchies

If you feel uncomfortable wearing a satin bonnet or nightcap, tying your hair up in a high ponytail or pineapple will protect it while you sleep. These soft scrunchies are made from a breathable fabric, so they won’t pull on your delicate locks.

Kitsch Satin Hair Scrunchies for Women

$6.79 ($1.36 / Count)

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No Damage Bobby Pins

If you’re a restless sleeper, using bobby pins will keep your nightcap or bonnet from slipping off. The ball tip on these bobby pins helps them grip securely and also stops them from snagging. 

Mini Bobby Pins Black with Cute Case

$7.99 ($0.04 / Count)

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1B Hair FAQs

Still want to know more about type 1B hair? Here are some of the questions we get asked most often:

What Does Healthy 1B Hair Look Like?

Healthy type 1B hair is straight with roots that lie against the head and ends that may have a little texture. It is shiny, has some volume, and you can create a little extra body with an effective hair care and styling routine.

Why Does My Hair Feel Waxy?

Waxy hair is often caused by product build-up, and this is a common problem for people with fine hair. You can avoid this problem by using a clarifying shampoo every few washes.

Why Is My Hair Oily?

Naturally straight hair can tend to be a bit oily because the scalp’s natural oils travel easily from root to end of each strand. You can prevent this by applying conditioner on the ends of your hair and avoiding your roots and scalp.

The Bottom Line

So now you have all the essential information you need to look after your 1B hair. You know which styles and haircuts will look great, how to look after your 1B locks, and the best hair care products to pamper it with. 

1B hair might get overlooked by some people, but now you can see just how gorgeous your 1B locks can be!

Want to remember this? Save 1b Hair Guide: New 2023 Product Recommendations to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post 1b Hair Guide: New 2023 Product Recommendations appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Hair type 3B can easily suffer from frizz, tangles, and dehydration, so you need to know the right products and the best techniques to keep your 3B locks soft, shiny, and healthy. 

This guide contains tips and information to help you know if you have 3B hair, the best way to look after it, and the essential products and tools to keep your curls looking gorgeous. 

The Curly Hair Spectrum: What Is My Hair Type?

The Andre Walker Hair Typing System is an easy way to determine your hair type.  There are four main hair classifications:

• Type 1 = straight
• Type 2 = wavy
• Type 3 = curly
• Type 4= coily

Then each type is broken down into subclasses A, B, and C, which describe the width of the wave, coil or curl patterns. A is the widest pattern, and C is the tightest pattern in each subclass.

Most people have a mix of curl patterns, but there will often be one dominant pattern.

If you’re unsure which hair type you have, our quick Curly Hair Type Quiz will help you learn more about your hair. It won’t tell your curl pattern, but it will give you the important information you need to choose the right products and techniques. (Knowing your curl pattern doesn’t really help with that.)

What Is 3B Hair?

Type 3B hair is in the middle of the curly hair types and falls between types 3A and 3C. Type 3B curls are pretty tight and springy, with lots of body and movement. They can get dry fairly quickly, so they need plenty of moisture and nourishment. 

Before moving on to how to care for type 3B hair, let’s take a look at its typical curl pattern and texture.

3b Curl Pattern

Each curly hair type has its own distinctive curl type: 3A curls are soft, loose curls, while 3C hair has tight curls that are more like springy corkscrews. Type 3B is in the middle of these hair types, with curls that fall in between the two types. 

3B hair has curls that are ringlet-shaped, springy and voluminous, and about the width of a sharpie marker. The curls start at the root and continue along the entire length of the hair strands, and they’ll stay curly even when wet. 

If you have the 3B hair type, you might also have a few looser curls or tighter corkscrews in some areas.

3b Hair Texture

3B can be fine, medium, or coarse texture hair. it may even have a mix of two.

It will experience shrinkage from wet to dry and can tend to struggle with dry ends and frizz. 3B hair can also become poofy if it’s brushed when dry.

Examples of 3B Curly Hair

The 3B hair type is pretty versatile, so there are plenty of options for 3B hairstyles. However, try to visit a stylist who is used to cutting and styling curly locks as they will know how to treat your curls.

It’s best to cut 3B hair when it’s dry, because wet 3B hair straightens out and appears much longer. Your stylist will also get a better idea of the curl type and your hair texture when it’s dry.

Midlength and Long 3b Haircuts

Adding long layers to 3B hair will take off some of the weight and give you more volume and movement. Your gorgeous ringlets will also look fantastic if you have curly bangs cut in, but make sure you go to a curl specialist for the best results. 

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Short 3b Hair

A shorter style highlights your gorgeous 3B curls and is easy to maintain. Go for the classic pixie cut to show off your curls, or try adding lots of layers to a shorter cut for a sophisticated look.

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3b Mens Hair

Men with the 3B hair type can keep their hair fairly short on top with a fade around the back and sides, or let it grow to mid-length for fabulous defined ringlets. 

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3B Hair Routine

Shiny, bouncy type 3B curls look fantastic, and it’s easy to achieve them when you follow the right haircare routine for 3B hair.

Of course, everyone’s hair is unique, so you might need to try a few different products and techniques to find your perfect haircare routine. So try these curly hair tips, and soon you’ll have enviable curls that look and feel fantastic. 

Identify Your Hair Porosity

Porosity is the term used to describe how easily your hair absorbs or loses moisture. Knowing if you have high-porosity or low-porosity hair will help you choose the right haircare products to suit your locks. 

Low-porosity hair needs to stick to products containing light moisturizers like aloe vera, but you can use richer ingredients like coconut oil on high-porosity hair. 

If you’re unsure whether you have high or low porosity, read our Ultimate Guide to Hair Porosity to learn more. 

Don’t Wash Too Often

Frequent washing can make curly hair even drier and cause frizz. So it’s better to only shampoo your 3B hair once or twice a week with a gentle shampoo designed for curly hair, which means no silicones or sulfates. 

In between wash days, you can rinse it with water and use a little conditioner to moisturize your curls. 

You might also want to check out the Curly Girl Method, which uses no shampoo or co-washing to care for curly locks. Take a look at our Guide to the Curly Girl Method to find out more.

Pile on the Moisture

The curls in type 3B hair stop your scalp’s natural oils from reaching the ends of your strands, which causes dryness and split ends. Because of this, your 3B curls need as much moisture as possible, so try layering products to give better curl definition and less frizz. 

But a heavy hair product can weigh down the 3B hair type, so go for lightweight hydrating conditioners that are sulfate-free and full of nourishing oils like argan oil or jojoba oil. 

And once you’ve rinsed out your regular conditioner, you can add more moisture with a light leave in treatment. This will boost hydration and help you detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb.

It’s also a good idea to use a hair mask or deep conditioner regularly for an extra boost of hydration.

Minimize Heat Styling

Heat styling methods can seriously dry out type 3B locks but well-hydrated 3B hair looks amazing if you simply let your curls air dry. Using the plopping method to wrap your hair up in a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt will help to define your curls and dry your hair quicker. 

If you decide to blow dry your hair instead of air drying it, or if you want to use heat styling tools, make sure that you use a low heat setting to avoid frizz. Using a diffuser on your blow dryer and adding a heat protectant to your locks before styling will help to reduce the damage caused by hot styling tools. 

Read more: How To Diffuse Curly Hair

Take Care at Night

As you move around in your sleep, friction between the strands can cause frizz, knots, matting, or breakage. 

So it’s essential to protect your 3B hair while you sleep. You can do this by tying it up in loose buns or braids, sleeping on satin or silk pillowcases, or wearing a silk or satin cap at night.

Read more: How To Protect Curly Hair While Sleeping

The Best 3B Hair Products of 2023

It’s important to choose the right hair care products to keep your hair soft, shiny, and healthy. Here are some of the best products for 3B hair, to use in and after your shower and while you sleep.

In the Shower

Take these essential products into the shower to get your hair care routine off to a great start.

Scalp massager

Using a scalp massager can help distribute shampoo through your curls, stimulate the scalp, and improve circulation to your hair follicles. This Kitsch scalp massager is suitable for all hair types and is designed to feel comfortable in your hand.

Kitsch Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

Since many curly and wavy haired people use less sudsing shampoo, a scalp shampoo brush helps really cleanse the scalp and boosts hair growth!

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Wide Tooth Comb or Detangling Brush

It’s best to detangle your 3B curls with a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush when they’re sopping wet to avoid damage. This strong and flexible Tangle Teezer hairbrush is designed to glide through your hair without snagging or breaking the strands.

Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Hairbrush for Wet & Dry Hair

$15.99

Another amazing brush for wet detangling. This glides through even the tightest curls.

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12/17/2023 06:06 am GMT

Shampoo and Conditioner

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is essential for healthy hair, and these Maui Moisture moisturizing products are perfect for your 3B curls. The aloe vera, coconut oil, and papaya extract in them will moisturize and smooth your tresses, helping to restore shine, reduce frizz and prevent breakage. 

The sulfate-free shampoo cleanses your hair thoroughly while smoothing the strands with aloe vera and coconut oil. The conditioner is light enough to use as a regular conditioner and delivers hydration for fewer tangles and knots. 

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo + Conditioner

$10.80

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12/17/2023 09:51 pm GMT

Hair Mask

A regular hair mask or deep conditioner treatment is the best way to get moisture deep into your 3B locks. This Briogeo hair mask contains no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, and it’s packed with nourishing ingredients like rosehip oil, B-vitamins, and algae extract. It hydrates and nourishes dry type 3 hair, giving bouncy, defined curls.

Top Pick

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Hair Mask for Dry, Damaged or Color Treated Hair

$39.00 ($4.88 / Ounce)

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12/17/2023 12:41 am GMT

On Your Counter

Once you’ve finished in the shower, these are the essential tools you’ll need to keep your 3B hair looking great.

Hair Towel

Using the right hair towel can prevent frizz and breakage and speed up your drying time. This Tee-Owels t-shirt towel comes in two different lengths and makes plopping much easier.

Top Pick

Tee-Owels T-Shirt Towel

$28.99

Reduce frizz and speed up drying time. Every curly girl should have one. Use code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save 15% at teeowels.com.

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12/17/2023 07:36 am GMT

Hair Brush

Brushing dry 3B hair is a recipe for frizz, but a Denman Styling Brush can be used to detangle wet 3B hair. There are a few different types of Denman Styling Brush to choose between. One with fewer rows of pins, like the Denman D14, is better as it won’t snag your curls as much. 

Denman Classic Styling Brush 5 Row D14

$21.95 ($21.95 / Count)

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12/17/2023 10:11 pm GMT

Hair Pick

A good hair pick is a vital piece of equipment for anyone with 3B curls. These 7-inch plastic pick combs are pretty much unbreakable, have good flexibility, and the size makes them convenient to pop in your purse or bag. Even better, they come in a pack of two, so you can always have one close at hand!

7in Plastic Pick Comb

$6.49 ($3.24 / Count)

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12/17/2023 10:16 pm GMT

Leave-in Conditioner

A Leave-in Conditioner is a great way to boost moisture in dry 3B hair. TWIST Curl Goals Moisture-Locking Leave-in Conditioner is enriched with safflower oil and rice protein to help detangle, smooth and strengthen your 3B curls. 

Top Pick

TWIST Curl Goals Moisture-locking Leave-in Conditioner

$5.93 ($0.56 / Fl Oz)

Lock in moisture and softness with this lightweight leave-in.

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12/17/2023 10:31 am GMT

Hair Oil

A nourishing hair oil spray will help improve the strength and elasticity of your hair to give you beautifully soft and shiny locks. VERB Ghost Oil is sulfate-free and free from parabens, so it’s ideal for curly hair. 

VERB Ghost Oil – Vegan Weightless Hair Oil

$20.00 ($10.00 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 10:26 pm GMT

Caring for 3B Hair While You Sleep

Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase helps to reduce the friction that causes knots, tangling, and breakage. Alternatively, you could put your hair up in a satin bonnet or nightcap overnight. 

Satin Bonnet

This satin-lined sleep cap has a low-profile adjustable slide, so you can get a perfect fit. This helps to keep your satin bonnet in place overnight and makes it more comfortable for sleeping. 

YANIBEST Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap for Sleeping

$15.99 ($15.99 / Count)

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12/17/2023 10:31 pm GMT

Satin Night Cap

If you have longer 3B hair, this extra-long satin nightcap is perfect for protecting natural hair, up-dos, or braids overnight. 

Sent Hair Extra Long Satin Hair Bonnet

$12.99 ($12.99 / Count)

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12/17/2023 10:46 pm GMT

No Damage Bobby Pins

Bobby pins can help restless sleepers keep a nightcap or bonnet in place. These mini bobby pins have a ball tip to give a secure grip and prevent snagging. 

Mini Bobby Pins Black with Cute Case

$7.99 ($0.04 / Count)

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12/18/2023 12:56 am GMT

3B Hair Type FAQs

We’ve shared a lot of useful tips about the 3B hair type in this guide. If you would like more info, here are some of your most frequently asked questions:

What’s the Difference: 3A vs 3B Hair?

The main difference between type 3A and type 3B is the size of the curls. 3A curls are wider than 3B curls, generally about as wide as a sharpie, and the 3A hair type can sometimes even look wavy sometimes.

Hair type 3C has tighter curls than 3B, just about the size of a pencil.

How Often Should 3B Hair Be Washed?

3B curls can get dry quickly, and frequent washing will make them drier and cause frizz and breakage. So washing once a week is the best option for 3B hair.

What Does Healthy 3B Hair Look Like?

Healthy 3B hair has clearly defined, springy spirals about the width of a sharpie marker pen. 

The ringlets and spirals of 3B hair are dense and full of volume, and you might find some tighter or looser curls in the mix.

The Bottom Line

Finding the perfect hair care routine can take a little time and effort. You might need to try a few different products and techniques before finding the right combination for your hair’s unique needs. 

If you have 3B hair, the hair care tips in this guide will help you find the best hair products and hair care routine to keep your ringlets looking their best. 

Want to remember this? Save The Ultimate 3B Hair Guide: 2023 Product Recommendations to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post The Ultimate 3B Hair Guide: 2023 Product Recommendations appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

Type 1C is the waviest of the straight hair types, which might sound confusing now, but I promise it will make sense soon. It’s stronger and has more body than the other straight hair types, it will air dry beautifully, and can easily hold a curl.

So in this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about 1C hair. Read on for 1C hair tips such as how to tell if you have 1C hair, how to care for it, and the best products and styles to choose.

What Is Type 1C Hair?

Type 1C hair is one of the categories in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. This system breaks hair down into four main hair classifications: type 1 hair is straight, type 2 hair is wavy, type 3 is curly hair and type 4 is coily or kinky hair. 

Each of those four types is broken down into three letters, A to C, which describe the amount of natural texture or the size of each type’s curls.

Type 1C is the last straight hair type, meaning it is the most textured and coarse of the three Type 1 categories. Although this hair type is definitely straight, it can sometimes be confused with the first wavy hair type, 2A.

The Basics of 1C Type Hair

Type 1C hair is generally straight and the hair lies flat at the roots with a few mid-length bends. These have a similar shape to the S-waves of 2A hair but are much looser.

1C hair strands tend to be relatively coarse, so they feel thicker than the fine and medium hair types 1A and 1B. They also have a slightly rough hair texture that can sometimes make 1C hair difficult to manage, but the additional thickness also strengthens your hair.

Like all hair, 1C hair has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Benefits of 1C Hair

Type 1C hair doesn’t have beachy waves or luscious curls, but it sits right in the sweet spot between pin straight and wavy. Here are just a few benefits enjoyed by the lucky people with type 1C hair.

• Easy to grow: Length retention is not a problem for type 1C hair, thanks to its thick strands and hydrating scalp oils.
• Damage resistant: The thick, well-oiled strands of 1C hair are less likely to suffer heat damage if you blow dry it or use heated styling tools. But it’s still a good idea to use a heat protectant spray!
• Easy styling: No need to straighten 1C locks, just apply a frizz-taming product to damp hair and blow dry your hair for gorgeous straight tresses. If you use heated styling tools, your hair should also hold loose curls pretty well, but don’t forget the protectant spray first.

Difficulties of 1C Hair

Of course, type 1C does have some disadvantages. These can include:

• Oily scalp: 1C hair can have excess oil at the roots, which can make it sit very flat at the top.
• Frizz and dryness: Compared to fine and medium hair, the coarse texture of type 1C hair makes it more likely to have frizz, flyaways, and dry ends.
• Poofiness: Your scalp’s natural oils can make 1C hair flat at the top, but it can also be very poofy from the mid-lengths down.
• Tangles and knots: This hair type is susceptible to tangling and knots, which can lead to split ends and breakage.

How does the 1C Hair Type Compare?

Knowing your hair type is important for good hair care, but most people have a mix of different hair types, so you may have mainly 1C hair with a few 2A waves in some areas.

It’s also really important to remember that other factors also affect your hair care routine, like your hair porosity and density.

A vs. B vs. C

It can be a little tricky to know for sure if you have type 1A, type 1B, or type 1C hair. But luckily there are a few easy ways to tell the difference.

Type 1B hair has more body than completely straight 1A hair but is still definitely straight without any noticeable wave pattern. On the other hand, 1C has a subtle wave and is more susceptible to frizz than types 1A and 1B.

Type 1 vs. Type 2

Generally speaking, Type 1 hair is straight and type 1C hair falls into this category. It has a very gentle wave towards the ends of the strands, but it tends to look more like added texture and body.

On the other hand, Type 2 hair has a distinct S-shaped wave that looks much more defined. If you let type 2A hair air dry, it will develop a classic ‘beachy waves’ look, whereas type 1C will still look mainly straight.

Still trying to decide which hair type you have? Why not try our easy hair type quiz to help you understand your hair type better. This won’t tell you the curl pattern (type 1, 2, 3, etc.), but it will give you the information you actually need to choose the right products and techniques.

Caring for Hair Type 1C

Working out the best way to care for 1C hair can be confusing, because you need to balance the needs of an oily scalp with fighting frizz, dry ends and poofiness.

But once you have the know-how, looking after your type 1C locks is pretty straightforward. Here are a few tips for keeping your locks in top condition:

Wash Your Hair the Right Way

Daily washing can make your scalp oilier, so try not to wash your hair more often than every other day. You can always freshen it up with a little dry shampoo in between wash days if you like.

When you lather up your shampoo, focus on your scalp rather than rubbing the ends. When you rinse the suds out, they will cleanse the ends of your strands, and using cool water instead of hot water will avoid drying your hair out.

And using a clarifying shampoo monthly will help to clear the product buildup that can leave your hair looking dull.

Avoid Drying Ingredients 

Coarse hair can quickly start to look dull, dry, and brittle, so it’s essential to treat it gently. Avoid products that contain additives like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and alcohols, as these all have a drying effect.

But remember that fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are not the same as other alcohols. These are emollient ingredients that help the detangling action of conditioners.

Add Moisture 

It’s essential to ensure that 1C hair has enough moisture, so add some great conditioning treatments to your hair care routine. Layer on moisture with rinse-out conditioners, leave-in conditioning sprays, and a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment. 

And although silicone doesn’t suit every hair type, using a silicone-based hair serum on the ends of type 1C hair will help to minimize split ends and keep frizz at bay.

Minimize Knots and Tangles

Knots and tangles lead to split ends and breakage, so it’s best to try and minimize them as much as possible. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase means that your hair will be exposed to less friction overnight, which means fewer knots in the morning.

If you do get any tangles, gently remove them by using a good detangling spray or conditioner and with a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush.

Use Microfiber Towels

Choosing microfiber towels is another great way to avoid tangles and knots. They are softer and dry hair quicker than regular terry cloth towels, which means less friction and breakage.

If you don’t have a microfiber towel handy, you could try using a soft cotton t-shirt for a similar effect.

Avoid Hard Water

The mineral deposits in hard water can make your hair weaker and more brittle, leaving it looking dull and lifeless. 

If you live in a hard water area, installing a filter shower head can help to extract the minerals from your water supply, and a chelating shampoo can help to cleanse mineral deposits from your locks. You can read more about hard water in our guide to chelating shampoos.

Don’t Sleep On Wet Hair

Type 1C hair is very prone to frizz, and sleeping on damp hair increases the risk of frizziness. So try to leave enough time to let your hair air dry before you go to bed. If you can’t do this, apply a heat protectant before using your blow dryer.

Schedule Regular Trims

Although your scalp produces enough sebum to moisturize most of your hair, the oils may not reach the more textured ends of your hair. So you’ll likely have drier ends that are prone to splitting and breaking.

This makes regular haircuts vital for healthy type 1C hair, as they remove the damaged part of your hair. Leaving 8-12 weeks between trims is ideal for most 1C hair.

1C Hair Products

Type 1C hair is pretty easy to care for, but you still need to invest in the right hair products. Its natural body and texture are easy to accentuate with texturizing and styling products. All you need to do is scrunch in a volumizing cream for thicker hair or spray for thinner locks and then let it air dry naturally. And applying a leave-in serum to the ends of your hair will help to fight frizz while you sleep.

Here are a few of the best hair products for Type 1C:

Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment 

This hydrating serum works like magic to nourish, hydrate and soften coarse strands. It’s enriched with iris root extract and a blend of 5 nourishing oils to eliminate frizz without weighing down your locks. Simply massage a few pumps of the serum into dry hair and leave it to work overnight. You don’t even need to rinse it out in the morning! 

KERASTASE Nutritive 8HR Magic Night Hair Serum

$59.00 ($19.41 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 02:41 pm GMT

Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture Coconut Milk Shampoo

This gentle moisturizing shampoo is the perfect way to pamper coarse hair. It will cleanse your hair effectively without stripping away the natural oils that are vital for your hair’s health. And the luxurious blend of sea kelp, shea butter, and argan oil will help to add shine, restore your hair’s elasticity and smooth away frizz.  

The matching conditioner can be used either as a rinse-out detangling conditioner or a restorative leave in conditioner to restore life and vitality to your locks.

Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Shampoo

$7.97 ($0.61 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 02:56 pm GMT

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Although type 1C hair isn’t as easily damaged as some other types, exposure to chemicals and heat styling tools can still damage your hair. This bond-repairing treatment will help fill in any gaps along the surface of your hair strands, leaving your locks smoother and shinier from the first use.

Olaplex No. 3

$60.00 ($7.06 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 03:26 pm GMT

Living Proof No-Frizz Shampoo

Using the right shampoo is vital for healthy 1C hair, and this shampoo is one of the best for fighting frizz. Its gentle but effective formula is free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens, to leave your hair beautifully frizz-free. The matching conditioner helps repair damage to your hair’s surface, leaving it looking smoother after just one use.

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo

$34.00 ($4.25 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 03:01 pm GMT

OGX Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner

This strength-enhancing shampoo and its matching conditioner are sulfate-free to give your 1C locks a gorgeously smooth finish. The formula is designed to nourish, rebuild and soften your tresses, thanks to the blend of ingredients like keratin, avocado oil, and cocoa butter. 

OGX Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Smoothing Shampoo

$6.97 ($0.54 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 03:06 pm GMT

The Best Hairstyles and Cuts for Type 1C Hair

Type 1C hair is generally easier to maintain when it is longer because the added weight helps to minimize frizz. 

If you have thin hair and want to add more volume to your 1C locks, long layers are a great way to give extra body and texture. It’s better to avoid short layers, as these can tend to lie flat instead of adding movement to your hair.

If you’re looking for tips on styling type 1C hair, here are a few styling ideas that will accentuate your hair’s good points:

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Long and Loose

Type 1C hair looks great at longer lengths, but remember to get regular trims to keep dry and split ends under control.

Soft Waves

1C hair has a very gentle natural wave, so adding some soft waves will help to accentuate your hair’s natural texture. 

Half-Up, Half-Down

This is a very chic way to style your 1C tresses. It will keep any dry or frizzy strands under control and accentuate your natural waves, and it’s simple to achieve with just a claw clip and some serum to smooth your hair.

Voluminous Ponytail

This style accentuates your hair’s natural volume and body, making it look healthy and bouncy. Smoothing your hair back into a ponytail will also help hide any frizzy flyaways. 

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FAQs

Still looking for answers to your 1C hair questions? Here are some of the most frequent questions that we get asked:

Can People With Straight Hair Get Waves?

If you have straight hair, you can temporarily make your hair wavy in various ways, including pin curls and heated or velcro rollers. If you want longer-lasting waves, you could have a beach wave perm – read more in our guide to the Most Common Types of Perms.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity is a term that describes how easily your hair strands absorb or lose moisture. 

If you have low hair porosity, the tightly-packed hair cuticle cells on the hair shaft make it more difficult for your hair to absorb moisture. 

High porosity hair can absorb moisture more easily because the cuticle cells are widely spaced, but this also means that it can lose moisture more easily. You can learn more about hair porosity in the Ultimate Guide to Hair Porosity.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, straight hair can be just as fabulous as other hair types. As with every hair type, it has its own strengths but also some disadvantages that you need to know how to deal with.

But with all the hair tips and information in this guide, you now know the best way to style and care for 1C hair and the best 1C hair care products. Soon, you’ll have soft, shiny, and healthy hair that anyone would envy!

Want to remember this? Save The Ultimate Guide to 1C Hair to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post The Ultimate Guide to 1C Hair appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

This wavy hair type is easy to care for, so with hardly any effort, you can have the sort of beachy, tousled waves that other hair types have to work to achieve. But like all hair types, 2B hair comes with its own problems and can struggle with dryness and frizz. 

When you know how to care for the 2B hair type and which products to use, it’s pretty easy to look after. So read on to discover what 2B hair looks like, how to style 2B hair and the best care tips for your hair.

What is 2B Hair 

The 2B hair type is one of the wavy hair texture classifications in the Andre Walker Hair Typing System. Type 1 hair is straight, Type 3 locks are curly, and Type 4 tresses are coily.

Within Type 2, there are three sub-classifications, A, B, and C. Type 2B hair has an S-shaped wave pattern that sits pretty flat at the roots and then becomes stronger from the mid-lengths down to the ends. 

It also tends to have a medium strand texture, becomes frizzy easily, and needs styling products to define its loose curl pattern.

What Does 2B Hair Look Like?

If you have type 2B hair, your locks lie in the middle ground between straight and curly. Your 2B hair strands will look like loose S shapes that are straighter at the roots and wavier from the middle down to the ends. 

The 2B hair type often has medium hair texture and fine or medium density. Its defined wave pattern can look beautifully tousled, but it can start to kink in humid weather. Without the right hair routine, the 2B hair type can soon become dry and look wild and frizzy.

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Pros and Cons of 2B Hair

The gorgeous natural wave pattern of type 2B hair looks good without too much effort. Here are some of the advantages of 2B hair:

Tousled Waves

The 2B hair type tumbles into loose beachy waves from the mid-lengths downwards without needing a load of products or hours of heat styling to look good.

Natural Volume 

The 2B hair type has a natural volume and fullness that makes it look thick. Although your hair is pretty straight at the roots, there’s just enough lift to keep your locks from looking limp.

Holds its style well

The gentle waves of 2B hair make it one of the most versatile hair types. You can turn it into bouncy ringlets, and with little work, you can create sleek straight hair. The medium thickness of your hair strands means it will maintain its style for up to 48 hours!

But every hair type has its own challenges, and these are some of the most common problems of 2B hair:

Tends to be dry

Your scalp’s natural oils move slowly down wavy hair strands, which means it can go longer without looking greasy. However, wavy hair can quickly become dry hair, especially at the ends.  

Tends to Be Frizzy

The dryness associated with 2B hair can cause it to become brittle, rough, and frizzy. You’ll need to hydrate and moisturize your hair well to eliminate frizz. 

Tangles easily

As your wavy strands slide over each other, they can quickly become tangled and knotted. And this problem only gets even worse if your hair is dry and frizzy. 

Difference Between 2B Hair and Other Types

All type 2 hair has a wavy texture, but there are slight differences between each of the three types. It’s pretty normal for one person to have a mix of hair types, and of course, your hair’s porosity, texture, and density will also affect the unique look of your locks.

Determining which type 2 hair you have is really not that important, though it can be nice to know. Just be aware that knowing which curl pattern you have will not help you choose products. Your texture, density, and porosity are much more helpful for that.

Our easy Curly Hair Type Quiz is a quick way to work out your important hair stats to help you choose products and styling methods.

2A hair

2A is the first wavy hair type and has a lightly-tousled texture that looks almost like straight hair. It tends to be straight at the roots with loose S-shaped waves starting further down the hair shaft.

This wavy hair type is easier to straighten with a flat iron than type 2B hair. However, it can easily be weighed down by product buildup.

2C hair

Type 2C hair is the last of the wavy hair types with a tight wave that is almost a natural curl. But if you look closely, the wavy strands are still S-shaped rather than a spiral. 

Because 2C hair is so close to the curly hair types, it’s more likely to experience frizz than type 2B hair. 

How to Care For 2B Hair

Even though your natural waves are a blessing, they still need careful attention to keep them looking their best. Your natural hair type is prone to frizz and tangles, and it’s easy for your locks to become dry and brittle.

Caring for 2B hair means finding the right moisturizing products to keep your wavy hair hydrated but not weighed down. It’s essential to know your hair’s porosity and density, as these will affect how it reacts to different products.

So here are some simple hair care tips to help you manage your 2B hair:

The Curly Girl Method

Lorraine Massey’s Curly Girl Method helps you to enhance your natural curl pattern by avoiding sulfates, silicones and heat style methods. Instead, you’ll pamper your curls with co wash, wet styling and air drying. 

Learning to use the Curly Girl Method takes trial and error, and your hair will need to recover from the damage it’s suffered over the years. But with time, your natural texture will shine through, and you’ll have the luscious waves you’ve longed for.

Following the curly girl method dramatically transformed my hair from mostly 2a and 2b to 2c and 3a curls.

You can find out more about this hair care routine in our Beginner’s Guide to the Curly Girl Method.

How to Shampoo and Condition 

A sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner will help to cleanse and hydrate your locks without drying them out. 

Wavy hair is prone to tangles, so don’t scrub away at the strands or pile your hair up on top of your head. Instead, focus the shampoo on your scalp and then gently squeeze the suds through to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. 

As well as your regular conditioner, using a deep-condition treatment, hot oil or hair mask every two weeks will ensure your hair is nourished and hydrated. 

Frequency

Washing your 2B waves too often will strip away the natural sebum and leave it feeling dry and brittle. So unless your hair is visibly dirty, it’s better to only wash it every two or three days at most. A dry shampoo will freshen up your scalp if it starts to look oily between wash days.

If your hair care routine includes styling or hair care products that contain silicone, product buildup will eventually weigh your waves down. Using a clarifying shampoo once a month will remove buildup and restore your hair’s bounce.

Choose the right products

Protein-based moisturizing hair care products will help to enhance waves. But avoid using too much product or applying it to the roots, as this will weigh your waves down and make them look greasy.

Adding a moisture-rich leave in treatment containing natural oils like argan oil or avocado oil to your hair routine is a great way to tame frizz and keep your hair from looking flyaway. Using a heat protectant before heat styling is also essential to protect your beautiful waves from heat damage.

Curly Product Handbook

$27

If you need help finding the right products for your hair, then the Curly Product Handbook can help!

Determine your hair type, learn about products and ingredients, and choose from a list of vetted products based on your hair type.

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Drying Methods

Blow drying your hair can damage it, so you should blow dry your hair as little as possible if you want healthy hair.

Simply letting your hair air dry is the gentlest method, but there are two other techniques you can also try: 

Plopping

Plopping is a really easy way to retain your wave pattern while avoiding frizz or damage from hot tools.

All you have to do is apply your favorite curl-enhancing product, then flip your head over and pile your damp hair onto a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel. Wrap the towel or t-shirt into a turban on top of your head and leave your hair to dry naturally with a gentle scrunch effect that improves curl definition and boosts volume.

Diffusing

If you really can’t leave your hair to dry naturally, it’s essential to keep the heat as low as possible. Apply a heat protectant to your damp hair, use your blow dryer’s lowest setting and a diffuser attachment to reduce frizz and heat damage.

You could even plop your hair first until it’s just a little damp and then use your diffuser until it is completely dry.

Proper Brushing and Combing

2B waves are concentrated further down the strands, so it tends to tangle easily from the mid-lengths down to the ends. It’s best to detangle your hair when it’s wet, but remember that wet hair is even more fragile.  

So first, saturate your locks with detangling spray before using a wide tooth comb instead of a brush to gently remove tangles and knots. This will also help to prevent hair breakage and smooth your waves without disrupting the natural curl pattern. 

2B Hair Products

Finding the perfect products for your 2B hair might take a little trial and error. Here are just a few of our favorite products for you to try:

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for 2B Hair

The TWIST Essential Moisture line is rich in naturally derived nutrients to gently cleanse and moisturize your hair on wash day. It’s vegan, silicone-free, cruelty-free, and safe to use on both natural hair and colored hair. 

Top Pick

TWIST Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo

$9.49 ($0.73 / Fl Oz)

The TWIST Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo is not too strong but strong enough to remove buildup without stripping your hair.

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12/18/2023 02:06 am GMT

Top Pick

TWIST Weather or Not Element-Defying Conditioner

$6.90 ($0.43 / Ounce)

This lightweight conditioner softens hair instantly without weighing hair down and has light anti-humidity ingredients to help your style last in the humidity.

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12/18/2023 01:56 am GMT

Best Leave in Conditioner for 2B Hair

A good leave in conditioner is vital for healthy looking 2B hair that tends to be dry, and TWIST Curl Goals is an excellent leave in conditioner. It detangles hair, seals in moisture, enhances shine, and brings dull hair back to life. 

Top Pick

TWIST Curl Goals Moisture-locking Leave-in Conditioner

$5.93 ($0.56 / Fl Oz)

Lock in moisture and softness with this lightweight leave-in.

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12/17/2023 10:31 am GMT

Best Curl Cream for 2B Hair

Just a little of this Briogeo Curl Charisma Defining Creme is enough to give your 2B hair gorgeous shine and definition. It leaves curls soft and flexible, and it smells pretty good too! This curl cream is great in place of leave-in.

Top Pick

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme

$24.00 ($4.00 / Ounce)

I don't often use leave in but this is definitely my favorite. It has some protein, is lightweight, and creates a little definition.

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12/17/2023 08:41 am GMT

Best Gel for 2B hair

If you’re looking for extra definition and hold, don’t skip a good gel. The TWIST Weather Up Gel is great in all climates and provides the definition and hold for a style that lasts days. Just be sure to scrunch out the crunch for those coveted soft, bouncy waves.

Top Pick

TWIST Weather Up Weightless Curl Defining Gel

$24.00 ($2.29 / Fl Oz)

For light moisture and humidity blocking ingredients, this is my go to gel. It provides a long lasting hold, good cast, and great definition.

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12/18/2023 02:16 am GMT

Best Salt Spray for 2B hair

If you love ‘wash and wear’ styling and textured volume, then you’ll definitely love this Not Your Mother’s Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. Just spritz your locks and leave them to air dry for gorgeously carefree beachy waves.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray

$14.97

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12/18/2023 04:46 am GMT

2B Cuts and Hairstyles

Now you know how to look after your hair, you also need to know the styles and cuts that will suit your 2B waves. 

Frequency

2B hair is often quite fine and can suffer from tangling, breakage, and split ends. So regular trims are an important part of keeping your 2B waves looking their best.

You should aim to have your hair trimmed at least every 10-12 weeks, even if you are trying to grow your hair. This will enhance your natural hair texture and keep your hair looking healthy.

Length of 2B Haircuts

2B hair can look great at every length as long as you care for it properly. Choosing the optimal length for your hair and using the right styling products will help to encourage stronger waves.

Short 2B Hair

Short 2B hair can be frizz-prone, but a wavy bob is a fantastic option for your 2B waves. It’s an easy-care style that just needs to be diffuse-dried with a little curl cream or mousse to look great. 

Curling a few small sections at the front of your hair with a 1-inch curling iron will add a little texture. 

Shoulder Length 2B Hair

2B hair falls between straight and curly, and the ideal length for this hair type falls between short and long. Cutting your hair between your jaw and shoulder will encourage your locks to bounce naturally into gorgeous waves.

Long 2B Hair 

The weight of long hair can stretch out 2B waves and make your hair look straighter. If you don’t want to lose the length, having round layers cut into your hair can help to reduce the weight, add volume and encourage the curl.

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2B Hairstyles

Type 2B hair is easy to style if you know how to style it. Straightening 2B hair will take a lot of work with a brush and blow dryer, so it’s better to leave it in its natural state or enhance your gorgeous waves instead. 

The styling video below shows a great way to style 2b hair for less fizz and more definition.

Here are a few more suggestions for hairstyles for 2B hair:

Natural 2B Waves

Your natural hair can look fabulous with minimal effort. You just need to add a little mousse or light curl cream to enhance your hair’s texture and volume, then scrunch it up a little. That’s all there is to it!

Extra Volume Waves

Try using pin curls or rollers to give your hair extra volume, breaking up the curls for added volume. Diffusing your hair dry with a light curl cream will avoid frizz, or you could use a curling iron to curl sections of your hair, running your fingers through afterward to turn the curls into loosely defined waves.

The Perfect Half-Up, Half-Down Look

A half-up half-down hairstyle is a great way to make your hair look longer and thicker. Simply air dry or diffuse dry your waves and then gather the top of your hair into a ponytail, pulling a few tendrils loose for a face-framing effect.

Beach Waves

Messy beach waves are the easy option for 2B hair because this is your hair’s natural style. Applying a curl cream or mouse will help to combat frizz, and a little sea salt spray will enhance your natural waves. 

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Final Thoughts on 2B Hair Care

This guide has covered all the main points of caring for the 2B hair type. We’ve looked at how to tell the difference between 2A, 2B, and 2C hair, shared some hair care tips to help you wash, dry, and style your hair without damaging your waves, and discovered the best hairstyles for 2B hair. 

All hair is unique, and your 2B hair has its own individual needs. But now that you’ve read our guide to caring for 2B hair, you have all the information you need to keep your natural 2B waves looking gorgeous. 

Please do me a favor and share this post to social media, as it helps me grow my audience and spread the word about our curly hair movement! And remember to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more curly hair tips and product recommendations. Thanks!

Want to remember this? Save Caring for 2B Hair: Everything You Should Know to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post Caring for 2B Hair: Everything You Should Know appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.

If you’re wondering, ‘what hair type do I have?’, you’re not alone. It can be tricky to work out your natural hair type, especially if you have one of the curly or coily hair types. But our guide will help you to decode your curl type. 

Once you know your hair type, porosity, and density, it’s easier to understand the best way to care for your curls. So read on to discover how to tell if you have 3C hair, how to care for it, and the best products for 3C hair. 

What Is the 3c Hair Type?

The Andre Walker Hair Typing System categorizes straight hair as Type 1, wavy hair as Type 2, The Andre Walker Hair Typing System categorizes straight hair as Type 1, wavy hair as Type 2, curly hair as Type 3, and coily hair as Type 4. The letters describe how tightly the curls are formed: A has the loosest curls and C has the tightest curl pattern.

3C is the last curly hair type, but all curly hair types above type 3B share some similarities, so 3C hair can look a little like 3B or 4A hair.  It’s also common to have a mix of curl types which means that type 3C hair may have a few 3B or 4A strands mixed in.

3C hair has plenty of volume and spring, with curls about the width of a pencil or straw. The strands have a classic corkscrew curl shape, and a clear S-shaped curl that remains even after they are stretched. You may have fine, medium, or coarse hair or a mix of hair textures. 

You’ll also find that 3C hair is prone to dryness, frizz, and damage because your natural oils struggle to travel down the entire length of the ringlets. The curves and bends in 3C curls also cause more shrinkage than in many other hair types. 

This natural hair type is also prone to trichonodosis, the scientific name for fairy knots. This happens when a single strand gets tangled up with itself and is more likely to occur with curly or coily hair types. Fairy knots cause breakage, but you can prevent this by following the care tips below.

3c Hair vs Other Hair Types

It can sometimes be tricky to be sure if you have the 3C hair type or one of its closest neighbors.

3B hair has loose curls compared to 3C hair, while Type 4A hair has tight coils about the same circumference as a crochet needle. Type 4A curls have better curl definition than Type 3C and they also experience more shrinkage.

How to Care For 3c Hair

3C hair needs careful attention, but with a little effort, you can achieve a beautiful mass of soft and defined curls. 

You may need to make a few changes to your care routine, and you’ll also need to determine if your hair has high or low porosity. Our Ultimate Guide to Hair Porosity will help you to decide which you have.

High-porosity hair absorbs moisture easily but struggles to retain moisture, so a hydrating lotion or leave-in moisturizing gel is a great choice. On the other hand, moisture tends to sit on the surface of low-porosity hair so avoid heavy oils and butters as they can cause product build-up.

It might take a while before you see an improvement in your curls, so stick with your 3C haircare routine. But if you notice something isn’t working, feel free to try something different.

Here are some handy tips to help you care for 3C hair:

Cleanse your 3C Hair Regularly

Some people prefer to wash 3C hair once a week, while others prefer to wash twice or three times per week.

However often you choose to wash your hair, it’s essential to avoid sulfates, which can make your 3C hair even drier. So look for a moisturizing shampoo which is also sulfate-free. This will remove dirt and product residue without stripping away the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair healthy. 

You could also try co-washing, which uses a regular conditioner or co-wash instead of shampoo. But this might not be suitable for low-porosity hair, which needs thorough cleansing to avoid product build-up.

Add Moisture

Curly hair can struggle with moisture retention and the curlier your hair, the drier it is likely to be.

That’s because the shape of your ringlets stops your scalp’s natural oils from reaching the full length of the hair strand. Adding moisture to your hair is vital for good hair health, so every 3c hair routine needs to include high-quality moisturizing products. 

Using a leave-in conditioner regularly will improve daily hydration, but don’t use one that contains hydrolyzed protein too frequently, as this can add to product build-up. 

A regular deep conditioner will drench your hair strands with moisture, especially if you incorporate heat or steam into your deep conditioning treatment. Hair oils absorb well into the strands, so look for products containing ingredients like jojoba, avocado, or castor oil.

And a curl cream is fantastic for reducing frizz and defining your curl pattern. 

The Right Brush

A good brush can define curls and really make them pop. But it’s important to choose the right hairbrush and avoid brushing your hair when it’s dry, as this causes frizz.

So give the boar-bristle brushes a miss and instead go for a detangling brush with nylon bristles and soft tips.

Read more: How To Detangle Curly Hair

Top Pick	Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Hairbrush for Wet & Dry Hair 4.5 $15.99	Shop on Amazon
Great for Wet Hair	Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush, Aqua 4.5 $8.99	Shop on Amazon
Best Gentle Comb	Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Detangler Wide Tooth Comb 4.5 $5.00	Shop on Amazon

Top Pick

Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Hairbrush for Wet & Dry Hair

4.5

$15.99

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Great for Wet Hair

Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush, Aqua

4.5

$8.99

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Best Gentle Comb

Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Detangler Wide Tooth Comb

4.5

$5.00

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12/17/2023 06:06 am GMT

Heatless Styling Techniques

3C natural hair tends to be dry, and excessive exposure to heat and chemicals can affect curl patterns. The only way to remedy this is to cut your damaged locks, so avoiding hot styling tools as much as possible is essential.

Air drying is best for your 3C curls, but if you want to use your blow dryer, attach a good diffuser and use a heat protectant before heat styling. Heatless styling methods like CurlFormers and banding can reduce shrinkage without using flat irons.

If you really must reach for the flat iron, it’s important to try and minimize heat damage. So avoid the highest setting but be sure to choose a temperature that will straighten your hair in one pass.

Proper Trims and Cuts

Regular trims are essential for healthy hair growth and will help to restore the natural curl pattern to damaged locks. Scheduling a trim every 8-10 weeks is fine for most people.

Don’t be tempted to miss regular trims just because you want to retain length on your locks. The dry, split ends will gradually split further up the hair shaft, causing breakage and eventually making a drastic chop necessary. 

And be sure to see a curl specialist to cut your hair for the best shape.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Getting A Curly Hair Cut

Pineappling

Curly hair is easily damaged while you’re asleep, but taking good care of your locks can avoid tangling and breakage. So before you go to sleep, gather your curls up in a high pineapple on top of your head.

This will protect your hair from damage and also keep your style looking great for longer. 

Sleep Protective Gear

You can also protect your curls even more by sleeping with your hair in a silk or satin bonnet or wrapping it in a silk scarf. Sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase is another great way to protect your hair overnight.

This works well because silk doesn’t absorb moisture the same way that cotton materials do. The silky texture of the fabric also produces less friction, which cuts down on tangles and frizz. 

Be sure to choose pure silk because the manufactured silk-like fabrics won’t work in the same way. 

Read more: How To Sleep With Curly Hair

Handle with Care

It might be hard to resist playing with your ringlets, but your 3c curls are more fragile than other type 3 hair. Twisting and pulling the strands can easily cause breakage and frizz, so handle them with care. 

Detangling is easier on wet hair, and this is one time when it’s OK to run your fingers through your hair. But be sure to saturate your hair with a detangler or conditioner first so that your fingers glide easily through the strands. 

Classifying Different Types of 3C Hair Textures

As well as knowing your hair type and porosity, it’s also important to know your hair texture. 

Hair texture types describe the width of each hair, rather than how many you have. So you could have very fine hair but a lot of it, so it looks voluminous despite its fine texture. 

3C hair can be fine, medium, or coarse, and knowing which you have will help you to choose the right products to care for it.

How to tell if you have Fine, Medium, or Coarse 3C Hair texture

You can test to see if your hair is fine, medium, or coarse by rolling a single strand of hair between your fingers: 

• If you have fine hair, it’ll be difficult to even feel the strand at all
• If you can feel the strand, you have medium hair
• If you can feel a thick strand about the width of a piece of sewing cotton, you have coarse hair

Fine hair can easily be weighed down with product residue, so you’ll need to select lightweight products that won’t cause a build-up. Coarse hair needs careful attention to stop it from looking dry and frizzy; see our Guide to Coarse Hair for more care tips.

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Cuts and Hairstyles for 3C Hair

Styling 3C curly hair can take a little extra time and effort, but it’ll be worth it when you see your beautiful ringlets.

It’s crucial to pick the right products, and some great styling products to add to your 3C haircare routine include:

• Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Styling Lotion
• Eco Style Coconut Oil Styling Gel 

Try to avoid excessive heat exposure as much as possible. If you must use your blow dryer or hot styling tools, apply a good heat protectant first and use as little heat as possible. 

Protective styles are ideal for giving your curls a break every now and then, and also help to retain curl definition. Just be careful not to choose a protective style that is too tight, as these can damage your cuticles and hairline. Buns, updos, and twists are great protective styles for long 3C hair.

• Wash and Go – an excellent option for beautiful curls. Focus on applying the right products to your ringlets.
• Top Bun – ideal for days when you can’t be bothered to do much to your hair. It will stop you from messing with your curls as well!
• Half Up-do – perfect when you don’t want to tie back all your beautiful curls. 3C hair tends to be thick, so it’ll still look fantastic with half of it pulled back.

The Best 3C Hair Products

High-quality products are essential if you want your hair to look its best. so here’s a selection of the best 3C curly hair products:

Shea Moisture Silicone Free Shampoo for Dry Hair 

Cleansing your curly hair is essential to remove dirt and oils from the strands, but you need a shampoo that won’t strip natural moisture. This sulfate-free shampoo contains natural ingredients like meadowfoam seed and phyto-proteins, to leave your hair looking healthy and smooth. 

SheaMoisture Silicone Free Shampoo for Dry Hair

$13.99 ($1.08 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 02:26 am GMT

Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream

If you’d like to try co-washing 3C hair, you’ll need a conditioner or co-wash that is moisturizing and sulfate-free. This cleansing cream contains gentle surfactants to remove oils from your hair without stripping it, while lightweight moisturizing ingredients like avocado and glycerin hydrate without weighing down your hair.

Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream

$18.85 ($2.36 / Fl Oz)

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12/18/2023 02:56 am GMT

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk

This leave-in conditioning milk will leave your curls feeling soft and moisturized. It contains gentle conditioning ingredients like macadamia oil and rice milk, plus slippery elm bark which softens and smooths the strands to make detangling easier. You can also use this product as a curl refresher to keep your curls looking great until next wash day.

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk | Leave-In Conditioner

$14.79 ($1.85 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 03:11 am GMT

TWIST Boss Bounce Light as Air Buildable Styling Cream

This silicone-free styling cream contains shea butter, jojoba oil, and patua fruit oil to banish frizz while also hydrating and softening your hair. 

TWIST Boss Bounce is cruelty-free and contains no silicones, sulfates, or parabens. You can use it daily to hydrate your locks and smooth flyaways and split ends.

TWIST Boss Bounce Light as Air Buildable Styling Cream

$15.69 ($1.85 / Ounce)

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12/18/2023 03:21 am GMT

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Mask

This rich hair mask contains a rich hydrating blend of shea butter, aloe vera, macadamia oil, and coconut oil. This nourishes dry hair, adding moisture and helping to seal split ends. You can use this vegan parabens- and silicone-free conditioner as an in-shower mask for intense hydration or as a daily leave-in conditioner.

Top Pick

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask

$8.99 ($0.75 / Ounce)

Ideal for coarse hair, this intense hair mask moisturizes and nourishes dry, damaged hair.

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12/17/2023 12:06 pm GMT

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel

A good gel will help your style last longer than a dew hours. The Maui Moisture Curl Quench Gel is moisturizing enough to hydrate your curls for days, along with hold to prevent frizz.

Maui Moisture Curl Quench Gel contains aloe vera and a blend of coconut oil, papaya extract and plumeria extract to give a natural, flake-free hold.

Top Pick

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel

$28.50 ($2.38 / Ounce)

A strong hold gel with moisture that won't give you crunchy hair.

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12/17/2023 11:36 am GMT

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Oil 

A lightweight oil that nourishes and smooths your hair for a healthy, shiny finish. It contains a blend of over 30 essential oils and biotin to strengthen, nourish and protect your curls. You can use it as part of your daily care routine or as an intensive deep conditioner. It’s suitable for sensitive skin, chemically-treated hair, and both low- and high-porosity hair. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

$9.22 ($4.61 / Fl Oz)

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12/17/2023 12:56 am GMT

TWIST Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo

It’s always a good idea to clarify on a regular basis to avoid buildup, especially for coarse and low porosity hair types.

The TWIST Hit Reset shampoo is a great light clarifying shampoo for all curl types. It won’t dry out your curls and can be used as often as needed.

Top Pick

TWIST Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo

$9.49 ($0.73 / Fl Oz)

The TWIST Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo is not too strong but strong enough to remove buildup without stripping your hair.

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12/18/2023 02:06 am GMT

FAQs

Still got questions about how to care for 3C hair? Here are some of your most frequently asked questions:

How Do You Properly Apply Products to 3c Hair?

It’s generally best to comb or finger-rake conditioners through 3C hair, then you can apply styling products with praying hands. You could also try two other techniques called shingling and plopping. 

Shingling is a technique for applying a curl cream, gel, or leave-in conditioner, where you separate your curls with your fingers and smooth the product onto each curl.

The plopping method involves applying your hair product to wet or damp hair and then gathering your waves, curls, or coils at the top of your head. Then you wrap them up in a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to protect your 3C curl pattern as your hair dries.

This method cuts down on drying time and is gentler than a blow dryer, so your curls will look healthier and more defined.

Does the Curly Girl Method Work With 3c Hair?

The Curly Girl Method is fantastic for 3C curls, so if you have this hair type, it’d definitely be worth trying it out.

Not sure how to use the Curly Girl Method? Our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the Curly Girl Method has all the info you need!

The Bottom Line to the 3c Hair Type

Now you have all the information you need to tell if your natural curls are type 3C. We’ve explained the best way to look after your 3c curls, how to style 3c hair, and the best products for 3C hair. 

Caring for 3C curls can be tricky, and if you want your 3C hair to look great, it’s essential to consider the porosity of your hair as well as your hair texture. But as long as you give your curls a lot of love, and plenty of moisture, you’ll be rewarded with shiny, springy curls that look fantastic!

Please do me a favor and share this post to social media, as it helps me grow my audience and spread the word about our curly hair movement! And remember to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more curly hair tips and product recommendations. Thanks!

Want to remember this? Save 3C Hair Type: What Is It and How Do You Care For It? to your favorite Pinterest board!

The post 3C Hair Type: What Is It and How Do You Care For It? appeared first on The Holistic Enchilada.