Types of Curls: Tips for Understanding and Loving Your Hair

Evelin Lira

If you have curly hair you know that there is no single formula for all types of curls. This makes finding the right product or the best way to handle your hair is a daunting task. What can help you? Knowing your type of curl will be a sure start on this journey.

So how to identify your type of curl? It takes a little exploration, and as our hair changes over time, we also need patience. Read on to learn more about what makes your hair curly and how to determine your type of curl. This will allow you to finally understand and know how to handle your wavy or curly hair better.


Content Index:

  • Bunches Types
  • Wavy
  • Curly
  • Curly
  • videos

Bunches Types

The degree of curl is based on the number of connections between the keratin inside the hair. The more links you have, the more textured your hair will be. On the other hand, the fewer links, the straighter it will be. Thus, the curls are divided into 3 categories and 3 subcategories:

  • Wavy: In this type, the curls bend and form an "S";
  • Curly: here the hair strands coil and coil or loosely curled;
  • Curly: is when each of the wires form very tight coils or form a Z.

Still in this classification there is category 1 which is the absence of curls or straight hair. But none of this is an absolute rule that you need to fit into. This division is designed to better understand the characteristics of your curly hair and to make it easier to decide when to take care of your hair. Let's explore each type of curl further? Check it out below:


Read also: Wavy Hair: How to Set, Take Care and Be Proud of Your Waves

Type 2 hair? wavy

Wave type 2 is classified as wavy hair. It is not overly oily or dry, which allows for many options of either curly or smooth style. This type of hair is very resilient, despite being the most frizz-prone hair type.

Wavy Type 2A Hair

It is the closest type to the smooth with slight undulations. It is not bulky and tends to be very thin.


Type 2B Wavy Hair

Here the waves are forming along the length of the hair from the scalp. It doesn't have much volume yet and the waves break easily.

Type 2C Wavy Hair

Of the wavy ones, this one has the most defined waves. It can also be a mix of defined curls and S-shaped waves. It can have a lot of frizz and be parched on the tips.

Did you identify with any of the above? We still have two more categories ahead. Come on:

Read also: Curly Hair: The Best Hairstyles and Special Care

Type 3 hair? curly

The curvature of curly hair is known as a spiral. We can clearly see the formation of the curl and the hair is very large. It also has plenty of frizz and is naturally parched.

Curly Hair Type 3A

The pattern of this type of curl is well defined and elastic. They are bigger and more open. It's very bright and loose.

Type 3B Curly Hair

The type 3B bunch is bulkier and even more defined than type 3A. It is a well defined spiral with medium width.

Curly Hair Type 3C

This one has a lot of definition and is little elastic. The bunch has the smallest width in this category and is also the thickest and densest wire.

Even with detailed descriptions it can still be difficult to identify your type of bunch. Some expert hairdressers recommend looking at wet hair because the texture is more evident.

Type 4 hair? curly

Curly or afro hair is the most sensitive of all types. Among the 3 subcategories there may be a wide variety of texture. Cluster formation may have a zigzag pattern or no pattern at all.

Curly Hair Type 4A

This hair is full of very tight coils and the strand has the visible shape of a curl when straightened.

Curly Hair Type 4B

The wires are Z-shaped and have a less defined wavy pattern. This means that instead of curling, the hair is shaped like frizz.

Curly Hair Type 4C

This type is very delicate and curls do not form alone, they need some modeling technique. They are also very dry.

If you have come this far and have not yet set your type of curl, do not panic. You can find a lot of cool content on the internet about it and they will definitely help you. Remember also that your hair can merge several types.

Learn more about curl types

Now that you know all about curly and curly hair, we've selected some videos on the topic. Press play!

Analyzing the types of curls

Blogger Luciellen has curly hair and has made a video explaining in detail all types of curls. She even says that the same person can have two types of texture in the hair.

After all, what is the type of my hair?

Youtuber Ana Lídia Lopes talks in this video about the doubt of many girls: what kind of my hair? Am I curly or curly? There is no answer only!

About the type of wavy curl

Businesswoman and blogger Debora Alcantara tells all about her hair type, which is wavy.

About the kind of curly bunch

Deborah Ninja analyzes her own hair to explain the different textures of curls 4A, B and C.

Have you seen that in addition to identifying your predominant type of curl you can also have more than one texture throughout your hair? The task doesn't seem easy, but it can be a lot of fun!

And then? Could you identify your type of curl?

Finding your hair type (February 2024)


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