Hair Care

Get to Know Your Curls

Posted on Jul 1, 2021

Lorie Knickle

Want to know how to care for your curly hair?
Sometimes curls and waves seem to have a life of their own, but the more you know about your unique curl type, the better you will be able to get those soft, touchable curls you crave.  
Defining your curl type can be helpful when nailing down how to care for your curls and waves. Super curly locks have different needs from finer waves, for example Celebrity Stylist Andre Walker developed a curl typing system to make it easier to I.D. your curl.
The typing system ranges from 1 (straight), 2 (wavy), 3 (curly) and 4 (coily). Within each type there are subclasses from A to C which are based on the diameter of your curl pattern; Type A have a wider pattern, Type Bs are medium and Type C are the tightest. 

Curly Hair Types

Sometimes it’s not so easy to identify just one type. On most curly heads of hair, different textures can be present at the same time, which can be confusing. Don’t despair, understanding where the majority of your curls fall on the scale will go a long way when determining your curl care! 

 

Wavy hair style

Type 2: Wavy

Wavy hair tends to be noticed as bendable S curves that tend to lay closer to the head. Waves range from barely-there bends to almost-curls, the difference being the S-shape that doesn’t form springs. 

2a: barely-there waves that tend to fall flat at the root with gradual waves towards the tips. 

2b: hair is straighter at the root with defined S-waves that start around mid-length. 

2c: deep, well-defined S-waves that begin at the root and go all the way down the hair, almost falling into the curly category. 

Think you may be Wavy? Click here to learn how to care for and style your waves. 

 

Curly Hair Type

Type 3: Curly

Defined by their springy shape, curly strands loop back on themselves, growing in a spiral shape. They range from loose loops to tighter corkscrews. Heads of curly hair often have several of the curl types. 

3a: Looser, larger loops with approximately the diameter of a loonie. 

3b: Tighter corkscrew curls with the diameter of a thicker marker. 

3c: Springy, corkscrew curls with the approximate diameter of a pencil. 

Think you may be Curly? Click here to learn how to care for and style your curls.  

 

Curly Hair Type 4

Type 4: Kinks & Coils

More compact and tight than the other curl types, type 4 ranges from zig zag shapes to tightly wound s-shapes. 

4a: Dense S-patterned coils with the diameter of a crochet needle 

4b: Dense kinked Z-patterned angles. 

4c: Ultra-tightly coiled kinked strands that are more fragile than other patterns. 

Think you may be Coily? Click here to learn how to care for and style your curls.  

 

Having trouble identifying your curls? 

You can best identify your natural texture while your hair is wet and free from product. After a wash, pluck a strand to best see it's natural shape.

If you're still unsure of the best course of action for your curls come see us at the salon! A stylist or beauty consultant will be able to help you pinpoint your best curl routine. With salon locations across Canada, find the one closest to you HERE.

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