This spring summer, It’s all about hair with curl, texture and movement. It’s the perfect time
if you haven't already, to embrace your natural texture and curls. but managing curly and wavy hair can sometimes leave you feeling frustrated. We get it!
Dealing with uneven curl patterns, frizz and tangles and waking most mornings up looking like a troll that sleeps under a bridge.
But like other types of hair, there are tips and tricks that can reduce frustration and help you love your natural curl and feel confident about being yourself.
We've put together a guide to help you get better understanding of your curl type or lack of curl, how to manage it and assist you with the products to suit your hair needs.
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Caring for Curls?
While everyone has unique hair care needs, there are a few standard ways to care for curly hair. Start with these musts and then build your hair care routine for your curl type from there:
Get a great haircut from a stylist with expertise in curly textures.
Find shampoo, conditioning and styling products that work for you.
Using a co-wash (a product that refreshes and conditions to avoid stripping natural oils and humectants) between washing
Products can build up and weigh curls down, so every couple of months use a detoxing shampoo to remove any build up and refresh your bounce.
Avoid working against natural texture with excessive heat styling.
Use leave-in conditioners ,moisturisers curl-enhancing styling products and texturising sprays
Air dry as often as you can and if you need to use a dryer, add a diffuser attachment and try not to touch them as you dry, so you dont disturb the curl pattern
Revive curls with nourishing curl creams, sprays, or gels to add moisture and tame frizz.
Identify your hair type
Figuring out, your hair type and what curl patterns you’re working with is the first step to finding the right products and styles.
Hair movement can be classified into 4 hair types and each type has a sub type indicating the curl pattern, the tightness of the curl and the thickness of the hair.
The diagram below can help you determine your curl pattern.
It can be easier to analyse your hair when it is wet
You may have more than one curl pattern
straight hair wavy hair curly hair coil + kink
Type 1 - Straight hair
If your hair is Type 1 it has no curl pattern and is naturally straight. You will need to put time and effort into creating curls with thermal tools so don't forget a thermal protection spray.
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Type 1a
your hair is type 1a if:
It's straight hair from root to tip
It doesn't hold a curl
It has little or no body and is usually fine.
If you are planning to curl your hair you will need:
a thermal protector
Volumising and strong hold styling products to help create the curls
a hairspray to finish and hold your look.
A curling wand is the best tool to use to achieve curls and remember to start with a smaller tighter curl as it will drop.
Type 1b
Your hair is type 1b if:
Has a slight wave or kink on the ends
the texture is fine to medium with some volume
Your hair straight but has a slight kink toward the ends
If you are planning to curl your hair you will need
a mouse or styling lotion for hold
a texture spray to finish
Thermal protection spray
Your hair will curl easily and you could use thermal tools or blow-dryer and round brushes
Type 1c
Your hair is type 1c if:
It's thicker, coarse and straight
It can be prone to frizzy and dryness
It's either very straight or has a bit of movement
When styling it curly:
Go for a softer looser result using an iron,
Use gels or styling creams that soften the hair
1c hair can be either hard to curl or very easy depending on the porosity and how straight it is naturally
Type 2 - Wavy hair
Wavy type 2 is the in-between hair type not straight but not really curly either
the curl pattern is an s shape and is flatter at the root getting curlier toward the end.
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Type 2a
Your hair is type 2a if:
It has a loose tousled texture with wave toward the ends
It's finer with little volume
It can be styled easily but has a tendency to drop and sit flat
To enhance the movement and get more body when styling
Use sea salt sprays, texture sprays or volumizing foams that give hold and control fly-aways and frizz
Avoid styling creams as they can weigh the hair down
Light weight texture sprays and powers are best for volume and hold
If areas are sitting flat or straighter use a curling tool to enhance the movement
This type of hair is usually easy to style straight.
Type 2b
Your hair is type 2b if:
It lies flatter at the crown
The wave is more defined s -shapes wave starting at mid-length
It tends to be slightly frizzier than 2a
It is fine to medium in texture
To achieve more curl and movement when styling:
Make sure it is well hydrated by using a leave-in moisturising spray
Use styling creams to hold the curl and smooth out any frizz
Add serum and texturiser sprays its's completely dry when dry
To get a defined beachy curl comb styling cream through when wet then twist the hair into shape. let dry , then seperate the curls and finish when completely dry.
Type 2c
Your hair is type 2c if
Your waves start at the roots there is a more definite S- bend and it curls towards the ends.
The texture is medium to thick
It has a tendency to become dry and frizzy.
To define and encourage the curls:
Keep it well hydrated and conditioned with leave-in moisturising creams
Apply your curl creams and gels when it is very wet
Allow it to dry in it's curl naturally when it is 100% dry breakup the curl and fluff up the roots seperate the curl and give it volume and shape
Type 3 - Curly hair
Type 3 curly hair ranges from a light curl to tight, curly corkscrews, and usually has a combination of textures. These curl types are springier and have a more spiral shape to the strands, that wind around themselves. The hair is naturally dry and prone to frizz
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Type 3a
Your hair is type 3a if:
Your hair curls from root to tip
The loops or spirals are defined but they are big and loose.
When styling your curls
Products with strong hold but are light in consistently are best
Always apply leave in moisturisers
After you apply your styling product twist the strands around your finger to encourage definition
Don't shampoo every day, instead use a co-wash or condition only to bounce up the curl
This curl type is easy to style and to straighten. But if straightened with irons can take a while to go back into its curl pattern
Type 3b
your hair is type 3b if
The curl pattern is a tighter ringlet
The curls are springy, with different textures
It tends to be thicker and coarser
It has a tendency to become dry and frizzy
to control and style your curls
Use moisturising creams and oils before adding styling products
Styling creams and milks that encourage clumping work best to define your curls
Only wash it every 7 to 10 days, in-beween if it needs refreshing use a co-wash or condition only
Applying products to very wet hair, shape and define the curls then letting it dry without touching it until it is 100% dry is the key to avoiding frizz.
Type 3c
Your hair is type 3c if;
Your curls are tight spiral corkscrews that are densely packed together
Each strand is fine to medium
You have lots of volume
You hair shrinks when it dry's
To control and style your curls
Start your routine with lighter moisturisers or oils, then work through a heavier cream to define your curls
Once it is dry use a leave in oil to separate and break the cast the styling creams have left
Leave shampooing it for as long as you can and instead wet your hair and use a leave in moisturiser to de-frizz and define the curl.
A co-wash can work well in-between shampoo
Similar to type 3b apply your styling products to very wet hair.
Type 4 - Coily
Type 4 hair has densely packed coils which look more like tight corkscrews or a z rather than ringlets. It's the most fragile hair texture because it has the fewest cuticle layers to protect it from dryness.
It coils, and shrinks up a lot as it dry's and this shrinkage make it lot shorter than it is.
images from Pinterest
Type 4a
Your hair is type 4a if:
Your dense, springy coils are either wiry or fine, and are very small in circumference
They are tightly coiled corkscrew with a visible s pattern
Managing your curls
Conditioners with richer consistency work best
Moisturise every day with a leave-in conditioning moisturiser
Leave as long as you can between shampoo's ,instead wet it and condition or spritz it with water and use a leave-in moisturising cream.
Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair when it is dry before you shampoo, then use a deep conditioner after
To style your hair select curls and twist then into shape using a curl cream and let dry naturally or diffuse gently. finish with an oil or cream to lock in the moisture.
Type 4b
your hair is type 4b if:
Instead of curling your hair bends like a z
The coils are defined
Managing your curls
Use a pre shampoo oil before you shampoo
Shampoo it in sections to prevent tangles
Use rich hydrating conditioners
Leave as long as you can between shampoo's instead wet it and condition or co-wash
Don't detangle when it's dry, use a flexible detangling brush when it is wet.
Apply styling creams or gels when it is very wet and stretch and twist in sections as you apply
Leave to dry without touching it
Type 2b hair will dry quickly so you may need to spritz with water as you are applying your styling creams.
Type 4c
your hair is 4c if:
Your densely packed hair is a z pattern but no definition
It has a lot of shrinkage
can look frizzy and dry
Caring for your curls
Use a pre shampoo oil or cream before you shampoo
Shampoo it in sections to prevent tangles
Use rich hydrating conditioners
Leave as long as you can between shampoo's and instead wet it and deep condition
Don't detangle when it's dry, use a flexible detangling brush when it is wet
Layer products before styling. first Use a liquid leave-in moisturisers followed by a leave in oil then a cream styling product.
Products
Everyone's curls are different and your curls are unique to you. What works for one may not work for you, so it may take some trial to find the best products for your curls.
Products that have ingredients to assist in moisture retention, and are free from Parabens and Sulphates are best.
Chat with your stylist if you need some help or if you have questions about your curl type, because once you find a routine that works for you , you'll be rockin' those, bouncy curls every day.