Curl Type

Whatever your texture, the best curls are healthy curls. Identifying the products that are right for your hair type is how you unlock the secrets to good hair.

The amount of curl in your hair is determined by the shape of your hair follicle. The more oval shaped your hair follicle is, the curlier your hair grows. Hair pattern is determined by genetics and may be altered with excessive heat or chemicals, but your hair pattern is in your DNA.

Style My Curls have adapted the widely used hair-typing system created by Oprah Winfrey’s hair stylist, Andre Walker. Our aim is help you identify your curl type and make it easier for you to choose from our carefully curated collection of high performing quality haircare products, which will enhance your curls or coils and allow you to positively embrace your curl pattern.

We classify various hair textures and break each hair type down into 4 types with added sub-categories. Everyone’s natural hair falls under a specific type.

Whatever your pattern; defined curls, spiral coils or kinky afro, understanding your hair needs in relation to your go-to products is the key to amazing hair days.

Classified as Type 1. Straight hair is the most resilient hair of all the hair types. This texture reflects the most sheen, It is hard to damage and near impossible to curl. Natural oils known as sebum are produced in the sebaceous glands of the scalp, these gently work their way from the scalp to the tips of the hair without interference from curls or kinks. Straight hair is the oiliest texture of all.

Type 2 hair has an S-shaped pattern that puts it squarely between straight and curly types. There is some visible sheen and switching between curly and straight is fairly easy. Frizz is more of an issue, but there are products that can help to control it. To enhance this texture you need lighter, weightless products that will provide definition without compromising on volume.

This wavy hair has a coarser texture and it easily frizzes, which can be remedied with frizz control products.

Hair has defined waves that fall close to the head. Hair can be prone to frizz and has a medium texture.

This fine-textured hair tends to be on the thin side. Going curly or perfectly straight is easy. Heavy styling products will weigh down the hair leaving curls limp and lifeless.

The texture of Type 3 curly hair tends to have a mixture of springy S/corkscrew shapes, from loose to tighter coils. It may even resemble a Z on some occasions. However, there is a definite curl pattern in place, with or without products. This hair type is full bodied, climate dependent (humidity = frizz). If you apply too much styling products, it is easily weighed down, but if you do not apply enough, it is easily prone to frizz. Easily damaged, lack of proper care renders dull curls.

Loose & Curly

Hair is loosely curled and has the most natural shine. This hair type tends to have big loose curls and spirals with a well-defined “S” shape. Hair tends to be shiny.

This hair can range from loose spiral ringlet curls with bounce to tight corkscrew curls. This curl type can be prone to dryness, so be sure to use products with plenty of hydration.

At the end of the curly hair spectrum is Very Curly hair. This hair type that is made up of densely packed tight, voluminous corkscrew coils and borderlines kinky hair. Sometimes defined as curly coily hair, these bouncy curls look their best when moisturised and defined. Frizz control is a must. Prone to shrinkage.

kinky and coily hair

Type 4; despite many misconceptions, this tightly coiled hair is quite fine and fragile. It is wiry, and delicate by nature. Each strand usually has a zig zag pattern. Kinky hair is the driest hair type, thus it is more prone to breakage and requires a gentle touch and lots of moisture. Richer oil-based products are key to maintain its elasticity and definition.

A misconception exists that this hair type does not grow. Kinky hair grows at the same rate as other textures, however, if not treated properly it breaks more than other textures. Treat this hair type like a fine silk blouse – cleanse gently, detangle softly, and avoid harsh chemicals. This type also shrinks when wet or exposed to humidity.

A subset of the Kinky hair family is Coily Hair. On the surface, coily hair may seem robust, but it is actually the most fragile of all hair textures because coily hair contains the fewest cuticle layers to protect from dryness.

Hair is fine, densely packed corkscrew or S-shaped coils that are soft and pliable.

Hair is denser and thicker with a Z-shaped coil pattern as opposed to a coil or curl.

Type 4 coily hair is defined as fine, thin, wiry, and coarse while densely packed in coils. The main challenges coily hair women experience is lack of hair definition, dryness, tangles, shrinkage, and breakage. You can rock your beautiful coils if you take the right steps for hair health, moisture, and styling products that do not dry.

curl types