Before you dive into this post, learn the basics behind your hair type by taking our hair type quiz. Lay them flat against a white surface and watch them take their natural shape while they air-dry. Dark pink, a friendly, unassuming shade. Maintaining volume and keeping frizz at bay is a tricky task, but leave-in conditioners and hair serums have proven to be an excellent choice to balance the two. We’re also loving the colorfulness and individuality (She exudes confidence!) It differs from curly hair in its inability to form swirls or twists that wrap around themselves. Type 3C has curls that are tighter and more coily than Type 3B. "Issa Rae has beautiful coily 4B hair. Type 3 hair is usually fine and surprisingly easier to style than Type 2 hair. She’s helping to change the stereotype that successful black women should have a certain “look”. But at least our hair was laid. I can now transform the energy surrounding my hair into something way more productive. 4C textures are similar to 4B textures, but the tightly coiled strands are more fragile and have a very tight zig-zag pattern that is sometimes indiscernible to the eye. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. This hair type experiences the greatest amount of shrinkage — about 75 percent or more — than the other textures. I was returning to my roots. Learning about all of the types and their subcategories is important because it helps you to determine where you fall and also teaches you about different characteristics hair can have. Type 2 hair incorporates natural waves that can range from barely noticeable to being mistaken for curly hair. The higher the number, the curlier the hair and the tighter the coil. The rule of thumb when it comes to hair types is that hair can be grouped into four broad categories: Straight, wavy, curly, and coily or kinky. Type 4 hair typically keeps the same shape whether it is wet or dry. Type 4A Type 4A is a head full of mini curls. The objective is healthy hair with style ease that does not require lots of time to look good.”, Hair Conditioning 101: High, Low, & Medium Porosity Hair, How to Naturally Lighten Your Hair: Our Top Tips and Tricks, How to Make Your Hair Look Great in Every Photo. To minimize any damage, use shampoos and conditioners that are rich with moisturizing agents and gently pat hair dry without excessive rubbing. Over the years, scientists have attempted to classify curliness by measuring different parameters of the hair fiber. Many people are familiar with texture, length, scalp definition, moisture content, curl pattern, and limpness or fineness. Yet, I do remember one bright side to my weekly hair sessions: when it was all over, my mom decorated the ends of my braids with ecstatic clips, like a flock of butterflies. Measuring curl diameter and curl index (the ratio of the stretched length of the hair to its length at rest), and counting waves and twists from each participant's hair, the scientist came up with a system assigning a number to hair type from 1-4. At SNL, she wore a shimmering braided halo atop her head, reminiscent of Shani Crowe’s “Braids” series that I saw at the MoCADA last year. Try Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel. In naturally straight hair, the cysteine groups are spread apart so they cannot interact. Knowles’s now famously impulsive act, … Styling Tips: When styling your hair, (after it's dry) you can put a little dry shampoo on your roots to soak up excess oil. The textured hair stands do not allow the natural oils produced by the scalp go far down the hair shaft. Here are some celebrities that have the wavy hair type: Scarlett Johansson, Lorde, Kate Hudson, Type 2A hair has loose, natural, beachy waves. Nourish your hair with deep conditioners and hot oil treatments at least once per week. Some tips the star’s stylist, Chuck Amos, gave Styleblazer regarding natural hair care include: 1. letting those natural curls and coils relax, 2. reducing frizzing by using oils and creams (though Solange admitted to liking frizzing herself), 3. making sure the clothing and styles you wear don’t cause breakage, 4. avoiding using chlorine-filled pools if your hair is color treated She’s living proof that natural hair can be versatile, stylish and edgy. This category is the one most likely to involve different hair types (fine, medium, or thick) and also combine wavy and coily strands. So much can be learned from taking in Solange’s journey to healthy, natural hair. But having straight hair is completely different from having curly hair and even one curly hair type can be different from another curly hair type. But keep your hands (or brush or comb, for that matter) from touching your curls afterward, or you run the risk of having a halo full of frizz. People with hair type 4A have dense springy, S-patterned coils that are the circumference of a crochet needle. To distinguish between Type 4B and Type 4C can be difficult, but Type 4B hair still is clearly defined in comparison to 4C. 2B hair lies flatter at the crown with defined S-shaped waves starting from the midlength, like Salma Hayek's here. This type of hair will also benefit from additional nourishment from hair creams and oils to keep ringlets plush to the touch and protected from moisture. The best way to combat that is to wash your hair more often and use a product like dry shampoo between wash days. Styling Tips: When you get out of the shower, you will want to towel-dry your hair (try a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt) to remove excess moisture. your curl type. The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil pattern. Try the SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This hair type is actually pretty rare. But our hearts almost stopped when the video opened with the sultry starlet rocking box braids, heavily adorned with an array of pretty beads and cute cowrie shells. I was determined to practice self-love, to retreat to my purest form of beauty, to get to know my body all over again. Photo: Shutterstock Q: What does it mean to have natural hair? Type 1B is not completely flat and has more body than its Type 1A counterpart. co-washes), which clean and nourish simultaneously with higher ratios of conditioning ingredients. Curl type 4A can be recognized by its small but distinctively S-shaped strands sequenced into looped, tight rings. To preserve the bouncy shape of waves and keep them from tangling, use gentle shampoo and conditioner formulas like the GH Beauty Lab test-winning Garnier Fructis Full and Plush duo to soften hair without compromising its volume. Once you find the perfect combo, your curls will be living lavish. To keep these curls full and soft, use gentle shampoos such as cleansing conditioners (a.k.a. Check out Solange’s top tips for keeping your textured tresses healthy, fabulous and fly as seen in the June issue of ESSENCE magazine. Her search for identity and individuality is expressed through her hair, the perfect medium to weave complex ideas and creative concepts into an intricate moment. © 2020 Condé Nast. “The shape of our hair follicles and the way the hair emerges from the follicle is a major contributor in the degree of the hair curl pattern, its shape, and ultimately what we describe as texture,” explains Rolanda Wilkerson, Senior Scientific Communication Manager at Procter & Gamble. But that's not all. Here are some celebrities that have the curly hair type: Alicia Keys, Shakira, Taylor Swift, Tia Mowry. Type 2 hair is our lax and loose hair type, also known as wavy hair. To find out, you may want to sacrifice a few hair strands by plucking them out off your head while hair is still wet. ... Solange Knowles, Macy Gray. Type 2B hair grows straight, but starts forming medium to large S-shaped waves at the crown (think beach waves). Q: What are the different types of hair textures? 4B curls are most vulnerable when wet, so make sure your hair is well-conditioned before styling. Castor oil is also a great hydrator and sealant for this very dry texture. Type 2A hair grows straight at the crown and creases toward the end. To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories. If you're a fan of wash-and-gos, styling should be done more frequently to keep this coily texture popping with soft, pliable strands. Though for some this may already look like a typical curly hair, the 2C type does not form springs, a distinguishing feature between waves and curls. The few black girls who didn’t perm their hair were considered to have “good hair”: loose curl patterns that were easier to style and manage. Some bachata music played in the background while I stared into my friend's face, and watched her eyes light up as she began to see the real me. Try feather-light Good Housekeeping Seal star Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Gentle Detangling Hair Milk to coat curls and add shine. To untangle the intricate world of curls, we asked haircare industry experts and hairstylists to help us understand the science behind curl formation and share their tips on how to best care for your specific type of spiral whether it's wavy (type 2), curly (type 3) or coily (type 4). Who could forget the photos of the all-white affair in New Orleans and her beautiful, sporty ‘fro last year? Her tool of choice: a monstrous comb with long, thinly spaced teeth. If you have any questions about your hair or our product, contact us today and a knowledgeable member of our team will be happy to help you. Here are some tips and suggestions if you want to do the same. Beads and cowrie shells accented her braids, frizzy, puffy hair was celebrated, kinks, dreadlocks and waves were handled with care, meant to be present and pure. Plus, there's been some debate as to whether the typing system, originally started by hairstylist Andre Walker and modified by folks in the curly community, is divisive or even too narrow.