Hair Type Guide

What are the Different Types of Hair ?

While it’s impossible to strictly categorise curl types as every individual’s hair is different, a number and letter system is often used as a guide and a starting point.

Type 1: Straight hair.

Type 2: Wavy hair. This type is divided into three – 2a, 2b and 2c depending on the intensity of the wave – 2a being least reminiscent of the letter S, and 2c the most.

Type 3: Curly Hair. This type of hair is also divided into three – 3a, 3b and 3c. 3a being the loosest curl and 3c the tightest, sometimes described as a corkscrew shape.

Type 4: Very tight curls. Once again, this hair type is divided into three – 4a, 4b and 4c. 4a curls look like tight S shapes, while 4b are often defined as tight looking Z shapes, and finally 4c is even more tightly coiled and generally does not have a defined curl pattern.

Of course, it’s very common to have a mix of hair types. This means, you might spot that your hair looks like type 4a at the roots, but goes into 4b or 4c at the ends. There can be a variety of mixes, so don’t feel that your hair needs to fall into a certain category. Use the number and letter system only as a starting guide.