What is My Curl Type?
No two heads of curls are the same. Most times, one head has many curl types.
Everyone’s hair is unique and has specific needs to achieve healthy growing hair.
Learning your curly hair type is important because it helps you better understand your hair and what it needs to thrive.
Your curl type determines:
Maintenance
Products
Styling
Cut and Color options
This curl type guide will help you understand how to care for your curls and pick the best products for the job.
How are curls formed?
Curly hair starts from the scalp. The shape of the hair follicles dictate if your hair will grow in curls or straight.
Circle follicles produce straight hair, as oval-shaped follicles creates the bends and curves in curly strands.
The shape of your curls are also important in determining your curl type whether they form waves, curls or coils.
Most people with naturally curly hair have more than one curl type on their head, in some cases, they may have to style each section differently or use different products to create a cohesive look.
Curl Types Chart
The Hair Typing System was created by Andre walker, Oprah’s Hairstylist for over 25 years and modified by the curly community. Walker wanted to create a useful guide to head determine the many curl types a client could have.
Simple breakdown:
The numbers describe the shape of the curls while the letters describe the width or diameter of of the curls.
Main groups:
Type1 is straight hair
Type 2 is wavy hair
Type 3 is curly hair
Type 4 is coil hair
Subclassifications:
Based on curl shape or tightness
A- Looser or larger curls
B- Medium
C- Tight or smaller curls
What is My Curl Type?
Best time to determine your curl type is when hair your is saturated with moisture as the curl being to form and clump together.
Type 2: Wavy
Description
“S” Shaped
2A: Loose waves with a gentle bend
2B: mostly straight at roots with more defined waves below eye level
2C: Waves starting at the roots with defined waves mixed with ringlets
Issues:
Frizz
Maintenance
Shampoo every 2-3 days (2a/ 2b) or every 3-5 days (2c)
Use light oils for a pre-poo treatment to avoid stripping moisture from hair and encouraging frizz
Deep condition every two weeks
Styling Products:
Use light hold products to avoid weighing down curls
Mousse
Leave in cream
Heat protectant
Reset your hair and scalp with our Volume Shampoo. This clarifying shampoo is powered with bentonite clay to gently pull out buildup, impurities, and excess oils — giving your scalp a “facial” while leaving your hair soft, clean, and hydrated. Unlike harsh clarifiers, it removes product residue without stripping your hair, making it the perfect first step for healthy, thriving strands.
Features:
Deeply cleanses scalp and hair to remove buildup and impurities
Infused with bentonite clay for a detoxifying yet moisturizing cleanse
Leaves hair light, fresh, and weightless — never dry or brittle
Creates the perfect foundation for blowouts, silk presses, or protective styles
Works beautifully on all textures, especially fine hair that gets weighed down easily
Benefits:
Your scalp feels refreshed and balanced, not tight or dry
Helps curls, blowouts, and silk presses last longer by starting on a clean base
Lightweight formula makes it safe for weekly use
Pairs perfectly with the Moisture Shampoo for the ultimate cleanse + hydration routine
Think of the Volume Shampoo as your reset button, the one step that ensures your hair is clean, healthy, and ready to shine.
What’s inside:
•QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
•BENTONITE CLAY: plumps, strengthens and protects hair.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: Wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse.
CONDITIONER: After cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Pump up the volume! Essential amino acids provide easy and complete absorption of nutrients into hair’s innermost layers. Cleanse and rebuild each strand to a visibly fuller, lighter, and glossier finish, for hair that resists shedding, breakage and is larger than life!
Sulfate and Paraben Free.
The Benefits:
•QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
•BENTONITE CLAY: plumps, strengthens and protects hair.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: Wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse. CONDITIONER: After cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Say goodbye to frizz and hello to definition with our Amplifying Foam. This lightweight styling foam delivers a perfect balance of moisture and hold, smoothing each strand while enhancing your natural curl pattern. Its buildable formula makes it ideal for fine hair or anyone looking for soft, bouncy curls without crunch or residue.
Features:
Provides lightweight, buildable hold without stiffness
Adds moisture and shine for frizz-free curls
Smooths and defines curls for a polished wash and go
Perfect alone for fine hair or as the first layer in your wash-and-go routine
Benefits:
Keeps curls light, juicy, and defined
Layers easily with creams and gels
Moisturizes while styling for healthier looking curls
Ideal for wash and go styling, twist outs, and roller sets
The Amplifying Foam is your go-to for effortless curl definition that feels as good as it looks.
What’s Inside::
• QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft, plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
• BENTONITE CLAY: strengthens and protects the hair.
How to Use:
After shampoo and conditioner, apply sparingly to towel dried hair. Style as usual. Amplifying foam is very concentrated so use sparingly.
Type 3: Curly
Description:
Defined and springy curls that form spiral or ringlets
3A: Uniformed curls about the size of large side walk chalk
3B: Circumference of a sharpie
3C: Pencil or straw, corkscrew curls, volume
Issues:
Frizz
Definition
Maintenance:
Shampoo once a week. Avoid sulfates that will dry out curls.
Co-wash midweek to refresh curls
Leave in conditioner
Light oil to seal in moisture
Deep condition week to bi weekly
Avoid heating tools to prevent heat damage
Styling Products
To define curls
Creams
Gels
Bring your hair back to life with our Moisture Shampoo. This creamy, nourishing formula is designed to infuse your strands with long lasting hydration while keeping them light, bouncy, and full of movement. Unlike heavy moisturizing shampoos that can leave buildup behind, this one delivers the perfect balance: deep hydration without weighing your hair down.
Features:
Gently cleanses while replenishing moisture to dry hair
Creamy, rich formula leaves hair soft, hydrated, and manageable
Keeps hair weightless, making it perfect before blowouts or silk presses
Strengthens and nourishes from root to tip
Safe for all textures, including fine hair, extensions, and color-treated strands
Benefits:
Your hair feels hydrated, silky, and smooth after every wash
Perfect second step after the Volume Shampoo for a balanced cleanse
Preps your strands for styling by keeping them moisturized and pliable
Helps prevent dryness, frizz, and breakage between wash days
With Moisture Shampoo, every wash day leaves your hair hydrated, soft, and ready for whatever style you choose, whether it’s a blowout, silk press, or natural curls.
What’s inside:
SUNFLOWER SEED EXTRACT: provides UVA and UVB protection to preserve radiant color.
COCONUT MILK: creates a strong barrier around the hair shaft to prevent breakage.
RHODOCHROSITE: balances moisture levels.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse well. Repeat if necessary.
CONDITIONER: after cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 2-3 minutes and rinse well.
Gently cleanse hair while drenching it in moisture, silkiness, and shine! Powerful anti-aging and collagen-building properties act as a barrier to seal the hair cuticle, protecting from color fade and damage without weighing hair down. Sulfate and Paraben free.
The Benefits:
SUNFLOWER SEED EXTRACT: provides UVA and UVB protection to preserve radiant color.
COCONUT MILK: creates a strong barrier around the hair shaft to prevent breakage.
RHODOCHROSITE: balances moisture levels.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse well. Repeat if necessary.
CONDITIONER: after cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 2-3 minutes and rinse well.
Meet the curl game changer: our Versatile Styling Cream. This unique gel-cream hybrid combines the hydration of a cream with the hold of a gel, giving you long lasting definition without the drying effects of alcohol-based stylers. It’s the perfect finishing layer for a frizz-free, shiny wash and go that lasts.
Features:
Provides long lasting hold and definition
Infuses moisture while locking in style
Prevents frizz and dryness with a nourishing formula
Works as the perfect topper over the Amplifying Foam
Benefits:
Keeps curls moisturized and defined for days
Smooth, touchable hold. No crunch or flaking
Reduces frizz and shrinkage for a polished look
Suitable for all textures, especially curly and coily hair
The Versatile Styling Cream is the ultimate styler for juicy, defined curls that last. All while keeping your hair soft, moisturized, and frizz-free.
What’s Inside:
• PUMPKIN SEED PROTEIN: provides flexible strength and manageability to hair.
• KAOLIN CLAY EXTRACT: provides hold without stickiness and absorbs negative oils to prolong the hairstyle.
How to Use:
Apply to damp hair. Do not rinse out. Style as usual. For sleek, controlled looks, apply to damp hair and allow to air dry. Apply generously for more hold. Repeat on dry hair if desired.
Type 4: Coils
Description:
Tight Coils
Fragile
Coarse
4A: Small tight corkscrews, crochet needle, finer strands
4B: spring of a pen
4C: less curl definition, coarser and stands with higher density than b
Issues:
Shrinkage
Tangles
Moisture
Frizz
Maintenance :
Shampoo less frequently to maintain moisture and reduce breakage and manipulation. Shampoo no more than once a week
Co wash if needed
ALWAYS detangle hair wet or with a product that will provide slip
Daily leave in conditioner, moisturizer
Use oils to seal moisture from roots to ends
Deep condition weekly or bi weekly
Limit use of heat as it will compromise curls resulting in heat damage
Protective styles to avoid over manipulation.
Styling Products
Fight frizz and define curls
Defining gel, cream or custard
Give your hair the ultimate reset with our Deep Repair Treatment. Formulated with the perfect balance of strength and hydration, this intensive mask revives dry, damaged strands while keeping them soft, defined, and healthy. Infused with keratin protein and rich moisturizers, it works from the inside out to repair, fortify, and restore your hair’s natural beauty.
Features:
Deeply hydrates while reinforcing strands with protein
Infuses keratin to strengthen and protect against breakage
Restores elasticity so curls clump, pop, and define
Improves softness, shine, and manageability
Ideal for hair that is heat styled, color treated, or prone to dryness
Benefits:
Hair feels instantly stronger and more moisturized
Visible results, curls spring back with bounce and definition
Keeps straight naturals and curly girls alike protected from heat and stress
Perfect for weekly deep treatments or paired with a steam treatment for maximum absorption
When your hair needs both moisture and strength, the Deep Repair Treatment delivers. It’s the key to keeping your strands resilient, hydrated, and full of life.
What’s inside:
SUNFLOWER OIL + MALACHITE: restore moisture, shine, and resilience while protecting hair from environmental stressors.
RHASSOUL: a mineral rich clay, makes this a great treatment for even finer textured hair.
How to Use:
Apply to clean towel dried hair and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse. Tip: Focus on mid-lengths to ends to help prevent split ends.
Give your hair the hydration it craves with Emergency Miracle Treatment. This lightweight leave in conditioner penetrates deep into each strand, delivering lasting moisture without heaviness. Perfect as the foundation for any style, it preps and protects your hair so it stays hydrated, healthy, and manageable all week long.
Features:
Lightweight formula absorbs quickly to hydrate from the inside out
Provides lasting moisture retention between wash days
Strengthens and softens without buildup or heaviness
Ideal prep step before blow drying or heat styling
Safe for natural hair, relaxed styles, extensions, and fine strands
Benefits:
Keeps hair hydrated longer, even if you heat style weekly
Perfect balance of moisture and weightlessness
Leaves hair soft, manageable, and frizz-free
A must-have for straight naturals or wash and go girls who need moisture without reapplying product daily
With Emergency Miracle Treatment, you can enjoy long lasting hydration and strength without compromising your style, it’s the leave in that truly lives up to its name.
The Benefits:
• SILK PROTEIN: nourishes, repairs and protects hair.
• SERECITE MICA: smooths, seals hair color and provides radiant
shine.
• UV FILTERS: block sun damage.
How to Use:
Depending on the length and type of hair, apply desired amount to damp hair after washing.
Comb through roots to ends for even distribution.
Do not rinse out. Style as usual.
Seal in shine, lock in moisture, and protect your hair with Amethyst Oil. This lightweight finishing oil is designed to penetrate the hair shaft, delivering long-lasting hydration without weighing your hair down. Perfect for both blowouts and silk presses, it doubles as an extra layer of heat protection while keeping your hair soft, smooth, and frizz-free.
Features:
Provides a second layer of heat protection for styling
Lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without buildup
Seals in moisture from your creams and leave-ins
Leaves hair silky, shiny, and frizz-free
Works on natural hair, relaxed hair, and extensions
Benefits:
Protects against dryness from hot tools
Adds natural shine without greasiness
Perfect as the final step before a silk press or as a daily shine oil
Fine-hair friendly — no heavy residue or weighed-down strands
Whether you’re blowing out, silk pressing, or simply refreshing your look, Amethyst Oil is the perfect finishing touch for healthy, shiny, and protected hair.
What’s inside:
• HEMP SEED PROTEIN: fights fly-aways and frizz. Soothes scalp.
• AMETHYST: protects the hair from hot tools up to 410 degrees and
speeds up blow dry time.
How to Use:
ON WET HAIR: apply a few drops concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends. Comb through to distribute evenly. Style as usual.
ON DRY HAIR: lightly apply and work through hair for added shine and to tame fly-aways.
TREATMENT: apply throughout scalp and hair, cover with a plastic cap for 20 minutes to an hour. Shampoo and condition hair as regular.
Conclusion:
Identifying your curl type can help you better understand how to care for your tresses. It will also help you find your curl type tribe which is beneficial to get advice and learn the versatility of your unique curls while preventing those dreaded bad hair days.
What are some of your tricks for taking care of your curl pattern?