If you’ve discovered that you have naturally curly hair, you may be confused about how to find out your curl type. Maybe you’ve been watching curly hair videos and wondering, “What does 2A mean? What’s a 3B or 4C?” These numbers refer to a super-simple system that was developed by celebrity hairstylist Andre Walker to help curly girls stay organized. Honestly, I struggled to figure out my curl type at the beginning. Some types look so similar that it can be hard to figure it out. 

Read on for how to find out your curl type.

What does curl type mean?

A curl type identifies the curl pattern that most of your hair follows. Whether that’s 2B waves or 4A coils, you’ll probably be able to identify what looks most like your hair. It’s very common for curly girls to have 2 different number/letter combinations. For example, you could have 2C waves and 3A curls scattered throughout your hair.

It’s important to remember that EVERY curl type is beautiful! No type is “better” than another curl type. As Naturally Curly says, “We want women of all curl patterns to love and embrace their hair.”

Find out your curl type: Type 2: Wavy Hair

Girls with type 2 hair have soft, S-shaped waves. Their texture can range from fine to coarse. Often, wavy girls don’t realize they have naturally curly hair because their curls are less defined. Instead, they flat-iron and blow-dry their hair into straight subjection. (If you’re not sure if you have curly hair, read 6 Signs that You Have Naturally Curly Hair).

Wavy girls can easily achieve the boho waves that are so popular right now. With the right products and techniques, their gorgeous, soft waves will shine through. 

2A Waves

Almost straight, with loose waves and a tousled texture

2B Waves

Gentle waves that start around eye level, with fairly straight roots

2C Waves

Defined waves beginning at the root, mixed with ringlets

Most common challenges of Type 2 hair:

Reducing frizz 

Not weighing down the hair with heavy products

Finding the right styling products to provide light hold

Best products for Type 2A, 2B, 2C hair:

Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Giovanni Cosmetics Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

DevaCurl Wave Maker (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

DevaCurl One Condition Delight (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel (review) (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Wavy Girls to Follow:

Alyson @reallifecurlygirl

Megan @wavycurlychronicles

Mary Ann @goodgravyitswavy

Find out your curl type: Type 3: Curly Hair

Next, let’s look at type 3, which is classified as “curly hair.” Girls with type 3 hair have ringlets ranging from wide spirals to tight corkscrew curls. If these girls aren’t following the Curly Girl Method, they typically tie back their wild curls into buns or ponytails. You’ll hear them say, “My hair is so wild that I can’t do anything with it!” However, when they follow the Curly Girl Method, their hair will tame down into gorgeous, easy-to-style ringlets. 

Fun Fact: 

Girls with type 3A and 3B hair have very similar curls…with the main difference being their size. 

But, many curly experts think that 3C curly girls deserve their own category. Their curls are tighter, smaller, and have way more volume than 3A and 3B curls. However, they are still distinct from type 4 curly hair because of their different curl shapes. 

3A Curls

Shiny, voluminous curls about the size of a sidewalk chalk

3B Curls

Bouncy, coarse ringlets about the size of a Sharpie marker

3C Curls

Tight, voluminous corkscrews ranging in size from a pencil to a straw

Most common challenges of Type 3 hair:

Defining their curls

Managing volume

Reducing frizz

Best products for Type 3A or 3B hair:

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Mop Top Daily Conditioner (Amazon.com which also ships to Canada)

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

ISO Bouncy Créme (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Aussie Instant Freeze Gel (review) (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Best products for 3C hair:

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

SheaMoisture SuperFruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Conditioner (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

As I Am Coil Defining Jelly (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Curly Girls to Follow:

Daysie @curlswithdaysie

Marisa @marisascurls

Jackie @mymanecurls

Find out your curl type: Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair

What image first comes to mind when you think about curly hair? For many people, it’s a gorgeous afro of luscious, tight curls. Girls with type 4 have a distinct curl shape: a corkscrew curl made of zigzag strands. This hair type usually appears much shorter than it actually is, which is called “shrinkage.” If a girl with coily hair pulls it downward, it will stretch to be several inches longer than its original length. Type 4 hair tends to be dry and needs a lot of moisture to be at its best. Its density can range from coarse to fine.

4A Coils 

Corkscrew curls as big as a crochet needle, in S-patterns

4B Coils

Even tighter, bendable corkscrews as tiny as a pen spring

4C Coils

Corkscrews about the same size as 4B hair, but more coarse and densely packed. They have a distinct zigzag curl pattern and usually have 75% or more shrinkage of hair length. 

Most common challenges of Type 4 hair:

Avoiding tangles

Moisturizing the hair

Best products for Type 4 Hair:

Bounce Curl Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo (Canada)

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Extra Dark Conditioner (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Cantu Coconut Curling Cream (Amazon.com / Amazon.ca)

Coily/Kinky Girls to Follow:

Felicia @hif3licia

Rayna @happycurlhappygirl

Tips for identifying the right curl type

Don’t sweat over specifics.

Within each category, there is a lot of common ground. Don’t worry too much about identifying whether you’re a 2A or 2B, etc. Both will share some characteristics. Products and techniques for a certain curl type will probably work for you if you’re in the same category. You need to experiment to discover what’s best for YOUR hair. Which brings me to my next point…

Know that your curl type can change over time. 

If you’ve been using heat tools and blowdryers for years, your hair is probably damaged and dry. After you start the Curly Girl Method, it will take a couple months before you realize your full curl potential and find out your curl type. For example, Cailin of Curly Cailin started with damaged 2a waves. After following the Curly Girl Method for 2 years, she has gorgeous 3b curls.

Personally, I’ve definitely noticed that my hair has gotten curlier over time, as I’ve learned more about using the right products and techniques. Right now, I have a mixed curl type of 2C waves and 3A curls. 

Let’s Chat:

What curl type looks most like your hair? If you’re not sure, email me a pic, and I’d be happy to give you my opinion and help you find out your curl type. Each curl type is unique and absolutely beautiful! Let me know in the comments- what curl type are you?

love,

Claudine

Want to learn more?

Purchase a copy of my new ebook, Embrace Your Curls: A Manual for Curly Girls. It’s 120+ pages of information, techniques, and methods to help you have the hair of your dreams. Check it out here.

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p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!