If you have curly hair, understanding your curl pattern in Palatine, IL is the key to keeping your hair looking great, strong and healthy. Not all curls behave the same, and what’s more, our hair texture and type changes over time. If you use heat styling tools or simply don’t know how to take care of your hair, you can damage it further.

Here’s how to figure out what kind of curly hair you have, so you can find the best products and styling techniques for your specific curl type.

Curly hair terminology

• Wavy: Wavy hair strands form an “S” shape when you let them dry naturally. Waves can be pronounced or loose, but they don’t form a strict curl like the other types on this list.
• Curly: This type of hair winds around itself in clusters to form loose curls. Curls need a lot of moisture to define them, but sometimes a little frizz adds volume and interest.
• Coily: Coily hair forms tight, small coils. This curl type is very fragile, particularly if your hair is fine.
• Kinky: This type of curl isn’t a curl at all—it forms a “Z” or zigzag shape all the way down the strand.

The nine kinds of curly hair patterns in Palatine, IL

• 2a: This is a loose, slight S-shaped wave that usually appears in fine hair.
• 2b: 2b curls are S-shaped at the crown but may lose definition as the hair gets longer.
• 2c: This type is primarily wavy, but often has tighter curls in addition to waves.
• 3a: 3a are big, springy medium curls that are defined all the way down.
• 3b: These curls are defined all the way down the strand, but are tighter than 3a, about the circumference of a marker.
• 3c: 3c is defined by tight corkscrew pencil-sized curls. It’s often thicker and coarser than the other type 3 or type 2 curls.
• 4a: This is a tightly coiled S-shaped curl that has plenty of definition.
• 4b: 4b curls are more in a Z shape and bend in sharp angles. They might feel coarse or wiry to the touch and can benefit from moisturizing products.
• 4c: 4c hair doesn’t tend to clump together like other curls. Instead, it is densely packed and can range from thin to coarse.

In addition to these nine types, it’s also possible to have hair “between” types or several different kinds of curl patterns on one head—so if these types don’t seem quite right, you probably have a combination.

For type 2 hair, look for mousses and gels that won’t weigh your hair down, but will define the wave and curl. Types 3a and 3b should focus on anti-humectants to tone down the frizz while defining curls. 3c needs deep moisturization, and type 4 requires creamy humectants to maximize moisture and protect the curls.

Are you baffled by your curly hair? Let the stylists at Claude Thomas Salon & Spa help. We can help you figure out curly hair types in Palatine, IL and the best styling solutions.

Categorised in: Hairstyle