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Posted: 10/08/21
What does hair type mean?
Your hair type is mostly determined by your hair’s curl pattern. The amount of curl that you have in your hair is based on the shape of your follicle. The more oval or asymmetrical your hair follicle is the curlier your hair will be.
Your curl pattern is in your DNA. You can change your curl pattern with heat or chemicals e.g straighteners or getting a perm. However, when your hair grows through again it will ultimately go back to how it was before!
What are the different hair types?
Celebrity stylist Andre walker’s definitions of hair types splits hair into 4 different categories based on curl pattern.
These four types are then divided again into subcategories based on the diameter of the curls and coils.
Although it is nice to have a defining system, it isn’t quite so simple to fully determine your hair type. You could have 3C at your crown and 3A hair around your face. Sounds daunting, but with Savers’ guide we can help you find the hair type that most describes you and how to treat it well.
How to care for each different hair type
Type 1: Straight hair
Type 1 hair has no curl at all. The individual strands fall without a wave from the root to the ends. Straight hair can be thick or thin, fine or coarse and will naturally produce more oil.
We recommend using products with reduced oil and not over washing to ensure you keep your hair healthy and not greasy! Dry shampoo is a type 1 hair’s best friend!
Type 2: Wavy hair
Type 2A hair:
Naturally, type 2A hair is straight from the root to eye level, followed by undefined waves to the ends. For type 2A, similarly, to type 1, avoid using oily or creamy products as this can cause greasiness. We recommend using a light mousse or gel to really define the waves for a soft natural look.
Type 2B hair:
This hair type mirrors type 2A as the waving starts midway through the hair. However type 2B has a definite ‘S’ shape to the curls, so it’s super easy to create gorgeous beachy waves with type 2B hair. Just add a spritz of salt spray or maybe a little mousse and enjoy the effortless beauty!
Type 2C hair:
The most defined ‘S’ shape curls are found in hair type 2C. This wave pattern also starts further up the hair and continues all the way to the ends. Unfortunately for this hair type, it is prone to frizz in humid or damp conditions. Don’t worry though, we have got a great frizz-fighting range to make sure your waves stay stunning no matter the weather. Type 2C hair is most likely to be caught up in an endless cycle of everyday straighten or curling. Although we do not recommend this as it will damage your hair, we have fab products to protect your hair against the heat. We want your hair to feel as good as it looks!
Type 3: Curly
Type 3A hair:
‘S’ shape curls form loose loops with type 3A. The circumference is no smaller than the large end of taper candle. People with type 3A hair have be very careful as they are one hairbrush stroke away from a frizzy mess. We recommend using a detangle brush and spray while the hair is wet to ensure no breakage when brushing. Then add a light cream or mousse to the hair before scrunching to define the curls.
Type 3B hair:
This hair type has defined curls with a circumference as wide as a barrel of a Sharpie. These curls start from the roots and twist all the way to the end. We highly recommend using cream and oil products with this hair type as it generally can dry out. Avoid products including sulphates as they may look like they are containing frizz, but will actually be drying your hair out, which could lead to nasty breakages.
Springy and tight ringlets define type 3C hair – their ringlets would fit around a drinking straw. Avoid using hair brushes with this type of hair as it will almost always lead to frizz! Instead, take a leave in conditioner and rake through your hair and let hair dry. If you are in a rush and can’t leave the house with sopping wet hair, use a t-shirt and scrunch your hair. The fibres in towels tend to be too harsh for hair, causing fall out and overall damage. So, pick an old t-shirt and ditch the towel!
Type 4: Coils
Type 4A hair:
You can wrap 4A curls around a chopstick and they require a lot of moisture. Leave in conditioners and hair masks can provide long lasting moisture and are great for overall hair health.
Keep your curl pattern sacred, using protective styles e.g. weaves or braids can actually do more harm than good. The ‘protective’ styles keep your natural hair tucked away so they cannot get the natural oils and ingredients they need to grow. Embrace your natural beauty and save those curls!
Type 4B hair:
This hair type not only curls but also zig-zags. A great way to define this stunning hair type is to add leave in conditioner after washing, section the hair and with each section, smother in curl defining cream or gel and twist each strand with your index finger. Complete all sections and enjoy defined, frizz-free curls for days!
Type 4C hair:
Type 4C is the most fragile hair type so it’s very important to keep it moisturised. Avoid combing or brushing too often as it can easily break! Coconut oils and Shea butter creams are a great way to keep your 4C hair healthy. It is common for people with type 4C hair to ditch shampoo altogether and rinse with conditioners instead!
In summary
There are four different hair types which all have different needs. The curlier the hair, the bigger need for moisture and definition. For straight hair, the focus is on removing oils and keeping the shine. If you want more inspiration we have a whole host of hair products in-store and online!
Shop Hair at Savers now
Find the perfect products for your hair type in just one click!
Different hair types & how to look after each one
What does hair type mean?
Your hair type is mostly determined by your hair’s curl pattern. The amount of curl that you have in your hair is based on the shape of your follicle. The more oval or asymmetrical your hair follicle is the curlier your hair will be.
Your curl pattern is in your DNA. You can change your curl pattern with heat or chemicals e.g straighteners or getting a perm. However, when your hair grows through again it will ultimately go back to how it was before!
What are the different hair types?
Celebrity stylist Andre walker’s definitions of hair types splits hair into 4 different categories based on curl pattern.
Jump to your hair type below:
Type 1 – Straight Hair
Type 2 – Wavy Hair
Type 3 – Curly Hair
Type 4- Coily hair
These four types are then divided again into subcategories based on the diameter of the curls and coils.
Although it is nice to have a defining system, it isn’t quite so simple to fully determine your hair type. You could have 3C at your crown and 3A hair around your face. Sounds daunting, but with Savers’ guide we can help you find the hair type that most describes you and how to treat it well.
How to care for each different hair type
Type 1: Straight hair
Type 1 hair has no curl at all. The individual strands fall without a wave from the root to the ends. Straight hair can be thick or thin, fine or coarse and will naturally produce more oil.
We recommend using products with reduced oil and not over washing to ensure you keep your hair healthy and not greasy! Dry shampoo is a type 1 hair’s best friend!
Type 2: Wavy hair
Type 2A hair:
Naturally, type 2A hair is straight from the root to eye level, followed by undefined waves to the ends. For type 2A, similarly, to type 1, avoid using oily or creamy products as this can cause greasiness. We recommend using a light mousse or gel to really define the waves for a soft natural look.
Type 2B hair:
This hair type mirrors type 2A as the waving starts midway through the hair. However type 2B has a definite ‘S’ shape to the curls, so it’s super easy to create gorgeous beachy waves with type 2B hair. Just add a spritz of salt spray or maybe a little mousse and enjoy the effortless beauty!
Type 2C hair:
The most defined ‘S’ shape curls are found in hair type 2C. This wave pattern also starts further up the hair and continues all the way to the ends. Unfortunately for this hair type, it is prone to frizz in humid or damp conditions. Don’t worry though, we have got a great frizz-fighting range to make sure your waves stay stunning no matter the weather. Type 2C hair is most likely to be caught up in an endless cycle of everyday straighten or curling. Although we do not recommend this as it will damage your hair, we have fab products to protect your hair against the heat. We want your hair to feel as good as it looks!
Type 3: Curly
Type 3A hair:
‘S’ shape curls form loose loops with type 3A. The circumference is no smaller than the large end of taper candle. People with type 3A hair have be very careful as they are one hairbrush stroke away from a frizzy mess. We recommend using a detangle brush and spray while the hair is wet to ensure no breakage when brushing. Then add a light cream or mousse to the hair before scrunching to define the curls.
Type 3B hair:
This hair type has defined curls with a circumference as wide as a barrel of a Sharpie. These curls start from the roots and twist all the way to the end. We highly recommend using cream and oil products with this hair type as it generally can dry out. Avoid products including sulphates as they may look like they are containing frizz, but will actually be drying your hair out, which could lead to nasty breakages.
Type 3C hair:
Springy and tight ringlets define type 3C hair – their ringlets would fit around a drinking straw. Avoid using hair brushes with this type of hair as it will almost always lead to frizz! Instead, take a leave in conditioner and rake through your hair and let hair dry. If you are in a rush and can’t leave the house with sopping wet hair, use a t-shirt and scrunch your hair. The fibres in towels tend to be too harsh for hair, causing fall out and overall damage. So, pick an old t-shirt and ditch the towel!
Type 4: Coils
Type 4A hair:
You can wrap 4A curls around a chopstick and they require a lot of moisture. Leave in conditioners and hair masks can provide long lasting moisture and are great for overall hair health.
Keep your curl pattern sacred, using protective styles e.g. weaves or braids can actually do more harm than good. The ‘protective’ styles keep your natural hair tucked away so they cannot get the natural oils and ingredients they need to grow. Embrace your natural beauty and save those curls!
Type 4B hair:
This hair type not only curls but also zig-zags. A great way to define this stunning hair type is to add leave in conditioner after washing, section the hair and with each section, smother in curl defining cream or gel and twist each strand with your index finger. Complete all sections and enjoy defined, frizz-free curls for days!
Type 4C hair:
Type 4C is the most fragile hair type so it’s very important to keep it moisturised. Avoid combing or brushing too often as it can easily break! Coconut oils and Shea butter creams are a great way to keep your 4C hair healthy. It is common for people with type 4C hair to ditch shampoo altogether and rinse with conditioners instead!
In summary
There are four different hair types which all have different needs. The curlier the hair, the bigger need for moisture and definition. For straight hair, the focus is on removing oils and keeping the shine. If you want more inspiration we have a whole host of hair products in-store and online!
Shop Hair at Savers now
Find the perfect products for your hair type in just one click!
Reference https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-hair#the-takeaway
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