Know Your "Roots"
Do you know your hair type?
Determining your hair type is a starting point to be able to find the right products that will work best for you. Natural hair has three different hair types: Type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily). Hair types can be sub classified as type A, B, or C. This is based on the diameter of the wave, curl or coil.
You may feel as if your hair resembles multiple types and that is possible and normal.
Below is a guide that will help give you some insight about your natural hair.
Type 1A - (Bone Straight) Although this type is not pictured above, it is one of the easiest types to distinguish because it ranges from bone straight
Type 1C- (Straight with a slight wave)
Type 2A- (Beachy Wave to loose curl) This type of hair tends to hold a curl a little bit longer than type 1.
Type 2B- (Between Straight & Curly) This type of hair is normally straight at the roots and tends to get thicker and more defined at the mid length creating a more "S" shape.
Type 2C - (Loose Spiral Curls) This type of hair has defined waves that start at the roots and tends to get frizzy very fast.
Type 3A- Type 3 hair brings us into the naturally curly hair world. These curls have tighter ringlets and the most important thing to remember if you fall in this category or below is "MOISTURE."
Professional Tip #1: Stay away from products that will dry your hair out and avoid anything with alcohols!
Type 3B- (Curly with Spirals) This type of hair is made up of well defined curls with a large circumference and has a fine to medium texture. This type of hair has a lot of natural body and is more prone to becoming frizzy and dry.
Type 3C- (Straw/Pencil Corkscrews) This type of hair can either be kinky or very tightly coiled. This type of hair is very dense, containing a large amount of hair strands.
Professional Tip #2: Type 3 natural hair requires more tender love and maintenance due to being very fragile. It is recommended to use natural butters, styling creams and oils because it needs a lot of "MOISTURE" to behave properly and less prone to breakage.
Type 4A- This type of hair is dense, has very tight coils and can can be wiry or fine type of texture with a "S" curl pattern. This type of hair is very fragile as well.
Type 4B- This type of hair has a slightly different pattern than type 4A as it coils and curls but type 4B hair resembles the letter "Z", This curl is much tighter and way less defined, The texture range from a little more wiry, coarse or fine and thin.
Type 4C- This type of hair has soooooo much shrinkage! On average, it has about 75% more shrinkage than other hair textures! So don't worry this hair naturally is about about 2This type of hair is similar to 4A and 4B texture but the hair strands are more fragile and the pattern resembles a very tight zig-zag pattern.
I get it!
Trying to figure out your curl type can be confusing and overwhelming. Many different textures can exist on the head alone. Even if you are not totally sure it is best to start somewhere when you are shopping for hair care products.
Please do not overthink it. I am here to help in any way to help take care of your natural hair. Consultations are FREE!
Feel free to email us with any questions, concerns or comments at RichRootsHairCo@gmail.com