Not all curls are the same. Not even all waves are the same. Just as you would never find two people in the world with identical fingerprints, every curly mane is unique. And in order to give it the right care, you first need to understand what it truly needs.

In the world of curls, there is a commonly used hair classification system:

• 2 - wavy hair
• 3 - curly hair
• 4 - afro hair

These categories are further divided into subtypes A, B, and C.

Find out which type of curly hair crowns your head.

Textured hair types and their basic division into wavy, curly or afro hair

Let’s start from scratch. From the point where many people find themselves stuck, unsure how to move forward. Are you also wondering whether your hair is actually curly?

If you see even the slightest hint of a wave when you look in the mirror (especially after washing your hair), know that the gentle and effective Curly Girl Method (CGM) can elevate your crown to a level you may never have imagined before. It can transform a subtle wave into a stunning cascade of texture.

So tell me… Are you also struggling with flat, tired, or frizzy hair that slightly waves at the exact moment you want it to stay straight? Then you will probably begin your journey to beautiful and healthy hair labeled as type 2A wavy hair.

Wavy Hair – Type 2

As mentioned above, wavy hair can sometimes feel like it doesn’t know what it wants to be. Are you tired of reaching for your flat iron day after day just to achieve a hairstyle that doesn’t resemble limp, messy straw?

Instead of conventional hair products, try cosmetics designed specifically for wavy hair.

If you combine them with a care routine based on the principles of the Curly Girl Method for waves, you may quickly realize that years of straightening and smoothing were turning you into someone you’re not.

Is your hair not perfectly straight? Then you might have…

TYPE 2A WAVY HAIR

Your hair starts to form slight waves when exposed to humidity. It definitely cannot be described as curly. Yet you’re still thinking about how to style it nicely without using a flat iron and harmful styling products. The S-shaped waves usually start in the lower half of your hair, while the roots remain mostly straight.

TYPE 2B WAVY HAIR

Winning the battle against gravity isn’t exactly your strong suit. You already know sleek, perfectly straight ponytails are not your destiny. But how can you enhance the volume and the waves that are forming on your head?

If your waves resemble a flattened “S” shape and begin closer to the roots, welcome among the wavy girls of type 2B.

TYPE 2C WAVY HAIR

Your bathroom probably already holds several products designed for curly hair. You know perfectly straight hair is not something you have. Your defined waves often border on type 3A, especially in humid weather. However, your strands still resemble a compressed “S” shape rather than fully formed spiral ringlets.

Curly Hair – Type 3

If you only reach for a flat iron when you want a dramatic change and to surprise those around you with straight hair, you are clearly a curly girl.

For you, curl definition is not the biggest problem. What likely keeps you up at night is frizz, dryness, breakage, and figuring out how to detangle your hair with as little pain as possible.

Did you recognize yourself in this description? The tighter your curls, the easier it will be to determine your curly subtype.

TYPE 3A CURLY HAIR

If you look closely at the diameter of your curls, you could estimate it at about 2 cm. The difference between type 2C and 3A can sometimes be hard to define. However, unlike waves, curls show their shape right from the roots and appear slightly more compact and uniform.

TYPE 3B CURLY HAIR

A 3B curly beauty could estimate the diameter of her spirals at around 1 cm. Unlike wavy hair, volume is not an unreachable goal. Your hair has a denser texture at first touch.

With proper care, the help of an old cotton T-shirt, and products designed for curly hair, you can transform a straw-like nest into a beautiful cascade of shiny, healthy curls that will turn heads.

TYPE 3C CURLY HAIR

If you belong to this curly category, you could easily wrap your curls around a thick pencil. The difference in length between a stretched wet strand and your dry curls can be up to one third.

Again, this type can sometimes be mistaken for afro hair, but it still resembles the letter “S” more than the zig-zag shape of “Z”.

Afro Hair – Type 4

Very tight spirals in the shape of a compressed “S,” often leaning toward a “Z” pattern, are a clear sign that you are a proud wearer of afro hair.

Are you also fighting daily with untamed volume? Hold your head high, afro beauty. To achieve a stunning exotic look, you simply need the right approach, CGM-based care, and products designed for afro hair. Then all that’s left is a confident smile.

TYPE 4A AFRO HAIR

Even curlier? Then it’s afro. If your strands can only be described as unruly and together create a compact chaos of curls, type 4A is likely yours.

You probably spend most of your time figuring out how to tame the halo around your head and bring in more shine and a sense of order to your spirals.

TYPE 4B AFRO HAIR

You notice your exotic appearance every time you look in the mirror. As well as the unsuccessful attempts to transform your afro into a stunning cascade of defined, shiny ringlets.

Your tight coils create an uneven nest that needs life breathed back into it. Nothing is lost. There is help for afro hair too — help that will let you see the light at the end of the tunnel. And detangling will no longer feel like a painful, tearful struggle.

TYPE 4C AFRO HAIR

Are you among the few lucky ones who can boast type 4C afro hair? You’ll recognize it by tight “Z”-shaped strands and by the fact that your stretched length can be almost twice as long as it appears when coiled.

Although it may look like you’re hiding thick, strong hair under all that volume, appearances can be deceiving. Afro beauties know that softness, fragility, and frizz are their biggest daily challenges when trying to bring structure and care into their routine.

Welcome among wavy, curly or afro girls!

Hair type says a lot about which hair products and routine you should choose. But don’t forget about hair porosity, which quickly explains why something works perfectly for you while your friend with similar waves sees no results.

Did you find yourself somewhere on this scale? Then you’re only a few steps away from finally solving the issues that trouble your wavy, curly or afro crown.

And here’s the good news: hair types are not constant. If you’re starting as a subtle type 2A wavy girl, you could easily become a curly diva with beautiful 3B curls within months. All it takes is taking the first step.

I want to choose the right hair care products based on my hair type