Much like your natural hair color, your curl pattern is something you’re born with. And while there are plenty of ways to manipulate texture—whether through heat styling, chemical treatments, or products—understanding your natural curl type is key to enhancing and caring for your hair properly.
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about curl types, how to identify your specific texture, the best tools for each curl pattern, and how often you should wash your hair based on its unique needs.
Why Understanding Hair Type Matters
Beyond just knowing whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily, it’s crucial to consider additional factors like porosity, density, and strand thickness when finding the best care and styling routine. These elements work together to determine how your hair absorbs moisture, how much volume it naturally holds, and what products, tools and techniques will help you achieve your best hair days. Understanding these elements ensures you can tailor your routine—whether it’s styling, coloring, or washing—to your hair type.
The Main Curl Types & Classification System
Most hair textures are classified into a single type, but it’s common to have multiple curl patterns on different parts of your head. While several classification methods exist, the most widely used system categorizes hair into four main types (1-4), with subcategories (A, B, C) that indicate how loose or tight the texture is within that group.
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Type 1: Straight
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Type 2: Wavy (A - loose waves, B - defined waves, C - tighter waves)
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Type 3: Curly (A - loose curls, B - springy curls, C - tight curls)
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Type 4: Coily (A - small coils, B - zig-zag pattern, C - densely packed coils)
Breaking Down Curl Types
Type 1: Straight Hair
Straight hair lacks a natural curl or wave and tends to reflect the most light, making it naturally shiny.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
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2A: Loose waves that are closer to straight but can be enhanced with products and heat styling.
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2B: More defined S-shape waves with a classic wavy texture.
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2C: The tightest wave type, often bordering on curls with more volume and definition.
Type 3: Curly Hair
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3A: Loose, bouncy curls that can be smoothed or enhanced for more definition.
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3B: Springy, well-defined curls that may be more prone to frizz.
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3C: Tightest within the curly category, offering major volume and bounce when properly styled.
Type 4: Coily Hair
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4A: Small, tight coils with strong definition.
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4B: More of a Z-shaped curl pattern, giving a highly textured appearance.
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4C: The tightest and most densely packed curl type, often more fragile and prone to shrinkage.
How to Identify Your Curl Pattern
Not sure where your hair fits in? Use these shape-based hints:
S-shaped curls: Likely in the wavy category (Type 2)
Corkscrew-shaped curls: Falls under curly hair (Type 3)
Z-shaped curls: Typically coily hair (Type 4), with a more textured, defined pattern
Best Styling Tools for Each Curl Type
Using the right tools and products is essential to maintaining healthy, well-defined curls while reducing frizz and breakage. Here are the best tools based on your hair type:
Wavy to Curly Hair (Types 2A-3A)
Sam Villa Pro Results 3-in-1 Blow Dry Hot Brush – Ideal for versatile styling, whether you want to smooth, straighten, or add volume to your waves and curls. This 3-in-1 dryer brush makes blowouts effortless.
Thermal Ionic Pro Vent Brush – Featuring a ceramic thermal core, this brush evenly distributes heat, reduces frizz, and speeds up drying time while detangling without causing damage.
Curly to Coily Hair (Types 3B-4C)
Signature Series 9 Row Finishing Brush – Perfect for detangling, defining curls, and adding shine. The ionic nylon pins help smooth the hair cuticle while the tourmaline-infused bristles condition and control frizz.
All Curl Types
Deep Bowl Diffuser – A game-changer for drying curly and coily hair without disturbing the natural curl pattern. This attachment enhances definition, boosts volume, and minimizes frizz.
Artist Series Professional Blow Dryer – Designed to cater to all hair textures, this powerful dryer allows you to control temperature, speed, and ions to smooth, volumize, and define curls based on your styling needs.
SLEEKR Professional Flat Iron – Featuring rounded ceramic plates to minimize snagging, this flat iron offers adjustable temperature settings for different hair types and can be used for everything from sleek styles and touch-ups to adding soft waves.
Straight Hair Types (1)
Straight hair typically appears sleek and smooth and can sometimes struggle to add volume and texture. If you're looking to add body or movement, try using the Pro Results Double-Waver Iron for effortless beachy waves or the TEXTUR Professional Texturizing Iron to create volumized, textured styles. These tools help introduce dimension and lift, transforming straight strands into more versatile finishes.
Pro Results Double-Waver Iron – Enjoy fast, flawless styling with this innovative tool that features dual ceramic-infused barrels that create flowing beach waves, loose curls, or tousled texture.
TEXTUR® Professional Texturizing Iron – Create volumized, textured styles with this powerful crimping tool that adds up to three times the volume and body, making fine, straight hair appear fuller and more dynamic.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
The frequency of washing depends on your curl type and how much natural oil your scalp produces. Here’s a general guide for each texture:
Wavy Hair (2A-2C) – Tends to get oily faster and may lose shape quickly. Washing 3-4 times per week or as needed helps refresh the waves.
Curly Hair (3A-3C) – Curls are naturally drier, and many people love how their hair looks with a bit of natural oil. Washing 2-3 times per week helps maintain moisture while preventing buildup.
Coily Hair (4A-4C) – The most fragile and driest texture, coily hair benefits from once-a-week washing (or less) to prevent breakage and retain moisture.
The Takeaways
The most beautiful thing about your natural curl pattern is that it’s completely unique to you. Embracing it starts with understanding how to properly care for and style your hair. So, whether you have soft waves, springy curls, or tight coils, the right tools, products, and washing routine will help you enhance your texture while keeping your hair healthy and hydrated. If you’re still not sure about your texture type or the best tools for you, consult your stylist to help you define a routine that works with your curl type.
