Did you know there are many different types of hair? That’s right, but we are not just talking about a couple; there are over ten types of women’s hair, fourteen to be exact, and here we will tell you all about them.
With so many types of hair, you may want to find out which one is yours. When talking about hair type, we are essentially talking about the texture of a person’s hair.
Knowing exactly which type of hair you have will enable you to take its best care possible and keep your mane not only tamed but also looking its absolute best all the time.
Because although we may neglect it at times, and as much as we get frustrated by it sometimes because it gets distorted in certain types of weather, enabling people to tell you feared phrases such as ‘bad hair day?’…at the end of the day your hair also needs love and care and finding out its proper styling needs could mark a huge difference.
By now, you had probably noticed that the texture of your hair isn’t the same as it was said when you were a child. This is perfectly normal, and a little unfortunate, but it is all part of growing pains.
Hair type and hair color are given to you by genetics, so if you have one of those thick, bushy types, you probably inherited it from your family members.
Without further adieu, check out some of the most common types of hair women may present and what can cause your hair type to change over time.
What Are The Types Of Hair Textures?
The type of hair you have will be determined by your hair follicle and its curl pattern.
When it comes to women’s hair, we find four general types; straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Each class then has three subcategories which give us 12 varieties, and lastly, we also classified thick and thin or fine hair, which comes down to a total of 14 types of women’s hair.
Check out below each type and find out which one is yours.
Straight Hair
Straight hair presents no curl and tends to become oily; the strands fall without waving from root to tip.
Type 1A
Type 1A straight hair is fine. It feels soft to the touch, is often glossy, and seems weightless. This type of hair can be troublesome to style because it lacks volume. A layered cut is recommended.
Type 1B
This type of hair is a bit thicker than fine hair. It presents some volume, so it’s easier to control. An up-do or a slicked-back look would look amazing.
Type 1C
Of all straight hair, type C is the coarsest and bushiest of all. It can be hard to control, and if you want to get curls, you may want to go to a professional. Long layered cuts are the most suitable.
Wavy Hair
People born with this particular type of hair are the ones that present hair strands that form an S shape. This type of hair is generally balanced between oily and dry.
Type 2a
This type of hair is a combination of straight and undefined waves. People with this type have relatively straight hair from the roots to around eye level, and it presents a gentle bend to the ends. If what you want is more defined waves, experts recommend using gel.
Type 2b
In this type, more defined curls appear from the midpoint to the ends. Straightening can require effort, but a beachy look can be super easy to achieve. The balayage technique is also suitable.
Type 2c
As you may have figured out, the S shape or wave pattern in this type is clearly defined. Frizz is the biggest fear of this hair type as loose spiral curls may go nuts on a lousy weather day. The product that helps get rid of frizz is critical.
Curly Hair
Here we are talking about natural curls and not waves. It can range from loose hoops to tight helixes. You should also be aware that all curly hair is prone to frizz.
Type 3a
This hair type is the most acceptable type of curly hair; it has significant and free curls, making it the easiest to tame. You may want to use styling products to help you define your natural curls and avoid brushing.
Type 3b
Here we find wide curls that begin at the root and have lots of volumes. If you keep the moisture level on point, you are probably the envy of your friends.
Type 3c
This type of curl is a mix of bouncy and tight, coarse curls. Here the key is to use products that make your curls softer.
Coily Hair
Coly hair is easy to spot, in this type the curls present both S and Z shapes so it’s often described as a variant of curly hair. This type of hair is what you commonly hear as kinky hair.
Type 4a
This type of hair presents the finest texture of coily hair. This type of hair often appears stiff and needs a lot of moisture and you can forget about styling tools as it is best to wear it loose.
Type 4b
This type of coily hair is much softer to the touch and the curls zig-zag. Shingling and cream or gel work wonders.
Type 4c
Type 4c of coily hair is the most delicate, it is prone to break if you comb it too often. Afros are a good example. Rich conditioners and coconut oil are recommended.
Thick Hair
Abundant, strong, glossy, and thick hair is often what most women desire as it is a sign of proper and healthy hair care habits. This, however, is not always simple to achieve and that’s why again, it is important to know which type of hair you possess.
Thick hair may seem easy to identify however you can have abundant hair and not have necessarily thick hair.
An easy way to know is to grab one strand and place it between your finger, if you are able to feel it then congratulations you have thick hair.
Thick hair can be curly, wavy, or straight and its main characteristic is a heavy feel. A haircut with layers can often make it easier to control.
Thin/Fine Hair
Thin or fine hair can be discovered by doing the same test, if your results are exactly the opposite then you have thin hair.
Thin hair can be easy to spot since it gives the illusion of having less hair on your head, though it might not be the case. There are tons of products and natural remedies including changes in your diet and vitamins that you can try to make your hair thicker.
Types Of Hair May Change, find out the reason
It’s normal that the texture, density, and porosity of your hair change as you get older, however, there are also other factors that can contribute to these changes.
Hormonal Changes
It is common knowledge that hormones take a great presence in the body’s activities and that includes hair. Estrogen is a female hormone that makes your hair longer and fuller and prevents it from shedding giving it a more healthy-looking. That’s why you hear that hair in pregnant women looks fantastic.
Lifestyle And Diet
If your hair suddenly becomes lifeless, your diet may have something to do with it. There are foods that can help revitalize your hair including salmon, eggs, and omega-3 fatty foods. Vitamins can make a difference too.
Over Processed Hair
If you’ve spent years coloring or using heating tools on your hair and have neglected proper maintenance, the damage is inevitable. Over-processed hair it’s a street of no return, your hair will never be the same again, however, the right products can make a huge difference and help bring it back to life.
How Do I Know My Hair Texture?
Now that you have no more doubts about each and every hair type, it is time for you to classify and determine in which type your hair falls.
Another way to find out is to take a single strand from your hairbrush and lay it down on a flat surface. Then cut a piece of sewing thread (choose a similar color that can be helpful) and place it next to your strand of hair.
If your hair seems thinner than the sewing thread, your hair is fine, while if it seems thicker, it’s likely coarse. Anything in between them would be medium.
Common Questions About Types of Hair
How to Determine your Hair Type?
Your hair type is determined by the amount of curl it has. There are four basic types:
- Type 1: Straight hair
- Type 2: Wavy hair
- Type 3: Curly hair
- Type 4: Coily hair
If you have straight hair, it will lay flat against your head. If you have wavy hair, it will have an “S” shape. If you have curly hair, it will form spirals. And if you have coily hair, it will be tightly curled.
There are also subcategories within each hair type. For example, type 2 hair can be divided into 2a, 2b, and 2c. Type 3 hair can be divided into 3a, 3b, and 3c. And type 4 hair can be divided into 4a, 4b, and 4c.
The width of the curl determines the subcategories. 2a has the loosest curls, while 4c has the tightest.
What Shampoo to Use Depending on your Type of Hair Texture?
Shampoo is designed to cleanse your hair and scalp. But not all shampoos are created equal. The type of shampoo you use should be based on your hair type.
- If you have straight hair, you should use a shampoo that is designed for straight hair. These shampoos will help to tame flyaways and keep your hair looking sleek and shiny.
- If you have wavy hair, you should use a shampoo that is designed for wavy hair. These shampoos for waves will help to add definition to your waves and prevent them from looking frizzy.
- If you have curly hair, you should use a shampoo that is designed for curly hair. These shampoos will help to hydrate your curls and prevent them from looking dry and frizzy.
- And if you have coily hair, you should use a shampoo that is designed for coily hair. These shampoos will help to moisturize your coils and prevent them from looking dry and brittle.
How to Figure Out Your Hair’s Structure?
- To figure out your hair’s structure, start by wetting and sectioning your hair into four equal parts.
- Take the first section and gently pull it taut.
- Next, use a comb to slide the teeth of the comb all the way from the scalp to the end of the hair. Doing this should cause about 50% of the hairs on that section to stand up. If all the hairs on that section stand up, then you have Type 1 hair; if almost no hairs stand up, you have Type 4 hair.
- If you fall somewhere in between those two extremes, you have either Type 2 or Type 3 hair.
- To figure out which one you have, take the second section of hair and repeat the process.
- If the results are the same as the first section, you have Type 2 hair; if the results are different, you have Type 3 hair.
What are the Benefits of knowing your type of hair texture?
There are many benefits to knowing your type of hair texture. For starters, you can better care for your hair by using the right products and techniques suited specifically to your texture.
You can also achieve a more polished and professional look by styling your hair in a complementary way to its natural texture.
Finally, understanding your hair type can help you diagnose and treat any problems that may arise, such as excessive shedding or frizziness. Ultimately, knowing your hair texture is an important part of achieving and maintaining healthy, beautiful hair.
What does it mean to Have Hair Texture?
Hair texture is the physical characteristic of hair that is determined by the shape of the follicle. curly hair grows in a spiral shape, while straight hair grows in a line.
Many other factors determine hair texture, including the hair shaft’s diameter, the amount of sebum (oil) produced, and pH levels. The three main types of hair texture are straight, wavy, and curly.
What does it mean to Have Hair Type?
Hair type is the physical characteristic of hair that is determined by the shape of the follicle. Curly hair grows in a spiral shape, while straight hair grows in a line.
How Do I Care For My Hair Texture?
- Condition your hair using a moisturizing conditioner: It is important to use a conditioner that is specific to your hair type. If you have curly or kinky hair, use a conditioner that is made for those types of textures. This will help to keep your hair hydrated and free of knots.
- Deep condition your hair regularly: This will help to keep your hair healthy and prevent damage. You can do this by using a deep conditioning treatment at least once weekly. Many products on the market are specifically made for deep conditioning treatments.
- Be careful when brushing your hair: If you have curly or kinky hair, you must be extra careful when brushing it. Use a wide-toothed comb to avoid damaging your hair. Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up.
- Trim your hair regularly: Regular trims will help keep your hair healthy and free of split ends. Try to get a trim every six to eight weeks.
- Protect your hair from the sun: The sun can be damaging to your hair. If you are going to be spending time in the sun, make sure to wear a hat or use a product that has SPF in it.
- Avoid using heat on your hair: Heat can damage your hair and lead to breakage. If you must use heat, make sure to use a product that protects your hair from heat damage.
- Be gentle with your hair: Treating your hair gently will help to prevent damage. Avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair and be careful when brushing it. Handle your hair with care to prevent damage.
Is it possible to have more than one Curl Type?
The most common hair texture is wavy. The second most common is curly. The third most common is straight. So yes, it is possible to have more than one curl type! In fact, many people have a mix of all three types of hair on their heads.
What is the most common hair texture?
The most common hair texture is curly. This is because curly hair is more likely to retain moisture than other types of hair, making it less prone to breakage. Additionally, curly hair is more versatile than straight hair and can be styled in a variety of ways.
Do you think we left out one of the more types of hair? Care to collaborate?
