Ultimate Guide To Types of Hair

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 the 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 distort 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 have 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 is all part of growing pains.
Hair type as well as hair color is 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 with the passing of time.

What Are The Types Of Hair?

The type of hair you have will be determined by your hair follicle and it’s curl pattern.

When it comes to women’s hair we find four general types; straight, wavy, curly and coily. Each type then has three subcategories which gives us 12 types and lastly we also classified thick and thin or fine hair which comes down to a grand 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 hair. 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 in length 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 in the balance between oily and dry.

Type 2a

This type of hair is a combination of straight and undefined waves. People with this type have fairly straight hair from 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 efforts 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 definitely the biggest fear of this type of hair as loose spiral curls may go nuts on a bad weather day. The product that helps get rid of frizz is key.

Curly Hair

Here we are talking about real 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 finest type of curly hair, it has big 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 volume. If you keep the moisture level on point, you are probably the envy of your friends.

Type 3c

This type of curls is a mix between 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 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 changes 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 Type of Hair

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 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.

Do you think we left out one or the more types of hair? Care to collaborate?