FlowerHair
Reclaiming my time
I thought the number of the hair type referred to curl size and the letter referred to texture. Or maybe not
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Hair Types *A Definitive Guide*
- Thread starter ms_kenesha
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ballet_bun
Guest
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ms_kenesha said:
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LadyCapri said:
I am definately a 3b. Thanks for confirming Kenesha.
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It looks like 4a to me.
ms_kenesha said:
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LadyCapri said:
I am definately a 3b. Thanks for confirming Kenesha.
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It looks like 4a to me.
Divastate
Member
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jd_bdfly said:
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caress said:
I was looking through the hair albums thread. Can anyone help me out with the hairtypes of these particular ladies? (I hope these ladies don't mind me using them as examples. Their albums were posted before so it seemed ok to reference them.
so1913
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=598589&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
Divastate
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531875&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
stephypoo
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531448&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
deeplyrooted
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531361&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
Carefree
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531105&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
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I would say that Divastate, stephypoo, and deeplyrooted are 4as, and so1913's hair seems like 3b/3c range, and Carefree seems more like a 3 than a 4 to me, but I'm not sure.
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Yep I'm definitely 100% 4a. Now I will say initially my wet/damp hair pictures confused me on my hair type- but its really important to look at what your completely dry hair does.
I do have a hair twin and though our hair looks similar when wet- her dry hair definitely has 3c mixed in. Typically I can still count on whatever worked in her hair will work for mine because the actual texture is so similar.
jd_bdfly said:
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caress said:
I was looking through the hair albums thread. Can anyone help me out with the hairtypes of these particular ladies? (I hope these ladies don't mind me using them as examples. Their albums were posted before so it seemed ok to reference them.
so1913
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=598589&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
Divastate
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531875&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
stephypoo
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531448&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
deeplyrooted
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531361&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
Carefree
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=531105&page=&view=&sb=5&o=all&vc=1&vc=1
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I would say that Divastate, stephypoo, and deeplyrooted are 4as, and so1913's hair seems like 3b/3c range, and Carefree seems more like a 3 than a 4 to me, but I'm not sure.
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I do have a hair twin and though our hair looks similar when wet- her dry hair definitely has 3c mixed in. Typically I can still count on whatever worked in her hair will work for mine because the actual texture is so similar.
caress
Active Member
From nc.com: [Edited to take out the unecessary info.]
Type 3: Curly hair
With curly hair, there is a definite loopy "S" pattern. Pluck out a hair, stretch it out. Notice the curvy lines. Looks like s stretched-out Slinky, doesn't it? Most people think curly hair is coarse, but actually it is usually baby soft and very fine in texture – there's just a lot of it. Because the cuticle layers don't like as flat, curly hair isn't as shiny as straight or wavy hair. The hair doesn't have a very smooth surface, so light doesn't reflect off of it as much. When curly hair is wet, is usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Those of you with Type 3 hair know all too well that humidity makes curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier.
If you're a Type 3, your hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy: pull out a strand of hair and stretch it; it won't snap in two. Damaged Type 3 hair is usually frizzy, dull, hard and dry to the touch, with fuzzy, ill-defined curls.
There are two subtypes of curly hair. Type 3A, hair that is very loosely curled like Julia Robert's or Susan Sarandon's is usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair the more defined the curl. Type 3B, on the other hand, is hair with a medium amount of curl, ranging from bouncy ringlets – think of Shirley Temple and Nicole Kidman – to tight corkscrews – think of actress Cree Summer of television's Sweet Justice of jazz singer Cleo Laine. It's not unusual to find both subtypes coexisting on the same head. In fact, curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part.
Addendum: Naturallycurly.com readers have suggested a third Type 3 subtype: 3c.
Type 3C, is hair with tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together. Some people refer to this as "big hair." Getting this type of hair to blowdry straight is more challenging than for 3A or 3B, but it usually can be done. This includes those with very tight curls but finer hair, as well as coarser hair. 3C has really really tight curls, like pencil or straw circumference. 3B is like sidewalk chalk or salt shaker circumference, and 4A is like coffee stirrer circumference.
Type 4: Kinky hair
If your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very, very fragile. Like Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of this strands densely packed together. Healthy Type 4 hair won't shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel more silky than it will look shiny. Oprah, Whoopi Goldberg and the actress Angela Bassett are all Type 4s.
There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an "S" pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture. But what if your hair has been chemically straightened? How can you tell which subtype you belong to if your hair is relaxed? You'll need at least one inch of new growth to tell. Pull at the roots. If you can see a definite curl pattern, then it's an A, if not, then it's a B.
Type 3: Curly hair
With curly hair, there is a definite loopy "S" pattern. Pluck out a hair, stretch it out. Notice the curvy lines. Looks like s stretched-out Slinky, doesn't it? Most people think curly hair is coarse, but actually it is usually baby soft and very fine in texture – there's just a lot of it. Because the cuticle layers don't like as flat, curly hair isn't as shiny as straight or wavy hair. The hair doesn't have a very smooth surface, so light doesn't reflect off of it as much. When curly hair is wet, is usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Those of you with Type 3 hair know all too well that humidity makes curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier.
If you're a Type 3, your hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy: pull out a strand of hair and stretch it; it won't snap in two. Damaged Type 3 hair is usually frizzy, dull, hard and dry to the touch, with fuzzy, ill-defined curls.
There are two subtypes of curly hair. Type 3A, hair that is very loosely curled like Julia Robert's or Susan Sarandon's is usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair the more defined the curl. Type 3B, on the other hand, is hair with a medium amount of curl, ranging from bouncy ringlets – think of Shirley Temple and Nicole Kidman – to tight corkscrews – think of actress Cree Summer of television's Sweet Justice of jazz singer Cleo Laine. It's not unusual to find both subtypes coexisting on the same head. In fact, curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part.
Addendum: Naturallycurly.com readers have suggested a third Type 3 subtype: 3c.
Type 3C, is hair with tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together. Some people refer to this as "big hair." Getting this type of hair to blowdry straight is more challenging than for 3A or 3B, but it usually can be done. This includes those with very tight curls but finer hair, as well as coarser hair. 3C has really really tight curls, like pencil or straw circumference. 3B is like sidewalk chalk or salt shaker circumference, and 4A is like coffee stirrer circumference.
Type 4: Kinky hair
If your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very, very fragile. Like Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of this strands densely packed together. Healthy Type 4 hair won't shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel more silky than it will look shiny. Oprah, Whoopi Goldberg and the actress Angela Bassett are all Type 4s.
There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an "S" pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture. But what if your hair has been chemically straightened? How can you tell which subtype you belong to if your hair is relaxed? You'll need at least one inch of new growth to tell. Pull at the roots. If you can see a definite curl pattern, then it's an A, if not, then it's a B.
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ballet_bun
Guest
Divastate ... Wow ... your hair is like super thick. It's beautiful!
SweetNic_JA
Well-Known Member
Lord it's been so long since I've been natural. I know I'm 4a/4b but I don't know where. I think most of my 4a are on top and the rest of my hair is a 4b. I guess it doesn't even matter. I'll be happy just as long as I can keep this hair from breaking
Healthb4Length
New Member
Okay I know that I am definately in the 4a category but I have a hard time telling whether or not my hair is fine or course. In the back and on the sides my hair seems fine, it's so easy to comb has more curl defination with or without chemicals but the front and center section takes 30 minutes to blow out straight as opposed to the 5 minutes it takes me to do the back. Does this make sense?
MissScarlett
New Member
Ok I thought I was a 3a but I'm more 2b/c. I'm a newbie too, so feel free to laugh
I will try and set up and album soon. Thanks for posting the pics, it was very helpful!
Bunny77
New Member
OK... here is my first-ever album!
I think I'm a 4A.
http://members.fotki.com/Bunny77/
(password: curly)
I think I'm a 4A.
http://members.fotki.com/Bunny77/
(password: curly)
Healthb4Length
New Member
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
Bunny77
New Member
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Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
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Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
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Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
ms_kenesha
New Member
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Bunny77 said:
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Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
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Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
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I'd agree with the 3C, too. Your hair looks great and I bet you had fun as a hair model.
Bunny77 said:
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Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
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I'd agree with the 3C, too. Your hair looks great and I bet you had fun as a hair model.
Cleo
Active Member
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ms_kenesha said:
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Bunny77 said:
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Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
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I'd agree with the 3C, too. Your hair looks great and I bet you had fun as a hair model.
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ITA.
ms_kenesha said:
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Bunny77 said:
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Alli77 said:
Very nice! Are you on the customers site at Jessicurl? you look really familiar.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yep! I did send my picture in to Jessicurl. I love her stuff, even if it doesn't all work for my hair type, I can find enough of it that does.
Thanks everyone for all the compliments... I figured 4A, but who knows, I might be a 3C/4A mix.
[/ QUOTE ]
I'd agree with the 3C, too. Your hair looks great and I bet you had fun as a hair model.
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ITA.
Country gal
Well-Known Member
Would I be in the 4 catergory? Now that I am growing my perm out my hair really curls up tightly.
Divastate
Member
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sbaker said:
Would I be in the 4 catergory? Now that I am growing my perm out my hair really curls up tightly.
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Sorry I think your hair type could be difficult to determine until you grow it out further- in one sense it could be 4a but because your hair is so shiny its possible it could even be 3c. I think for some its easy to determine type from 1 inch of new growth but some people may not have an idea until the relaxed ends are cut off altogether(at least this was my personal experience).
sbaker said:
Would I be in the 4 catergory? Now that I am growing my perm out my hair really curls up tightly.
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Sorry I think your hair type could be difficult to determine until you grow it out further- in one sense it could be 4a but because your hair is so shiny its possible it could even be 3c. I think for some its easy to determine type from 1 inch of new growth but some people may not have an idea until the relaxed ends are cut off altogether(at least this was my personal experience).
