Understanding your unique hair type is the foundation you need for achieving healthy and beautiful hair. At Studio 312 Salon we know that each hair type has unique characteristics and requires specific care routines.
Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, using the right products and hair care techniques can make all the difference.
Read on for more information about different hair types and how you can better care for yours.
What Is Your Hair Type?
Hair types are categorized based on texture and curl pattern (or lack thereof). The most common types of hair are straight, wavy, curvy, and coily. Each type has unique characteristics and needs special care to look its best.
Straight Hair
Straight hair tends to be naturally smooth and shiny. Unfortunately, straight hair is also prone to being oily because the oils travel down the hair shaft more easily than other types of hair.
There are 3 different subtypes of straight hair. They are:
- 1A– This type is 100% straight with limited volume and difficult to curl
- 1B– 1B hair holds a little more volume and may accept curls if you work hard at it!
- 1C– This type of hair is still labeled straight but might have a minimal wave pattern to it.
Care tips include:
- Shampoo Regularly: Since straight hair can get greasy quickly, shampooing regularly helps to keep it fresh. If your hair is indeed oily, opt for specialized shampoos that target oily hair and prevent build up.
- Lightweight Products: Use lightweight and non-greasy products to avoid weighing the hair down.
- Volume Boosting Products: Volumizing shampoos and conditioners can add body to your hair. Also blow drying (or a brazilian blowout) can help create volume and lift.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair has a natural wave pattern and is sort of a cross between straight and curly. The texture of this type of hair can be fine or coarse.
Wavy hair is also divided into 3 different subtypes. They include:
- 2A– 2A gives off natural beach hair which is what a lot of people strive for. Lucky ducks!
- 2B– This type of hair is a cross between straight and curly. It holds a bit more of the S-shape for waves.
- 2C– You’re almost there in the land of curly but not quite! These waves hold more of a curly shape than 2B but cannot be categorized as curly.
Recommended tips include:
- Moisture: Unlike straight hair, wavy hair can do with a little moisture. Use hydrating shampoos and conditioners to maintain proper moisture balance. This type of hair has a tendency to become frizzy and moisturizing is key.
- Frizz Control: Look for products developed for frizzy hair, like creams or serums. Keep your waves frizz free by not brushing it when it’s dry.
Curly Hair
Curly hair represents very defined curls and a lot of volume. This type of hair is also prone to becoming dry with lots of frizz.
Care tips center around:
- Hydration: By using deep conditioning products, you can keep your curls hydrated. Look for nourishing, natural products with shea butter and argan oil.
- Curl Products: Some products are specially formulated just for curly hair. By using creams and gels, it will define your curls and hold their style. It’s best to apply to damp hair and scrunch to create that classic volume.
- Heat: Heat can be an enemy to curls because it causes damage. If you have to use heat on curly hair, always use a heat protectant or diffuser.
Types of Curly Hair
Within the curly hair type, there are actually different categories of curly.
- 3A: 3A curls are loose and a defined S shape. They are soft and shiny.
- 3B: 3B curls are tighter, have higher volume, and are more prone to frizz than 3A curls.
- 3C: 3C curls are tight corkscrews that are dense and coarse. They have a lot of volume and tend to dry out if the right products are not used.
Coily Hair
Coily hair tends to be very tight and is prone to breakage and dryness. As the others, coily hair is separated into 3 different types. They are:
- 4A– 4A holds an S shape and has more defined curls than the other two subtypes.
- 4B– This type of hair is more of a Z shape and is very tightly coiled which results in less definition.
- 4C– 4C hair is Z shaped and less defined than all other types of hair. It is also very thick.
Care Tips:
- Intense Moisture: Moisture is vital for coily hair. Leave-in treatments will be your best friend as well as natural oils and butters.
- Gentle Detangling: Using fingers or a wide tooth comb is best for detangling this type of hair. Make sure your hair is wet and coated with conditioner.
- Protective Styles: Protective styles include braids and twists that reduce tangles and breakage.
How to Determine Your Hair Type
If you have straight or wavy hair, you likely already know your hair type. If you have curly hair, you may be wondering which type of curls you have.
You can determine your hair type by:
Wash and Dry: Wash and let your hair dry naturally without any styling products.
Examine Your Hair: Look at your hair and compare it to the descriptions above.
Consider Texture: Look to see if your hair is fine, medium, or coarse. Fine hair will feel more delicate and coarse hair will feel resilient.
Personalized Hair Care at Studio 312 Salon
At Studio 312 Salon we are committed to making sure our clients understand their hair and hair types. We can help you embrace your natural hair texture. We provide:
- Consultations: This allows us to get to know you, your hair, and most importantly your hair goals.
- Customized: We are not a one-size-fits-all salon. We understand that each person and their hair is unique. We tailor our services to each individual person.
- Styling Tips: We will teach you how to care for your hair and/or your new style based on your hair type.
Hair Types Can Be Confusing but Studio 312 Salon Is Here to Help
Understanding your hair type is foundational to a healthy hair care routine. Whether you have straight, wavy, curly or coily hair, the right products and hair care can make a world of difference.
At Studio 312 Salon we help you embrace your look and learn all about your hair type.
