What Is Your Hair Type? Complete Black Hair Types Guide (3A–4C)

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What Is Your Hair Type?

Discover your curl pattern, understand the difference between 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C hair, and find the best routines and products for your texture.

Find Your Hair Type
Black hair types and natural hair texture

Find Your Hair Type

Start with your curl pattern, then explore the full guide for your hair type.

Loose Curls

3A Hair

Loose, springy curls that need lightweight moisture and frizz control.

View 3A Guide
Curly Hair

3B Hair

Defined curls with more volume that benefit from leave-ins and curl creams.

View 3B Guide
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Curly-Coily

3C Hair

Tight corkscrew curls that need moisture, definition, and frizz control.

View 3C Guide
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Soft Coils

4A Hair

Defined coils that respond well to moisture and gentle detangling.

View 4A Guide
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Tight Coils

4B Hair

Z-shaped coils that need moisture, low manipulation, and breakage protection.

View 4B Guide
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Tightest Coils

4C Hair

Dense, tight coils with shrinkage that need consistent moisture and care.

View 4C Guide

Hair Type Is Only the Beginning

Your curl pattern helps you understand your hair, but your best routine also depends on porosity, density, scalp health, dryness, shrinkage, and styling habits.

Type 3 Hair: Curly Hair

3A Hair

Loose curls with natural shine and bounce. Use lightweight products to avoid flat curls.

3B Hair

Springy curls with more volume. Focus on moisture, curl cream, and frizz control.

3C Hair

Tighter corkscrew curls that need hydration, definition, and regular conditioning.

Type 4 Hair: Coily Hair

4A Hair

Soft coils with visible definition. Moisture and gentle detangling are key.

4B Hair

Z-shaped coils with high shrinkage. Protective styles and moisture help reduce breakage.

4C Hair

The tightest coils with major shrinkage. This hair thrives with moisture, patience, and low manipulation.

Helpful Hair Type Guides

Best Products for 3C Hair

Leave-ins, curl creams, gels, oils, and conditioners for 3C curls.

Read Guide

Best Products for 4C Hair

Moisturizers, oils, deep conditioners, tools, and styling products for 4C hair.

Read Guide

Best Leave-Ins for 3C Hair

Leave-in conditioners for softness, slip, and frizz control.

Read Guide

Best Moisturizers for 4C Hair

Moisturizers for dry, thick, dense, and low-moisture 4C hair.

Read Guide

Build Your Hair Routine

1. Cleanse

Use a shampoo that cleans your scalp without stripping your hair.

2. Condition

Condition and deep condition regularly to improve softness and manageability.

3. Moisturize

Use a leave-in conditioner, cream, or moisturizer based on your hair type.

4. Protect

Use satin or silk at night to reduce dryness, frizz, and breakage.