Your complete guide to curls of all types
Ready to bounce boo? It’s time to embrace your Type 3 Hair. Type 3 hair is broadly classified as curly and is bouncy and beautiful at its best. On off days? Curls (and their owners) can suffer from out-of-control volume and frizz, so you need products that hydrate, nourish and smooth your curls, to whip them into shape.
While you may be blessed with natural curls, it’s important to recognise not everyone has the same type of curls. Let’s break it down:
Type 3 curl types
Type 3A hair
3A curls have a defined ringlet, but the curl itself is wider and looser than other ringlet curls and the diameter of a 3A curl can range from ½ to 1 inch – large enough to wrap around a small banana. Type 3A hair is often confused and miscategorised as 2C hair, but there is a difference between the two hair patterns to help distinguish between the two. Type 2C hair doesn’t have a completely formed ringlet, whereas 3A does. Thanks to being less thick than other Type 3 curls, it’s much softer and easier to style, and because of that, you want to not overwhelm them with too much product.
Type 3B hair
The difference between 3A and 3B curls can be a little trickier to define because both are ‘defined’ curls. The difference comes down to the tightness of the curl. 3B are tighter and more spirally ringlets – more definition to each curl and your hair has a whole lot more volume. These curls are about the width of a Sharpie with medium frizz and a coarser texture. One of the big concerns for 3B hair is dehydration, so you want to use lightweight products to retain moisture but avoid weighing the hair down. This hair type can experience puff and frizziness when brushed out or if you take to it with a straightener. This hair type is also where we start to see shrinkage (30%-50%) when it goes from wet to dry. Unlike 3A hair which can lose some of its curl and definition when styled, 3B curls tend to stay coiled no matter what tool or product is used.
Type 3C hair
No surprises here, but Type 3C curls are the tightest and stiffest of all three categories. Their corkscrew shape is about the width of a pencil, and each strand can range from fine to medium in texture. To get technical, the hair follicles for Type 3C hair is oval in shape, which contributes to a rise to your hair from the root and throughout its curls. Think major volume. It probably goes without saying – brushing or straightening Type 3C curls is a bad idea. It’s going to lead to major frizz and breakage. Because of the way 3C curls are shaped, natural oils on the scalp can’t travel from follicle to ends easily, leading to dryness. It might seem like a good idea to use hairspray or strong-hold gel to keep these curls at bay, but that can actually lead to longer-term damage. Again, moisturize your curls, don’t try to contain them. Combat breakage by avoiding wearing your hair too tight when you put it up too.
Hydration and porosity levels of Type 3 hair
Above everything, Type 3 hair requires preventative TLC to maintain those beautiful curls. Type 3 Hair can range from low porosity (porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture). Lower porosity (Type 3C) prevents oils from traveling down the hair shaft and so richer products will only sit on your cuticles at the root, weighing your down. On the other hand, higher porosity (Type 3A) absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it just as fast, and so you’ll want slightly richer products to maximize that moisturization.
Products to use with Type 3 curly hair
Depending on your curl type, focus on building and retaining moisture to combat dehydration with the right products. The more hydrated and moisturised your hair is, the longer your curl pattern can be held before needing another wash. being’s CURL POWER line delivers on hydration, plus works to soften and defrizz to keep curls on point.
A silk pillowcase or bonnet is also a great shout here to help minimize frizz and avoid knots while you sleep.
