Every curl is a signature. A natural curve, sometimes light, sometimes dense, sometimes untamed, always unique. Yet, many women don't truly know the nature of their hair. Identifying your curl type is the starting point for a tailor-made routine : one that hydrates just the right amount, defines without stiffening, and enhances without weighing it down.
Because not all curls react the same way to humidity, care, or styling, it's essential to understand their shape, density, and behavior when exposed to water or heat. This article invites you to do this detailed analysis. To better understand your hair and take better care of it.
Reading in the Loop: Why It's Essential
Before embarking on a hair care routine, it's essential to lay the right foundation. Behind each style lies a care logic, a specific way of hydrating, defining, and protecting.
A routine is only effective if it is targeted
Treating light curls with products that are too rich can suffocate them. Treating very curly hair with textures that are too light won't be enough to nourish it. Understanding the nature of your curls means giving your hair what it really needs . This avoids disappointment, unwanted frizzy effects, or even the feeling that "nothing works."
A typology in three main categories
Professionals classify textured hair using a system of letters and numbers, ranging from 2A to 4C. Each number represents a level of curl: wavy (2), curly (3), kinky (4). Each letter refines the texture: A for a looser curl, C for a tighter shape. This typology allows you to build a personalized routine , adapted to each texture nuance.
Before buying a product, before testing a treatment, it's useful to observe your hair naturally. How do the curls form after washing? Are they defined from the roots or more at the ends? Are they dense or loose, supple or compact? Is the hair rather fine or thick? The answer can be found in the mirror, but also in touch, in feel, in ambient humidity.
The different types of curls
Every hair texture is unique, but there are guidelines to help you better understand the shape and behavior of your curls. Wavy, curly, or kinky, they are distinguished by their structure, density, and specific needs.
Type 2: Soft waves, subtle definition
Wavy hair (2A, 2B, 2C) has waves of varying width, without forming full curls. Its texture is often fine to medium, with a tendency to get greasy quickly at the roots , while keeping drier ends. This type of hair can lack volume at the top and become weighed down easily.
What they need : lightweight, hydrating but not greasy formulas that support the shape without setting. A gentle shampoo purifies without being harsh, combined with a fluid leave-in to lightly shape the wave. A diffuser is an excellent option for amplifying movement without altering the natural texture.
Type 3: full curls, strong structure
Curly hair (3A, 3B, 3C) forms more or less tight, bouncy, and full of vitality spirals. Their structure gives them natural volume, but also makes them more prone to dryness, frizz, and lack of definition . Their behavior varies depending on the climate, porosity, and frequency of care.
What they love : Treatments rich in moisturizing agents that can strengthen the hair fiber without weighing it down. A mask for curly hair once or twice a week restores elasticity. To lock in definition, apply a leave-in cream to damp hair, followed by a serum to maintain its shape all day long.
Type 4: Tight spirals, need for intense nutrition
Kinky or very curly hair (4A, 4B, 4C) has extremely tight curls, sometimes Z-shaped, sometimes barely visible to the naked eye. Their density is often high, but the fiber remains fragile, dry, and brittle if it is not sufficiently nourished . This type of hair reacts strongly to the seasons, handling and humidity.
Their allies : rich, melting, protective treatments. The LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method is particularly suitable. Start with a nourishing hair oil bath, followed by a restorative mask like the Repair Masque. Thick creams and restorative hair serums then seal in moisture for soft, resilient curls.
Understanding the secondary factors that influence texture
Porosity, or the art of retaining hydration
We often talk about curl type, but hair porosity is just as important. It refers to the hair fiber's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Highly porous hair will absorb treatments quickly... but will lose them just as quickly. Conversely, low-porosity hair will struggle to let moisture in, which often gives the impression that "nothing is working."
To test your porosity, place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water: if it sinks quickly, it's highly porous; if it floats, it has low porosity. High porosity hair will appreciate rich, restorative treatments, such as a restorative shampoo and an intensive mask, while low porosity hair will prefer lighter textures, applied under gentle heat to promote penetration.
Density: fine or lush, each head of hair has its own rhythm
Density refers to the number of hairs per square centimeter and affects how curls lay, respond to styling, and absorb products. Low density can give the impression of limited volume even with beautifully defined curls, while high density requires more product for even conditioning.
Adapting the quantities to your hair density avoids common mistakes: too little product on dense hair leaves dry areas; too much product on fine hair makes it fall out and loses its bounce.
Elasticity: flexibility or fragility?
Elasticity is the hair's ability to stretch without breaking and to return to its original shape. Healthy hair can stretch up to 30% without breaking. If hair breaks as soon as it is manipulated, or remains stretched after being pulled, it lacks strength and moisture.
In this case, deep treatments such as a mask for curly hair, combined with a hair serum, can restore its suppleness. Vitamin gummies or growth capsules complement this action from the inside out.
The environment: humidity, heat, hard water…
The texture of curly hair is also influenced by external conditions : dry air, wind, humid climate, prolonged exposure to the sun... all factors that modify the behavior of the fiber. In a humid region, frizz can intensify; in a dry climate, the lengths dehydrate more quickly.
Adjusting your hair routine to your environment is therefore essential. A sunscreen serum for hair applied before exposure, or a protective hair oil enriched with conditioning active ingredients, helps preserve curls while adapting to their surroundings.
Each texture is unique, and by identifying this, you open the way to a personalized and more effective hair routine. Myriam K's professional care accompanies you in this quest: whether it's a shampoo, a mask , or hair accessories , each formula is designed for you.
FAQ about your curl type
How do I differentiate between high and low porosity on my curls?
Do the glass of water test: if your hair sinks quickly, it's very porous and doesn't retain moisture well. If it floats, it has low porosity and water has difficulty penetrating. This observation helps you choose the right care to keep your curls hydrated and balanced.
What are the effects of hair density on curl styling?
Higher density requires more product and time to distribute, while lower density can quickly become heavy. Adjusting the amount to your density helps prevent excess volume or dry patches. The right dosage enhances volume and definition without compromise.
How does the LOC method improve the nutrition of frizzy hair?
The LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method seals in moisture and intensely nourishes frizzy hair, which is prone to dryness. Each step strengthens the fiber, prolongs flexibility, and reduces breakage. It's the perfect foundation for hydrated, soft, and resilient curls.
What adjustments should be made to the routine depending on the climate?
In humid climates, use conditioning or anti-frizz treatments to limit swelling. In dry climates, opt for rich formulas to prevent dehydration. Adjusting your routine according to the weather helps keep curls controlled, shiny, and bouncy all year round.
What role does elasticity play in the health of my curls and how can I restore it?
Elasticity allows curls to stretch and spring back without breaking. If it's impaired, hair becomes brittle and limp. Strengthening masks, rich serums, and the right supplements help restore structure and restore bouncy curls.
