Curl & Hair Type: How To Identify Yours + The Best Hair Care Products

For so long all curls were more or less treated the same by many mainstream hair care companies. Have any texture from S-waves to springy coils? You'd walk into the drugstore and there'd be a handful of collections available to you. And as those of us with curls know, that just won't do. There are not only a variety of types of hair and curl types out there, but most people have multiple curl types on their head!

Well, as beauty standards have evolved to embrace a much larger spectrum of traits, our collective understanding on hair texture has too. And with this, an explosion of products geared for any and all. Read on below to find about the various types of hair, hair care products, and your curl pattern.

Waves (or type 2 hair) range from slight bends to tight S-shapes. They are usually flatter at the root, stick closer to the head, and get larger on the bottom. "They also tend to lose the pattern easier," says Monarch. They can be frizz-prone but are usually less so than other curl types. The density can also range from fine to thick.

Opt for products that are lighter like milks or serums, as heavy oils and creams will weigh down the strands and pattern, says Monarch. Also: "Don't apply products at the root." This type also usually lacks volume, so if you want to amp up your texture, try styling with a mousse with a bit of hold and follow up with texture spray.

Consider your ringlets and spirals in this batch. Type 3s range from medium-barrel to tight, like you wrapped the strands around a pen. This type struggles with frizz, and should put some effort into defining the patterns to avoid puffiness. And unlike Type 2, these tend to have lots of volume, as the curl pattern starts at the root. They also tend to dehydrate easier but are not the driest of the bunch.

These curls should invest in moisturizing leave-ins, oils, moisturizing refreshers, and defining creams. "While it's wet, start setting the curls then," says Monarch. "You likely know what areas of your hair are flatter than the rest, so I like to tell women to target those first. The strands that have that natural spring will take care of themselves, but it's important to know what areas need a bit of extra attention." 

Here, too, you'll want to focus on definition of the hair strand so you'll get a curlier look, so find a good styling cream, serum or gel that gives you the right amount of hold. Curly hair types should also avoid sulfates and dry detergents at all costs—read: sulfate-free shampoos are your friends.  

Kinks and coils (type 4) are the tightest of the curl patterns: They look like tight Z-patterns, with sharp twists and turns, or coils that could only fit a needle through. Kinks and coils look lush and dense; however, the actual texture can vary quite a bit: The strands range from fine to wiry. They are also the most fragile of the patterns, prone to breakage, tangling, shrinkage, and may have a harder time encouraging hair growth.

Go for moisture and more moisture. "This type of pattern, you can apply oil and creams—wet or dry—and it is going to soak it up," says Monarch, expressing how important it is for this natural hair type to moisturize (seriously, invest in a hydrating conditioner target specifically for dry hair.) "I like to have to have a jojoba or coconut oil on hand that you can add in when you're feeling dry. I always start at the ends and work my way up into the mid-shaft."

Your natural hair type and texture is a beautiful thing, no matter if you have straight hair to coily hair. Coming to understand your type of hair just takes some time, care, the right styling products, a ton of moisture, and a lot of kindness.