Everything to Know About Curl Patterns and How to Take Care of Them
Curly hair can be a struggle, but understanding how your hair works and what products work best is the key to having happy, healthy hair.
Understanding your curl pattern can be hard, but understanding your curl pattern and knowing how to take care of it is even harder. The first step to mastering your curls is understanding why they may need more attention than their straight-haired counterparts. Natural arcs and angles in curly hair expose cuticle layer pores, allowing natural moisture and nutrients to escape. Because scalp oils can't flow down the curly hair shaft as easily as they can with straight hair, curls are prone to dryness and crave nourishing, moisturizing products.
When we talk about curly hair, it's important to remember that not all curls are the same There are nine total curl types that are divided into three curl patterns: wavy, tight, and coily. Each hair type is numbered and lettered according to its curl pattern and level of curl frequency, respectively. Within each pattern, A's have the lowest frequency while C's have the highest. Wavy hair patterns are 2A, 2B, and 2C; tight curls follow with 3A, 3B, and 3C; coily curls end with 4A, 4B, and 4C.
Now that you know about curl pattern and curl type, let’s talk about how you can properly take care of your curls.
Wavy
For wavy curl patterns, you want to stay away from heavy products that will weigh your hair down and take away your volume. Look for lightweight conditioners and styling creams that are packed with moisturizing ingredients to keep your curls healthy and bouncy.
For shampoo, try the Sun Bum Curl & Waves Shampoo. This is a vegan and cruelty-free product that will leave your wavy hair moisturized and cleansed.
For conditioner, try the Attitude Curl Amplifying Conditioner with plant- and mineral-based ingredients. The blend of argan and coconut oil will leave your hair nourished, while also being vegan and cruelty-free.
To keep your curls refined throughout the day, Design Essentials Curl-Enhancing Mousse will give your lightweight waves a luminous shine and soft feel.
Tight
As curl frequency grows higher, the management of it increases as well. Tight curls need products a bit heavier than wavy hair does. Many people with tight curls will find the most struggle with finding the right shampoo, but consider switching from a shampoo to a co-wash or shampoo-conditioner mix so your curls aren’t losing their texture.
As a co-wash, try the Hairstory New Wash Original hair cleanser and conditioner. This is a vegan and cruelty-free product with a formula that removes excess oil, protects color, and eliminates frizz.
To get the perfect head of nourished locks, try the Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner. This conditioner is said to seal in moisture to boost hydration, minimize frizz, and enhance the definition of waves, curls, and coils.
To enhance your tight curls, try the Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème. This is a curl-defining cream to boost hydration, minimize frizz, and provide soft, flexible control for waves and curls.
Coily
The last curl pattern is coily curls. This hair type is said to be very difficult to maintain without the right products. Unlike the other hair types, coily hair can hold more product without fear of getting overwhelmed. For this hair type, you want products that are made specifically with your hair type in mind.
For shampoo, try the DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence Zero Lather Cleanser For Ultra-Rich Moisture. This shampoo will give you a non-lathering cleanse with a moisture-preserving formula that leaves curls nourished, bouncy, and shiny.
For conditioner, try the Pattern Heavy Conditioner For Coilies. This conditioner is made specifically with coily hair types in mind. It allows your curls to absorb and hold all the moisture you need.
Style your coils with the Ouidad Coil Infusion Good Shape Defining Gel. This gel is designed to create lasting style and touchable hold without leaving a cast or flaking. This product is also infused with black castor oil which promotes hair growth.
Taking proper care of your curls is vital to their health and appearance, especially during winter. The frigid winter air is tough on curly hair—the cold weather dries it out and dry heat lacks moisture, making curly hair limp and textured hair brittle. You may even want to consider adding more oil to your curls during the cold months for more protection and moisture.
