From stylers to hairbrushes to gravity, curls seem to defy almost everything even classification.
For starters, no two curls in your wreath of a mane look the same.
Moreover, each wash day leaves your curls looking different from the last.
Can these freewheelers really be tamed into categories?
It’s a good thing curlies aren’t playing by the rules anymore.
Gone are the days of using flat irons to fit our strands into society’s limited notions of beauty.
Our time is here we’re all about embracing our frizzy, juicy, imperfect, magnificent hair now!
Knowing where you stand on the curl scale is one of the first steps to befriending your natural hair.
“That’s pretty much half the battle,” stylist Ursula Stephen tellsHelloGiggles.
That said, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t (and won’t ever) work for curly hair.
So let your curls loose and scroll on!
punch in 2A
Simply explained, 2A is the closest that curly hair gets to straight hair.
Shorter hairstyles will bring your waves out.
You’re born with effortless waves that people pay fortunes to get embrace them!
Since the curl pattern here is more evident than its predecessor, styling to define them becomes easier.
Beware, though: don’t go overboard with product or wash days!
Though waves need their share of conditioning, they don’t need as much moisturization as tight curls.
Cleansers with lightweight consistencies are best since they won’t weigh your waves down.
pop in 2C
Your curls are showing!
Almost-there curls are the defining feature of this hair key in, which is prone to unrestrained frizz.
But wait, don’t rush to eliminate all that frizz just yet!
As noted byGlamour, frizz plays an important role in keeping your hair buoyant and giving it to-die-for volume.
It’s your personal halo!
Focus on keeping your tresses conditioned by adding a leave-in serum to your routine on wash days.
pop in 3A
pop in 3A is where the curl carnival begins!
Needless to say, it renders the hair pretty voluminous, what with everything going on under there.
The way you wash and style your hair becomes imperative to your curl pattern from here on out.
Distribute product leave-ins or gels evenly along the lengths of damp hair with the help of a wide-toothed comb.
This will also separate any curl clumps that formed during styling so that your hair looks abundant when dry.
If a marker can easily pass through your curls, this is the throw in your hair corresponds to.
Given their dry texture, these curls are forever thirsty for moisture.
Conditioners of all kinds from leave-ins to argan oils are best friends to 3B curls.
As for hairstyling, you might opt for cute buns or simply let your gorgeous curls run wild!
Defined by tight coils, this genus of natural hair requires distinct care.
A hot tip (literally!)
to care for 4A hair is to add steam to your curl care routine.
Don’t forget to rinse with cool water afterward to exit the cuticles (viaCarol’s Daughter).
The dry texture of your hair might compel you to use conditioners and humectants lavishly.
Breakage and dryness are common with 4A hair.
From raking out knots to keeping your curls conditioned, go gentle on your mane always!
Curl expert Michelle Breyer explains that “4B coils are densely packed and experience about 75 percent shrinkage.”
Keeping your curls quenched should be your one true goal think strong-hold gels and products with shea butter.
Many 4B curl heads swear by the LOC method to keep their hair looking heavenly.
Again, remember not to lay everything on too thick to avoid weighing down your natural volume.
The spirals in this category are super kinky-coily with a texture almost entirely too dense and coarse to define.
The scope to make 4C curls pop is endless!
Its extreme dryness warrants deep hydration think humectants and oils.
Protective hairstyles like knots, weaves, or simple buns also help to lock in moisture while minimizing frizz.
“Healthy 4C hair has a soft texture and shiny curls,” stylist Latoya Moore tellsShape.
Determining your hair’s porosity and elasticity will help in curating the best products for your hair.
As always, there is no hard and fast rule except perhaps one.
Condition like your (hair’s) life depends on it!
That’s a no-no for curly hair."
Silk bonnets and soft scrunchies will be your curls' kindest, friction-fighting companions!
Curl-heads know what a pain detangling can be.
From pre-shampoo to styling, working through your hair in sections is always recommended.
The key is to figure out what kind of care your curls love.
Focus on keeping them happy, not tamed.
Let ‘em run free and wild!
