Hair Types

Many women go through their lives not knowing the type of hair they have. Mostly, this is because those who have straight hair do not need or care to know what hair type hair simply because it just lays there. Contrarily, those women who are of African American decent who wish to transition into natural hair NEED to know what type of hair they have. One, because different textures of hair requires different attention and products. What may work brilliantly on your friends hair may not work as wonderfully on yours. And two, because when transitioning to natural hair it's important to set realistic expectations according to which future your hair will hold. You could desire to have have hair like this (left: Teri LaFlesh) and in fact grow this:

Hair Type 1: Straight

The end.

Hair Type 2: Wavy
If you fall into this category, your hair when wet forms a loosely shaped ‘S’. Furthermore, your texture can range from thin (Type 2a) to somewhat thick (Type 2b) to very thick and coarse (Type 2c).

Hair Type 3: Curly
Those with Type 3 hair texture will see a tighter curl as their hair dries and forms more of an ‘S’ shape. The texture is fuller and sometimes frizzy. Type 3b looks more like ringlets or tight corkscrews with the circumference of a crayon.

Hair Type 4: Kinky
Kinky hair types have the most defined curl. It appears more like a zig zag and tightly coiled. This type of hair is the most fragile so be delicate when drying, combing, brushing or exposing to heat. Those with Type 4b will see less of a coil or curl and the hair will bend in sharp angles like the letter ‘Z’.

So, what’s your hair type?