Curl Types 101: How to Identify Your Natural Curl Pattern

Curl Types 101: How to Identify Your Natural Curl Pattern

Every curl has a story—and understanding your curl type is the first step in learning how to care for your unique hair. Whether you’re transitioning from heat or chemical damage, embracing your natural texture for the first time, or just trying to decode the mysteries of your hair routine, knowing your curl type can make the journey easier (and way more fun).

At Posh Handcrafted, we believe your hair journey should feel empowering—not confusing. That’s why we’re breaking down the basics of curl types and how to identify yours.

 

 

 

🌿 Why Curl Type Matters

Your curl type helps you understand:

  • How much moisture your hair needs
  • What products are most effective
  • How to define, hydrate, and protect your curls

While no system is perfect (we’re all beautifully different!), the curl typing system is a helpful foundation for building your routine.

🔍 The Curl Typing System

Hair is generally categorized into four types:

Type 1 – Straight Hair

  • No bend or curl.
  • Often shiny, with oil traveling easily from root to tip.

You likely won’t find Type 1 in the curly girl community—but it’s good to know the full scale!

Type 2 – Wavy Hair

  • 2A: Slight wave, fine and loose.
  • 2B: Waves form an S shape, with more body and frizz.
  • 2C: Thick, defined waves with some actual curl at the ends.

💡 Tip: Type 2 hair benefits from lightweight products that define without weighing it down. Try a small amount of our Tropical Passion Moisturizing Hair Lotion for soft definition.

Type 3 – Curly Hair

  • 3A: Loose, bouncy curls with lots of shine.
  • 3B: Medium-tight curls with more volume and frizz.
  • 3C: Tight corkscrews, densely packed, prone to dryness.

💛 If you’re Type 3, hydration is your best friend! Our Tropical Passion Conditioner helps nourish thirsty curls, while the Tropical Passion Superfruit Growth Oil seals in moisture and promotes healthy growth.

Type 4 – Coily or Kinky Hair

 

  • 4A: Soft, defined coils that form a clear S pattern.
  • 4B: Z-pattern curls with sharp angles, less definition.
  • 4C: Tightest coils, very dense, with minimal definition and major shrinkage.

✨ Type 4 curls need extra moisture and care. Use the Tropical Passion Shampoo (sulfate-free and gentle) to cleanse without stripping. Follow with our rich Superfruit Oil to lock in moisture and reduce breakage.

🔎 How to Identify Your Curl Type

  1. Start with freshly washed, product-free hair.
    • Let it air dry naturally to see your true pattern.
  2. Observe your texture.
    • Are your strands fine, thick, or somewhere in between?
  3. Look at the curl shape.
    • S-waves, spirals, corkscrews, zig-zags—each pattern tells a story.
  4. You may have more than one curl type.
    • Most of us do! You might be 3C in the crown and 4A at the nape. That’s normal.
  5. Document your journey.
    • Take photos and note how your hair reacts to different routines. Your curl pattern can shift over time as it becomes healthier!

 

🛍️  Not Sure Where to Start?

If you’re just beginning your natural hair journey, here’s a simple starter routine with our tropical essentials:

 

💬 Join the Conversation

Still unsure of your curl type? We love helping curlfriends figure it out! Send us a DM on Instagram @poshhandcrafted, or tag us in your curl selfies.

Your journey is uniquely yours, but you’re never alone. Posh Handcrafted is here to help you grow, glow, and love every strand.

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