In today’s multicultural, multiracial society, it’s not unusual to have everything from straight to kinky hair within one family. Using the Andre Walker hair classification system, you can determine your hair type. Then, you can research products that best match your needs. This saves you time, money and anguish!
Type 2: Wavy Hair
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Type 2 hair is a relatively unusual type. Wavy hair has a definite “S” pattern to it.
In general, there are three Type 2 subtypes:
- A – fine /thin
- B -medium-textured,
- C – thick and coarse.
Type 2A hair is pretty easy to handle. It can be blown into a straighter styles or take on curlier looks with ease. Types 2B and 2C are a little more resistant and tend to be thicker and have a tendency to frizz.
WAVY HAIR STYLE TIP: For Type 2abc hair, mousses and gels tend to work best. With mousses better for 2a and gels for the more coarse and thicker types 2b and c. Curls Goddess Glaze is an ideal styler for this hair type, as it provides the most hold and frizz protection out of all of our CURLS styling products. Keep your fingers out of wavy hair, the more you tousle the more frizz you experience.
Type 3: Curly Hair
 3A |
 3B |
 3C |
Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy. Humidity tends to make this type of curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier.
Andre defines three subtypes of curly hair:
- Type 3A hair which is very loosely curled and usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair is, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair is the more defined the curl.
- Type 3B hair which has a medium amount of curl to tight corkscrews. It’s not unusual to see a mixture of these types existing on the same head. Curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part.
- Type 3C, is hair type that is not in Andre Walker’s book, but many people suggest that it should be. This type of hair can be described as tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.
CURLY HAIR STYLING TIP: Curly hair is the most temperamental hair type. The key to guaranteeing effortless, frizz free curls is proper styling product application. Always start with a fresh, clean hair on day #1. Cleanse, Condition, Moisturize, then apply your styling product of choice. We have found MIXED CHICKS is our favorite, as my daughter is a 3C and 4A. I’ve heard positive things about NATURALLY CURLY, so here is their recommendations of products for Type 3:
AG Hair Cosmetics Re:coil
Curl Junkie CoffeeCoco Curl Creme
Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue
Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding
Long Lovely Locks Curly Custard
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
Type 4
 4A |
 4B |
 4C |
According to Andre Walker, if your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very fragile.
Similar to Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of these strands densely packed together. Type 4 hairs looks tough and durable, but looks can be deceiving. If you have Type 4 hair, you already know that it is the most fragile hair around. There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an “S” pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a “Z” pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter “Z”). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture.
KINKY HAIR CARE TIP: Because kinky hair is dry by nature, and therefore breaks easily, it needs added moisture, daily. Start with a creamy, sulfate free, moisturizing cleanser, follow suit with a super hydrating conditioner, prep with a rich moisturizer and style with a rich cream, full of natural oils and rich butters. Look for moisturizing humectants, natural conditioning agents, and exotic extracts to add moisture to these locks. Avoid mineral, and petrolatum oil and heavy waxes.
Since I have very limited experience with natural 4b or c, I’d recommend some of the product CURLS suggests:
Hair Type 4A, 4B, 4C Product Recommendations:
Sulfate Free Cleanser: Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream
Hydrating Conditioner: Coconut Sublime Moisturizing conditioner
Deep Conditioner: Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea conditioner
Curl Definer (Cream): Whipped Cream
Curl Definer with Sheen: Curl Gel-les’c
Daily Liquid Moisturizer/2nd Day Curl Refresher: Quenched Curls Moisturizer
Curl Moisturizer (Cream): Curls Milkshake
Burton Haynes
/ December 17, 2009Try and live with whatever you have (1) You want to have a life don’t spend standing in front if a mirror. (2) Instead of changing the natural look feel texture of your hair try to get look with a different hair cut.
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sdmom22
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/ June 20, 2010You don’t really need to know your hair type, although I do think it is helpful in describing your hair to people when you don’t have a picture. Texture and porosity are much more helpful in deciding what products work for your hair. Also, most curlies have different patterns throughout their hair, so it all becomes a big mess anyway! 🙂
sdmom22
/ June 20, 2010Agreed, texture and porosity are very important. Disagree that most curly heads become a big mess anyway. If probably managed and cared for, curly hair can be the envy of many. It is for me. But I may be biased. I love curls and wish I had some.
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/ October 13, 2011You didnt address 4c hair. Im sure it wasnt your intent but it was rather hurtful. It felt as if, once again, the most african feature is dismissed. Have you nothing to say to us 4C folks, or are we just on our own?
sdmom22
/ October 13, 2011I’m so sorry. Having little experience, I really don’t know much about 4c hair and everyone that I know with that type, has it processed. But, I will say this. I’m learning more about it because my oldest is very much boarderline and could very well end up with 4b/c in the long run. I think a lot of the same things that apply to 4b will apply to 4c. If you have any tricks of the trade or experiences to share, please do. I’m sure there are more 4c folks that would love suggestions on products or care.