Hair typing is can be a useful resource when understanding how to best care for your hair. If you don’t already know your individual hair type, you can read more about hair typing and how to determine yours in Allure’s How to Figure Out Your Curl Type. Today, we’re talking about 3C, 4A, 4B & 4C hair types. These hair types on in the “curly” and “kinky” categories, which means they’re more often than not natural hair. Here’s how you define 3C, 4A, 4B & 4C hair types.
What is Type 3C?
In general, Type 3 curly hair is defined by having an “S” shaped curl pattern. Additionally, because the cuticle doesn’t lay as flat as Type 1 or Type 2 hair, the hair also isn’t as shiny.
Now, depending on what hair typing system you look at, you’ll see Type 3A and Type 3B…what about Type 3C? Not every system includes it, and thus it’s a “forgotten” hair type. Not to worry though! This curly hair type is sure to stand out. It’s made up of tight coils, many strands, and lots of volume. The hair is packed together to create unbelievably beautiful texture.
Type 3C was created because it was clear there was a type missing between Type 3B and Type 4A. Women who have Type 3C hair often don’t know what to do with their hair because it’s a tad overlooked in the haircare world.
How do you know if you might be a Type 3C? You would have very curly hair that held on to its S or Z-curve shape even after being stretched out. You still retain a definite curl pattern and the texture isn’t a frizzy coil.
What is Type 4A?
Type 4 hair is known as kinky or coily. The sub-classifications from A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl or coil pattern. Type As have the widest pattern, Type Bs are in the middle, and Type Cs have the smallest of the three. Hair shape and texture are best determined when your hair is soaking wet.
Primarily Black women have type 4A hair, and it takes a tight coil shape. Type 4 hair can be easily dehydrated and damaged, which means it’s essential that your hair care routine helps to address this. Using thicker natural emollients like mango or shea butter can help to style it after washing.
What is Type 4B?
Rather than forming a tight coil, Type 4B bends into sharp angles like the letter Z. This curl is tighter but less defined. Its circumference is about the width of a pen, and the strands of hair may be anywhere from fine and thin to wiry and coarse depending on the woman rocking these curls.
A haircare tip: Treat your hair before shampooing with coconut or castor oil to help them maintain their natural oils!
What is Type 4C?
The final hair type is 4C, which is similar to 4B in the way that the hair is densely packed. However, this type of hair experiences less definition and more shrinkage. Your strands will be so tightly coiled that they’re incredibly delicate. Again, like Type 4B hair, the texture may range from super fine and thin to wiry and coarse.
Protect 4C hair from the elements at all costs. A creamy humectant can be a great leave-in to use to protect your delicate curls. Read here for Everything You Need to Know About Protective Styles for Natural Hair.
What types of products should I use on my curly/coily hair?
One of the benefits of learning your hair type is discovering the best ways to take care of your hair. You can tailor the products you use specifically to your curls or coils to enhance and protect them. Here are some of our favorite products to help maximize your good hair days.
- Shea-Coco Natural Hair Style Cream 8 oz for 3C – 4C Hair: This non-greasy styling cream can soften even the thickest natural curls and twists. Feel free to use daily when styling.
- 4C Tangle-Free, Conditioning Regime: All the 4C ladies out there are rejoicing! This product will be your lifesaver when you’re conditioning. Use once a week and watch your tangles disappear!
Final thoughts
And there you have it! The last four beautiful, natural hair types that are uniquely their own. Learn how to properly care for them and enhance them with the right products.WRITE FOR US
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Hello!! I want to say that I appreciate you for giving us this information regarding our hair types. I’m still on a journey to find the correct hair type for my hair. I’m a 33 year African American women who also has a mixture of ethnicities in my family including Native American, Haitian, and Creole. The main concerns I have with my hair is that it doesn’t hold much moisture when dry, it has many different curl patterns when patterns when wet and I lost curl definition on the right side due to heat damage. Not to mention my hair has grown uneven. I believe I am a mixture of hair types 3c, 4a, and 4b. What advice would you give to maintain moisture when dry, restore curl pattern, create growth in hair, and to determine the correct hair type(s) we have in our hair if we are unfamiliar with the descriptions of what the types look like?
My hair is literally a combo of like 3B through to 4C and I have no idea what to do… please help
Renita,
This is great to hear! Thank you for sharing your natural hair journey. This is why we post quality information about achieving and maintaining healthy hair. Natural is the best way to healthy hair.
Yes, unfortunately as we age, our follicles do as well, so they need twice as much attention. Ensure that you are moisturizing your hair and scalp and using oils with essential and/or carrier oils or a combination of both oil types. Have you tried our Apple and Aloe collection? I will be emailing you a promo code for you to use to get 20% off of your order. The Curl Definer works great on 4A to 4C curl patterns. The Apple Seed Oil also works well for scalp and hair care and the After Shampoo Conditioner is the most moisturizing conditioner on the market. Let us know how you love the Apple & Aloe Collection.
Take care!
Taliah Waajid
Your article was insightful, and it has encouraged me to not give up on finding the right haircare products suited for the combination hair I’ve been blessed with that ranges from 4A- 4C. I too am age 61 and have enjoyed wearing my hair in a variety of permed styles and lengths over the years. However, Menopause (at age 50) brought hair changes in the form of thinning and breaking. Your article has motivated me to not give up on my natural hair. Thank you for sharing your research and knowledge. Here’s to brighter hair days!
I am a 61yo white woman that has always had trouble with my hair. I have had stylists refuse to work on my hair. I have either 3C or 4A hair. I think it is actually a combination of the two, with maybe a little 4B thrown in for good measure. I have always had the kinky and wirey, but lately it seems to be more dry and flyaway than before. I am going to try your conditioning suggestions. Thank you for being so caring and informative. Blessings to you all.