If there's one thing we all agree on, it's that we're all unique. No two women are the same and this is also true for our locks of hair. Although it may seem strange, no two hair strands are the same. Normally one head of hair is predominant and in recent years a hair system has emerged to help distinguish one type of hair from another.
It is important to understand your hair type and what it means. Some hair types are naturally drier than others and therefore require more care and hydration to maintain optimum condition and health. The hair classification system serves as a flexible guide to aid in the choice of styling products and techniques. This system allows you to search the web for women with hair similar to yours.
Below I will list the 4 main hair types with their characteristics and some maintenance tips. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and you can also find yourself between two types of hair. Use this list as a flexible guide, not a strict protocol.
If you step out of the shower with perfectly straight hair, you're the envy of many women. Straight hair is very neat and smooth, so many women use heat and chemicals to achieve that coveted look.
Characteristics: This type of hair is usually shiny due to the ease with which sebum can travel from the scalp to the ends. It also nourishes the hair shaft, reduces split ends and keeps the hair hydrated. Straight hair grows more easily than any other hair type.
Precautions to take: Straight hair often lacks volume and tends to be greasy. Some styles, like curls, are also difficult to hold.
Tips: When your hair is wet, add a small amount of mousse to the roots and massage in an up and down motion. Blow dry your hair upside down, or with a large round cylinder brush, and style it in reverse to give it some volume on top. Use a dry shampoo to reduce the greasy texture.
This type of wavy hair is often rated as the best of both worlds. With more “personality” than straight hair, it allows for greater versatility, tends to be soft and less prone to breakage than curlier hair. Wavy hair is not particularly dry, but requires more moisture than straight hair.
Features: Wavy hair lays flat on the scalp and has no natural curls, but S-shaped waves along the length of the hair. They are drier than straight hair, but the sebum from the scalp gives them a natural shine. They are easier to hydrate than curly hair. Women with wavy hair often felt that their hair was straight and only developed a wave after puberty. In fact, wavy hair can look straight in the winter due to the lack of humidity in the air.
Things to watch out for: Wavy hair tends to dry out at the ends. They can sometimes look unkempt and flat at the crown and can develop frizz. You may need to grow your hair past your shoulders to see the true texture of your hair.
Tips: Do not apply hair conditioner or oil to the root of your hair. It can make your hair flat. Use a light gel on towel-dried hair. Set your hair at the roots and use a diffuser to reduce frizz.
Curly hair comes in all shapes and sizes and never looks boring. Gorgeous curls that frame the face like in a Renaissance painting come naturally to curly girls. No need for hot styling tools, just uncover those glowing curls and let nature take control.
Characteristics: Curly hair is voluptuous and has a lot of body. This type of hair looks thick, but is actually fine and delicate when looking at an individual strand. Curly hair stretches when wet and can pull back 10-15cm when dry. Abundant curls need to be well hydrated, as these locks tend to be drier and have a high frizz factor.
What to watch out for: Curly hair needs hydration and when it's dehydrated, it's extremely frizzy and hard to detangle. As dense as it may seem, curly hair is thin and susceptible to breakage and should only be detangled when wet.
Tips: Curly hair takes much longer to look greasy than straight hair. This means that you can get away with washing your hair once a week. Replace shampoo with conditioner to keep your curls hydrated and soft. Use creamy styling products that contain oils and emollients. Be sure to deeply condition your hair every time you shampoo. Never let a barber cut your hair when wet.
Type 4 hair is the most versatile hair type on the planet. Due to its fluffy texture, there is hardly any hairstyle that this hair cannot achieve. Women with frizzy hair will notice that their hair looks great in many different styles and they can explore a wide range of looks on a daily basis.
Features: Type 4 hair is designed to naturally block the sun's rays on the scalp. Also, with frizzy hair, volume is rarely an issue due to its high density. Frizzy hair is distinguished by crimps that resemble S or Z shapes. This type of hair has strong hooks at the end of the follicle (bulb), which prevents it from growing at an angle. Therefore, this type of hair grows upwards, towards the sky.
Things to watch out for: Because it has fewer cuticle layers, this type of hair is generally more fragile than curly, wavy, and straight hair. Frizzy hair needs to be protected from constant friction, dehydration and harsh chemicals. Type 4 hair is vulnerable to heat damage, tangling and thinning around the head contour.
Tips: Avoid tight hairstyles as much as possible and always sleep with a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase. The reason for this is to reduce friction and preserve your hair's moisture. Hydrate your hair by layering products. Start with a water-based leave-in conditioner, followed by an oil , and finish with a creamy styling product. Minimize tangles by keeping your hair elongated without heat and use gels to define your curls.
As you can see, hair types matter. They are useful for developing bespoke hair routines to keep our hair looking its best. The most important lesson is to love our hair as it is and not modify it too much. When we try to alter what naturally grows on our scalp, we risk damaging our hair.
Have you found your hair type? Have you taken care of your hair appropriately this year? Comment below and let us know!
