Ultimate Hair Care Must Know That You Could be Missing What Are The Different Hair Types And Textures? (You Need to Know This by Heart)
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a one product solution to all of our hair problems and needs? The thing is, that would be tough since each hair type and texture is completely unique from one person to another. If you are still clueless about your own hair, then it’s your chance to get to know what are the different hair types and textures by reading this article till the very end!
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Let’s Get Down to the Basics!
Basically, there are 3 types of hair. Each has its own sub-types, but you will be good just by knowing these three. Most hair products can be classified according to these, anyway.
#1. Normal Hair Type
Blessed are those with this hair type. If you are a woman, having this type of hair is like hitting the jackpot! Imagine - lesser treatments, lesser styling products, and lesser hair care products with “advanced” or “complex” ingredients AKA expensive.
Typical Characteristics
- The pH balance is normal.
- Hair is naturally lustrous and healthy.
- Minimal to no hair issues.
- Hair that has that “fresh-out-of-the-salon” appearance.
How to Manage and Care for this hair type
- Nothing too special (Just follow your normal hair grooming routine).
- Eat a balanced diet to get adequate nutrition for your hair.
- Don’t skip your conditioner (even when you feel you don’t need it).
#2. Oily Hair Type
This type of hair can be mistaken as wet or that you just recently applied an oil or a hair product (when obviously, you didn’t).
Typical Characteristics
- Hair feels oily and greasy (especially at the roots).
- Hair appears dull and boring.
- Normal shampoo doesn’t work.
- Hair remains oily and limp.
- Dandruff and hairfall is a common problem.
- Hair is limp and lifeless.
How to Manage and Care for this hair type
- Shampoo frequently. If possible, get a shampoo specific for oily hair.
- Avoid touching your hair since oil can be distributed that way.
- Avoid oil massages and oily hair products.
- Avoid heat and sun exposure, you can try rinsing with diluted solutions of apple cider vinegar, beer and lemon.
- Wash your hair often-especially when exposed to dirt and pollution.
- Rinse with cold water if possible to minimize sweat and oil secretion.
- Keep a dry shampoo available and prevent using thick conditioners.
#3. Dry Hair Type
This is the complete opposite of the oily hair type and can be a tough hair to manage. (I should know since it’s my hair type).
Typical Characteristics
- Dry and frizzy hair.
- Scalp is also dry and flaky.
- Brittle and weak hair.
- Hair is easily damaged.
- Many split-ends.
- Hairfall and hair breakage is common.
How to Manage and Care for this Hair Type
- Hair treatment and hot oil is necessary.
- Use a conditioning shampoo paired with a deep conditioner.
- Limit use of heat-emitting hair products.
- Use hair mask 1-2 times a week.
- Use a mild shampoo.
Now, let’s go to Specifics
As your ultimate accessory, you better know what the specific hair type that you have. Knowing your specific type of hair will make it easier for you to research products that would get you the most benefit.
#1. Type 1 Hair
To simply put, this is a straight hair with no trace of curl or wave. Some people also describe this type of hair as limp and boring. It tends to be shiny and oily and can be generally categorized under oily type of hair.
- Type 1a: This type of hair is super flat with little to know bounce and volume. If you are the type of person who tries hard to curl his or her hair but to no avail, you most probably got this type of hair. Signifying a long straight hair, this hair type is common among Asian women. It’s limp and super flat, which can not hold a curl.
- Type 1b: This is also a straight hair but with more bounce and is thicker in nature than type 1a. Most women with straight hair is under hair type 1b. This type of hair can hold curls. Unlike 1a which falls slat straight, this hair tends to curl at the ends.
- Type 1c: This is an exaggeration of the type 1b hair. It his thick and has body and bends. You can easily achieve this slightly tousled look without using any hair tools. It’s almost wavy, but not quite.
How to Manage and Care for this Hair Type
- Do all the management listed under oily hair section of this article.
- When using a blow dryer, use only the minimum heat or “cool” mode to prevent thinning of hair.
- Hair-dry from the inside of your hair going outside for a fuller look.
- Prevent using heat-emitting hair products.
Recommended Products for Type 1 Hair
#2. Type 2 Hair
This is the wavy/curly type of hair. It has more bounce and body than type 1a and hair strands tend to group together to form a curve.
- Type 2a: This is a wavy hair that forms a loose S curl. Type 2 falls under the normal type of hair since it is not oily nor dry.. Similar to 1c but the curls are quite defined-not just bended.
- Type 2b: This is the popular beachy wave type of hair. Unlike type 1c which bends midway down. Type 2b will have the beach waves from the root to tips. It is also not as frizzy as the other subtypes of Type 2 hair.
- Type 2c: It is curlier and more coiled than type 2b. It is the frizziest of all the type 2 hair category. The hair is fluffier and thicker than the other two.
How to Manage and Care for this Hair Type
- Condition daily but choose products that are light so that the curls won’t be weighed down.
- If you want to accentuate or make your curls more visible, try using curling creams, hairsprays, or mousse.
- It is best to air dry to show-off your natural curls and just use a reliable styling gel and a curling iron.
- Keep your hands off your curls.
#3. Type 3 Hair
The natural curly S type of hair. This hair type/style has been very popular in the mid-century, and is recently making a big come back in the hair styling industry. I, myself, naturally has this type of hair.
- Type 3a: This has the largest curls, almost wavy like 2c, but it has more form. It is similar to the curl of the largest curling iron barrel set. The S shape of the curl is visible without an7 outside intervention or manipulation.
- Type 3b: The curls under this type is more formed and spiral. Think of it as the curls made from the medium curling iron barrel set. This is moderately defined curls, but can easily get frizzy.
- Type 3c: This resembles spiral hair that are stretched and loosened-out a bit. Its spiral is definitive but not that coily.
How to Manage and Care for this Hair Type
- Stay Away from blow-dryers.
- Use your fingers or wide-toothed comb to style your hair.
- Use the scrunch method in emphasizing your curls.
- Use the right product combination in styling.
#4. Type 4 Hair
This is the coily or super tight curls. The main difference of Type 3 and type for types of hair is that Type 4 tend to maintain its coily appearance when wet, while Type 3 hair tend to straighten a bit in the water.
- Type 4a: Characterized by small ringlets when wet and tends to shrink to smaller curls when dry.
- Type 4b: This hair strands can have coil and z shape curls all at the same time.
- Type 4c: The frizziest of the Type 4 Hair. To give you a better picture, just think of the Afro hair style.
How to Manage and Care for this Hair Type
- Simply follow all the management for Dry Type of hair in this article.
- Don’t use hair dryer to prevent frizz.
Conclusion
Now that you have read the various hair types, which type do you think you got? I hope you learned a thing or two in the proper management of your “crown and glory”.
If you have any further questions, or if I you want to share your personal hair care routine, feel free to comment down below.
