What's your hair type? It's a question that can determine a lot about your daily styling routine. Does your hair fall flat with just the hint of humidity? Are you spending hours twisting your kinks into curls [1]?
We've arranged this comprehensive guide from fine, superstraight ends to coarse, spiral curls [2]. Plus we've added celebrity examples to each of the 12 categories so you can be totally sure. To discover your natural texture, wash your hair and examine your strands in the mirror without any styling products. Still can't decide which category you fall in? Your head could have a mix of two or three.
Ahead, you'll find product recommendations and styling tips [3] for your specific styling needs. It's like the every person's guide to getting their best hair day. Ever.
Type 1: Straight Hair
Greasy, oily, limp, lifeless, frizzy, boring — all adjectives we hear to describe straight hair. But there is beauty in straight hair, too. If you wash your hair every day [4] and live and breathe for dry shampoo, it's likely you fall into the straight-strand group.
Hair Type 1A
Baby-fine, straight hair is the epitome of the 1A category. This hair textures doesn't hold a curl well and can be difficult to style. Common complaints include oiliness and limp-looking strands. Keep dry shampoo on hand for an afternoon reboot, and avoid thick, heavy conditioners that can weigh hair down and make your hair look and feel a greasy.
Celebrity examples: Dakota Fanning [5], Gwyneth Paltrow [6]
Product recommendations: Klorane Dry Shampoo [7] (£8), Kérastase Carré Lissant Smoothing Sheets [8] (£24)
Hair Type 1B
Straight hair isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. Type 1B hair tends to have fuller strands with a slight bend at the ends, but no real curl. To give this type volume and texture, use dry texturising spray [9] at the roots before styling with a flatiron.
Celebrity examples: Lucy Liu [10], Kendall Jenner, Freida Pinto
Product recommendations: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray [11] (£39), Herbal Essences Naked Volume Shampoo [12] (£4)
Hair Type 1C
The 1C category is primarily straight with a few waves hiding in the under layers. It's superthick and particularly prone to frizz. This hair type can hold curls very well. However, to keep from looking like a fuzz ball after stepping outside, use a smoothing serum and the cool-shot setting on your blow dryer.
Celebrity examples: Rachel Bilson [13], Sienna Miller [14]
Product recommendations: Kiehl's Silk Groom Serum [15] (£18), Babyliss Nano Titanium Flatiron [16] (£103)
Type 2: Wavy Hair
Some people consider people with natural waves to be the lucky ones. They have the happy medium between curls and straight hair, but still, it can be tough to get waves to behave. Without the right combination of products, the winding ends can fall flat.
Hair Type 2A
The 2A hair type can be classified as classic bed head. There's the occasional bend in each strand. People with this type of texture can either straighten their hair to get a sleek style or air-dry it and use a curling iron to add extra bend to bring out its natural wave.
Celebrity examples: Kate Hudson [17]
Product recommendations: T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Barrel Styling Wand [18] (£199), Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray [19] (£9)
Hair Type 2B
While some people get these relaxed waves using salt spray, others are born with the textured look. These waves look best when finger-styled with mousse and a diffuser. The secret is to keep your hands off as much as possible. The less you touch the hair, the more waves you'll have in the end. Avoid the crunch by finishing your dry style with a few drops of hair oil [20].
Celebrity examples: Kate Middleton, Joss Stone
Product recommendations: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Mousse [21] (£6), Moroccanoil Treatment Light [22] (£14)
Hair Type 2C
Call to mind that perfect wave that you can achieve with a waving iron like Babyliss Wave Envy styler [23] Picture thicker waves with sporadic curls throughout the head. Just like curlier hair types, these waves benefit from moisture and finger-styling. Schedule your deep-conditioning treatment [24] at least once a week, and embrace all that is big, bouncy hair!
Celebrity examples: Lorde [25]
Product recommendations: The Body Shop Shea Butter Hair Mask [26] (£12)), Ouidad Moisture Lock Define & Shine Curly Styling Gel Cream [27] (£20)
Type 3: Curly Hair
Over the past decade, it has been the resurgence of curls [28]. Numerous big brands have been coming out with products geared toward ringlets and spirals. If you fall into the type-three group, we've got five words for you: put the blow dryer down.
Hair Type 3A
This curl type is largest in diameter and can also have a mix of wavy pieces. To get the maximum curl definition, use the scrunch method to style. Apply product to wet hair. Then, use a t-shirt or microfibre towel to squeeze curls while pushing strands up toward the scalp. This texture is easy to straighten, but it's also susceptible to heat damage.
Celebrity examples: Taylor Swift [29], Shakira [30]
Product recommendations: DevaCurl Microfiber Towel [31] (£25),Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-in Defining Creme [32] ($20)
Hair Type 3B
Type 3B curls are stretched-out spirals that cascade down toward the shoulders instead of growing out away from the roots. Light gels mixed with leave-in conditioners can create smooth curls that bounce without the sticky residue. It's best to add stylers to this type while soaking wet, then let it air-dry.
Celebrity examples: Tinashe, Cleo Wade
Product recommendations: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie [33] (£11)
Hair Type 3C
The curls of the 3C category are the thickest and most prone to frizz. The clearly defined corkscrew coils can range in size from a pencil to a small marker. To avoid crunchy curls, consider washing with a cleansing conditioner [34]. This will cut down on flyaways and maintain shine.
Celebrity examples: Tracee Ellis Ross
Product recommendations: Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner [35] (£30), Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream [36] (£5, originally £7)
Type 4: Coily Hair
Type-four hair is the kinkiest, coarsest, and driest of all the hair types. Because of the many twists and turns of this texture type, it is very hard to get moisture to the scalp and maintain shine. The hair also tends to shrink down, making it very hard to determine the actual length of the locks. But despite all the #naturalhairproblems, there's nothing more showstopping than an oversize Afro [37].
Hair Type 4A
The 4A texture is denoted by a head full of miniature curls. The diameter of each small ringlet can range from that of a pen coil to a pencil. However, the hair can shrink down to less than half its length when dry. The wash-and-go method works well on this hair type. However, keeping a blow dryer with a diffuser on hand will help stretch curls to their maximum capacity.
Celebrity examples: Issa Rae
Product recommendations: DevaCurl Dryer and Devafuser [38] (£131), Kinky-Curly Curling Custard [39] (£30)
Hair Type 4B
When wet, the Z-shaped kinks and S-shaped coils of 4B hair can be spotted. However, without the proper product regimen, frizz can quickly overcome any natural curl definition. Turn to light gels and styling butters to twist hair damp. Then, release the style for a more defined look.
Celebrity examples: Solange Knowles, Janelle Monáe
Product recommendations: Product recommendations: Only Curls Hydrating Curl Creme [40] (£16)
Hair Type 4C
When you think of 4C hair, flash back to the picked-out Afros that Pam Grier and Angela Davis rocked in the 1970s. There is no distinct curl pattern in this type, which makes it extrahard to detangle. This dense texture makes it very difficult to get any definition.
Celebrity examples: Lupita N'yongo
Product recommendations: Omiaje Whipped Curl Cream [41] ($20), As I Am Naturally, Classic Collection Twist Defining Cream [42] (£11)