Black Hair Types

Before you can know what techniques, tools and products to use, you must first know what kind you have. The best techniques and products in the world won't mean a thing if they can't work for you!

The Different Black Hair Types

The best way to find out is to look at the characteristics of each hair type and decide which one you have.

Remember, this is for your hair in its natural state.

I suggest you wash, condition, air dry and then compare. If your hair was just processed, wait until you have an inch or so of new growth first.

O.k...Let's get started. Black women typically have one of 3 hair types.

Wavy

• Soft or deep waves and little to no curl.
• Tends to be coarse and stays close to the scalp in long S shaped curves.
• Doesn't usually have a lot of body.

Curly

• Has an "S" shapped pattern and is usually fine and soft.
• Doesn't have a lot of sheen and has lots of body.
• Tends to straighten out when wet but gets curlier as it dries.

Coily / Kinky

• Very tightly curled.
• Can be very wiry.
• Driest of all the types
• Can have a looser 'coil'. Strands have an "S" shape like spirals.
• Can have a tighter 'kink'. Strands have a zig-zag shape like "Z".
• Most fragile of the types

I hope by now you can identify strongly with one of these.

You have? That's great!

Now you are better equipped to start making good decisions for your hair.

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