Strong, healthy, and shining hair is an object of pride for any girl or woman. That’s why we spend so much time caring for them. We choose the best shampoos, masks, and balms for them, drink vitamins, and even buy silk pillowcases. However, sometimes all our efforts become a failure, and the hair looks dull, lifeless, loses volume, and does not want to be styled in any way. What can we do then? Should we go to a beauty shop for some expensive ampoule treatment or run to a trichology’s headlong? Calm down – maybe everything is much simpler, and you just take care of your hair incorrectly.
The fact is that different types of hair require different products for care and styling. If you make the wrong choice, it will lead to an inevitable failure, because your hair will be missing something. That is why it is so important to know exactly your hair type. Their radiance and flawless styling will be the best reward for all your troubles. Another thing if you buy hair extensions or wig you also need to know your hair type,monica from Unice wig said.
How to Define Your Hair Type
Experts believe that today there are as many as 12 types of hair. Belonging to a particular type is determined by a number of criteria, and the most important is considered to be such as the shape and steepness of the curl (or lack thereof), the thickness of the hair, the volume, the fit of the hair scales to the shaft, and the activity of sebaceous glands at the roots in the scalp.
And now we will help you determine which type your curls belong. Don’t worry, there is nothing complicated here: you will only need a mirror and our table from this article. Just find your hair texture in the table (straight, wavy, curly, etc.), and then go to the accompanying characteristics in the bottom lines.
Type 1: Straight Hair
Straight hair can be different – thin and silky, thick and puffy, or it can be something in between. On the one hand, they are good because they are not so dry (sebum produced by sebaceous glands provides even hydration from the roots to the ends) but on the other hand, they can become greasy rather quickly because of this. That is why it is so important to maintain the balance of the scalp and monitor the purity of the hair. Below, we offer you some caring rules for your straight hair.
Wash Hair Regularly
Some lucky people do not have to wash their hair daily, but the owners of straight hair are not on the list. Such strands get dirty quickly and look greasy, so take care of daily washing. In addition, do not forget to use special shampoos – for example, for regular use and hair prone to greasiness.
Use Natural Hair Products
The reason for the dullness, weakness, and loss of hair volume often lies in the lack of natural components in the care products that you use. Yes, you got it right! It is necessary to nourish the hair both from the inside and from the outside. Take a closer look at shampoos, masks, balms, and styling products containing natural ingredients, including vitamins A, E, and D, as well as grapefruit seed oil, jojoba, and tea tree oils. All these components will make your hair shiny and healthy without weighing it down.
Avoid Sleeping With Wet Hair
No matter how strong your desire to fall into bed immediately after shampooing is, try not to do this if your hair belongs to Type 1. Such carelessness can end up with strong tangling and frizzing which can make any styling extremely difficult. However, if there is no other way out, go to plan B – apply a leave-in conditioner and make a loose braid.
Use Products to Keep Style Intact
The inability to keep curling and styling for a long time is a feature of hair Type 1 which is so depressing for the owners. That is why we recommend using strong fixation products so that the hairstyle remains flawless as long as you need. Finishing spray and hairspray will do.
Type 2: Wavy Hair
You have probably seen the so-called “beach styling” with hair styled in waves resembling letter «s». If you have got them by nature, not from a curling iron, it means that your hair belongs to Type 2. Many people love wavy hair because it is more voluminous and playful than straight and not as difficult to care for as curls are. In addition, they usually have a coarser texture, and therefore look greasy more seldom and don’t need daily shampooing.
Experts divide hair Type 2 into three subtypes:
- 2A – thin wavy hair;
- 2B – medium wavy hair;
- 2C – thick wavy hair.
So, now let’s talk about how to care for wavy hair. The fact is that this type of hair has a lower level of natural hydration. To avoid drying out even more avoid shampoos with sulfates. These components not only add dryness but also make the hair dull and frizzy.
When choosing Type 2 hair care products, pay attention to the products that:
- Have a light texture and do not weigh down.
- Contain moisturizing ingredients.
- Increase volume and make the waves more accurate.
In your beauty arsenal, there should be a shampoo and a conditioner with moisturizing ingredients as well as volume products that help your waves look lively and lush.
Another problem of wavy hair is excessive frizziness in any adverse circumstances. At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing bad but because of this any hairstyle looks untidy and strange, and the hair looks unkempt. To avoid this, use our tips.
Give Up Hot Styling Tools
For women with hair Type 2, irons and curling irons are almost prohibited. High temperature damages the layers of the hair scales, and it becomes curlier and drier. If there is no way to avoid hot styling, be sure to use a heat-protective spray.
Don’t Dry Your Hair with a Towel
The use of a towel seems quite harmless but if your hair is wavy you would get a tangled and curly mop, that would be extremely difficult to be styled. No, you still need a towel – but only to wring out your hair immediately after washing. It is necessary to dry wavy strands in natural air or with a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment and at a low temperature. Can’t live without a towel? We offer a compromise – microfiber and bamboo products with a softer and more gentle texture.
Choose the Right Hair Comb
The comb, which is perfect for hair Type 2, has wide teeth. Comb your wavy hair immediately after washing to avoid frizziness. If your hair is not tangled, you can style it even with your fingers – however, do not forget to apply special products for wavy hair.
Type 3: Curly Hair
Not everyone can distinguish curly hair from wavy, so it would be best for you to look at a sample. In this case, the S-shape that is also typical for wavy hair will be more expressive. In other words, curly hair implies the presence of curls of a certain steepness and they will retain it whatever you do with them. The disadvantage of hair Type 3 is a tendency to rapid entanglement and the formation of steep, small, and messy curls.
Depending on the intensity of curling strands, there are three subtypes of curly hair:
- Type 3A – loose, light curls;
- Type 3B – medium curls;
- Type 3C – dense curls.
And now let’s move on to the specifics of curly hair care. Do not be afraid, you are not in danger of any difficulties. All you need to do is follow a few guidelines.
Avoid the Hair Dryer
Curly hair is usually dry, so don’t add unnecessary problems to it. Let them dry naturally after washing, and if you want to get more neat curls, just gently press them to your head to remove excess water and set the shape.
Choose Sulfate-free Shampoos without Sulfates and Use Moisturizers
Sulfate-free products will help to avoid moisture loss in the curls. Also, do not forget to apply balms, serums, and masks with moisturizing ingredients and natural oils.
Do Not Overuse Straightening
Women are said to be fickle, and owners of curly hair often dream of straight tresses. If this is about you, you probably have already tried straightening with an iron a couple of times. However, we still advise you do it no more than twice a month. Be sure to apply a heat-protective spray or serum before the procedure.
Type 4: Kinky Hair
Happy owners of kinky hair have tight spiral-like curls. They often look rough and tough but in fact, they can be soft and very fragile. Indeed, such hair is often tangled and can be damaged and broken if they are not cared for properly. When choosing care, it is necessary to proceed from the hair subtype, which may be as follows:
- Type 4A – rather soft;
- Type 4B – wiry (resembling a rigid wire);
- Type 4C – extremely wiry.
It is extremely difficult to take care of such hair because of the voluminous, slightly tangled, and springy curls that do not allow moisturizing and nutrients to pass either to the scalp or inside the hair. And we are ready to give you a couple of tips on how to make this care more effective.
Moisturize Your Hair and Scalp Thoroughly
Hair Type 4 is always very dry, so moisture is a priority for them. Use a moisturizing mask before shampooing (which, of course, should be free of sulfates), and be sure to apply conditioner and balm to make your curls shine.
Dry Your Hair Properly
All you need to dry your curls is a towel. Your hair dries quickly in the air and does not require a hairdryer – besides, it can even be dangerous for it. Do not forget about hair oil or some leave-in conditioner, and your hairstyle will please you.
So, now we hope that you have defined your hair type. We are sure that now you will not make a mistake in choosing care products and will be able to delight others with luxurious styling and the natural shine of your hair.
