Today, we are going to delve into the fascinating world of hair types, hair textures, and porosity levels. Many individuals struggle to accurately identify what is my hair type  and texture. For a long time, I believed my hair type might fall under the elusive category of 4A, assuming it had a significantly different structure. However, upon closer examination, I realized my hair texture actually fits into the 3C category. The distinction became clear when I compared my hair to the characteristics of 4A—while both types of hair textures may share some similarities, the differences in curl pattern and texture were undeniable. Understanding these factors not only helps us appreciate our unique hair but also guides us in choosing the right care and styling products to maintain its health and beauty. Let's get started with the question How to know your hair type in the details below.

This post will be more detailed than my usual entries, so I appreciate your patience. I hope the information provided here assists you in identifying your hair type and texture more accurately.

How to Know Your Hair Type & Texture

Identifying your hair type, texture, and porosity is most straightforward when your hair is in its natural state. When your hair is unaltered, its natural coils, patterns, and textures are clearly visible, making it easier to assess.

While I’ve encountered many individuals with beautifully healthy relaxed hair, it’s important to recognize that relaxing your hair does change its natural characteristics. The relaxation process alters not only the coils and patterns but also affects the hair's overall texture.

So, can you still determine your hair type, texture, and porosity after relaxing? Absolutely! However, I recommend waiting until you begin to see your natural new hair growth before conducting any assessments. This new growth will give you a clearer picture of your hair’s inherent qualities, allowing you to make more informed choices when it comes to hair care and styling.

Hair Texture vs. Hair Type: What’s the Difference?

When discussing hair, it's essential to understand the three primary hair texture types. Recognizing your specific texture can greatly influence your hair care routine and styling choices.

What is hair texture: Think of hair texture as the thickness of individual strands (fine, medium, or coarse), while hair type refers to your curl pattern (straight, wavy, curly, or coily). Texture affects how your hair holds products; type determines how it curls.

The 3 Types of Hair Texture (And Why They Matter)

Fine / Thin Hair: This type of hair is characterized by its delicate strands that often lack volume and may appear limp. Fine hair can be prone to damage and breakage due to its smaller diameter. Because of its lightweight nature, it can easily be weighed down by heavy products. Those with fine hair often benefit from volumizing shampoos and lightweight styling products that add body without excess weight.

Medium Hair: Medium hair falls between fine and coarse in terms of strand thickness. It tends to have a balanced texture, making it versatile for a variety of styles. This type of hair can hold styles well and generally has a good level of natural volume. Medium hair can often tolerate a wider range of products and styling methods, making it adaptable for different looks.

Coarse / Thick Hair: Coarse hair is known for its robust and resilient strands. While it can often provide a beautiful fullness and body, it may also be more susceptible to dryness and frizz. Coarse hair typically requires more moisture to maintain its health and manageability. Those with coarse hair can benefit from hydrating shampoos, deep conditioners, and oils to keep hair nourished and to smooth down the cuticle.

Understanding these three types of hair textures can help you choose the right products and treatments, leading to healthier and more beautifully styled hair.

Decoding Hair Types: The Curl Pattern Chart You Need

The most widely used system is the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, which classifies hair into four types (1–4) and subcategories (A–C). Let’s simplify it:

Let’s Get Specific:

Type 1 Hair – Straight Hair

Hair types can be categorized into different groups, with Types 1A, 1B, and 1C all classified under the "straight" category.

1. Type 1A is notable for being the rarest of these types; it is characterized by its stick-straight texture, showing no signs of waviness. Typically, this hair type appears healthy and has a glossy finish. However, it can be quite challenging to curl or style, as it tends to resist holding any form of curl.
2. Type 1B hair is characterized by its slightly coarser texture compared to Type 1A. This increased coarseness provides more body to the hair, allowing it to hold waves or curls more effectively.
3. Type 1C hair is characterized as the coarsest among the straight hair types. This texture offers a greater volume compared to the finer straight hair types, making it more adept at holding styles effectively.

Type 2 Hair – Wavy Hair

Type 2A, 2B, and 2C hair types are characterized by wavy textures. These hair types are not completely straight, nor are they fully curly; instead, they exhibit a wave pattern that often becomes more pronounced towards the ends of the hair. While this texture provides natural body and volume, it is important to note that it can also be susceptible to frizz. Proper care and styling techniques can help manage the frizz and enhance the waves.

1. Type 2A hair is characterized by fine strands that form s-shaped waves. This subtype tends to have less volume compared to the other two subtypes, resulting in a somewhat thinner appearance. However, this fine texture also makes Type 2A hair relatively easy to manage and style.
2. Type 2B hair generally has greater volume and texture compared to Type 2A. This added fullness can enhance its overall appearance; however, it may also make Type 2B hair more susceptible to dryness and frizz, requiring extra care and moisture to maintain its health and manageability.
3. Type 2C hair is characterized as the coarsest among the wavy hair types. This texture allows it to hold styles effectively; however, it is also more susceptible to issues such as frizz, dryness, and damage.

Type 3 Hair – Curly Hair

Type 3A, 3B, and 3C strands contribute to beautiful, well-defined curls. This category of hair is characterized by its significant volume and texture. However, it's important to note that type 3 hair can be more susceptible to dryness. This is because natural oils produced by the scalp have a harder time traveling down the curly and coily hair shafts compared to straight or wavy hair types. Regular moisturizing and care are essential to maintain its health and vibrancy.

1. Type 3A curls are the largest and loosest curls, which also tend to have a lot of body and volume.
2. Type 3B has tight, bouncy curls along with body and good volume. But they may also be more likely to shrink.
3. Type 3C strands add volume and are tightly wrapped, yet because of their form, they may seriously shrink.

Type 4 Hair – Coily Hair

Type 4A, 4B, and 4C hair all fall into the coily/kinky category. These beautiful but delicate strands coil in s-shape or z-shaped patterns and tend to have the most volume out of any hair type – but also the most shrinkage.

1. Type 4A hair comes with thick, s-shaped curls that are well-defined but springy.
2. Type 4B hair can look fluffy compared to 4A because the curls are less defined, giving it a softer appearance. When stretched, the strands turn into a z-shaped pattern. They can easily dry out and need more moisture.
3. Type 4C hair is the tightest, densest, and coiliest of all hair types. Their length is far more than they look because of their extreme shrinkage capacity.

How to Find Your Hair Type and Texture in 4 Steps

1. Start Fresh:  If you have your hair relaxed then it's recommended to wait until you begin to see your natural new growth before conducting any assessments.
2. Analyze Dry Hair: Check your natural pattern. If it’s straight (1), wavy (2), curly (3), or coily (4).
3. Examine a Single Strand: Compare it to the hair texture chart to see if it’s fine, medium, or coarse.
4. Test for Porosity (Bonus!): Drop a strand into water. If it floats, you have low porosity; if it sinks, high porosity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Products: Heavy butters on fine hair = flat mess. Light sprays on coarse hair = Sahara Desert vibes.
• Ignoring Shrinkage: Type 4 folks, your hair isn’t “short”—it’s just coiled! Stretch styles like twist-outs show its true length.
• Over-Styling Damaged Hair: If your curls look limp, check your heat tools. Over-processed hair loses its pattern.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Hair’s Blueprint

Your hair type and texture are like a fingerprint—unique to you. Once you crack the code (with the help of a curl type chart), you’ll choose products smarter, reduce bad hair days, and finally get why that viral TikTok routine didn’t work for you.

So, grab a mirror, play with your curls, and remember: whether you’re a 2B beach-wave queen or a 4C coil goddess, your hair is already winning. You just needed the right map.

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