Understanding hair types empowers you to give your hair the most tailored care possible, from product selection to styling habits. Unfortunately, so many Australians apply a one-size-fits-all approach to their hair care ritual, and it can cause more harm than good.
That’s why we put together this guide to all the different types of hair. We’ll help you find out what your hair type is and how to best care for it:
- Type 1: Straight Hair
- Type 2: Wavy Hair
- Type 3: Curly Hair
- Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair
You might be able to make a fairly educated guess about the type of hair you have based on how yours looks alone, but there’s a bit more than meets the eye. It gets even more complicated knowing there are subcategories of each hair type. But no matter your hair’s needs, we’ve got you covered with the best selection of shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatments here at My Haircare & Beauty. Browse our catalogue or connect with one of our experts for one-on-one assistance in formulating your regimen!
What are the Different Types of Hair?
It might seem like you can get by choosing just any shampoo vs conditioner and treating your hair the same as the next person. However, those who want to bring out their hair’s full potential need to take a more meticulous approach based on their hair’s unique needs.
Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, knowing your hair’s texture, porosity, and density allows you to choose the right products and styling techniques that enhance its natural beauty.
On the other hand, using the wrong products and techniques can lead to dryness, breakage, or frizz, making it almost impossible to keep your hair healthy and happy. So, what are the different types of hair? More specifically, what is your hair type and how should you care for it? Let’s dive into everything you need to know below.
Straight Hair (Type 1)
Straight hair is exactly what it sounds like. There are zero natural curls. It’s smooth, sleek, and prone to oil buildup since the scalp distributes sebum so evenly across the head. It can range from fine and thin to thick and coarse. Most of the time, those with this hair type need a volumising shampoo and volumising conditioner. We have other insights on how to add volume to hair in our blog as well.
Wavy Hair (Type 2)
Wavy hair has a slight bend or loose S-shape. It tends to be more voluminous than straight hair but is also prone to frizz. This type is further divided into:
- 2A: Loose, barely-there waves with a fine texture.
- 2B: Defined waves that start at mid-length.
- 2C: Thick, well-defined waves with occasional ringlets.
You can find your new favourite wavy hair treatment here at My Haircare & Beauty.
Curly Hair (Type 3)
Curly hair features well-defined spirals and is naturally voluminous but can be prone to dryness and frizz.
- 3A: Large, loose curls with a silky texture.
- 3B: Bouncier curls with more definition and body.
- 3C: Tight, springy curls that are densely packed.
Our blog has tips on how to style wet curly hair and how to wash curly hair. You can also find a great selection of curly hair treatments in our catalog, including curl enhancer.
Coily Hair (Type 4)
Coily or kinky hair consists of tight, small curls or coils. It is the most fragile hair type and requires intense hydration to maintain health.
- 4A: Soft, well-defined coils.
- 4B: Zigzag-patterned curls with less definition.
- 4C: The tightest coils with minimal definition and shrinkage.
You may be wondering, why does my hair tangle so easily? Chances are, you have this hair type! A quality moisturising shampoo can help.
What Determines the Different Hair Types?
Even with an understanding of the different types of hair you might not be sure which category you fall under. Or maybe you just want more context to what makes each of these different hair types unique.
Either way, there are 5 things you need to know: texture, porosity, density, elasticity, and curl pattern. These are what define your hair type.
Texture
This is one characteristic of hair types that you probably hear much of. You can consult your hairstylist for them to see and evaluate your hair texture. Or, you can do a simple test yourself at home.
The first thing you should do is cut a sewing thread about the same length as your hair. Choose a regular type of thread instead of the thicker, heavy-duty ones. Then, pull out a strand of your hair (make sure it is a whole strand rather than breaking it in the middle). Make sure that the hair is dry and does not contain any styling product when you do this.
Then, place the strand of your hair next to the sewing thread, preferably on a white background, so that you can see the comparison. Use the thread as a vantage point. If your hair is thinner than the thread, then your hair texture is light. You have a medium texture if it is of the same thickness level. But if your hair is thicker, you have a thick texture.
Porosity
Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is an important characteristic of your hair since water is essential to maintaining healthy hair. Knowing your hair’s porosity is crucial to provide the right hair care approach.
You can check your hair’s porosity by doing a simple test: taking a strand of hair and letting it float onto a bowl of water. Observe what happens to your hair. If the strand does not sink, it means you have low porosity.
But you have medium porosity if your hair takes a while to fall. Moreover, you have high porosity if your hair falls to the bottom as soon as you drop it into the water.
Density
Your hair density is one of the main characteristics determining one hair type from another. To examine your hair density, look in front of a mirror and hold your hair right where it parts. The thickness of your hair is determined based on the number of strands that cover your scalp.
How much of your scalp can you see once you part your hair? When you can’t see much of your scalp on your part, then you have thick density. When you can see a little of the scalp, you have medium thickness.
But when a large portion of your scalp is exposed, you have a thin consistency. Make sure you perform this test in more than one spot of your hair to validate.
Elasticity
Elasticity is an important quality you should consider when caring for your hair. The elasticity varies according to different hair types. Hence, you should perform an elasticity test on your dry hair. Hold a strand of hair and pull at opposing ends. Do so gently so you can observe how the strand stretches. The goal is to see how much stretch your hair can take before it breaks.
High elasticity is characterised by hair types that take a while to break. Meanwhile, medium elasticity is when your hair reaches a certain level of stretch before breaking. Lastly, your hair might not be decisive when it breaks immediately after you try to stretch it.
Curl Pattern
This is the last and final determiner of your hair type and is relatively simple to assess. You can use the curl size and the pattern of your hair to know your curl pattern. Straight hair is when your strands have no curve in them at all.
Meanwhile, wavy hair is when there are wave patterns to your strands. You have curly hair if your strands have an S-shape to them. And coily hair is those that have kinky strands, or that form a tight coil.
Find Products and Advice for Any Hair Type at My Haircare & Beauty!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different types of hair. But whether you’re struggling with thinning Type 1 hair or need help with managing your Type 4 hair, you’ve come to the right place. We cater to all hair types at My Haircare & Beauty
We’ve curated the best selection from world-renowned manufacturers. You can narrow your search based on your favourite brand:
But it’s not just the products themselves that have earned us the trust of Australia. We back up your shopping experience with world-class support – so if you still have questions about your hair type and how to best care for it, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Different Types of Hair
That does it for our detailed guide on all the different types of hair. We know that hair types can be confusing, but we hope you have a clear understanding of not just your specific hair type but what products you might need and how to keep your hair looking its best. Whether you need the best products for thinning hair, an oily scalp treatment, or one of the different types of shampoo, My Haircare & Beaty is your one-stop shop. Upgrade your haircare routine today and see for yourself why we won Australia’s best beauty retailer 3 years in a row!
Mel
Mel is a former Hair Stylist with over a decade of industry experience.
She enjoys writing about all aspects of the hair & beauty world including, trends, new products & best-sellers.
