How to Determine Your Curl Type and Find a Routine Your Hair Will Love (2025)

Not unlike a snowflake, no two curl patterns are the same. Once you determine what type of curls you have, you can maximize care and, in turn, styling possibilities. It’s all about laying a strong foundation before you build on top of it.

As the beauty industry becomes increasingly personalized, from foundation shades to color correctors to skin-care types, you can have a choose-your-own-adventure approach to find a hair-care routine as unique as your curls.

“Determining your curl type is just the beginning of your journey,” says Stacey Ciceron, Oribe brand ambassador. “The more information you can get about your strands’ density, porosity, and texture (just to name a few), the better. Each additional piece of information can help you choose styling tools, products, and techniques better. The more you know, the less time (and money!) you’ll be wasting.”

How to Determine Your Curl Type

“The best time to assess your curl type is when it’s wet or damp,” Ciceron continues. “If your hair has been stretched or blown out, determining your true curl pattern can be extremely difficult. Start with wet hair, allow curl clumps to form, and from there you can use the curl type chart to identify your closest match.”

Think of the curl patterns like your high school biology class—genus, species, and so on. Andre Walker’s hair typing system, or “hair chart”, is widely used and accepted in the industry. If you picture an Excel sheet, you have types 1-4 along the rows, which refer to the four main categories: straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Across the columns, each category is assigned a subcategory letter A-C, based on the definition and density of the curls, or how tightly curled it is. On a scale from straightest to curliest, you’d move from 1A to 4C.

“For a long time, professional stylists used a simplified way of identifying hair type: straight, wavy, curly, or coily,” explains Ciceron. “In more recent history, stylists have adopted the number and letter system (1A-4C) that has become prevalent in the curly community. Professional stylists have started incorporating this system to communicate more effectively with clients.”

Type 2 - Wavy

Type 2 curls generally run the gamut of wavy hair, ranging from a subtle to a defined wave, mirroring more of an “S-shape.” This type tends to be harder to damage but can lean towards the frizzy side. With a proper curl cream or wash day routine, it can be manipulated into a more pronounced bounce.

“Looser curls and waves should opt for something a bit more lightweight,” advises Ciceron, preferring Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold for the wavy curl type.

Type 3 - Curly

A type 3 curl refers to a more traditional ringlet, ranging from voluminous and bouncy to a more tightly wound “corkscrew” shape.

“To maximize curls for volume, I find mousses are best, and if you like a very defined curly pattern a creamy styling cream will be your new bestie,” says fellow curly girl Autumne West, who reaches for Rizos Curls Curl Defining Mousse for her own 3B/3C curls.

Type 4 - Coily

Type 4 curls are the tightest of the bunch, and require a bit more care, especially in between protective styles, if that’s how you choose to wear your hair. The curl pattern for type 4 emulates an “O” or “Z-shape” up close.

“Tighter curls and coils tend to dry out more easily due to the natural structure of the hair, meaning that they require lots of moisture and hydration to keep them healthy,” says Ciceron. “Everyone’s hair is different, but I have found that tighter curls and coils need product with a bit more hold.”

Curl Care & Styling

“All curly hair can use a good leave-in conditioner, hair shine or oil, and a great detangler brush,” says West. “When it comes to styling, I’m a fan of the curl scrunching and diffuser, plus heat protectant, of course. You can really change the look of your curls based on your styling regimen.” This refers to the tried and true “scrunching” and “plopping” methods of gathering wet curls in your palm and pushing up towards the scalp to reintroduce volume and placing directly into a microfiber towel (or an old t-shirt from your high school soccer team) without vigorously towel drying the hair. This allows the curls to maintain their natural shape and reduces any pulling or damage from the towel threads. To dry, a diffusing attachment helps to break up the heat and reduce frizz.

“Curl care is entirely dependent on curl type and pattern,” adds Ciceron. “For drier curls, I would recommend something that will bring heavy-duty hydration to strands like the Oribe Moisture & Control Deep Treatment Masque. Looser curls and waves still require moisture, but not quite at the same level.”

Tips & Tricks

“First and foremost, you must find your wash day regimen; not all curly hair products work on all curly hair,” agrees Autumne West, Nordstrom national beauty director. “I’m generally more cautious of any styling product that say it works for all hair types as this may not be the case for us curl queens, but everyone can say yes to a few of these curly item enhancers and then play and discover your favorite styling profile and items to support,” she continues. Her routine consists of detangling with The Ultimate Tangle Teezer and The Potion Leave-In Conditioner, and drying with Pattern Beauty’s Blow Dryer, which describes itself as a “curl-conscious” blow dryer to minimize damage and highlight your natural curl pattern.