Curl Guide

A guide for distinguishing, learning about & caring for your curly hair type

Discover more about our patterns by clicking the tiles below

TIGHT TEXTURES

4A-4C

COILY

3C-4B

CURLY

3B-3C

LOCS

Learn more about key curl type topics

DRYNESS / DAMAGE

TRANSITIONING

POROSITY

PROTECTIVE STYLES

CURL PATTERN

Where your originality is the standard; where you are your own prototype.

We like to think of our curly hair types & wavy hair patterns as constellations of coils, curves, curls, waves & the ringlet; where each different type of curl flourishes. At PATTERN, we're here to help you define which type your hair is & find the best hair products & hair routine to promote vibrant & healthy hair.

TIGHT TEXTURES

OFTEN DESCRIBED AS:dense, kinky, type 4 hair, cloud-like, gravity-defying…

Distinguishing Features

Tight textures & tight curls crave as much moisture as they can get; our delicate strands need care & protection to prevent breakage; they easily fluff into an afro with awe-inspiring volume; our hair loves to spend time in protective styles to remain moisturized (using the right styling product!) , to support our delicate ends & to aid in length retention.

4B hair
4B hair or 4B curls are luscious Z-pattern coils that bend & flare in a zig zag pose

4C hair
4C hair or curls are velvety coils with a tight curl that flows, breakdances & freestyles

COILY

OFTEN DESCRIBED AS: springy, spongy, tight, type 4 hair, type 3 hair…

Distinguishing Features

Coily hair is tightly-packed corkscrew curls that scrunch up & and give extreme volume; tend to be finer in texture & weight; need extreme moisture to stay soft, defined & and resist tangles; our coils do well with twist-outs & stretched-style techniques.

4A hair
Type 4A hair has a supple S-pattern coil that leans & struts snap-back stuff

CURLY

OFTEN DESCRIBED AS:bouncy, ringlets, springy, type 3 hair, frizzy…

Distinguishing Features

Frizz is our friend; big, buoyant spirals; our texture tends to be thick & coarse hair, & our curls often vary in shape around the head; dryness can creep in to tousle up our ringlet curl, so moisture is key for maintaining curl definition & shine.

3B hair
Type 3B curls or type 3b hair are stretchy curls with a bounce to the ounce that double dutch in the wind

3C hair
Type 3C curls are flexible S-pattern curls that turn, twirl, & twist into a two-step