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

4B-4C

COILY

3C-4B

CURLY

3B-3C

PROTECTIVE STYLES

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’ve created a curl pattern chart to help you define which type your hair is & find the best hair products & hair routine to promote vibrant & healthy hair.

Our story

TIGHT TEXTURES

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

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Tight textures & tight curls crave as much moisture as they can get; our delicate strands need hair care & protection to prevent breakage; they easily fluff into an afro with awe-inspiring volume; our natural 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

We Recommend ...

  • intensive conditioner deep conditioner

    Intensive Conditioner

    Intensive Conditioner

    ultra-hydrating & restorative

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • Detangling Nectar Detangling Nectar

    Detangling Nectar

    Detangling Nectar

    detangles with extra slip

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • styling cream curly hair lotion
    4C Fav
    Bestseller

    Styling Cream

    Styling Cream

    hydrated hold & definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • Jojoba Oil Blend jojoba hair oil

    Jojoba Oil Blend

    Jojoba Oil Blend

    lightweight moisture & reduces breakage

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • moisture milk Moisture Milk

    Moisture Milk

    Moisture Milk

    refreshes & smooths unwanted frizz

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • Leave-In Conditioner Leave-In Conditioner
    #1 Bestseller

    Leave-In Conditioner

    Leave-In Conditioner

    7X the juicy, 2X the definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • hydration shampoo hydrating shampoo for curly hair

    Hydration Shampoo

    Hydration Shampoo

    gentle moisture-rich cleanser

    $21.00
    $21.00 $21.00
    Size
  • heavy conditioner for curly hair heavy conditioner for curly hair

    Heavy Conditioner

    Heavy Conditioner

    oil-rich hydration & curl definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • kinky hair products
    Starter Pack

    The Tight Texture Starter Bundle

    The Tight Texture Starter Bundle

    a journey to nourished & defined curls

    $133.00
    $148.00 $133.00
    Add to cart
  • Palo Santo Styling Cream Palo Santo Styling Cream

    Palo Santo Styling Cream

    Palo Santo Styling Cream

    hydrated hold & definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • curl custard curly hair custard
    Family Fave

    Styling Custard

    Styling Custard

    lightweight hold, hydrating & ultra slippy

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • Edge Control edge control for hair

    Edge Control

    Edge Control

    long-lasting hold with extra shine

    $14.00
    $14.00 $14.00
    Add to cart
1 12
View all
Back to top

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.

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

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

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

We Recommend ...

  • curl gel hair gel for curls
    Bestseller

    Curl Gel

    Curl Gel

    medium hold & flake-free

    $49.00
    $49.00 $49.00
    Size
  • hydration shampoo hydrating shampoo for curly hair

    Hydration Shampoo

    Hydration Shampoo

    gentle moisture-rich cleanser

    $21.00
    $21.00 $21.00
    Size
  • Leave-In Conditioner Leave-In Conditioner
    #1 Bestseller

    Leave-In Conditioner

    Leave-In Conditioner

    7X the juicy, 2X the definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • moisture milk Moisture Milk

    Moisture Milk

    Moisture Milk

    refreshes & smooths unwanted frizz

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • curl mousse Curl Mousse
    Bestseller
    Wash&Go Pick

    Curl Mousse

    Curl Mousse

    weightless volume & touchable hold

    $23.00
    $23.00 $23.00
    Size
  • heavy conditioner for curly hair heavy conditioner for curly hair

    Heavy Conditioner

    Heavy Conditioner

    oil-rich hydration & curl definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • intensive conditioner deep conditioner

    Intensive Conditioner

    Intensive Conditioner

    ultra-hydrating & restorative

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • styling cream curly hair lotion
    4C Fav
    Bestseller

    Styling Cream

    Styling Cream

    hydrated hold & definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • The Palo Santo Coily Starter Bundle The Palo Santo Coily Starter Bundle
    Limited Edition

    The Palo Santo Coily Starter Bundle

    The Palo Santo Coily Starter Bundle

    for coilies

    $129.00
    $143.00 $129.00
    Add to cart
  • coily hair products
    Starter Pack

    The Coily Starter Bundle

    The Coily Starter Bundle

    for coilies

    $129.00
    $143.00 $129.00
    Add to cart
  • Palo Santo Curl Mousse Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    weightless volume & touchable hold

    $23.00
    $23.00 $23.00
    Add to cart
  • Palo Santo Styling Cream Palo Santo Styling Cream

    Palo Santo Styling Cream

    Palo Santo Styling Cream

    hydrated hold & definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
1 12
Back to top

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 loose curls that turn, twirl, & twist into a two-step

We Recommend ...

  • curl mousse Curl Mousse
    Bestseller
    Wash&Go Pick

    Curl Mousse

    Curl Mousse

    weightless volume & touchable hold

    $23.00
    $23.00 $23.00
    Size
  • Medium Conditioner conditioner with slip

    Medium Conditioner

    Medium Conditioner

    moisture-rich hydration with extra slip

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • Leave-In Conditioner Leave-In Conditioner
    #1 Bestseller

    Leave-In Conditioner

    Leave-In Conditioner

    7X the juicy, 2X the definition

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • curl cleansing shampoo cleansing shampoo for natural hair

    Cleansing Shampoo

    Cleansing Shampoo

    remove build up & deep clean

    $21.00
    $21.00 $21.00
    Size
  • curl gel hair gel for curls
    Bestseller

    Curl Gel

    Curl Gel

    medium hold & flake-free

    $49.00
    $49.00 $49.00
    Size
  • curl refresher spray curl refresher

    Hydrating Mist

    Hydrating Mist

    refreshes & reactivates

    $19.00
    $19.00 $19.00
    Size
  • Lightweight Conditioner lightweight conditioner for curly hair

    Lightweight Conditioner

    Lightweight Conditioner

    weightless moisture & reduces breakage

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Size
  • Argan Oil Blend oil for curly hair

    Argan Oil Blend

    Argan Oil Blend

    promotes curl health & strength

    $28.00
    $28.00 $28.00
    Add to cart
  • The Palo Santo Curly Starter Bundle The Palo Santo Curly Starter Bundle
    Limited Edition

    The Palo Santo Curly Starter Bundle

    The Palo Santo Curly Starter Bundle

    for curlies

    $134.00
    $148.00 $134.00
    Add to cart
  • Palo Santo Curl Mousse Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    Palo Santo Curl Mousse

    weightless volume & touchable hold

    $23.00
    $23.00 $23.00
    Add to cart
  • Palo Santo Medium Conditioner Palo Santo Medium Conditioner

    Palo Santo Medium Conditioner

    Palo Santo Medium Conditioner

    rich hydration with curl definition

    $26.00
    $26.00 $26.00
    Add to cart
  • shower brush detangling shower brush

    Shower Brush

    Shower Brush

    effortlessly sculpt your curls

    $17.00
    $17.00 $17.00
    Add to cart
1 12
Back to top

Locs

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Locs love to grow tall, long & wide; Locs believe in growth, dimension, magnitude, & evolution; They love to take up space. Growing locs is a beautiful journey of coiling, twisting, palm rolling, braiding, or allowing the hair to organically grow & merge to create a fused hair strand which can range from micro size to larger free form; Locs curl types crave healthy scalp care & tender attention to their roots; they love products that provide moisture & hold such as our Hydrating Shampoo for curly hair without buildup & products that keep the scalp clean & hydrated.

HAIRCARE TIPS

-To prevent build up on the scalp & roots, add our Cleansing ShampooShampoo to your wash day routine.

-To moisturize & prevent dryness, apply Jojoba Oil Hair Serum or Argan Oil Hair Serum to the scalp.

-To stimulate & soothe each hair follicle, apply the Scalp Serum & massage in for added relief.

-Try using the Styling Cream for curly hair to create starter locs with braids, two-strand twists, comb coils & palm rolls.

We Recommend ...

  • Protective Style Set Protective Style Set
    $83 Value

    Protective Style Set

    Protective Style Set

    for curlies, coilies & tight textures

    $75.00
    $83.00 $75.00
    Add to cart
  • Deep Scalp Detox Deep Scalp Detox
    Viral Hit

    Deep Scalp Detox

    Deep Scalp Detox

    purify, purge & balance

    $29.00
    $29.00 $29.00
    Add to cart
  • natural hair serum scalp serum for dry scalp