Afro hair types and textures: How to identify and care for them

Table Of Content

• Fall In Love With 15+ Scarf Hairstyles To Elevate Your Look
• Regardless of Which Type of African American Hair You Have, Allurium Beauty is Your Key to Unlocking Effortless Growth!
• The Different Afro Hair Types and Textures, How to Identify and Care For Them
• Andre Walker Hair Typing System
• Choosing the Right Hairstyles
• A Brief Breakdown of Non-Afro Hair Types

As a dynamic husband and wife duo behind Curl Centric, our passion for curly hair has fueled a transformative journey. While not necessary, many people find hair typing extremely helpful for understanding their hair texture and choosing hair care products. Some view it as limiting and choose not to use it, while others find it useful.

Fall In Love With 15+ Scarf Hairstyles To Elevate Your Look

Type 4 is the curliest of them all, featuring tight curls, coils and kinks. This texture is also one of the most versatile since shrinkage gives the illusion of shorter hair even if the hair is waist-length. The Type 3 hair is typically soft in nature, but still requires a lot of moisture, maintenance and care.

Regardless of Which Type of African American Hair You Have, Allurium Beauty is Your Key to Unlocking Effortless Growth!

A sew-in results from braiding your natural hair in a cornrow style and hand-stitching weft extensions on top of the braids. Normal porosity means your hair does not have a challenge absorbing moisture or holding shine. However, excessive heat styling and the use of other chemicals on the hair can change the normal porosity.

The Different Afro Hair Types and Textures, How to Identify and Care For Them

Likewise, the density varies from scarce density to densely packed hair strands. This hair type is drier when compared to other black hair types, and it breaks easily. It experiences shrinkage of up to 70% of its actual length, and this makes it to appear shorter than it really is. Therefore, it is very fragile and breaks easily because of poor natural protection. The hair type has a very high density, and it appears darker than other black hair types. 4A hair is prone to dryness, but its moisture retention capacity is higher compared to other type 4 hair types.

Hair Types 1, 2, and 3: Straight, Wavy, and Curly

Generally speaking, curly hair is the driest of any hair texture and needs constant love and nourishment. The intricate world of Black hair types requires thoughtful consideration of care and styling methods. Consulting a professional hairstylist can provide personalized guidance, ensuring your routine aligns with the unique characteristics of your hair type. Understanding your hair's texture will help you select the best products and techniques for your hair care regimen.

Andre Walker Hair Typing System

4A hair is often prone to dryness, so keeping it moisturized is key. Black women with 4C hair often embrace their natural hair texture, appreciating its unique beauty and versatility. It can be styled in various ways, including twist-outs, braid-outs, wash-and-go styles, and protective hairstyles like braids, twists, or locs. These styles not only showcase the beauty of 4C hair but also provide protection and help maintain its health and length.

This is because curly or oily hair strands make it more difficult for natural oils produced by the scalp to flow down their length. As a result, if not properly hydrated, afro hair can dry out, become brittle, and break easily. Understanding your African American hair type is essential for a myriad of reasons.

One option is to have orange highlights or balayage, where sections of the hair are dyed with orange tones. This creates pops of color throughout the black hair, adding dimension and visual interest. When choosing highlights for black hair, there are various options to consider.

There are other emerging curl-type systems, but honestly, most of the new ones aren’t well known. The number shown on the soft tape measure is used to determine whether your hair fits into the thin, normal, or thick, according to Fia’s Hair Typing System. You can use a soft tape measure or another method that won’t damage your hair to measure the circumference of your ponytail.

Felix’s black hair has become an iconic part of his visual identity as an artist. It adds to his overall charm and stage presence, highlighting his distinct features and allowing him to stand out during performances and appearances. Medium length black hair is a versatile and stylish choice that combines the elegance of black hair with the convenience of a manageable length.

Texture Management was formed to fill the need for elite hair and makeup services tailored to performers' unique needs of color. I am one of their hair artists, specializing in hair color (certified through Redken). This allows me to provide whatever hairstyle (such as braids, cut, wigs, or smoothing) the client needs to complete the look from head to toe. Through Texture Management, I have styled hair for spec shoots, beauty shoots, red carpets, award shows, and more.

It’s also quite common to have more than one type of texture in your hair resulting in a mixture. Where 3A hair types have curls that are approximately the circumference of sidewalk chalk, 3B hair types are comparable to a permanent marker. More specifically – many naturals are interested in how to determine their hair type. Don’t dry your hair with a hair dryer either, as it will also contribute to hair frizz. Type 4c is the most delicate of all, featuring no real curl pattern and boasting shrinkage of up to 85% of its actual length. This hair needs the most moisture and tends to react very well to the LOC (leave-in, oil, cream) or LCO method.

Each type of African American hair has its unique characteristics, challenges, and beauty. Knowing your hair type means unlocking the key to a tailored hair care routine that nourishes, protects, and celebrates your hair's natural beauty. Layers in black hair can create visual interest by breaking up the solid color and allowing light to play off the different lengths. This adds depth and dimension to the hair, making it appear more dynamic and vibrant. Layers can also provide versatility in styling, allowing for a range of hairstyles and adding movement to the hair. Taking care of 4C hair involves practices such as moisturizing regularly, gentle detangling, and minimizing heat and chemical treatments.

Purdue studies heat damage in all hair types - IndyStar

Purdue studies heat damage in all hair types.

Posted: Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]

A 4C afro hair type is a very tightly coiled and kinky hair type that has a high density of coils and can form a tight, curly texture when wet. It has a high degree of shrinkage when it dries and may require special care to avoid damage and breakage. The coils are often fragile and can be difficult to comb or style. African American hair is incredibly diverse, with its unique textures and curl patterns. With this list of black hair types, you can easily identify your hair.

Styling 4A hair may need some time and work, but the results can be well worth it. At Allurium Beauty, we understand that every African American woman deserves to embrace the natural beauty of her hair, regardless of its type. The color black is often used to signify traits such as mystery, elegance, seriousness, or a sense of calmness. It can serve as a visual contrast against vibrant or unusual hair colors, making the character’s features and expressions stand out. A black hair profile picture (PFP) is a representation of oneself that features black hair as the prominent visual element. It can be a photo, illustration, or any other form of digital or visual representation used as a profile picture on social media platforms, forums, or other online platforms.