Hair Texture Chart: How to Identify Your Hair Type - Raw Hair

The Hair Texture Chart is an essential tool for anyone wanting to improve their hair care routine. By identifying your specific hair type, you can choose the right products and techniques tailored to your unique texture. This understanding promotes healthier, more beautiful hair and empowers you to address your specific concerns. Let’s discover how the Hair Texture Chart can enhance your hair care journey!

What is Hair Texture Chart?

A hair texture chart is a simple guide that organizes different types of hair textures by their natural shape and structure. It helps people figure out their specific hair type, which can be incredibly useful when deciding on the best ways to care for and style their hair.

Differences Between Hair Texture Types

The Hair Texture Chart simplifies identifying your hair type, dividing it into four main categories:

Type 1: Straight Hair

Naturally sleek and smooth, straight hair tends to be stronger and shinier. It can also get oily more quickly, as scalp oils travel down the strand with ease. Within this category, straight hair is further divided as follows:

1A Hair Type: Ultra-fine and flat, this rare type is most common among Asian individuals. It rarely holds a curl.
1B Hair Type: Slightly thicker than 1A with more body, this type can hold waves or curls with the right styling.
1C Hair Type: Straight with a bit of natural texture, often appearing thicker and rougher. This type can be prone to frizz in certain climates or environments.

Care Tips: To keep straight hair looking fresh and voluminous, use a natural bristle brush to evenly distribute oils along each strand, balancing natural shine without excess. Avoid heavy products that may weigh hair down or add greasiness, and instead, choose lightweight, volumizing products to give your hair a fuller, lifted look.

Type 2: Natural Wavy Hair

Type 2 hair features natural, soft waves that form a gentle S-shape along the length of each strand. This texture often has an effortless, airy volume, but it can be prone to frizz and needs careful maintenance to keep its beautiful, defined look. Here’s a closer look at the variations within Type 2:

2A Hair Type: Fine with loose, delicate waves that create a soft, barely-there S-shape. It’s low on volume and easy to style.
2B Hair Type: Roots tend to be straight, with more pronounced waves starting at mid-length. This type has a fuller body and slightly more frizz, holding styles better than 2A.
2C Hair Type: Defined, deep waves that start close to the roots, with a coarser texture. This hair type shines when wet and benefits from extra hydration to reduce frizz and enhance definition.

Care Tips: For well-defined waves, use frizz-control products and a lightweight leave-in conditioner to add moisture without weighing hair down. After washing, avoid rough towel drying—gently squeeze out excess water and pat dry instead. Let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser to enhance its natural wave pattern for a soft, smooth look.

Type 3: Natural Curly Hair

Natural curly hair begins at the roots and extends throughout the entire length, which can vary from fine to quite thick. This texture is relatively easy to style but can often be susceptible to dryness, frizz, and shrinkage.

3A Hair Type: Boasting a thick texture with loose, well-defined curls, this type features large, voluminous curls that can still be prone to frizz.
3B Hair Type: Composed of tighter curls that form distinct spiral shapes, 3B hair is full of bounce and has a lively, voluminous look.
3C Hair Type: Characterized by very tight, dense curls, this type offers excellent styling versatility but is also the most prone to shrinkage, often creating a compact appearance.

Care Tips: For healthy, well-defined curls, start with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to combat dryness. Follow up with curl creams or gels to enhance definition and minimize frizz. When detangling, use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair to gently shape the curls and reduce tangles, while avoiding brushing when dry to preserve curl structure and prevent breakage.

Type 4: Natural Kinky Hair

This texture features tightly coiled strands that can vary from fine to coarse, with curls forming S and Z shapes. Without proper care, Type 4 hair is particularly prone to breakage.

4A Hair Type: Small, bouncy coils with a clear curl pattern, known for having a high degree of elasticity and shrinkage when dry.
4B Hair Type: Tighter Z-shaped curls that are less defined, often experiencing moderate shrinkage and can become dry easily.
4C Hair Type: Very tight coils with little to no defined curl pattern, often appearing soft and fluffy. The curls can be so compact that they may look almost straight at times.

Care Tips: To keep coily hair healthy and vibrant, focus on deep conditioning regularly to ensure your strands stay hydrated. Incorporate nourishing oils or creams to seal in moisture and prevent breakage. When detangling, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb on wet hair to minimize damage. Embrace protective styles to reduce manipulation, helping your coils maintain their shape while keeping frizz at bay.

How to Determine Your Hair Type

To identify your natural hair type, start by washing your hair and allowing it to air-dry without applying any products. This will reveal its true texture:

If your hair dries straight without any bends or curls, it falls under Type 1.
If it forms soft waves or an “S” shape, it belongs to Type 2.
If you see defined curls throughout, your hair is classified as Type 3.

Use a hair texture chart to compare and confirm your exact type. If you’re uncertain, visiting a hair specialist can provide a more precise evaluation.

Is my hair texture changing?

Yes, every individual has a distinct hair texture, but it’s not permanent. Your hair texture can be influenced by a range of factors, including climate, hair color, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and hormonal fluctuations. If you notice a shift in your hair texture, it might be your hair’s way of communicating with you. This could mean it’s time to focus more on hydration or consider switching up your hair care products.

Conclusion

The Hair Texture Chart above has likely given you valuable insights into your hair and helped you select the best care options. To keep your hair healthy and strong, it’s advisable to limit the use of heat and harsh chemical treatments to prevent breakage and damage.

If you’re looking to switch up your hairstyle quickly without compromising your natural hair, consider trying hair extensions. Raw Hair proudly offers 100% Vietnamese Human Hair extensions, sourced directly from one of Vietnam’s largest factories. This ensures you receive high-quality extensions that are the perfect addition to your hair care routine.