Choosing the Best Care for Your Curly Hair Type
Updated: Jul 24
One of the most common questions we hear is, “What curl type do I even have?” The truth is, most curl patterns fall somewhere on a spectrum, and knowing where you land is the first step to building a routine that actually works instead of guessing through trial and error.
Why Your Curl Type Matters
Curl type affects everything from how much moisture your hair needs to how it responds to certain products. A wash-and-go that works beautifully on a looser curl can leave a tighter curl dry and undefined. Once you know your pattern, choosing products becomes far less overwhelming.
The Simple At-Home Curl Test
Start with clean, product-free hair and let it air dry completely.
Once dry, take a photo in natural light so you can see the true shape of a single strand.
Compare that strand to the curl type chart below to find your closest match.
The Curl Type Chart, Explained
Curl types are grouped into three broad categories, each with three sub-types:
2A–2C (Wavy): loose S-shaped bends that range from barely-there waves (2A) to defined, frizz-prone waves (2C).
3A–3C (Curly): springy, well-defined ringlets that tighten from loose curls (3A) to tight corkscrews (3C).
4A–4C (Coily): tightly coiled or zigzag strands with high shrinkage, from defined coils (4A) to fine, dense zigzags (4C).
Most People Have More Than One Pattern
It's completely normal to have looser curls at your crown and tighter curls underneath, or wavy pieces framing your face with curlier hair everywhere else. Instead of forcing your whole head into one category, use your most common pattern as your baseline and adjust product amounts section by section.
Once You Know Your Type, Build From There
Whatever pattern you land on, the fundamentals stay the same: gentle cleansing, consistent moisture, and protecting your curls while you sleep. The Crown Care Royal Treatment Bundle below is formulated to work across the curl spectrum, so it's a solid starting point no matter where your strands fall on the chart.
Understanding your curl pattern isn't about putting your hair in a box, it's about giving yourself permission to stop fighting your natural texture and start working with it.
Comments