All you have to do is identify which one of the hairstyles (pictured below) closely resembles your own. Then, after you’ve done that, keep on scrolling to find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about your gorgeous hair type. Honestly, this “what hair type do I have” quiz is all you need!
Find Your Hair Type with this Quiz!
Check out our cheatsheet table, below, for a quick overview of all the hair types.
Type 1: Straight Hair
Does this resemble your hair texture? Then it’s likely you fall into the straight-strand group (a.k.a. Type 1 hair). And if you have baby-fine, straight hair, just like this model does and find your locks can’t hold curls as well, you’ve got 1A hair.
Type 1B Hair
Though you might think straight hair has just one type, it doesn’t! In this pictured example, the model has fuller-looking locks with a slight bend at the ends, giving an almost wavy effect.
Type 1C Hair
Have super-thick straight hair with a few waves? Prone to a little frizz? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then you’ve definitely got type 1C hair.
Top Product Picks for Type 1 Hair
If you have straight hair, you most likely deal with limp locks and oily strands. The good news: these are all things a trusty dry shampoo, like Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Water Dry Shampoo can help you with. This will instantly freshen up your style, allowing you to go an extra day between washes, while also giving your locks the volume and body you crave. Now, you can’t argue with that, can you?
Type 2: Wavy Hair
In most curly hair type quiz articles, you’ll notice that type 1 hair isn’t mentioned and that the typing system starts from type 2 hair (a.k.a. wavy hair). If you happened to resonate with the hair shown above, you have probably got one of the most-requested hair types! Type 2A texture has a loose S-shaped pattern, with the hair often being quite fine. The best thing about it? It’s pretty easy to manage.
Type 2B Hair
Some ladies have to hit the sand or use a sea salt spray to get beautiful beachy waves, yet others are just born with it. If this sounds a lot like your hair (and looks like this model’s mane), then you definitely fall under the 2B hair category.
Type 2C Hair
Got wavy hair with a very distinct S-shaped pattern, that’s borderline curly, perhaps with some loose spiral curls hidden in the underbrush, too? Then you have type 2C hair.
Top Product Picks for Type 2 Hair
Since this wavy hair type is thick and heavy, your hair is susceptible to frizz—but thankfully, that can be fixed with the help of hair serum. Apply some Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Hair Serum to infuse and seal the keratin into your strands for a smooth and shiny finish.
Type 3: Curly Hair
Your natural curls are loose, light and have a definite S-shape pattern, which means you’ve got 3A hair (a.k.a. curly hair). Without enough hydration, ladies with this curl type may become more susceptible to dryness, so a leave-in conditioner is a must-have.
Type 3B Hair
Type 3B hair tends to look as though spiral curls have been stretched out, without a defined pattern throughout. Since this natural hair type has a lot more volume and body (something many of us can only dream of, tbh), it can become susceptible to dryness.
Type 3C Hair
When you’ve got type 3C hair, your tight corkscrew curls tend to be high in density and much coarser than the other hair types that fall under this category.
Top Product Picks for Type 3 Hair
The best way to tackle the mane issues that come with having type 3 hair? Simply by rethinking your hair washing system! Following a co-washing system will leave your hair feeling smooth, nourished, and prepped for styling.
Type 4: Coily hair
Key characteristics of Type 4A natural hair are miniature, tightly-coiled strands that still maintain a visible S-shape curl pattern, much like the model above.
Type 4B Hair
In this example, the model’s curl factor is less noticeable and has more of a Z-shape to it, which you can tell by the way the hair bends. This shape can make 4B hair appear much shorter than it is, as it shrinks a lot. While other hair textures may not experience this as much, you can choose to work with it or try out curl-stretching, low manipulation hairstyles.
Type 4C hair
Less defined natural curls? Then you’ve got type 4C hair. Since you’ve got lots of densely packed Z-shaped strands in your hair, it can make it hard to tell what your curl pattern is. Yet due to the density of these beautiful coils, your hair is extremely prone to dryness and damage.
Top Product Picks for Type 4 Hair
Since your locks are the most delicate, your natural hair texture will benefit from following the LOC, LOCO, or LCO method (which stand for liquid, oil, and cream). You can give your locks the TLC it deserves by using Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox 5-in-1 Invisible Hair Oil. The lightweight, non-greasy formula instantly helps reduce frizz, moisturize, and soften strands. Type 4 hair also benefits from using a leave-in conditioner. This is a great product for locking in moisture, ensuring strands stay hydrated throughout the day. We love Suave Professionals Nourish & Strengthen Leave-in Conditioner because it deeply moisturizes and nourishes hair while adding a boost of shine.