CurlyEllie Guide to Curly Hair Types

Not all curls are created the same.

I would even go so far as to saying that, even on one set of head, you would notice several different hair types - each one unique and individual to you.

For some of us, our curls range from fine and wavy all the way to very full and tight curls.

One of the many questions I get daily is ‘which of the CurlyEllie collections is ideal for my own hair type?’

This is almost impossible to predict if I dont know how your curls react to water, how thick it is or if you have used hot irons, straightened , or even coloured your hair.

However, knowing your own hair type and recognising the types of curls your child may have can guide you towards the correct treatment and techniques to achieve the best results from the CurlyEllie collection. 

To understand what hair type you have, it is important to understand your hair folicle. This is the shape of your hair as it comes through the roots of your scalp..

It is through an analysis of the shape as it emerges from the folicle that you are able to identify your unique hair type.

Straight hair folicles are a round shape while Curly Hair folicles are an oval shape 

Now, you should know how the shape of your hair (as it comes through the folicles) influences your hair type, but it does not end there.

Another important determinant is the way the follicles tunnel into the scalp.

STRAIGHT HAIR -  The follicles generally slant vertically from the scalp and right down into the dermis.

CURLY HAIR   -  The follicle run down vertically, and instead, enter the dermis at an angle, which then in turn creates a curve that leads to fab curls.

It is this curving that leads to dryness - as the follicles curve,  it is harder for the Sebum to travel down the follicle efficiently ( Sebum is the glands whose job it is to lubriciate the hair)

Here is a brief explanation of our individual formations.  

What is 2a Hair Type and How to look after it

 

• 2a hair is a light wave in your hair and when you brush it with some Detangling spray or Leave in Conditioner, you may may even look perfectly straight.
• You may find that your hair is typically high porosity, meaning that the waves will absorb products well and products dont just sit on your hair but are easily absorbed by your hair.
• Porosity refers to your hairs ability to absorb and retain moisture.
• You don’t want to use too much product on 2a hair, as it has a tendency to weigh the waves down.
• Scrunching the hair should be helpful to add volume and bounce. The Detangling Spray should offer extra moisture with light hold. You  could even team up the Detangling Spray with the Styling Serum for extra hold and flyaways.

 

What is 2b Hair Type and How to look after it

• 2b hair is usually less curly at the top of your hair and gently falls into a more defined S-Shaped pattern as it goes to the tips of your hair. Some may notice the change midway and for others a but further down the hair.
• Your main enemy is frizz and flyaway hair and this is where the Styling Serum really helps.
• Simply put some in the palm of your hands and run it over the top of your hair.
• Scrunching the hair with a microfibre towel and applying some serum can offer you volume and hold for your waves.
• Our Styling Serum is light enough to not weigh down the waves, but enough to take care of any frizz or fly-aways without making the hair greasy.

 

What is 2c Hair Type and How to look after it

• For Type 2c waves, you may notice the waves start earlier as your hair comes out of the scalp. You may even notice that your hair is generally less "fine" and tends more to be thicker and more defined after using the Leave In Conditioner.
• Of all of the type 2 waves, 2c tends to be the most prone to frizz and this may mean that the Serum will not be enough for you. You may need to spray the Detanglng spray and then follow with the Serum or the Leave In Conditioner.
• Diffusing the hair on low heat and low volume from damp hair is a fab tip to add volume to the waves, pair that with the Intensive Treatment Mask as a replacement to the Leave-In Conditioner to add some heat protection.
• Alternatively, if you don’t want to use any heat you can add some Leave-In Conditioner on wet hair and scrunch with a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt.
• Once dry you can apply some Styling Serum if there’s any frizz or if you want extra hold for your waves.

 

 

What is 3a Hair Type and How to look after it

• 3a hair is a happy medium between very curly and not so curly curls.
• The curls in 3a curls tend to be big, loose curls and ringlets.
• Unlike Types 2 curls, this curl type is more voluminous and does not need more scrunching or manipulation to get volume..
• As the curls tend to be looser a great tip to is to try finger curl your hair damp  and flip it over before finishing your styling routing. This will help your curls look more dfined and give fab volumes after it had dried (either by diffusing or letting it dry naturally).
• Why not try spritzing some Detangling Spray to dampen your hair first to give you extra moisture and help hold the curls in place.
• Use the Leave in Conditioner on damp hair and brush through the curls to make sure that all the hair is evenly coated. Scrunch and leave to dry.

 

What is 3b Hair Type and How to look after it

• 3b curls are springy and can be anywhere from ringlets to corkscrews.
• These curls are voluminous and can be quite course.
• The Leave-In Conditioner is your best friend here, plus a weekly dose of the Intensive Treatment Mask to keep the curls moisturised.

 

What is 3c Hair Type and How to look after it

• 3c curls can be described as curly-coily, and is very dense corkscrew curls, about the width of a pencil, these curly-coils are very voluminous.
• Of all the type 3 curls, 3c is the most prone to dryness and breakage.
• A weekly or bi-weekly treatment of Intensive Treatment Mask, applied in the shower or bath to let the steam really help work the moisture into your hair, will help with any dryness.
• The Detangling Spray contains Pro Vitamin B5 for hair, which is a humectant, helping absorb moisture and retain it, so a quick spritz will also help if there is any dryness.
• But - the Leave In conditioner is your best friend. Use it as you layer your up stylers.  Layering should be your new key word for styling - Start with the Detangling Spray, add some leave in conditioner, finger comb it through,
• Then when almost dry, use the serum for the intense shine and definition.

 

What is 4a Hair Type and How to look after it

• 4a coils are usually dense and either fine or wiry.
• It’s important to note that whilst type 4 hair may seem to be tough and robust, it is actually the most fragile hair type and needs a lot of moisture, even though it often has the most difficulty absorbing it.
• The Leave-In Conditioner and the Styling Serum will offer you some moisture and shine!

 

What is 4b Hair Type and How to look after it

• 4b hair is normally where your hair is closer to a “Z” shape than an “S” and the curls are much tighter and have less definition.
• The strands can range from anywhere between fine hair and much wirier, courser strands.
• If your hair is low porosity it can be difficult to get products to absorb to add moisture. Try using the Leave-In Conditioner and covering your hair to let the heat from your head help the moisture along a little.

 

What is 4c Hair Type and How to look after it

• 4c hair is similar to 4b hair but the coils are less defined and there will be more shrinkage ( your hair gets shorted and it dries).
• It is the most delicate out of all the hair types and craves moisture. It can never have too much,
• It can be really difficult to absorb the moisture the curls need.
• A great tip for hair with a low porosity is to use the Intensive Treatment Mask, but to coat the hair well, and cover with a towel or cotton t-shirt or shower cap, let the heat from your head open the hair cuticles and absorb the product better.
• Alternatively, you can use steam or a heat cap.
• The Styling Serum and the Leave-In Conditioner will also work better on type 4 hair than perhaps the Detangling Spray as it will absorb easier. 

 

When thinking of hair types, always thick of your hair type in connection with your Hair Thickness and Hair Porosity.

Now you may be a little more aware of which hair types you have, we hope this can help you choose which products are more suited to you. 

CurlyEllie products have been custom crafted to blend layer and compliment each other. Our mini works range is a great place to start, we hope you enjoy discovering your favourites.