Hair is a defining feature of our appearance, and understanding your hair type can help you choose the right products, styles, and treatments to keep it looking its best. The Andre Walker Hair Typing System is an alternative hair typing system that categorizes hair into 4 main types (Type 1 to Type 4) with further subcategories. Let's take a closer look at each hair type:
Type 1:
Straight Hair Type 1 hair is straight with no visible curl or wave pattern. It can range from fine and thin to coarse and thick, and is typically shiny and smooth. Here are the subcategories:
-
1A - Straight, Fine (Thin), Soft, Shiny: This type of hair is very fine and silky, and can be easily weighed down by heavy products. It tends to be shiny and sleek, but can also be prone to greasiness.
-
1B - Straight, Medium, Textured, Lots of Body: This type of hair has more texture than 1A, and can hold a style well. It has more body than 1A, but is still relatively easy to manage.
-
1C - Straight, Coarse, Thick, Difficult to Curl: This type of hair is the thickest and most coarse of the straight hair types. It can be difficult to style and is resistant to curling or perming.
Type 2:
Wavy Hair Type 2 hair has a visible S-shaped wave pattern and is usually thicker than Type 1 hair. It can range from fine to coarse and is prone to frizz. Here are the subcategories:
-
2A - Wavy, Fine, Thin, Loose: This type of hair has a loose, beachy wave pattern that is easy to style. It is fine and thin, so it can be prone to damage and breakage.
-
2B - Wavy, Medium, Textured, Easily Straightened: This type of hair has a more defined wave pattern than 2A and is thicker and more textured. It can be easily straightened with heat styling tools.
-
2C - Wavy, Coarse, Thick, Frizzy: This type of hair is the thickest and most coarse of the wavy hair types. It is prone to frizz and can be difficult to style.
Type 3:
Curly Hair Type 3 hair has a tighter curl pattern than Type 2 hair, with curls ranging from loose to corkscrew. It can range from fine to coarse and is prone to dryness and tangling. Here are the subcategories:
-
3A - Curly, Loose, Thick, Soft: This type of hair has loose, defined curls that are soft and thick. It can be prone to frizz and requires specialized care to maintain its shape and health.
-
3B - Curly, Tight, Medium, Coarse: This type of hair has a tighter curl pattern than 3A and is thicker and more coarse. It can be difficult to manage and requires extra moisture to maintain its shape and health.
-
3C - Curly, Tight, Coarse, Kinky: This type of hair has a very tight, kinky curl pattern and is the most coarse and densely packed of the curly hair types. It can be prone to shrinkage and requires extra care to maintain its health and shape.
Type 4:
Coily Hair Type 4 hair has a tightly coiled curl pattern and is usually very dense and coarse. It can range from fine to coarse and is prone to dryness and breakage. Here are the subcategories:
-
4A - Coily, Soft, Fine: This type of hair has tightly coiled curls that are soft and fine. It can be prone to shrinkage and requires gentle care to maintain its shape and health.
-
4B - Coily, Z-Shaped, Thick, Coarse: This type of hair has a zigzag, Z-shaped curl pattern and is thicker and more coarse than 4A. It can be prone to dryness and breakage and requires extra moisture to maintain its health and shape.
-
4C - Coily, Tight, Thin, Delicate: This type of hair has very tight, almost microscopic coils and is the thinnest and most delicate of the coily hair types. It can be prone to breakage and requires gentle care to maintain its health and shape.
Understanding your hair type and texture can help you choose the right products and techniques to keep your hair healthy, strong, and looking its best. It's important to note that everyone's hair is unique, and you may find that your hair doesn't fit neatly into one specific category. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for your hair, and remember to embrace your natural texture and love your locks!