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Decoding your curl key in can be confusingwe feel you.

Yara Shahidi with 4.A. coily hair woman with blonde 3.A. curls and Laura Dern with 2.A. wavy natural hair

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Easy enough, right?

2A hair has a subtle, barely-there texture that’s straightforwardto straighten.

To get the job done, he likes the Davines Curl Moisturizing Mousse.

Laura Dern in 2A natural hair

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“It gives the perfect balance of hold and weightlessness,” says the stylist.

That extra slip can go a long way.

He added that wide-tooth combs are also great for keeping uncomfy knots at bay.

Emma Stone 2a natural hair

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2B girlies have hair that lies flatter at the crown and defined S waves beginning from mid-lengths.

To enhance your surfer-babe waves, use atexturizing mistlike the Ouai Wave Spray, enriched withrice protein.

OConnor explains thatsulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos are key for keeping 2B frizz in check.

Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

The right shampoo can make all the difference in keeping those waves smooth and spotlit.

Between shampoos, 2Cers can opt for a non-lathering, sulfate-free co-wash to avoid stripping essential moisture from strands.

We vouch for the Verb Curl Leave-In Conditioner and the Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse.

Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam in soft gray pump bottle on light gray background

When it comes to mousse, technique matters.

Massage the product into your towel-dried hair, starting at the roots and working down to the ends.

Use a comb to detangle before flipping your head upside down and scrunching in the product with your fingers.

Davines Curl Moisturizing Mousse in silver metal bottle with black cap on light gray background

Care practices for curlier girlies tend to be more comprehensive than those of wavier women.

Doing so will help define the curls' texture and hydrate them in the process.

Refrain from touching your hair after applying the products, or you’ll risk sparking a frizz halo.

Simone Ashley in 2b natural hair

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This formula is lightweight, defining, and smells like yummy, sweet almonds.

Facts are facts: Different curl types have different wash needs.

However, co-washing shouldnt be a replacement for traditional shampoo sudsing.

Selma Blair in 2b natural hair

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3B hair is made up of springy ringlets with a circumference similar to that of a Sharpie marker.

She stresses the importance oftrimming3B hair every three to four months to nixsplit ends.

“Curly hair is more prone to dryness, so we require so much water.

Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

Curl-friendly products are activated with water, so [they] won’t weigh our hair down.”

throw in 3C

throw in 3C curls resemble tight corkscrews with diameters comparable to straws or pencils.

Strands are densely gathered, giving way to lots of natural volume.

Ouai Wave Spray in branded component on a light gray background

Strands form very tight, small curls of zig-zags right from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage.

When doing so, Matais-Bernard recommends “keeping yourdetangling brushand sectioningclipshandy” for extra ease.

This styling method should be done more frequently to keep this coily texture soft and pliable.

Ceremonia Guava Beach Waves Hair Texturizing Spray in dark amber bottle with white spray pump on light gray background

A curl cream with a leave-in moisturizer is a must for adding more moisture to daily wash-and-go styling.

This combination will help define your curls without leaving them hard or crunchy.

Use a diffuser to dry and disperse your curls for an extra beautiful body.

Curlsmith Defrizzion Travel Hair Dryer & Diffuser in black color way on light gray background

Pattern Beauty

Styling Cream for Curly and Coily Hair

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Keep hair well-moisturized and deep condition once a week."

Tori Kelly in 2c natural hair

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She also recommendsmassaging the scalpto stimulate blood flow, which can support healthier, stronger growth.

People with 4A hair should wash “every seven days andclarifyonce a month to remove buildup.

Avoid excessive heat styling to prevent heat damage.

Victoria Monet in 2c natural hair

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“O’Connorseconded the power ofclarifying shampoos.

“There are specially designedclarifying shampoosthat are gentler and won’t strip your curls.”

“I love that [4B hair] can be shaped in many different ways,” says Francois.

Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

“Its tight pattern prevents natural oils from traveling down the hair shaft,” explains OConnor.

Douglas added that this makes it especially important to apply moisture to the mid-lengths down to the ends.

To straighten 4B hair, OConnor vouches for the tension method, a.k.a.

As I Am Coconut Cleansing Conditioner in dark amber jar with black cap on light gray background

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And, we beg you, dont skip the heat protectant.

This hair pop in experiences the most significant amount ofshrinkageabout 75% or morecompared to the other textures.

If you are a 4C, take your style cues from actress Kiki Layne.

Verb Curl Leave In Conditioner in branded clear plastic bottle on light gray background

“I love that [this texture] is so versatile,” says Francois.

Well Cold-Pressed Castor Oil.

Patronizing a salon that specializes in curls can be key, too.

Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse in clear branded bottle with gray pump on light gray background

The key to managing dry 4C hair is hydration, explains Moore.

Trim when needed and sleep with a bonnet or silk scarf.

The silk also causes less frizz-causing friction, which is always a plus.

Woman with blonde 3a curls

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Julia Garner in blonde 3a hair

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Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

SGX NYC Curl Power Nourishing Curl Cream in branded white tube on light gray background

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Refresher Spray in branded clear bottle with spray nozzle on light gray background

Zendaya 3b hair

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Gabby Wilson in 3b hair

Instagram / @hermusicofficial

Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel in clear bottle with black pump on light gray background

Curls Goddess Botanical Gel in branded clear bottle with black cap on light gray background

Nathalie Emmanuel in 3c hair

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Kerry Washington in 3C hair

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Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

Oyin Handmade Ginger Mint Co-Wash in branded white bottle with pump on light gray background

Rucker Roots Texture Styling Mousse in branded white bottle with foam pump on light gray background

Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme in clear branded jar with gray blue lid on light gray background

Yara Shahidi in 4a hair

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Meg thee Stallion in 4a hair

Instagram / @Theestallion

Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

Pattern Styling Cream for Curly & Coily Hair yellow jar with line illustration of eye and wavy hair on light gray background

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner jar with a pale yellow label on light gray background

Issa Rae in 4b natural hair

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Gabrielle Union in 4b natural hair

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Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

BondiBoost Volume + Texture Styling Cream pale pink tube on light gray background with red Allure BoB seal in the top right corner

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4U by Tia Leave-In Curl Cream in blue tube with white cap

Kiki Layne in 4c natural hair

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Teyonah Parris in 4c hair

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Curly Hair Types Chart How to Find Your Curl Pattern

Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream in soft purple jar with lid on light gray background

Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed Castor Oil purple bottle on gray background

Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Hair Mask in clear jar with light green lid on light gray background