For years, I struggled with styling my type 2C hair. I had no idea how to give my thick definition or keep them from frizzing up, so I would get regular in hopes of creating the hair of my dreams. If only I had known about hairstylist curl typing system, I would’ve saved myself tons of time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Even though it's decades old at this point, Walker's system is still the go-to for labeling based on texture. It’s a simple method that uses numbers 1 through 4 and subcategories A, B, and C to classify hair. The numbers refer to texture—1 is straight hair, 2 wavy, 3 curly, and 4 coily or kinky—and the letters refer to subcategories, which define the diameter of the curl pattern (A is the widest and C the smallest).
For example, 2A means you’re rocking loose waves, 3C gives you tight curls, and 4B brings the coily vibes While Walker's system isn't perfect, more people are embrace their natural textures and more types of curls representation are needed, it’s a good starting point. It allows those with curls, kinks, and coils to walk into a store or salon and speak with authority on what you're looking for and what your hair needs. So, to help you finally identify your type, I’ve consulted industry curl experts to break down the finer points of the typing categories so you can ditch any curl confusion from your life once and for all.
Jump to: Generally, stylists look at two things when determining someone's wave or curl type: the shape of the hai.