“Curly Hair Guide: Are You 3B or 3C?”

When managing Type 3 curly hair, breaking down its subtypes becomes essential. With complete pictures and identification exercises, anyone can stay on top of their curl game. Becoming a pro at Type 3 curl care and identification involves more than just basic knowledge; it requires expert tips on retaining moisture for each curl subtype.

This tailored approach helps in distinguishing between 3B and 3C curls and in mastering the techniques to enhance the health and beauty of each.

A comprehensive guide is crucial for those seeking an in-depth understanding of their curls, specifically 3B, and 3C. The first step in building a working hair regimen is knowing your twisty type, which paves the way for growing long, healthy, and enviable locks while saving money on curl products.

Type 3 Curly Hair: An Overview

Type 3 curly hair is known for its distinct S-pattern, where curls range from loose and bouncy to tight and springy, often resembling corkscrews. The oval shape of the hair follicles lends a characteristic curl to each strand. Unlike types 1 and 2, where cuticles lay flat and are shiny,

Type 3 cuticles do not lay flat and are more prone to frizz and breakage. This hair type is generally classified into three main categories: 3A, 3B, and 3C, each type influencing the care routine needed to combat these issues effectively.

Type 3 Curly Hair Variation

Understanding specific categories within Type 3 hair allows individuals to better cater to their unique needs and characteristics. Each subtype from 3A to 3C offers distinct patterns and challenges, making it essential to identify your type accurately.

Type 3A Hair

Type 3A hair features loose, larger curls with an S-shaped pattern, often mistaken for wavy hair (2B or 2C). These curls are manageable and respond well to wash-and-go styles. They require less product but are susceptible to dryness, which can cause them to lose volume.

Type 3B Hair

Type 3B hair consists of tight spiral curls, resembling bouncy ringlets. It may include a mixture of 3B and 3A curls, combining medium-sized corkscrews with wavy curls. This hair type has high porosity and thickness, necessitating additional moisture and a careful product balance to avoid weighing down the curls.

Type 3C Hair

Type 3C hair comprises tight springs that are packed together, resulting in increased volume and a thicker texture. Managing Type 3C hair is challenging, but embracing and nourishing the curls with suitable products can help maintain its health and vitality. This hair type requires extensive moisture as it is prone to dryness and frizz.

What are the factors that distinguish 3B and 3C hair types?

Identification

To identify your curl type, you’ll need a few simple items: sidewalk chalk, a permanent marker, a paper highlighter, and a pencil.

Carefully take one of your curls out and loosely wrap it around each object. Take note of the one that best fits your curl. If the marker or highlighter matches your curl’s circumference, you likely have Type 3B curls.

If the pencil best fits your ringlet or curl, then you might have Type 3C curls.

Shape of Strands

Type 3B hair consists of tight spiral curls, often resembling bouncy ringlets. It can include a mixture of 3B and 3A curls, combining medium-sized corkscrews with wavy curls.

Type 3C hair comprises tight springs that are packed together. The C in 3C stands for Corkscrews, and these 3C ringlets are tight and resemble corkscrews, but they may not always be well-defined.

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Porosity

3B hair type has high porosity and thickness, which means it needs additional moisture and a careful product balance to avoid weighing down the curls.

Type 3C hair, on the other hand, has low porosity, which can lead to a lot of shrinkage and breakage. When little moisture penetrates this hair type, it often results in dry brittle curls.

Texture

When you feel the strands of 3B hair, you’ll notice a mixture of thin and thicker strands. This gives 3B hair a fine to medium hair texture.

Similarly, 3C hair also has a mixture of thin and thicker strands, resulting in a fine to medium hair texture.

Moisture Management

When it comes to 3b curls, these are more tightly wound and bent, which means natural oils struggle to travel down the hair. This lack of nutrients and moisture can leave the strands looking dry and without natural shine.

In contrast, 3C curls, characterized as corkscrew curls, face a similar challenge. The locks find it fierce to retain natural nourishment, continuing the battle with dryness.

Appearance

3B curls are easy to manage, featuring thicker curls and strands that don’t get flattened easily by heavier products which would otherwise weigh down the thinner 3A curls.

On the other hand, 3C hair is both dense and thick, making even thin, fine hair appear full, bold, and healthy.

Remain Defined

Type 3B hair allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds, sitting midway between loose (3A) and tight (3C) curls. This type of hair keeps curls well-defined throughout the day without flattening out.

Meanwhile, 3C curls boast an unyielding curl pattern that, even when manipulated or treated with heat and chemicals, will always return to their natural shape. Once you’ve nailed the right products and procedures, these curls can be excellently defined and held.

Combat Dryness and Puffiness

For 3b curls, which are far from effortless and require a lot of work to stay defined, mastering the strenuous art of product layering is key. Start with a leave-in conditioner, follow with a lightweight mousse, then a curl cream, a styling gel, and a heat protectant if you’re using heat. This sequence helps to enjoy a bouncy, puff-free, well-defined style.

On the other hand, 3C hair, more prone to puffiness, dryness, and frizz than both 3A and 3B combined, demands consistent use of quality curl products that can maintain and hold the curls up for long periods.

Detangling Challenges

3b curls, which need more moisture than 3a curls due to being more prone to dryness and frizz, require you to work overtime to hydrate (think spritzing with water), moisturize, and seal in the added moisture. This helps prevent the detangling disaster that thick, curly hair can become.

3c hair, naturally curly, can quickly become a tangled mess if not handled carefully, potentially leading to single-strand knots and breakage. Never make the mistake of detangling your hair when it’s wet or dry. Instead, use quality moisturizers to help ditch dryness and make your hair more manageable.

The Takeaway

To recap, 3b hair is bold, beautiful, and bouncy, while 3c hair is corkscrew-shaped and tightly curled. Managing dryness, puffiness, and frizz in these subtypes requires a lot of moisture and layering of curl products.

Curls are among the most beautiful natural hair textures, but care must be taken to properly understand and adopt hair care routines that are specific to your hair type. This knowledge ensures your curls will be as lustrous as they can ever be.

FAQs

Is My Hair Type 3B or 3C?

Determining whether you have 3b curls or 3c curly hair can be simple. 3b curls are more defined, forming bouncy spirals, whereas 3c hair features tighter, corkscrew-like ringlets. Recognizing these patterns will help you better care for your unique curl type.

What is the Rarest Hair Type?

Type 1A hair is considered the rarest hair type. It is very straight and fine, typically lacking waves and curls. This hair type is very oily, often requires frequent shampooing, and is most common among women of Asian descent.

What Does 3B Hair Look Like?

3B hair is characterized by ringlet-shaped, voluminous, and springy curls. This type offers a dynamic and bouncy look that defines the unique texture of 3B curls.

Is 3C Hair Curly or Coily?

3C hair is very curly and dense, typically resembling corkscrew or spiral shapes rather than being coily or tight textured. It tends to maintain an S-shaped or Z-shaped pattern, even when stretched—similar in size to a pencil or straw.