Type 3 Hair: Curly
Type 3 hair is curly: it forms defined, springy spiral curls, graded by curl width. 3A curls are large (about sidewalk chalk), 3B are springy (about a marker), and 3C are tight (about a pencil). Here is how the three compare and how to care for curly hair.
Type 3 is the curly family: hair that forms full, defined loops rather than the open waves of type 2. The three subtypes are sorted by curl diameter, using everyday objects as the reference: sidewalk chalk for the loose 3A, a marker for the springy 3B, and a pencil or straw for the tight 3C. The whole family shares one governing rule: curls need moisture and gentle handling to stay defined, and they lose their shape fast when brushed dry or weighed down wrong.
The three Type 3 subtypes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is type 3 hair?
- Type 3 hair is curly hair that forms defined spiral curls. The subtypes (3A, 3B, 3C) are graded by curl width, from large loose curls to tight corkscrews.
- How do I know my type 3 subtype?
- Match your curl width to an object: sidewalk chalk is 3A, a marker is 3B, a pencil or straw is 3C. The tighter the curl, the higher the letter. The free quiz confirms it.
- What is the difference between wavy and curly hair?
- Wavy (type 2) hair forms open S-bends, while curly (type 3) hair forms full, closed loops and spirals. If most of your hair makes complete circles, it is curly.