Not all curls are the same
If your hair feels frizzy one day, flat the next, or never behaves like the routines you see online, there's a good chance you're using products that don't match your natural curl type.
Many people think they have one hair type, only to discover they sit between wavy and curly, or curly and coily — or that their hair has changed over time through age, heat styling, colour, or humidity. Understanding your curl type is the first step to building a routine that actually works.
How to find your curl type
Curl patterns are commonly grouped into three families — wavy, curly and coily — and further split with a number-and-letter system (Type 1 to 4, A to C). Each behaves differently, holds moisture differently, and needs a different approach to care.
The simplest way to identify yours: wash your hair and let it air dry with no styling products. Watch how your hair naturally forms as it dries and where the texture begins. It's completely normal to have more than one pattern on your head — curl typing is a guide, not a rule.
Type 2: Wavy Hair (2A–2C)
Wavy hair sits between straight and curly and forms a soft S-shape.
You may have wavy hair if:
- Your hair looks straight when wet but wavy when dry
- Waves lose definition easily
- Heavier products weigh your hair down
Wavy hair typically needs: lightweight hydration, gentle cleansing, and products that enhance movement without build-up.
Type 3: Curly Hair (3A–3C)
Curly hair forms visible ringlets or spirals and has more volume and bounce.
You may have curly hair if:
- Your hair forms curls or corkscrews
- Frizz appears quickly without moisture
- Curl pattern varies across your head
Curly hair typically needs: moisture, definition and frizz control, while keeping curls soft and flexible.
Type 4: Coily Hair (4A–4C)
Coily hair has the tightest curl pattern and the most shrinkage.
You may have coily hair if:
- Curls or coils start at the scalp
- Hair feels dry quickly
- Shrinkage is noticeable when dry
Coily hair typically needs: consistent hydration, gentle detangling, and routines that support softness and manageability.
Why your curl type matters
Choosing products based on your curl pattern can help:
- Reduce dryness and frizz
- Improve curl definition and softness
- Avoid product overload
- Make hair easier to manage day to day
Rather than chasing perfect curls, the goal is healthy, comfortable hair that works with your lifestyle.
Which Insight products suit your curl type?
Insight's Elasti-Curl range is designed for wavy, curly and coily hair — it's sulphate-free, vegan and award-winning. Here's a simple starting point for each type:
- Wavy (Type 2): keep it light with Pure Mild Shampoo and the Leave-In Detangling Hair Milk. If frizz is your main concern, the Anti-Frizz range also suits looser waves.
- Curly (Type 3): build in moisture and definition with Pure Mild Shampoo, the Curly Hair Detangling Mask and the Curls Defining Hair Cream.
- Coily (Type 4): go for maximum moisture — add the Bouncy Curls Hair Oil as a pre-wash treatment and sealant, alongside the mask and cream.
If your hair sits between two types, choose the routine that matches how your hair behaves most of the time, and adjust as needed.
Curl type isn't the whole story — your hair porosity (how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture) shapes which products work best, so it's worth reading alongside this guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my hair is wavy or curly?
Wash and air-dry without any product. If it dries into a soft S-shape that drops out easily, it's wavy (Type 2). If it forms defined ringlets or spirals that hold their shape, it's curly (Type 3).
Can I have more than one curl type?
Yes — it's very common to have looser curls at the front and tighter ones at the crown, for example. Care for the pattern you have most of, and adjust around the rest.
Does curl type change over time?
It can. Age, hormones, heat styling, colouring and even the weather can loosen or tighten your natural pattern.
Are Insight's curly hair products sulphate-free?
Yes. The entire Elasti-Curl range is sulphate-free and vegan, so it cleanses gently without stripping moisture from textured hair.
Ready to start? Explore the Elasti-Curl range and build a routine that works with your curls, not against them.
About the author
Charlotte Read has spent six years in the hair industry with Insight Professional and holds a First Class BSc in Business Management and Marketing. She writes with reference to real salons across social media and the wider Insight community, and draws on the Insight office team, who between them bring over 100 years of combined experience on salon floors.
Where technical expertise is needed, Charlotte consults Lorraine Matic, Head of Insight UK Education, who brings over 38 years of global experience in colour, technique and hair science.