1A
Pin-Straight
Very fine, soft, no body or volume
Free Hair Type Quiz — 1A to 4C
The hair care routine
your texture deserves.
Identify your exact hair type, then get a personalized product routine with top-rated picks and expert video tutorials — all in one place.
✓ 12 hair types covered
✓ Ordered step-by-step routine
✓ Real review data
✓ Video tutorials included
Find My Hair Type →
How It Works
Three steps to your perfect routine.
01
Identify your type
Use our visual chart to find your exact hair type from 1A (fine straight) to 4C (tight coily) — no quiz, just pick what looks like yours.
02
Get your routine
We show you every product in order — shampoo to sealing oil — with three top-reviewed options at every step: best overall, budget, and premium.
03
Watch & learn
Each step includes curated YouTube tutorials from trusted creators so you see exactly how to apply every product for your texture.
Step 01 — Identify
What's your hair type?
Click the description that best matches your natural hair texture. If you're between two types, choose the one closest to your roots.
Type 1
Straight — no natural curl or wave pattern
1B
Straight + Body
Medium texture, slight bends at ends
1C
Straight + Coarse
Thick, resistant, slight wave tendency
Type 2
Wavy — S-pattern, between straight and curly
2A
Loose Wave
Fine, tousled S-wave, easily straightens
2B
Defined Wave
Medium, flat roots + wavy mid-length
2C
Strong Wave
Thick, coarse, frizz-prone S-waves
Type 3
Curly — springy, defined spiral patterns
3A
Loose Curl
Large, shiny spirals, pencil-wide
3B
Springy Curl
Defined corkscrews, more volume
3C
Tight Curl
Tight corkscrews, straw-width curls
Type 4
Coily — densely packed, most shrinkage
4A
Soft Coil
Defined S-coils, visible curl pattern
4B
Z-Pattern Coil
Sharp angles, cottony, less defined
4C
Tight Coil
Tightest coil, max shrinkage, fragile
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Your Personalized Routine
Routine description
The Hair Type System
Why knowing your hair type changes everything.
The Andre Walker Hair Typing System — popularized by Oprah's longtime stylist — classifies hair into four main types based on the shape of your curl pattern. Understanding where you fall on the spectrum is the foundation of effective hair care.
Using products designed for the wrong hair type is the single most common reason hair routines fail. A heavy curl cream that transforms 4C coils will completely flatten 2B waves. A clarifying shampoo that refreshes 1A fine hair will strip 3C curls of essential moisture.
Strand maps every product recommendation to your specific texture so your routine actually works — not just in theory, but in practice. Every product listed has been vetted against real review data from thousands of buyers with your hair type.
Quick reference guide
1
Straight Hair (1A · 1B · 1C)
No curl pattern. Ranges from ultra-fine and flat (1A) to thick and resistant with slight bends (1C). Prone to oiliness at roots. Needs lightweight, volumizing products.
2
Wavy Hair (2A · 2B · 2C)
Loose to strong S-pattern waves. Lives between straight and curly. Prone to frizz. Needs sulfate-free cleansing, light leave-ins, and wave-enhancing stylers.
3
Curly Hair (3A · 3B · 3C)
Defined spiral or corkscrew curls. Ranges from large, loose rings (3A) to tight pencil-width curls (3C). Needs moisture, curl creams, and a diffuser for best results.
4
Coily Hair (4A · 4B · 4C)
Tightly coiled or z-pattern hair with significant shrinkage. Most fragile hair type. Needs deep conditioning, the LOC/LCO method, protective styling, and sealing oils.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hair type chart and how does it work?
The hair typing system classifies hair into 4 main categories: Type 1 (straight), Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly), and Type 4 (coily). Each type has three subtypes — A, B, and C — based on the tightness of the curl or wave pattern. Type 1A is the finest, flattest straight hair while 4C is the tightest, most densely packed coily hair with maximum shrinkage.
What products should I use for 4C hair?
4C hair requires maximum moisture. A typical 4C routine includes a pre-poo oil treatment (like castor oil), a sulfate-free or black soap shampoo, a deep conditioning mask used weekly, a rich leave-in conditioner, a moisturizing cream for the LOC or LCO method, and a sealing oil (castor or jojoba) to lock in hydration. Protective styles between wash days help retain length and reduce breakage.
What products are best for wavy 2B hair?
Wavy 2B hair benefits from sulfate-free shampoo, a lightweight rinse-out conditioner, a mousse or gel applied to soaking wet hair, and very little heat. The key technique is scrunching rather than combing, which encourages the wave pattern instead of disrupting it. Avoid heavy creams or butters — they'll weigh your waves flat.
How do I know if I have 3A, 3B, or 3C curls?
3A curls are large, loose spirals about the diameter of a piece of sidewalk chalk or a big marker. 3B curls are medium spirals or corkscrews, roughly the width of your index finger. 3C curls are tight corkscrews about the width of a pencil or drinking straw. The best way to identify your type is to look at freshly washed, product-free hair that has air dried naturally.
What is the LOC method for natural hair?
LOC stands for Liquid, Oil, Cream — a moisturizing layering technique popular for Type 3 and Type 4 natural hair. You first apply a water-based leave-in conditioner (Liquid), then seal it with an oil, then layer a cream on top to lock everything in. Some people prefer LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil) for finer textures. The goal is to trap moisture inside the hair shaft rather than let it evaporate.
Does Strand make money from product recommendations?
Yes — Strand participates in the Amazon Associates Program and earns a small commission when you purchase products through our links, at no extra cost to you. This affiliate revenue is what keeps the tool completely free to use. We are never paid by brands to feature their products. Every recommendation on Strand is based on real review volume, rating data, and community reputation — not advertising relationships.