Finding your hair type is key to good hair care. To find routine that works for you, finding your natural hair type is the way forward!
Everyone's hair is completely unique; so while these tips are a really helpful guide for enhancing your hair's natural beauty, you might need to tweak them to suit your own needs.
How Do I Find My Hair Type?
The easiest way to test is to do a pure water test - just wash your hair in water and air dry.
Straight hair, or type 1, will dry straight - 1C hair can have a very slight pattern to it, but is more loose.
For type 2 hair, this is wavy, and will dry with a more defined "S" shape wave pattern.
Type 3 hair is truly curly hair; the pattern tends to be a consistent C shape throughout but not a very tight C;
Type 4 hair the C pattern can be quite tight - appearing more coily or kinky.
Why Does Your Hair Type Matter?
If you feel like you're constantly battling frizzing in your hair; or your natural wave or curl pattern has dropped and doesn't feel bouncy, or full of life anymore - acknowledging your natural curl pattern and adjusting your routine to suit it will help give you the curls you're hoping for.
If you have full, thick hair; but it lies flat and feels limp, or lifeless; you might have type 1 (or type 2A!) hair, that needs love and care to aid volume, and shine in the hair.
Type 1: Straight Hair.
Straight hair always dries straight and lies flat at the root. Type 1C hair can have a bounce, and a slight pattern to it, but is more loose and not a defined shape.
You might want to try a shampoo that adds volume and strength as your regular shampoo; we'd recommend either the Lavera Volume and Strength or the Odylique Reviving Rosemary Shampoo.
For straight hair, the biggest concern is feeling flat - use a clarifying treatment in place of your shampoo twice a month to remove build-up.
A Cassia treatment, once a month, will also help aid volume and shine for fine, flyaway hair.
Type 2: Wavy Hair.
Dries with a more defined "S" shape wave pattern; while 2C might see bounce at the roots, 2A hair types find this more through the mid-lengths.
Wavy hair is prone to frizz and dryness, especially in the ends.
Using a good conditioner, like the Odylique Conditioner helps aid this. It's especially helpful as it can be used as your regular conditioner when washing your hair, or as an additional leave-in.
For dry hair, or hair that has been heat treated, use the Macadamia and Argan oil treatment once a month as a pre-wash treatment for extra hydration and shine.
Type 3: Curly Hair.
As it dries the pattern is a consistent C shape, rather than an S throughout, even at the root.
The key with curly hair is to avoid silicones. Use a natural conditioner, like the Odylique Conditioner.
Wash with Shikakai, a gentle no-poo cleanser; this will cleanse without drying your hair or stripping it of essential oils.
Dry with a cotton tee, or microfibre towel - avoid terry cloth! Terry cloth soaks up moisture when drying, so will stop your hair getting the essential hydration and moisture after washing.
While your hair is drying, scrunch the Eco Cosmetics mousse through, from root to tip; this will help boost your natural curl pattern.
Type 4: Kinky or Coily Hair.
As it dries, the curl or wave pattern can be quite tight; it might look more like a very tight twist pattern. It can look like a C, S or Z shape; and one important thing is to work with your hair's natural pattern. Kinky or coily hair tends to have a lot of natural bounce and volume; but it needs lots of TLC to stay healthy.
Similarly to type 3 hair, there are a list of dont's with Type 4 hair; specifically with avoiding sulphates or parabens. These strip moisture from your hair and it can be tricky for type 4 hair to get enough moisture! Avoid chemical treatments or heat treatments, which will damage fragile locks.
If you want to colour, try an organic henna colour - this won't strip your hair of natural oils and will enhance it's natural volume, aiding strength to fragile strands.
If you have type 4 hair, you might find it can be quite high porosity - that is, it needs a lot more moisture to feel soft and shiny.
Use a good, moisturising conditioner as your regular conditioner. Castor oil especially is very good at hydrating and moisturising type 4 curls.
Try our vegan recipe for a Henna Gloss as a rich, protein based hair mask, to add moisture and shine to your hair.
When drying avoid terry cloth towels - these strip moisture! Use a microfibre hair wrap in it's place. You may wish to cover hair when sleeping, or swap to a silk pillowcase; this helps prevent breakage during sleep.
For more advice, or guidance, speak to our experts here...