Understanding Your Hair Type
4 min read • Hair Style Guide
Knowing your hair type is the foundation of great hair care. The Andre Walker Hair Typing System categorizes hair into 4 main types based on curl pattern, with subtypes for texture and thickness. Understanding your type helps you choose the right products and styles.
Type 1: Straight
Very fine, soft, shiny but hard to hold curl
Medium texture with some body and volume
Coarse, thicker strands that are harder to style
💡 Care Tips
- • Use volumizing products
- • Avoid heavy oils
- • Texturizing sprays work well
✨ Best Styles
- • Sleek and straight
- • Blunt cuts
- • Layered bobs
- • Side-swept bangs
Type 2: Wavy
Loose, barely-there waves, fine texture
Defined S-shaped waves starting at mid-length
Well-defined waves that are prone to frizz
💡 Care Tips
- • Use lightweight products
- • Scrunch while drying
- • Consider diffusing
- • Anti-frizz products
✨ Best Styles
- • Beach waves
- • Layered cuts
- • Long bobs
- • Textured shags
Type 3: Curly
Loose, springy curls about the diameter of sidewalk chalk
Bouncy ringlets about the diameter of a marker
Tight corkscrews about the diameter of a pencil
💡 Care Tips
- • Use sulfate-free products
- • Deep condition regularly
- • Avoid brushing when dry
- • Use curl-defining products
✨ Best Styles
- • Long layers
- • Tapered cuts
- • Deva cuts
- • Shape-enhancing styles
Type 4: Coily
S-patterned coils with clearly defined curls
Z-shaped pattern, tightly coiled, less defined
Tightest curl pattern, very dense, significant shrinkage
💡 Care Tips
- • Moisture is essential
- • Use leave-in conditioners
- • Protective styling recommended
- • Gentle detangling
✨ Best Styles
- • Twist-outs
- • Protective styles
- • Big chops
- • Defined coils