This is how to determine your hair type

“What’s my hair type?”
It’s a question that can determine a lot about how you manage your daily styling routine, not to mention the products you need to best suit your strands. So whether your mane falls flat at the slightest increase in humidity, or your curls continuously refuse to behave, we’re here to help.
From super-fine to coarse and all that frizziness in between, you’re about to determine your hair type, once and for all! Welcome to your best hair day. Ever.
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SO, WHAT IS MY HAIR TYPE?
STRAIGHT
Greasy, oily, limp, lifeless – are these the words you associate with your ‘do? Fret not, fellow flathead, for there is beauty in straight hair, too! The way to approach is this: know what styles are going to work – and what won’t – in your favour, because the sooner you do, the sooner you’ll stop those dead-straight strands from raining on your parade. So if you can’t get more than one-and-a-half days between washes and you’ve got an unnerving addiction to dry shampoo, then stick around, because we’re about to get real. Let’s break things down a little…
Straight strands type #1: Dakota Fanning, Gwyneth Paltrow
Baby-fine and oh so wispy, these strands ain’t going to hold a curl, no matter how hard you try. For an instant lift, keep a dry shampoo or texturising spray on hand, and avert your eyes from thick shampoos and conditioners – they’ll only weigh your ‘do down and turn up the grease factor twofold.
bh recommends: Kérastase Couture Styling V.I.P Volume in Powder, TONI&GUY Casual Matt Texture Dry Shampoo, Batiste Wild Dry Shampoo, De Lorenzo Absorb
Straight strands type #2: Kendall Jenner, Clémence Poésy
Okay, so here’s another straight shooter: this type of ‘straight hair’ tends to either have a fuller hair follicle, or fine strands – but lots of them, and typically a kink or slight bend toward the ends, but no real oomph. Oh, and don’t forget the frizz. Sound familiar? To give this type volume and texture, nothing works better than styling powder. Start by applying it to the roots, and give the ends a sprinkling or two for some real body. Nix that frizz with a light serum, cream or bi-weekly mask – just don’t go too heavy with the prods.
bh recommends: evo haze styling powder, Schwarzkopf Extra Care Instant Volume Powder, TIGI BedHead Joyride Texturising Balm, MooseHead Demon Dust THICKEN-UP Styling Powder
WAVY
Those with straight strands might look at this category of locks with envy, but it can be tough getting those waves to behave. Without the right haircare goods on your side, wavy locks can mean risky business.
Wavy mane type #1: Kate Hudson, Joss Stone
Does the term “bedhead” spring to mind? You’ve got the goods to rock a bit of texture, but if you really want to flaunt your carefree style, you need to show it just a lil’ love. With a curling iron, take small sections of hair and loosely curl, then lightly spritz with some sea salt spray, and scrunch.
bh recommends: ELEVEN Australia Sea Salt Texture Spray, Fudge Sea Salt Spray, John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea-Salt Spray, Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray
RELATED: 3 ways to use a sea salt spray
Wavy mane type #2: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens
Thicker and coarser, this type of wave generally requires more maintenance, but styled right and the results are dreamy. To get your mane to behave, mousse is the answer. It won’t interfere with your natural movement, but it’ll ensure whatever style you’re creating stays. Wavy manes of this calibre need downtime too, so when you’re giving the heat styling a rest, make sure your locks soak up oils that will nourish them back to life.
bh recommends: Indola Innova Sculpture Mousse, VO5 ® Mega Hold Mousse, Richard Ward Anti-Ageing Argan Mousse, Arbonne Pure Vibrance Texturizing Mousse, Moroccanoil Treatment, L’Oréal Paris ELVIVE Extraordinary Oil-In-Cream
Wavy mane type #3: Shakira, Lorde
When your hair is bigger than your body, takes a full 24 hours to dry and requires a whole army to straighten, what can you do but embrace this big and bouncy head of hair! Like curlier hair types, this type of wave should be handled with care: finger-styling and deep-conditioning treatments are a must to keep them looking so wild and free.
bh recommends: TRESemmé Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment, Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner
CURLY
Just because you were born with natural body (a lotta body) and luscious texture, doesn’t mean you should be a natural when it comes to styling it. Well lady, that’s all about to change. If you’re blessed enough to be born with a fabulous ‘fro we’ve got four words for you: Put. The. Dryer. Down.
RELATED: 10 commandments for the curly-haired girl
Curly hair type #1: AnnaLynne McCord, Andie Macdowell
Similar to the last of the wavy-maned maidens, this curl type has a mixture of both waves and curls. Wear it natural – you’re the lucky one! Your hair has body! Just remember that your curls are prone to knots and tangles.
bh recommends: KMS California ADDVOLUME Body Build Detangler, L'OCCITANE Aromachologie Revitalizing Detangling Spray, De Lorenzo Infinite Detangler, Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque
Curly hair type #2: Solange Knowles, Kelis
Ranging from the tightest corkscrew curls to ones you can poke a finger through, these curls are much coarser than other hair types. Because of the many twists and turns of this texture type, it’s hard to get moisture to the scalp and maintain shine. But despite all the #naturalhairproblems, there’s nothing better than a confident woman and her ‘fro.
bh recommends: Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Ultimate Remedy Extreme Restoration Treatment, TONI&GUY Hair Care Reconstruction Mask, Arbonne Pure Vibrance Hair Revitalizing Mask
Which of these hair types is best suited to you?
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110 Member Comments
Wavy! I do use sea salt spray and I'm loving it!
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To apply anything in your you have to find out what type of hair you have so can use the hair care products according that. As I have the dry and frizzy hair, so I use onion oil which makes my hair so smooth and I always use this, But I definitely will say this is very informative blog which can help out us.
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Hi! I just discovered an infrared hair straightener for really good price and it is amazing! Highly recommend for fine salon hair look! Easy to use, no damage for hair! I totally love it! Highly recommend this: https://www.amazon.com/Xtava-Infrared-Flat-Iron-Straightener/dp/B00RFWKUWO?ref_=ast_sto_dp/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=genie005-20
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definatley a wavy gal!
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Mine is more like Kendall Jenner, & Clémence Poésy but oily & flatter on top, I don't get much frizz.
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Curly hair type 1 here.
Thank God for articles like these!
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Mine is straight type one. Dead straight, very fine, lifeless, doesn't hold curls very well!
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My hair is a lot like Kendall's. Styling powder wouldn't suit me though. I've noticed any sort of hair product that includes powder only irritates my scalp.
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I have thin and wavy hair - makes it a nightmare to style!
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My hair is straight and greasy!
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Oh dear, I think I may be curly no.2 like Solange. :(
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Surprisingly mine is straight, according to this article. Definitely frizzy in parts. Sparingly use the straightener, curler and hairdryer.
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I definitely have wavy hair.
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Mine is second I think, flimsy too.
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My hair is straight but not oily greaay or limp... i wouldn't say I have wavy hair as it is just frizz and not wave
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Wavy/curly but addicted to my straightener.
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Selena's hair looks so gorgeous in the photo there - what beautiful long hair she has!
Mine is stratos - I had to laugh when I read the term 'fellow flathead'!! ; )
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I’d say my hair is wavy but some days it’s more straight.
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Mine is straight and goes even straighter if it rains!
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My hair is naturally dead straight.
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Straight hair with slight kink apparently.
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I'm somewhere between straight hair one and two. My hair is dead straight so no kinks at the bottom like Kendall and posey but it's not fine and wispy, there is lots of it, but it's flat and lifeless. Haha. I never know what to do with my in between hair.
Anyone else an inbetweener too?
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Yeah my hair is dead straight and flat too Nic.
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Hahaha I'm still not sure which category I fit into. I could be either wavy mane type 3 or wavy mane type 2 with very thick amount of hair.
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I think I have the type 2 straight as my hair kinks towards the ends but is otherwise pretty lifeless.
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