Coily

Type 4: Coily Hair

Type 4 coily hair is fine and thin or wiry and coarse, with densely packed coils. Coily hair may seem robust, but it’s actually the most fragile hair texture because it has the fewest cuticle layers to protect it from dryness. Its top concerns are maintaining moisture, avoiding tangles and counteracting shrinkage.

4A

Your dense, springy coils are either wiry or fine, and have the circumference of a crochet needle. They are tightly coiled, with a visible S pattern.

Quick Tips

Use thicker natural emollients like mango and shea butters to maximize your wash-and-go, twist-out, or bantu knot-out style after washing.

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NaturallyCurly Editor April shares how she’s grown to love and embrace her 4C hair and her holy grails.

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Do you still rely on two-strand twists every night for definition?

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4B

Instead of curling or coiling, your hair bends in sharp angles like the letter Z. The curl is tighter and less defined - about the circumference of a pen - with strands that range from fine and thin to wiry and coarse.

Quick Tips

Pre-poo with coconut oil or castor oil to help retain natural oils in your scalp.

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Styles like a bunhawk are what I like to call, a “transition style”, or one that can be transitioned into several other styles.

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Seeing greener grass doesn’t always equal curl envy!

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Shrinkage means your hair is healthy! But it can also lead to knots and tangles.

2C

Your densely packed hair is similar to a 4b, but experiences less definition and more shrinkage. The tightly coiled strand texture ranges from super fine, thin and soft to wiry and coarse. It is very delicate.