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Let’s Vibe: Does Your Hair’s “Curl Pattern” Really Matter?

By on September 29, 2009 in Archive, Hair, Natural Hair, Relaxed Hair

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I spoke to a friend of mine a few weeks ago, and she asked about this “new” curl pattern phenomenon. I explained that patterns are the types of curls, coils, waves and lack there of that we get in our hair. The chart ranges from bone straight hair to coily, kinky hair. And she said something very interesting to me. She’s been natural for well over 25 years, uses only natural products on her hair, embraces every coil, curl and buckshot, and said “why does that even matter?” That made me think…does it really matter?

While perusing a few hair videos on Youtube, I noticed how many of the hosts identified their curl pattern. The terms “3c” and “4a” seemed to be as relevant as the only adjectives we had to rely on like back in the day, like “course”, “fine”, and “silky”. Why do (some of us) feel dependent of identifying our hair type? Does this mean that different types of curls need a completely different set of products or techniques? If you have wavy hair, can you not use products that someone with no curl pattern has?

Let’s flip it a different way. I’ve noticed that many of us, even while relaxed, swear by our curl pattern. The purpose of a relaxer is to straighten the new growth (and curls, coils, etc.), but people still alter regimens based on what others of their “curl pattern” recommend. A texturizer will loosen the curl pattern, giving you some benefits of being both relaxed and natural.

When I had a relaxer, my new growth had no curl pattern. (I later realized that the new growth was affected by the relaxer well before it surfaced my scalp.) I assumed that I would be a “4b” (having no pattern at all), and I was completely content with that. After MANY months as a loose natural, my curl pattern finally showed itself. I was a proud “4a”! I had coils that I never knew about! It was fun to throw product in my hair and twirl around a few strands to get a baby ringlet. It took effort (and lots of time) to make each curl stand alone and not stick to its sister. When I would wash and go, they were still a mush of coils that had to be individually separated for maximum definition. So, in the end, I didn’t even deal with my curl pattern. I stuck to twist outs to get a similar effect, or combed the out for a luscious, thick afro.

My question to you, Scandalous Beauties of mine, “Do you know your curl pattern, do you care, and has it made you change the way you take care of your hair?” If you’d like to understand more about curl patterns, check out this article at NaturallyCurly.

About Scandalousbeauty

Erin Bailey has been beauty blogging for 6 years. She also creates makeup guides and tutorials on Youtube. She also hosts a podcast show, Creative Colony. Be sure to follow her on twitter (@erinscandalous and @erinjbailey) and facebook!
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  • http://www.beencouragedbeautiful.blogspot.com Missmonicamsw

    I’m a 4a, I guess. I BC’ed 4 weeks ago and I definitely see a nice “coil” pattern in my hair. But do I care about it, NO! Any natural curl pattern is beautiful. And, each can present its unique challenges. I don’t know what its like to take care of 3a hair because I’ve never had it. I really don’t feel curl pattern is important; because, no matter what type of hair you have, it all needs to be maintained by a healthy scalp, moisture/protein balance, occasional trim, and some gentle love.

  • Paula

    Im 4a, I guess. I really never cared. The care I take depends more on the fine, easily broken characteristics of my hair. In other words im just taking time to make sure my hair isn’t damaged. Yes I define my curls but bc it looks better when its not all frizzy (altthough its frizzy 90% of the time lol). I’ve been natural quite a while and have learned to let my hair do its own thing. I too find beauty in all textures. The hair typing system, imo is just a way to keep up the “good hair/bad hair” dichotomy. Product choice varies by head not hair type. Trust all 4bs can’t use all the same products w/ good results.

  • Cee

    you a damn lie, your curl patter was an authentic 4b. If your curl pattern is a 4a then mine is a 2

  • http://www.coilyhair.com Coily Hair

    I personally gained so much from knowing my coil pattern. I’m a 4a/b :-) Before I knew this, I was taking all kinds of hair advice from people who had different curl patterns and I was left wondering why the products and hairstyles were not working for me. Knowing what type of curl I have has allowed me to narrow in on the specific things that will work for my hair.

  • cocofiere

    My curl pattern is 3c/4a (almost the same thing IMO) mostly and the back of my hair (nape area) is 3b is spots and I’ve been natural forever. Also, my hair is thick but fine and grows down instead of up & out so it’s impossible for me to rock a fro but I CAN get a big almost fro like early Kelis (it won’t stand up at the crown for anything). My hair looked different to me as a kid due to the products that were available then (30+ years ago) for curly textured hair (virtually none) and my mom’s a hairstylist. :) I’ve learned that certain ingredients and products work for my curl pattern but don’t work as well for my cousin who has a slightly different curl pattern than I do or for my mom. I grew up in the “greased scalp” generation and now I use light natural oils on my hair (not the scalp). I don’t use shampoo (I co-wash)except to clarify every couple of weeks and my hair is stronger and shinier than it ever was in my childhood. As far as choosing the best hair products, it matters. Otherwise, it doesn’t what your pattern is as long as it’s healthy.

  • http://www.MASQUEmagazine.com KellyB.

    BOO to the third comment. very much lacking sophistication…

    anywho, i don’t think we should be concerned about curl pattern. hair is hair at the end of the day, and all of our hairs need the same moisture and nutrients to be healthy. Learn to love your hair more and more everyday and you will have a healthy head of hair in no time!

    ps: healthy does not mean defined spiral curls ladies :)

  • Milaxx

    I think many of us are surprised at out natural hair texture once we stop chemically straightening it. I was sure surprised to see the many different textures in my hair ranging from 4a/3c and even 3b. Imagine my surprise when I discover I could use s-curl gel and get a soft,lovely curly ‘do. But even, before I discovered that I liked my hair without chemical straighteners. I liken the option of wearing an afro one day, twists the next or a blow out the day after that. Mostly I like feeling how healthy my hair feels without the damage inflicted upon it by perms.

  • newzringzbellz

    I’m a 3c/3b/3a mix, the patterns r different all over my head. Truly I don’t care I use products from trial n error, I feel that that is the best way. I re relaxed my natural hair about 4 years ago n I was the worst mistake of my life. I love my coily new growth but can’t go throw the b.c. all over again

  • http://www.CreativeChemistry-Brands.com Sanura

    Don’t know my curl pattern, because this is the first time I’m reading about this curl measurement system.

  • http://stephanie215.typepad.com stephanie

    i have heard of curl patterns, but never really sought out to label mine. i think this is a very interesting topic!

  • http://divaqueenjanellocs.blogspot.com,http://www.levelsofbeauty.com janel

    hey erin! good topic…i’m not exactly sure what my “curl pattern” is. to tell the truth, it’s not something that i’ve lost much sleep over in my 40+ years on this earth…i’ve had bigger fish to fry! LOL seriously though, i’m not even sure if anyone could type my hair because i have about five different textures going on on this one head–i have spots going diagonally from my temples towards the crown that have naturally straightened to the point of virtually not having any curl, then i have areas at the nape of my neck that are “peasy” and a couple of other textures that are inbetween. so, what is my “curl pattern”–you tell me ’cause i sure don’t know! and anyway, what’s important to me is that my hair is healthy, growing well and still on my head! peace and blessings!

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/StarterBeauty starterbeauty

    I don’t think that pattern itself matters at all with product usage or anything else for that matter…if your hair is curly its curly, who care if the curl is a 3b or a 4a lol I love my curls and thats all i know, and i love my products!

  • ShantaFabulous

    I didn’t realize there were labels like 4a, 3c until I was a year into being natural. My hair is 4b I guess but it’s not a big deal to me. I don’t place value on it(3a=good 4b=bad) but I do use the labels as a guide. If I see two video titles and one says 4b and the other says 3c I’m more likely to click the 4b because I’m a 4b. I’m assuming I could get similar results. It reminds me of how I felt about finding Erin on Youtube doing make-up. I came across white women first and they were great with technique but didn’t make me feel confident in wearing different colors because I knew whatever I tried wouldn’t look like them because I’m dark. But when I found Erin and saw her make-up I thought to myself, “yes this is what blush could look like on me and that’s not bad. It’s actually pretty. Let me step out of my comfort zone.” With allllll that said there’s nothing wrong with classifications in my eyes if it’s just a guide. I’m have dark skin and have 4b hair and that’s what’s up.

  • NappyMACDiva3

    I am just happy to be natural. Curl pattern does not matter to me. I really don’t try to define my curls or anything like that. I know some people who prefer when my curls are more defined, but as long as it is healthy and neat I am happy.

  • http://www.noiretropicalbeauty.wordpress.com Noire Tropical Beauty

    I personally don’t like the grading of hair types/curl pattern, because inevitably people get caught up in the good hair/bad hair phenom, what type of hair is pretty etc. Each twist, curl, kink, zigzag is beautiful and it’s what you have. So just embrace it!

  • Milaxx

    Just another thought: I don’t really view it as an extension of the “good hair” myth. When I first when natural, I had to relearn my hair. One of the first boards I found was naturallycurly.com. Knowing what hair type I had was helpful in knowing what products or tips would work in my hair.I don’t think having 4a is better than 1a or vice versa, but I do know that the products that work on 1a may not work on 4a.

  • Kelly

    I had never heard of the hair type system before this post. When I think of 4a/b, I thought it related to the hair I bought for braiding. And I thought that was color-based. Truthfully, I think if it was that important, hair care lines would use it for their products. Maybe then it would be easier to find products that actually work for your hair type, instead of trial and error.

  • NattyDiva

    I hate labels, so I don’t go around saying I am 4a/4b. I know my hair type and this has been useful in selecting hair products. Some things work better on finer or courser hair and its best to know and not waste too much money. Its not imprtant to me. I am natural and leave it at that. Some ppltake it too far.

  • http://www.ethnictresses.blogspot.com Ashley

    I believe that the curl pattern should NOT be a big issue but could be helpful when it comes to figuring out the best products for someones hair. I do have to disagree with your comment about your roots not having a curl pattern. I know and have seen plenty of women stretch out their relaxers(3 months to a year), including myself, and you can see every single persons curl pattern eventually. The only way anyone would be unable to see their curl pattern is if they were relaxing to soon(8 weeks or earlier).

  • Aj

    i guess the hair chart can come in handy when looking for products that best works with your hair type. im a biracial 19yr old female born of a hawaiian mom and west indian father. i have long, thick, curly hair and i noticed with age my hair texture does change.
    so its just best to learn what works with your hair because what may work for the girl next to you, may not work for you.

  • http://blackhattitude.blackhattitude.org black hattitude

    Hi,

    thanks for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.

    black hattitude.

  • Faye

    I’m so confuse after 4 years being natural i have not find any products that works. Since hair dye’s breaks my hair i cant dye my hair. Since braiding thinned my hair i can braid.
    I want go back to relaxing too much work. I have curls that looks like dreads people think i have dreads. My hair is hard to comb. Invested money on detangling products that don’t work.

  • Carolyn

    Hi all,

    Okay here goes……….what hair pattern would you say that the photo above depicts? What do the girls with this hair pattern find best works for their hair? What are your favorite products?

    thanks..

  • Jennifer

    I think the curl pattern technique is pretty important ONLY when it comes to getting hair advice from the internet. It is often easier for me to see expectations when I know what type the writer or video owner is. I used to find myself trying to emmulate hair results that are not likely with my type until I learned my type. It is very similar to body typing (i.e. pear, hourglass, etc.) This typing helps people identify what type of clothing often looks best on these types.

    As long as you don’t let it become a “this type is better than the other” issue then I think your fine.

  • http://public.fotki.com/lawdiva napturallyme

    I’m a 4a predominately with a section of 3c in the front and crown and 4b on the sides just above the ear. Hair typing was a big deal when I first went natural 8 years ago. I don’t really focus on hair type and all these discussions on natural hair don’t really phase me much anymore. My hair is such a non-issue in my life. However, I think hair typing can be useful in trying to find products that work on your hair and sharing tips with others.

  • http://twitter.com/EVELYN_WANJA EVE

    yes it does matter! if you know and accept that you have kinky hair with no curl pattern, you won’t waste money on Kinky Curly Curling Custard! IMO it’s only important so you know what is useful for your hair.

  • NaturalReview

    I was never into that whole thing. I don’t think curl patterns matter. It doesn’t tell me what works for my hair. It’s still trial and error.