Is 3a considered curly?

Author: Dr. Madisyn Olson  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

The 3 in type 3a hair means these strands are curly, not wavy like type 2, or coily like type 4. Type 3a hair has loosely curled strands that are s shaped, whereas type 3b and 3c are both tighter and springier. Type 3a hair tends to have fine to medium strands, we can be delicate and dry and can suffer from breakage.

Is 3A hair considered curly?

3A curls are large, loosely-looped spiral curls. At the root of the hair, 3A curls may start with a wave pattern, but the mid-shaft to ends are loose coils and even though you might have both waves and curls on your head, 3A curls will err more towards the curly side.

Is 3A hair attractive?

Type 3A curls are beautiful. They can range from very loose to very tight curls. They are more prone to frizz. They require minimal touch and combing. They benefit from a good curl cream.

How do you define curls in 3A hair?

Another way to identify 3A curls is to get your hair wet. When your hair is wet, the curls won't be as defined. Instead, they'll appear wavy. Then, as your hair dries, it will take on the loose corkscrew curl shape you know and love.

What is Curly Girl Type 3A?

3A hair is a type of hair that has well-defined, loose curls that resemble the shape of a loose spiral. Some even say it's similar in circumference to a piece of sidewalk chalk. These curls are not too tight but are more defined than wavy hair.

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Is 3A hair hard to manage?

Type 3A hair is one of the trickiest to look after, as you'll have a mix of waves and loose curls, and might be prone to frizz. When you know how to care for your 3A hair, you can make every day a great hair day.

What is the best haircut for 3A curly hair?

She says that the perfect length for your ringlets to shine is "no more than two to three inches below the shoulder (when hair is straight) or at your shoulder when hair is styled curly." Rëzo notes that styling 3A as a round-shaped cut can often compliment the curls.

How often should 3A hair be washed?

Avoid over-washing

Washing too frequently will dry out your 3A curls. Wash your hair only once a week.

Can 3A curls get braids?

Can 3A hair hold braids? Absolutely!

How to tell if hair is 2C or 3A?

Type 2A curls, for example, are loose and have a gentle wave pattern, while Type 2C curls are more defined and have a tighter wave pattern. Type 3A curls are loose and have a well-defined "S" shape, while Type 3C curls are tight and have a corkscrew-like pattern.

What is the rarest curly hair type?

Type 1A is the rarest hair type and is stick-straight without even a hint of a wave. This type of hair tends to be healthy and glossy, but it's extremely difficult to get it to hold curl or style. Type 1B is a bit coarser than 1A, which means that it has more body and can generally hold a wave or a curl.

Does Zendaya have 3A hair?

3A strands, like Zendaya's pictured here, tend to be shiny with large, loose curls that are about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Scrunch the SGX NYC Curl Power Nourishing Curl Cream (an Allure 2019 Best of Beauty winner) into your dry hair to help emphasize the curl texture.

What race has the thickest hair?

Asian hair is the thickest, with a larger diameter of about 70 µm. Caucasian hair has an average diameter of 65 µm, and African hair is the finest, with a diameter of 55 µm. The cross-section of Asian hair is the most round and uniform, Caucasian hair has an elliptical shape, and African hair has a flattened shape.

Does 3a hair have ringlets?

Spring, loopy, and beautiful, type 3a curly hair is defined by big loose ringlets that, when cared for correctly, have serious impact.

What hair type is very curly?

Texture Type 5, is often characterized as very curly, define curls with s-shapes forming into coils. Also, known as Curl Type 3A. If your Texture tends to,grow down from the scalp then curls in defined S-shapes keep your strands in this category.

What is the Caucasian hair type?

Caucasian hair is oval. Its natural color ranges from light blonde to dark brown, with shapes that can be straight, curly or wavy. It has an average diameter of 0,07 mm. Caucasian Scandinavian hair is oval and very light blond with an average diameter of 0,07mm.

How rare is 3A curly hair?

3A hair specifically is a fairly common curl type, though it's not always easy to identify because of its similarity to other curl patterns in the type 3 category.

What race has 3A curls?

Type 3 and 4 are hair texture types for African-American hair. People who have type 3 hair have S shaped bouncy curls that are well defined, dry and slightly rough. This type has further three hair texture types for African-American hair: type 3a, 3b and 3c. 3a curls are springy and have a definite S shape.

What is 5c hair?

5c hair type:

Type 5c hair texture has the tightest curl pattern among the other types. It forms a distinct "Z" shape and has a coarser texture. This hair type is often densely packed. Also, it requires extra care to maintain moisture and prevent breakage.

What does 3A hair look like wet?

Firstly, 3a hair looks like the deep waves in wavy hair types when it's wet. In comparison, damp 3b and 3c hair still retain their ringlets. Secondly, 3a curls are less voluminous than 3b to 4c hair. This means they are the least prone to frizziness and poofiness of all the curly and coily hair types.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

Should I wet my curly hair every day?

Washing your curls everyday can remove the natural oils of your curls and makes it difficult to retain moisture. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't wet your hair. "Rinse and condition more often; shampoo less," Hallman advises.

Is gel or mousse better for 3A hair?

One product isn't always better than the other, whether you should use a mousse or a gel depends on the curly hairstyle you're going for. If you're going for a natural loose and airy look — a mousse is the product you should use. If you're going for a sleek, defined style — opt for the gel.

How big are 3A curls?

3A strands tend to be shiny with broader, looser curls that have a diameter about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk (TBT).

Does curly hair look better, short or long?

Curly hair almost universally tends to behave better if it's allowed to grow longer. That's because longer hair weighs down the curls resulting in less "pouf." But curly hair can actually look amazing short, provided you get the right cut.

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