You have type 3A hair if you can easily wrap your curls around sidewalk chalk. Your hair type is 3B if the permanent marker is the best suit. Finally, you know you have 3C hair type if your spiral curls are about the same size as a pencil.
3B curls are coarser, springier, and tighter than 3A curls, and they usually have the circumference of a Sharpie marker or your index finger. Unlike 3A curls, which tend to lose their definition or get pulled out, 3B curls stay coiled no matter how much you play with them or what products you put on them (yay!).
What Does 3b Hair Look Like? Some common characteristics that make up 3b hair include hair that has a medium to coarse texture with defined ringlets, is prone to dryness, may tend to be frizzy, and has body and movement.
Type 3A hair, often referred to as a “combination” hair, is characterized by its defined s-shaped curls, usually the diameter of a piece of sidewalk chalk. It is the loosest variation of type 3 curls and usually appears to have very soft curls. The hair of 3A heads tends to shine more than that of 3B or 3C.
Type 3a hair is characterized by well-defined spiral curls that are typically the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Although the circumference of 3a curls is wider than that of 3b and 3c hair, it can be difficult to tell the three curl types apart.
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.
That's why it's essential to use the right products and care routine to encourage perfect, even definition of those gorgeous curls. “Like all curly hair types, 3A hair is prone to damage, frizz, and dryness.
3A hair is made up of well-defined and springy curls that have a loopy, “S” shaped pattern. Their circumference is the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. 3A ringlets have a fine to medium texture. This curl type benefits from lots of body and movement, but is prone to frizzing and dryness.
It depends on your length, texture, and thickness, but 3a hair can usually wear most hairstyles suitable for straight, wavy, and curly hair types (think: types 1c to 3c). Your end results might look a little different, but the styles themselves—like braids, buns, French twists, etc. —are all doable on 3a curls.
Hair structure
Take a piece of hair in between your fingers and rub it back and forth. If you don't feel anything, your hair type is considered fine. If you can feel the hair in between your fingers your hair type is medium. If your hair feels thick in between your fingers , then your hair type is coarse.
If you have 3B curls, your spirals are springy and clearly defined. They're not tight curls, but they're not loose either. 3B curls fall somewhere in the middle with a curl circumference that's about the width of a marker.
To put it simply, all type 3 hair is definitively curly. The size, texture, and volume of those curls are then broken down into three subcategories: 3A, which has S-shaped, loose, softer curls; 3B, which has ringlet-shaped, voluminous, springy curls; and 3C, which has corkscrewed, tight, stiff curls.
3b curls are too loose to form a standard afro shape. Then there's that awkward in-between stage, when it's too long to be an afro but too short to pull back into a ponytail. And when your hair (finally) gets past your ears, you may end up with the dreaded triangle shape. But all is not lost!
Type 3: Curly Hair
This category encompasses hair that curls into springs and corkscrew shapes. When hair is wet, curls usually look like waves but take on a three-dimensional swirl shape as they dry. Each strand of this hair type can be unique.
Type 3 curly hair ranges from a light curl to tight, curly tendrils, and usually have a combination of textures. They are defined and springy, with more height and volume at the root than type 2s.
To keep the hair and scalp healthy and avoid product buildup, consider shampooing your 3A curls once or twice a week.
How To Style 3A Type Hair? Avoid using harsh brushes. They may open your curls out and make your hair frizzy. You can instead wash your hair, spritz on some curl definer, and scrunch your hair for more definition.
Type 2C hair waves start from the scalp and are thicker than other Type 2 subcategories. This coarse hair type is the most prone to frizz and forms an “S” shape when dry.
SheaMoisture Type 3 hair products are suitable for hair types 3a, 3b and 3c. Made with naturally-derived ingredients and certified organic shea butter, our products keep your hair restored, hydrated, moisturized and detangled with the perfect amount of bounce.
Shampoo just once or twice a week. Washing too often can deplete the natural scalp oils your 3B curls depend on to stay soft and hydrated. Shampoo just once or twice a week with a shampoo formulated for curly hair and use as little as possible to keep hair clean while retaining moisture.
Styling your 3A hair actually starts in the shower. Working some curl-defining cream and curl-enhancing mousse through your wet coils will set you up for success. After you've applied the product, you can either use the curl plopping technique or try a diffuser to define your ringlets.
Jumbo box braids are another great option for 3b hair. They take less time than small braids or scalp braids, and they're cheap and easy to do on yourself.