• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Hair

Coily, Curly, Wavy? Find Out Your Natural Curl Pattern Once And For All

Curl expert Daryce Brown-Willis breaks down the different hair types and the best practices for giving every ringlet the royal treatment.
Coily, Curly, Wavy? Find Out Your Natural Curl Pattern Once And For All
Getty Images
By Jacqueline Laurean Yates · Updated October 27, 2020
As you may have already concluded, there really isn’t a “one size fits all” type when it comes to categorizing natural curl patterns. A little stuck on unlocking the true secret to what your coils, curls or waves are all about? Well, consider this your lucky day! The guesswork is done, and we have consulted with an expert to unlock a few major keys toward helping you understand different natural curl patterns and assist you in further channeling your ultimate curl power. Keep scrolling to find out how mane master, curl expert and one of Mizani’s go-to artists, Daryce Brown-Willis, breaks down the different hair types and the best practices for giving every ringlet the royal treatment. CURL TYPES: 1 – Straight 2 – Open Wave 3 – Wavy 4 – Curly 5– Very Curly 6 – Coiled 7 – Very Coiled 8 – Zig-zag Coiled Curl Types 1-3: These kinds of curls usually will put you in the mindset of very loose, flowing s-shaped swirls. Think actresses Tia Mowery or Tracee Ellis Ross. For this pattern, it is highly recommended to cleanse more often because of the excess of natural oils the scalp produces. Follow with a traditional conditioner for strength and moisture weekly or as often as needed. “Curl types 1-4 tend to agree more with water or gel based products,” says Willis. If you notice your hair seems to be falling a little flat, reach for a little dry shampoo to turn the volume back up. Disheveled Curls Are Your Go-To Look For Spring Curl Types 4-8: When it comes to putting a face with a curl types, let’s go ahead and insert the curly coifs of Janell Monae and Solange. Curl types 4-8 are generally tighter and have a fuller texture. Shampooing and cleansing does not need to happen as often as curl types 1-4, but hair should be deep treated at least every other week. Feeling like you’ll need to refresh a little more? Try a cream based or strong hold curl definer or refresher in between washes. “Curl types 5-8 usually require a more regular treatment schedule as these hair types are prone to tangle and frizz due the texture being naturally more dry,” say Willis. General Rules of Thumb for All Curl Patterns: • Finger-detangle before using any tool such as a brush, comb, blow-dryer, etc. • Only manipulate your hair while damp or wet. • Make sure to comb or brush from the ends of the hair to the scalp. • Help prevent damage by securing ends at night and sleeping with a satin bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase • Avoid cocktailing products in your hand before application. Layer one after the other to allow for even distribution working from the ends up toward the roots. • Stick to regular trim and treatment schedules to help with length retention and overall hair health. The Easiest Way to Reveal Your Natural State: Brown-Willis recommends that the best time to discover your true curl pattern is after you have washed your hair and let it air dry without adding any additional product. Also, Mizani’s Natural Curl Key has lifelike pictures of each curl pattern to help guide you.
TOPICS:  4C Hair African American Hair Black Hairstyles
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now