If you’d never buy a “one-size-fits-all” blouse, why would you base all of your haircare ideas on one category? We created the NaturallyCurly Texture Typing System not to give you a perfect answer to your curl type questions, but to give you a tool to help you figure out how to maintain your beautiful crown. This system breaks hair down into 3 categories, and then 3 subgroups within those categories. However, when you use this chart it is important to remember that most people have more than one curl type on their head – sometimes up to 4 different types! Your hair is an incredible thing that can completely change with different products, weather or days of the week and you should never feel like you need to check just one box.
Your hair is an incredible thing that can completely change with different products, weather or days of the week and you should never feel like you need to check just one box.
4a hair consists of tightly coiled curls that have the circumference of a crochet needle. Slightly prone to breakage, Type 4 hair can be fragile, highly porous, and can be very fine and wiry. No need to fret though, as type 4a coilies tend to hold more moisture in their strands than their 4b and 4c counterparts. Most 4a coilies also share multiple textures with their 3c and 4b sisters!
Here are 20 photos of 4A hair that showcase just how unique this hair type is!
1. @thetinycloset
@thetinycloset says she has used DevaCurl since her first big chop in 2009 and it’s still one of her go-tos!
2. @evanjosephsalon
3. @saythelees
4. @whitneyfromtheblog
NaturallyCurly writer Whitney has low porosity hair, which means that it’s difficult for it to absorb moisture. Learn more about what she uses to style her hair.
5. @rubicisca
6. @milliandolarez
7. @the_crafty_dawk
@the_crafty_dawk used As I Am Double Butter Cream and Eco Styler Gel to get this gorgeous look.
8. @itspaulaalmeida
Go follow @itspaulaalmeida on Instagram for major hair goals. Her posts are examples of how much hair types can change day-to-day, teetering on the line between type 3 and 4.
9. @missjjOhnson
10. @iknowleee
You can see this gorgeous lady has a mix of 3C and 4A curls. See how they get tighter when they get closer to her scalp?
11. @tiaaa_g
@tiaaa_g’s beautiful head of hair is a perfect example of a type mixture. Can you see where her 3C ends and her 4A begins? The answer is no, because the curls are mixed together perfectly.
12. @the_eripolitan
13. @brianalynee
14. @moredesib
@moredesib says she loves the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask on her luscious locks.
15. @iamghogho
16. @ilovealimara
17. @bombshael_hair
@bombshael_hair is a stylist and recommends using the Moroccan Oil Treatment on “everything!”
18. @jewelsvintagecloset
19. @glammzmore
20. @whtsuplauren
One of our Naturally Curly Content Editors, Lauren has a mixture of 3C and 4A curl types. Read about how she keeps her hair moisturized and beautiful, even when the winter weather rolls around.
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