Caring for wavy, coily, and curly hair has really never been easier than it is today.
We’ve got so many resources now! But before we got to this point, let’s face it, it was all a lot of trial and error…especially for those of us with MULTIPLE types of curls.
Fear not though! If you’ve got lots of different textures coming out of your scalp, you’re in good company! I’m personally a 4A all over (at least for now“>, but these curlistas have gotten in touch with their own stories and care methods!
Take a look at their methods for caring for multitextured curls, and see if you can’t come away with some inter-textural insights!
Image: @curlymosiac
What are your curl types?
My hair type was a 3C until I dyed my hair blonde, which changed it to have both 3B and 3C textures. When I got my hair bleached it definitely loosened my curl pattern.
When/ how did you find out you had more than one?
I found out what my curl pattern was from a NaturallyCurly article. Before reading that article I had no idea what the curl patterns were or what they meant. But after I knew my curly pattern, I was able to research methods and products specifically for me.
What had you been doing that wasn’t working?
One of my fails, was not taking care of my hair after bleaching it. I had to end up chopping it all off and starting over, my hair felt like carpet and had absolutely no curl. So this year, when I got my hair bleached again, I was proactive about making sure I took care of it this time. I use Redken Extreme conditioner for fortified for distressed hair, and SheaMoisture deep conditioning mask when I have my wash days, once a week. I also try not to shampoo but twice a month.
Image: @curlymosiac
What does work? Products? Methods? Share with the class!
I am in love with the shingling method. I tried this method about a month ago, because I was desperate to find something that provided definition for my bleached curls. Products and tools I use: Denman Brush, 360 water bottle, Garnier Fructis Curl Treat Smoothie Defining Cream, Camille Rose Curl Maker and Ogx Bamboo radiant brunette penetrating oil with UVA/UVB sun filters. I take my hair section by section, making sure that each strand is saturated with water and then I brush my hair with the Denman brush, apply a hearty amount of the curl smoothie cream and Camille rose curl maker. After that I brush the product through with my denman brush and scrunch the ends. I continue this process and then after I run the OGX oil through. When I use this method, my hair lasts about 7 days. I sleep in a pineapple and run a little oil through each day. That is literally it, my hair won’t need anything else when I use this method.
Any last words of advice for multi-type curlistas?
This one is for the ladies that want to bleach their curls…It will change your curl pattern and it does take extra maintenance. So if you want to have blonde hair, know that you have to have patience and go to a colorist that understands how to color curls.
Image: @established_mint
What is your curl type(s”>?
My hair ranges from type 1C to 2C, and the patterns are mixed throughout my head; there aren’t really patches of one or another. Each wave has a distinct diameter, and some are more or less spiraled as they are closer to or further from my scalp.
When and how did you find out you had more than one?
I found out I had more than one type of curl about 3 months into my curly hair journey; about this time last year. I had taken the quiz on NaturallyCurly and pored over pictures of each type wondering why my hair never seemed to fit any particular one (aside from the fact that it looked different every day due to my underdeveloped skills and experimentation”>.
What had you been doing that wasn’t working?
I dropped sulfates but didn’t drop silicones! My hair is fine and thin, my scalp is very oily, and my curl pattern is very loose by nature of being waves. Silicones were weighing down my more defined spirals and completely straightening out my weakest waves. Once I dropped silicones, however, I was still trying to use the wrong products. My leave-ins were butter-based and too heavy, and my styling products didn’t have enough hold. I ended up with fluffy, undefined waves with a lot of random straight pieces. I had no hope of making my definition last until the second day. I was watching videos aimed toward women with type 4 hair, and the amount and type of products they used simply were not right for my hair.
What does work? Products? Methods
What does work for me are products that are light enough to not weigh down my curls but strong enough to define even my loosest 1C waves. Water is my first and best styling product. I start on soaking wet hair and use a very light leave in conditioner (Design Essentials Natural Detangling Leave-In Conditioner or the Silk Elements Pure Oils Leave In Moisturizer”>. I then scrunch in my gel (SheaMoisture’s JBCO Strengthen and Restore Max Hold Gel is the best one I have ever had—I’ve repurchased 4 times in a row!”> plop for half an hour, diffuse, and clip. Air drying just doesn’t do it for me since I have to give my straighter pieces a bit of a boost to get up closer to the spirals. Also, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a relationship with an experienced hairstylist who can cut with the right texture to allow my waves maximum definition.
Image: @established_mint
Do you have a favorite go to ‘do?
Right now, my hair is very short, so my go-to is diffused and fluffed around! It is so much easier to embrace my varied curl types when I try for a more messy look on purpose. I do sometimes clip up the long side to keep it out of my face.
Who’s your curly inspiration?
Penny Tovar I stumbled upon her YouTube videos, and those are what led me to NaturallyCurly in the first place and got me into the curly hair community.
Any last words of advice for multi-type curlistas?
My most important piece of advice for other multi-type curlistas is to honor every curl. If I wanted my curls to be uniform, I would get a perm or use a curling iron. We have been convinced that our natural hair is messy, ugly, unkempt, and unprofessional. But it is beautiful, every piece, from 1A to 4C, and we choose the curly life because we embrace that.
Image: @loca_lexia
What are your curl types?
I have 4b, 4c and some 4z (extremely kinky”> hair. The 4b is mostly in the back at the nape of my neck.
When and how did you find out you had more than one?
I found out I had more than one when my mom would complain about it. She used to do my hair when I was younger and it was always a struggle, haha.
What had you been doing that wasn’t working?
The main thing that wasn’t working was the fact that I was relaxing my hair for years and years. It was breaking off at an alarming rate until eventually it all just broke off, and I just shaved my head completely because I was tired of it. I wanted to start fresh. So I did a big chop.
What does work? Products? Methods?
Coconut oil, water, patience and low heat works for my hair. Even though I have low porosity hair, I make sure to moisturize it every single day. Detangling is a must as well. My hair locs up naturally so I have to detangle maybe once a week, but that definitely helps my hair grow since there are less snarls and knots.
Image: @loca_lexia
Do you have a favorite go to ‘do?
My favorite go-to ‘do right now is a tight top knot with my ends tucked in under it (gotta keep ‘em protected in this cold weather!”>. However my top favorite will always be my giant Afro, I’m proud of my crown and love flaunting it when I can.
Who’s your curly inspiration?
Amara la Negra is my curly inspiration! She’s definitely someone I look up to. Her hair, her talent, the way she carries herself, her sense of humor, everything! I love it all!
Any last words of advice for multi-type curlistas?
I’ll say that even though it can be frustrating, be patient with your hair. If you take care of it correctly, it will definitely love you back and even surprise you!
@charmcitysupernova
What are your curl types?
My hair is primarily 4c, very tightly coiled and shrinks a ton. In the back and around the sides the hair is softer and less coiled.
When/ how did you find out you had more than one?
I found out I had more than one texture when I first went natural, grew out my hair and noticed parts of my hair that didn’t act like the rest.
What had you been doing that wasn’t working?
My biggest fail was texturizers and trying to get my 4C hair to act like the looser hair. No amount of shingling and curly pudding or gel can do that. I spent a lot of time and money on products!
What does work? Products? Methods?
What works for me right now are simple braidouts and twistouts when my hair isn’t in a protective style. When my hair is out, I tend to pick at it and play in it so I keep it in cornrows most of the time.
I love using the TGIN Twist n Define cream and Eco Styler gel. Nothing fancy, the basics are what work best for me!
Do you have a favorite go to ‘do?
Right now, I love protective styles, cornrows into updos have been my go to. My hair is safe from me playing it, I’m not obsessing over the textures, and it grows!
Who’s your curly inspiration?
I have a few hair inspirations. You are one, so is Gerilyn. Also Nappyfu and Chizi Duru. I do love Nappturality85 but our textures are different.
Author’s note: Awwwwww! If it weren’t for all the melanin, I’d blush!
Any last words of advice for multi-type curlistas?
As far as advice…love and work with what grows from your scalp and don’t try to make it act like another texture. Take good care of it and enjoy watching it grow and use a satin pillowcase.
Image: @coffeecurlygirl
What is your hair type(s”>?
I’d say I have a range of types from 2b to 3a. I get spirals near my face and have looser waves towards the back of my head.
When/how did you find out you had more than one?
Growing up, I always had slightly wavy hair that was very puffy. I didn’t realize I had actual spirals and tighter waves until I began the curly girl method in June of 2018. My hair texture changed after I had my son. I had to embrace it!
What had you been doing that WASN’T working?
I will tell you what doesn’t work: trying every product under the sun simply because it’s the hottest new item. I think consistency is key, and it’s okay to stick with products that work for you.
What DOES work? Products? Methods?
My favorite leave in is Kinky Curly Knot Today and my favorite gel is Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Gel. They work well for so many hair types! As for methods, I highly suggest the bowl method which is exactly as it sounds: scrunch your hair over a bowl and dip you hair back into the water/product mixture for hydrated clumps!
Do you have a favorite go-to ‘do?
Front pinned up with bobby pins or a messy bun topped with a headband. Love the Invisibobble for the bun!
Image: @coffeecurlygirl
Who’s your curly inspiration?
Too many to name; but curlicue_lu, powerdomi, curly_n_fab, and themestizamuse are just a few of the Instagram accounts that I followed early in my journey. These women are amazing!
Any last words of advice for multi-type curlistas?
Embrace your multiple patterns! So many of us strive for uniform curls, but the beauty of textured hair is how perfectly imperfect it can be.
There you have it, curlfriends!
Not sure what your curl type(s”> are? Take our quiz to help you determine where to start here.
Do you have multiple hair-types yourself? Share what you’re working with in the comments, follow these beauties in the land of the ‘gram if they helped, and if you’re NOT getting your whole life keeping up with NaturallyCurly…stop holding yourself back!
