Ever wondered if your hair is wavy or curly?
Many people get confused when their hair looks a little wavy on some days and full of curls on others.
Knowing your true hair type is super important because it helps you pick the right products and styles that make your hair look its best.
In this blog, we will break down the key differences between wavy vs curly hair in the easiest way possible. You will also learn where loose curls fit in and how to care for wavy curly hair without the stress.
Different Hair Types
Understanding your hair type is the first step to giving it the care it deserves.
The Andre Walker Hair Typing System, created by Oprah Winfrey’s hairstylist Andre Walker, makes this simple by organizing hair into clear categories with specific characteristics.
Type 1 (Straight)
Type 1 hair has no curl or wave pattern at all. It lies flat against the head and is naturally shiny because oils from the scalp can easily travel down the smooth hair shaft.
- Type 1A: This hair is very fine, thin, and soft. It’s hard to curl and won’t hold styles well. It can look flat and get oily quickly.
- Type 1B: This hair has more body and thickness than 1Type A. It’s still straight but has a bit more volume. It holds curls better than 1A, but they still fall out easily.
- Type 1C: This is the thickest and strongest straight hair type. It has some body and can hold curls and styles better than the other straight hair types. It’s less likely to get oily quickly.
Type 2 (Wavy)
Type 2 hair has gentle waves that bend and curve. The hair can be thin or thick, and it makes an S-shape that sits close to your head.
- Type 2A: This hair type has very light, soft waves that are easy to straighten with heat tools.
- Type 2B: This hair is flat on top of your head, with clear S-shaped waves starting halfway down. The hair strands are thicker than 2A, and it takes more work to straighten.
- Type 2C: These waves are thick and get frizzy easily. The S-curves are very clear and start right from the roots.
Type 3 (Curly)
Type 3 hair has curls that can be loose and bouncy or tight and springy. The hair has some shine but can get frizzy.
- Type 3A: These curls are shiny with big, loose loops about as wide as a piece of chalk.
- Type 3B: This hair has bouncy ringlets that are about as wide as a marker.
- Type 3C: These are tight curls that look like corkscrews. They range from as wide as a straw to as narrow as a pencil. The curls are packed close together, making the hair look very full.
Type 4 (Coily)
Coily hair feels dry and spongy naturally. It can be soft and thin or rough and thick. The strands make very tight, small curls or zigzag patterns right from the scalp.
- Type 4A: This hair has thick, bouncy coils in an S-pattern that are about as wide as a crochet needle.
- Type 4B: These strands are packed together tightly and bend in sharp angles like the letter Z.
- Type 4C: This texture is like 4B, but the tightly-coiled strands break easily and have a very tight zigzag pattern that’s sometimes hard to see.
How Wavy Hair and Curly Hair Are Different
Still unsure which category your hair falls into? Let’s break down the key differences between wavy vs curly hair so you can spot the signs, understand your texture better, and care for it with confidence.
1. Shape and Pattern
The biggest difference between wavy and curly hair is the shape of each strand.
Wavy hair has soft S-shaped curves, while curly hair forms tighter spirals or ringlets. These patterns can vary based on hair length and thickness.
Wavy hair forms soft S-shaped bends, while Curly hair creates spiral or corkscrew shapes. Curls tend to look more defined and bounce more
2. Texture and Thickness
Wavy hair usually feels smoother and is thinner compared to curly hair, which is often thicker and more textured.
Curly strands may feel coarser and have more volume naturally, while wavy hair can lie flatter against the head. Curls often have more natural volume
3. Moisture and Frizz
Wavy vs curly hair needs different moisture approaches because curly hair tends to dry out faster. Its shape makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the strands.
Wavy hair gets oily more easily, but still needs hydration to avoid frizz and dryness. Wavy hair can get greasy faster, but still frizzes. Both need moisture, but in different amounts
4. Product Response
Curly hair can handle heavier creams and oils, which help define and control the curls. Wavy hair reacts better to lightweight products because thick formulas can weigh it down and flatten the wave pattern.
Wavy hair needs light mousse or sprays. Using the wrong product can mess with the definition
5. Shrinkage and Length
Wavy vs curly hair shows different shrinkage patterns, as curly hair often appears much shorter when dry due to shrinkage, with curls pulling the length upward.
Wavy hair shrinks less, so the length stays more visible even after drying. This also affects how styles look on each hair type. Shrinkage changes how your haircut appears
Identifying Your Hair Type: A Complete Assessment Guide
Understanding your hair’s natural texture is crucial for choosing the right products and routines.
These simple assessment tests help you determine your wavy vs curly hair type, enabling you to create a personalized care routine for healthier, more manageable hair..
| Test Method | How to Perform | Wavy Hair Results | Curly Hair Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Hair Test | Wash your hair and let it air dry without any products. Observe the natural pattern that forms. | Gentle S-waves form naturally | Loose spirals or tight coils develop |
| Shrinkage Check | Gently stretch a wet curl and observe how much it bounces back when released. | Minimal shrinkage occurs | It can shrink up to 75% of its stretched length |
| Frizz Response | Notice how your hair reacts to humid weather conditions. | Gets slightly fluffy but maintains general shape | Expands dramatically and loses its curl pattern |
| Product Weight Test | Apply a heavy cream to one section and observe the results. | Waves become weighed down and appear flat | Absorbs moisture well and looks enhanced |
| Root-to-Tip Pattern | Examine if your curl pattern remains consistent from scalp to ends. | Often starts straight at the roots, waves begin mid-length | Spirals typically begin from the scalp down |
Use these insights to select appropriate products and develop effective styling routines. The goal isn’t fitting into categories, it’s understanding what your hair naturally needs for optimal health and beautiful results.
Routine Plan for Wavy and Curly Hair
Each hair type has its own unique needs, so we’ve created separate step-by-step guides to help you get the most out of your wavy vs curly hair:
Wavy Hair Routine
Step 1: Cleansing
Use sulfate-free shampoo 1-2 times per week, and massage the scalp gently with fingertips. Focus on cleaning the scalp, not the lengths. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Use a Gentle sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash for best results.
Step 2: Hydrating
Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends; avoid putting conditioner on your scalp. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in. Leave on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with cool water
Step 3: Product Application
Apply leave-in conditioner to wet hair, and use a small amount of mousse or light gel. Scrunch products into hair gently. Don’t brush or comb after applying products.
Step 4: Setting
Scrunch out excess water with a microfiber towel, air dry, or use a diffuser on low heat. Don’t touch your hair while it’s drying. Once fully dry, scrunch out any crunch from the gel
Curly Hair Routine
Step 1: Pre-Treatment & Washing
Apply deep conditioner before washing once a week. Use a co-wash or a gentle sulfate-free shampoo. Focus on cleaning the scalp only
Step 2: Deep Conditioning
Apply rich conditioner generously from mid-length to ends. Detangle with fingers or a wide-tooth comb, leave on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with cool water, but leave some conditioner in
Step 3: Layering Products
Apply leave-in conditioner to soaking wet hair, layer curl cream for moisture. Add stronghold gel for definition, use the praying hands method to apply products smoothly
Step 4: Air Drying
Gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel, air dry completely, or use a diffuser on low settings. Don’t disturb curls while drying. Scrunch out the crunch when hair is 100% dry
What People Learned About Their Waves and Curls
These insights are gathered from real long-term experiences shared by people on platforms like Quora and Reddit, where wavy vs curly hair stories are discussed openly and honestly.
One person explained how bleaching and heat styling loosened their curls, making their hair look wavy. They highlighted that with careful damage repair and finger curling, curls can regain shape, though maintaining this requires strict routines and patience.
Another individual found straight hair boring and opted for a perm to add waves. They loved the new texture, though they admitted perming isn’t hair-friendly.
Someone emphasized accepting their fine, slightly wavy hair as part of their unique genetic code. They viewed hair as a natural function rather than a style statement, though they acknowledged it might not always align with current beauty trends.
Wrapping It Up
Your hair is unique, and it may not fit into just one category, and that’s okay!
What matters most is learning how your hair responds to products, care routines, and even life changes like bleaching or hormones.
Experiment, adjust, and find what feels right for you. If you have soft waves, loose curls, or bouncy ringlets, every hair type deserves love and care.
Focus on keeping your hair healthy and happy, and the beauty will follow. Enjoy this as you create your perfect hair routine and wear your waves or curls with confidence!
