Issue No. 01 · Autumn 2026The journal of waves, curls & coilsAbout the Society
Curly Hair Society

Curl Types · Type 4A – 4C

Coily

Tight coils and zigzags with the most shrinkage, the most fragility and the greatest need for moisture.

Coily hair grows in very tight coils or sharp zigzag bends. It is the most delicate of the three families, because every bend is a point where the strand can break and where the scalp's natural oil struggles to travel down the length. It can shrink to a quarter of its true length when dry. Good coily hair care is patient and generous: plenty of water, rich conditioners, sealing products and as little friction as possible.

4A

Small, visible S-shaped coils about the width of a crochet needle, with a defined pattern when wet.

4B

A Z-shaped bend rather than a round coil. Fluffy and soft, with less obvious definition.

4C

The tightest pattern, densely packed with very little visible definition and the most shrinkage.

What it needs

  • Co-washing or a very gentle shampoo, with a clarifying wash monthly.
  • Rich conditioners and regular deep treatments.
  • Layering a leave-in, a cream and an oil or butter to seal moisture in.
  • A bonnet or silk pillowcase every night, without exception.

What to avoid

  • Harsh sulfates used week after week.
  • Detangling without conditioner in the hair.
  • Tight styles that pull on the hairline.

The Routine

Technique and science for coily hair

The Shelf

Products suited to coily hair

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Shampoo

  • ShampooSheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine ShampooShop
  • ShampooAs I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing ConditionerShop
  • ShampooKinky-Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing ShampooShop
  • ShampooPattern Beauty Hydration ShampooShop

Conditioner

  • ConditionerSheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerPattern Beauty Heavy ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerBriogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning MaskShop
  • ConditionerMielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerOlaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance ConditionerShop

Leave-In

  • Leave-InKinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In ConditionerShop
  • Leave-InSheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In ConditionerShop
  • Leave-InMielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In ConditionerShop
  • Leave-InCantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair CreamShop

Mousse

  • MousseThe Doux Mousse Def Texture FoamShop

Styler

  • StylerSheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing SmoothieShop
  • StylerEco Style Olive Oil Styling GelShop
  • StylerKinky-Curly Curling CustardShop

Treatment

  • TreatmentApHogee Two-Step Protein TreatmentShop
  • TreatmentOlaplex No. 3 Hair PerfectorShop
  • TreatmentSheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment MasqueShop

Night

Tool

  • ToolDenman D3 Original Styler 7 Row BrushShop
  • ToolFelicia Leatherwood Detangler BrushShop
  • ToolDiane Wide Tooth Detangling CombShop
  • ToolAquis Lisse Luxe Hair TowelShop
  • ToolKitsch Microfiber Hair Towel WrapShop
  • ToolXtava Black Orchid Large Hair DiffuserShop
  • ToolDyson Supersonic Hair DryerShop
  • ToolBeautify Beauties Continuous Mist Spray BottleShop

From The Edit