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

Curl Types · Type 3A – 3C

Curly

Springy spirals, from loose loops to tight corkscrews, that want moisture and definition in equal measure.

Curly hair forms a full spiral. It has more volume than wavy hair, more shrinkage, and more places along each strand where the cuticle lifts, which is why it dries out sooner and frizzes when the air is humid. Type 3 hair generally does best with a middle path: enough moisture to keep the curl elastic, and enough hold to keep each spiral intact until the next wash.

3A

Large, loose loops about the width of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Shiny, and quick to lose definition.

3B

Springy ringlets about the width of a marker pen, with real volume and a tendency to dryness.

3C

Tight corkscrews about the width of a pencil, densely packed, with noticeable shrinkage.

What it needs

  • A sulfate-free shampoo and a conditioner with real slip for detangling.
  • A leave-in under a gel or mousse, applied to very wet hair.
  • Deep conditioning every week or two.
  • Protection at night, so one styling session lasts several days.

What to avoid

  • Detangling dry hair.
  • Rough cotton towels, which lift the cuticle and break up curl clumps.
  • Skipping hold altogether; cream alone rarely survives the day.

The Routine

Technique and science for curly hair

The Shelf

Products suited to curly hair

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Shampoo

  • ShampooSheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine ShampooShop
  • ShampooBriogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating ShampooShop
  • ShampooOuidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing ShampooShop
  • ShampooNot Your Mother's Curl Talk 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
  • ConditionerNot Your Mother's Curl Talk ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerBriogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning MaskShop
  • ConditionerMielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerAussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist 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-InIt's a 10 Miracle Leave-In ProductShop
  • Leave-InBriogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining CrèmeShop
  • Leave-InCantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair CreamShop
  • Leave-InGiovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture ConditionerShop

Mousse

  • MousseJohn Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Reviver MousseShop
  • MousseNot Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Activating MousseShop
  • MousseMoroccanoil Curl Control MousseShop
  • MousseThe Doux Mousse Def Texture FoamShop
  • MousseCantu Wave Whip Curling MousseShop
  • MousseInnersense I Create Lift Volumizing FoamShop

Styler

  • StylerSheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing SmoothieShop
  • StylerEco Style Olive Oil Styling GelShop
  • StylerAussie Instant Freeze Sculpting GelShop
  • StylerKinky-Curly Curling CustardShop
  • StylerOuidad Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing SprayShop

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
  • ToolDevaCurl DevaFuser Universal DiffuserShop
  • ToolXtava Black Orchid Large Hair DiffuserShop
  • ToolDyson Supersonic Hair DryerShop
  • ToolBeautify Beauties Continuous Mist Spray BottleShop

From The Edit