There are 3 types of wavy hair known as type 2A, B, and C.

Type 2A

Type 2A wavy hair has a soft, tousled texture in its natural state. The hair is generally straight from the roots to around the eye level, and there's a loose, indeterminate wave from eye level to the ends. 2A hair type looks great on women with shoulder-length hair.

Type 2A Hair Care Tips

2A hair lacks volume from the roots, so it's recommended to use water-based mousse to lift the roots. This tip will help achieve a fuller look.

Type 2B

From the midpoint to the ends, type 2B hair curls. The curls are more distinct in the shape of an S.

Type 2B Hair Care Tips

Spritz of salt spray is all it takes to get that beachy effect, and it looks beautiful on long hair. 

Type 2C

Type 2C waves are the most well-defined S-shaped waves. The wavy pattern may start near the crown and then descend. Hair of type 2C is thick and prone to frizz in humid weather.

Type 2C Hair Care Tips

Use a shampoo and conditioner free of sulfate to maintain the pattern and natural moisture retention. Lock in the moisture by layering a leave-in conditioner before using a mousse. 

Type 3: Curly Hair 

Curly hair has 3 types and ranges from loose, bouncy loops to tight, springy corkscrews with considerable gloss but prone to frizz. Here are the 3 types of curly hair.

Type 3A

S-shaped curls form loose loops in type 3A hair. The curls have a large circumference. Brushing this type of hair causes it to lose its definition and become frizzy.

Type 3A Hair Care Tips

Scrunch a nourishing curl cream to your dry hair to accentuate the curly texture. Avoid constantly touching your hair after applying products. 

Type 3B

Curls of type 3B have a circumference about the same as a Sharpie barrel. Curls grow out of the roots and have a lot of volume. Moisture is required to maintain its spiral structure.

Type 3B Hair Care Tips

Always use hair products that have humectants to retain moisture in the strands. Use the product when your hair is damp to achieve defined curly hair without frizz.

Type 3C

3C curls are little corkscrews with circumferences ranging from a straw to a pencil. The strands are tightly packed, resulting in a lot of natural volume. This type of hair can be prone to frizz.

Type 3C Hair Care Tips

Use hair care products that are free of sulfate to prevent the hair from drying out. Layer the products such as a hair mousse over a styling cream on wet hair. 

Related Article: Wavy hair offers the most versatility in styling

Type 4: Coily Hair 

The texture of coily hair, also known as Afro-textured or kinky hair, is naturally very dry and spongy, and it can be soft and fine or harsh and wiry. Strands create very tight, little zig-zag curls starting from the scalp and are prone to significant shrinking. Here are 3 types of coily hair. 

Type 4A

Type 4A has dense, springy coils in an S-pattern that ranges from fine to wiry texture. The dense coils provide a thicker and fuller look. 

Type 4A Hair Care Tips

Use a leave-in moisturizer when you are doing the wash and go styling. It helps retain moisture in the strands and keeps them healthy and hydrated. 

Type 4B

This hair type has a prominent z-shaped pattern and a wide range of thicknesses. It has been described as having a "cotton-like" texture to it and being soft to the touch (but very fragile). This type of hair can shrink up to 75 percent.

Type 4B Hair Care Tips

Nourishing mist water works like a primer styling your 4B hair and provides an instantly hydrated mane. Another one is using a hydrating curling cream on 4B hair types to achieve a defined look.

Type 4C

Type 4C has tight z-shaped patterns similar to 4B, but the coils are more fragile. Women with 4C hair often keep short hair.

Type 4C Hair Care Tips

As dryness and shrinkage are a major problem for 4C hair, use moisturizing leave-in conditioners to hydrate this fragile hair. 

These are the differences between wavy, curly, and coily hair. Use the above hair care tips mentioned above to maintain the texture of each hair type regardless of the length of your hair.