There are four main types of hair and each one needs to be cared for in a slightly different way. That’s why it’s important that you understand which type of hair you have and the best way to style and care for it.
There are times that we all want a different hair type than we have. You should note that your hair type is dictated by genetics, and you have to work with what you’ve got.
Straight Hair
Straight hair is widely considered to be more resilient than other types of hair. It’s generally easy to style, unless you want curls or waves. If you do want to go curly, you’ll find it’s hard work and extremely frustrating.
Straight hair is the shiniest hair, but also tends to be the oiliest. Since there’s no bends in the hair shaft to interrupt it, the oil has an easy path along the hair. This results in the appearance of your hair looking greasy or unkempt.
Wavy Hair
This is a half-way stage between straight and full-on curls. The wave can be gorgeous, or really frustrating – sometimes both at the same time. Wavy hair is almost as strong as straight hair, but much like its curly cousin, wavy hair is more prone to frizz.
Curly Hair
Curly hair means each hair strand forms an ‘s’ shape. Curls quickly add volume to your hair, and can make thin hair look amazingly full and luscious. However, curly hair can be fragile, and is extremely prone to frizz and damage.
There are several types of curly hair, known as curl patterns. You’ll want to consult a curl pattern guide to determine which type of curls you have, and determine the best course of treatment for them.
Kinky Hair
The fourth hair type category is kinky hair. This is hair that is tightly coiled and has a regular pattern through the hair. Unfortunately, kinky hair is the most fragile, especially when wet. Kinky hair generally has fewer layers of cuticles, making it more susceptible to damage from treatments, styling, and everyday life.
Caring For Your Hair Type
The first thing you should note is that all hair types can be damaged by the use of the wrong shampoos and styling products. Anything that has harsh chemicals in it will damage your hair, making it dry, brittle, and could even cause hair thinning.
For the best results, you want to choose high-quality natural products such as the Kerastase range. This will nurture your hair, strengthening it and making it easier to style. Choosing the right type of products for your hair type is key to ensuring it stays healthy.
However, no matter how good the product, you may want to avoid washing your hair every day. This is more likely to strip the natural oils from your hair and dry it out, regardless of the type of hair you have. Instead, try washing your hair every other day, or twice a week. You can always use a dry shampoo between washes if your hair is getting too greasy.
Alongside using the best products you should also avoid using heat styling tools if you can. We all love our curling wands, flat irons, and blow dryers. However, your hair can use a break. If you feel they’re essential, at least give your hair a day or two off every week. On those days, let your hair dry naturally and style it with a standard brush.
Are you brushing your hair wrong? You just might be! Instead of brushing your hair from root to tip, start from the bottom. Always start a couple of inches from the tip of your hair and brush down in small sections. Keep doing this, working your way up toward the root. You’ll be surprised at how much difference it makes.
Finally, if you want gorgeous healthy hair, you need to make sure that you have plenty of protein in your diet. This affects all hair types. Hair is made from protein, and consuming enough will help to keep your hair healthy. You can also take a biotin supplement that will help your hair, nails and skin.