One of the most widely used hair classification systems or hair typing chart was created by Oprah Winfrey’s hair stylist, Andre Walker known as the Andre Walker Hair Classification System. He talks about his system in his book “Andre Talks Hair”. His system is the original & the one we still refer to classify hair textures. See the hair type chart below.
But the truth about this hair classification is its purely aesthetic. It doesn’t speak to hair needs or make up. This is why I have taken a deeper look at hair typing for beginners and how to make it work for your hair.
SEE ALSO: What Hair Typing Doesn’t Tell You
| Type # | Hair Texture | Hair Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | Straight (Fine/Thin) | Very Soft, Shiny, Hard to hold a curl, hair tends to be oily, hard to damage. |
| 1b | Straight (Medium) | Has lots of body. (i.e. more volume, more full) |
| 1c | Straight (Coarse) | Hard to curl. (i.e. bone straight) Most Asian women fall into this category. |
| 2a | Wavy (Fine/Thin) | Can accomplish various styles. Definite “S” pattern. Hair sticks close to the head. |
| 2b | Wavy (Medium) | A bit resistant to styling. Hair tends to be frizzy. |
| 2c | Wavy (Coarse) | Hair has thicker waves. Also resistant to styling. Hair tends to be frizzy. |
| 3a | Curly (Loose Curls) | Thick & full with lots of body. Definite “S” pattern. Hair tends to be frizzy. Can have a combination texture. |
| 3b | Curly (Tight Curls) | Medium amount of curl. Can have a combination texture. |
| 3c | Curly (Tight Curls or Corkscrews) | Tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together. (3c not in book) |
| 4a | Kinky (Soft) | Tightly coiled. Very Fragile. Has a more defined curly pattern |
| 4b | Kinky (Wiry) | Tightly coiled. Very Fragile. Less defined curly pattern. Has more of a “Z” shaped pattern. |
| 4c | Kinky (Zingy) | Some say 4c looks identical to 4b except that the curls are so tightly kinked, there is seemingly no definition. (Also not in book) *From NaturallyCurly.com |
Hi my hair type is so confusing. It’s honestly 2c In the back and the curls simply won’t clump at the front or middle. When I wet my hair the back curls Immediately and I can feel the other parts curl but they don’t clump together or stay curled when the hair dries. Btw I’m nigerian so most ppl say it’s not possible for me to have 2c hair
I have the literal opposite problem! I am 2c in the front where the strands are shorter and more separated from the rest of my hair, but my hair becomes like 2a in the back but it’s not thin at all lol. Idk what to do abt it. I’m chinese and indian.