How to Know if You Have Curly Hair: Identify Your Curl Type

If you’ve ever wondered whether your hair is truly curly, wavy, or simply reacting to the weather, you’re not alone. Many people grow up believing they have straight hair, only to discover later that their strands were actually curly all along. They just needed the right care, routine, and understanding of their natural texture. 

Knowing how to know if you have curly hair is the first step toward embracing your natural beauty and caring for your hair in a way that helps it thrive.

Understanding whether you actually have curly hair comes down to observing the clues your hair gives you every day, especially during wash day. When your hair is wet, it reveals its truest form.

Curls form because of the shape of the hair follicle and how the strand bends as it grows.1 If your hair forms waves, spirals, coils, or even a single ringlet, you may be working with naturally curly hair. The more the strand curves, the curlier the pattern.

If your hair starts to clump, twist, or shrink when it’s wet, that’s a strong sign your hair is curly, even if it dries differently.

If your hair is wavy or you might have wavy hair, it may fall somewhere in the middle—a pattern influenced by both texture and environment.

Curl behavior is also influenced by:

• Porosity: how well your hair absorbs moisture

• Density: how many strands you have

• Texture: whether strands are fine, medium, or coarse

Curlier patterns tend to be naturally more dry, making hydration essential to reduce frizz and breakage. A proper understanding of porosity helps you keep your hair moisturized and healthy.

Most curl classifications fall into three major groups: wavy hair, curly hair, and coily hair.2 Knowing your curl type helps you choose the right hair products, routine, and styling approach.

This category includes hair that forms soft bends rather than full curls.

• 2A: Loose waves, almost like straight hair but with movement

• 2B: Defined S-shaped waves

• 2C: Strong waves with some curl at the ends

If you scrunch your hair with a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt and it forms soft waves as it begins to air dry, you likely fall into this group. People with naturally wavy hair may also experience mild frizz or uneven wave patterns.

These curls have spring, bounce, and well-defined structure.

• 3A: Loose spirals

• 3B: Ringlets about the size of a Sharpie

• 3C: Tight spirals with lots of volume

If your curls spring back when stretched, or you use the scrunch method and curls form instantly, you probably have curly hair. This is also the range where the Curly Girl Method often resonates as a beginner approach, though Virtue focuses on science-driven, customizable routines.

Coily patterns form tight curls or zig-zags that create incredible volume and definition.

• 4A: Defined coils

• 4B: Z-shaped curls

• 4C: Delicate, tightly wound coils

These patterns require deep hydration, gentle haircare, and minimal friction, as coily strands can be more prone to breakage. If your hair is actually curly but shrinks significantly, this category may be your home.

Once you understand how to know if you have curly hair, caring for your wavy or curly hair becomes much easier. The right products help reduce product build, prevent dryness, and support a healthy, natural curl pattern.

Use a sulfate-free, moisture-preserving wash system that cleanses gently without stripping. Virtue®’s Curly Hair Shampoo and Curly Hair Conditioner restore hydration, cleanse the scalp, and support curl formation while strengthening the cuticle.

For wavy or curly hair, Virtue’s Cream for Curly Hair delivers lightweight definition and hydration. It’s ideal for helping natural curl patterns emerge, especially if you’re trying to learn how to get your curls back after heat or moisture loss.

Explore all our curl products and hair care products for curly hair to see which one works best for you.

Avoid brushing dry curls. A comb or fingers on wet hair works better. To tame frizzy curls, hydrate and shape instead of forcing a hairstyle that disrupts their structure. When you protect the natural pattern, your hair stays healthier and more defined. You can also check out other protective hairstyles for curly hair​.

A weekly hair mask helps strengthen strands, reduces buildup, and protects against heat damage caused by past heat styling or frequent attempts to straighten.

Scalp balance is essential, especially for those who enjoy protective hairstyles for natural textures or low-tension looks. Healthy roots help keep your curls thriving long-term.

Understanding how to know if you have curly hair is an empowering step toward embracing your hair’s fullest expression. Whether you discover that you have curly or wavy hair, coily strands, or a mix of patterns, the right haircare, cleansing system, and styling ritual will help your hair reveal its true beauty.

Explore Virtue’s biotech-powered products for defined curls and discover a routine that helps you embrace your natural hair with confidence, hydration, and transformative care rooted in real science.

Sources:

1. Odele. Is Your Hair Curly Or Wavy? Here’s How to Tell. https://odelebeauty.com/blogs/the-rinse/is-my-hair-curly-or-wavy?srsltid=AfmBOori-Llqg-UoizBf10ijVNML-Gu4GO77Ke-BdFtZZ9Eps1iIA5IR

2. Allure. This Is the Simplest Way to Figure Out Your Curl Type. https://www.allure.com/gallery/curl-hair-type-guide