GrowthCurl Definition Gel 300 ml
Redefines your curls without weighing them down or drying them out.
300 mlIn stock
€16.99
Expert guide · Ozentya since 2011
3C, 4A, 4B and 4C hair: recognise your curl type and care for it
The curl typing system, popularised in the 1990s, is now part of natural hair language. It is a useful guide with limits: most heads mix several types, and two 4C heads can react very differently to the same products.
By Pascal Chaubo, founder of Ozentya (afro hair care since 2011) · updated
In short
Hair type describes curl shape: 3C for tight corkscrew curls, 4A for very tight defined coils, 4B for a Z-shaped pattern with little definition, 4C for very tight coils with strong shrinkage. It helps choose styling techniques, but porosity, strand thickness and density matter as much when choosing products.
This is cosmetic and hair-care advice. It does not replace the opinion of a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist. Every head of hair is different and results vary from person to person.
The most common types on afro hair
Look at a clean, product-free strand once dry. 3C: tight curls the size of a straw or pencil. 4A: very tight defined coils, marked shrinkage. 4B: Z or zigzag pattern, little definition, dense soft volume. 4C: very tight pattern, often barely visible without manipulation, shrinkage that can exceed half the real length.
Several types on one head
It is common to have looser curls at the front and tighter ones at the nape or crown. Adapt by area: more water and cream where hair is tighter, less product where it gets weighed down.
What type really changes
The tighter the curl, the more bends in the strand, and each bend is a weak point. 4B and 4C hair need especially gentle detangling on wet, conditioned hair and a focus on length retention. Read our 4C hair breakage guide and detangling guide.
What matters as much as type
Porosity, strand thickness (fine, medium, coarse) and density decide which textures suit you. Fine, low-porosity 4C hair likes light products; coarse, porous 4C hair can take richer creams and butters. See hair porosity.
Shrinkage is not a flaw
Hair that looks short when dry can be long in reality: shrinkage is a sign of healthy curls. To see your length, stretch a strand or wear stretched styles such as twists, braids or banding, without heat.
Ozentya products for this routine
Prices in euros with an approximate amount in your currency; shipping to your country is shown in the cart.
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Frequently asked questions
Can 4C hair become 4A?
No, curl shape is genetic. Products and techniques can define curls better but not change their type.
Does hair type decide growth?
No. All types grow; very tight hair looks slower because of shrinkage and breakage, hence the importance of length retention.
How do I define 4C curls?
On wet hair, apply a cream then a gel in small sections, using finger coiling or a brush, and let it dry without touching.