What’s your hair type? Know it, style it, love it
Your hair type matters
Your hair isn't just hair – it's how you express yourself. From straight or wavy to curly or coily, understanding your hair type in all its glory is the first step to unlocking total styling freedom and finding the right tools to help you do it.
That's why we're here – to help you get to know your hair. Use this guide to work out your hair type and get plenty of tailored styling tips with product recommendations to go with them. By the end of this, you'll have everything you need to create the looks you love, whatever your hair type.
Time to get up close and personal with your hair!
The four main hair types: straight, wavy, curly and coily
Let's start at the root! In the hair world, we tend to group hair types into four categories: straight, wavy, curly and coily. Each of these comes with unique characteristics and styling needs.
Which best describes your hair?
Type 1: STRAIGHT
Naturally smooth with little to no visible wave or curl pattern.
Common styling goals: Add volume, texture and movement while maintaining smoothness and shine.
REMINGTON® tools to help you get there:
Type 2: WAVY
Natural soft ‘S’-shaped waves that range from loose and relaxed to more defined and textured.
Common styling goals: Add definition, boost body and manage frizz.
REMINGTON® tools to help you get there:
Type 3: CURLY
Defined curls or ringlets with natural bounce, shape and volume.
Common styling goals: Maintain moisture, define curls and help reduce frizz.
REMINGTON® tools to help you get there:
Type 4: COILY
Tight coils or zig-zag patterns with plenty of texture and natural volume.
Common styling goals: Support moisture retention, gentle styling and curl definition.
REMINGTON® tools to help you get there:
Going further: The 12 hair sub-types
We know it's not always that simple to put your hair into one category (who wants to be put in a box after all?), especially since you might have multiple textures in your hair. That's why each hair type is also divided into three sub-types: A, B and C. This helps to describe the shape, definition and texture of your hair patterns. Knowing your subtype can help you to understand how your hair behaves (even if it can feel like it's got a mind of its own!) and how best to style it to get the results you want.
Type 1: STRAIGHT
- 1A: Fine, ultra-straight hair that can often appear flat or struggle to hold volume.
- 1B: Straight hair with a little more body and natural movement.
- 1C: Straight, thicker strands with more texture and volume.
Type 2: WAVY
- 2A: Loose, relaxed waves with subtle texture.
- 2B: More defined 'S'-shaped waves with natural body.
- 2C: Deep, well-defined waves that border on a curly pattern.
Type 3: CURLY
- 3A: Loose, springy curls with plenty of movement.
- 3B: Defined ringlets with natural bounce and volume.
- 3C: Tight corkscrew curls with plenty of volume and a denser appearance.
Type 4: COILY
- 4A: Soft, defined coils with a visible curl pattern.
- 4B: Tightly textured strands that form sharp bends or zig-zag shapes.
- 4C: Dense, tightly coiled strands with a highly compact curl pattern.
Figuring out your hair type
Working out which hair type you have can feel like a maze, especially if you’re used to styling it a certain way.
Follow these steps to help you figure out your natural hair type:
- Wash and air-dry your hair without styling products to see its natural pattern.
- Take a good look at the shape of your hair. Is it straight, wavy, curly, or coily?
- Feel your strand texture. Is it fine, medium, or coarse? Maybe a mixture of all three?
- Watch how your hair behaves naturally, including its volume, definition and any frizz.
Remember: Hair types are a helpful guide, but not a strict rulebook. Most of us have a mixture of patterns and textures throughout our hair. Factors like density, porosity and styling habits can influence what your hair needs.