Wavy vs. Curly vs. Coily Hair vs. Kinky Hair: How To Identify and Care – Acajou

September 06, 2023

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When it comes to the hair types, it is no easy feat telling apart certain wavy hair types from curly, or curly from coily and kinky. There is so much variation in hair types which can make them look quite similar, especially if you have hair that is very curly and tight (is it coily?), or waves that spiral in some places but not in others (is your hair curly?

This guide will help you decide what hair type you have and how you can best care for it. Understanding your hair type is useful when it gives you an idea of what you should be using to keep your hair clean and moisturized. We’ll break this down for you so it is clear as day what your hair type is and what routine and products best suit your hair.

Wavy vs. Curly Hair vs. Coily Hair vs. Kinky Hair

Wavy Hair (Type 2): Wavy hair has S-shaped bends. While some strands may be wavier than others, wavy hair doesn’t have the structure and spirals that define curly hair. Wavy hair tends to appear quite loose and is often less thick than curly hair.

Curly Hair (Type 3): Now we’re talking about well-defined, playful curls that command attention. Curly hair boasts well-defined and distinct curls that can vary in size and shape. When it comes to thickness, curly hair generally tends to be thicker and denser than wavy hair. The individual strands of curly hair are tightly packed together, creating a fuller appearance. There is a lot of variation in how loose or tight curly hair can be compared to coily hair which is also very tight and densely packed.

Coily Hair (Type 4): Coily hair has curls that are tightly coiled or zigzag-shaped curls. The curls are small and compact, giving the hair overall a lot of natural volume. The individual strands are densely packed together, creating a tight coil pattern. Coily hair may exhibit significant shrinkage due to how tight the coils are, meaning that when it dries, it can appear much shorter than its actual length.

Kinky Hair (Type 4): Kinky hair is also known as afro-textured hair, and it’s characterized by curls that are even tighter and more densely packed than coily hair. The individual strands form tight, “Z” or “S” shaped curls that are closely packed together. Kinky hair also experiences shrinkage when dry to an even greater extent than coily hair. 

How To Care for Wavy, Curly, Coily, and Kinky Hair

Wavy Hair Routine

1. Use a Shampoo that Gives a Good Cleanse

If you have fine wavy hair you may need to use a volumizing shampoo to give yourself a deep cleanse to combat oil buildup. Otherwise a gentle shampoo that gives your scalp a little bit of moisture.

2. Use a Moisture-Enhancing Conditioner

Slather it onto your strands, focusing on the lengths and ends. As you let it work its magic, take a moment to appreciate the silky goodness that’s going to make your waves pop. Rinse with cool water for that extra shine factor.

3. Detangle

Take a wide-toothed comb or your fingers and gently detangle, starting from the ends and working your way up. If needed, give your waves a spritz of a trusty leave-in conditioner or detangling spray for extra smoothness.

4. Enhance Your Waves

Grab a dollop of lightweight mousse or a spritz of texturizing spray. Work it through your damp hair, scrunching those waves upwards for extra definition.

5. Let Air Dry

Air drying works well for wavy hair and the mousse or spray used in the last step should keep any frizz at bay. If time is not on your side or you crave more defined waves, grab a diffuser attachment for your blow dryer. Set it on a low heat and low airflow setting, and gently cup your waves as they dry.

Curly Hair Routine

1. Moisturizing Shampoo

Grab a curly hair-friendly shampoo that will give your plenty of moisture. Curly hair tends to be quite dry, so using a moisturizing shampoo will keep your curls from drying out.

2. Condition like a Curl Queen

Coat those beautiful strands with a generous amount of rich, hydrating conditioner. Use the squish to condish method to get ultimate definition without the frizz.

3. Detangle with a Leave-In Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner after the shower will get your curls bouncy and springy and ready to be styled.Lock in the curls: Apply a curl-enhancing cream or gel to your damp hair, making sure to distribute it evenly. Get your hands in there and scrunch, scrunch, scrunch! Encourage your curls to do their thing and follow up with a curl mousse for extra hold so your curls last all day.

5. Air dry or diffuse: Let your curls bask in the limelight as they air dry. If you’re in a hurry or looking for more definition, use a diffuser attachment on low heat and low airflow settings. Cup those curls gently, diffusing the love as you dry. But remember, patience is a virtue when it comes to letting your curls reach their full potential!

Coily Hair Routine

1. Gentle cleanse

Moisturizing shampoos or co-washes (using a conditioner on your scalp) will be your best bet for a moisturized scalp and warding off any dryness.

2. Deep Condition

A weekly deep conditioning will keep your hair in top condition. Since coily hair is prone to dryness, giving it a drink of moisture by letting it sit in a deep conditioner is one of the best things you can do to reduce frizz and add shine.

3. LCO Method

The LCO method stands for leave-in, cream, and oil. This order of products will help to open your hair cuticles and give it moisture, and then seal your hair strands with oil so your hair can hold onto that moisture.

4. Protect

Protecting your hair from damage with a protective style and a silk bonnet at night will keep your hair looking its best and keep breakage away.

Kinky Hair Routine

1. Co-Wash

A co-wash will give your scalp the moisture it needs and is one of the gentlest ways to cleanse your scalp.

2. Deep Conditioner

Deep conditioning is a necessity for kinky hair. When combined with hair steaming, this can leave your hair nice and soft and full of moisture.

3. LOC Method

The LOC method is slightly different from LCO in that the cream and oil are reversed. The different order means that the LOC method allows more moisture to penetrate the hair, but this is moisture kinky hair needs to really pop and shine.

4. Gel

Using a gel locks moisture into your hair and adds hold so your hairstyle will last the whole day.

5. Protect

Protective styles and covering your hair whiteyou sleep is helpful here just as it is for cooly hair (and really every other hair type) but it’s especially important for kinky hair which is prone to breakage.

Wavy vs. Curly vs. Coily Hair vs. Kinky Hair Conclusion

These hair types have so much variation and diversity among them that it would be impossible to list all of the unique ways they can appear. There is a unique beauty to every type of hair, and the key is learning how to manage your own hair so you can make the most of it and keep it healthy and beautiful.