HOW TO FIND OUT YOUR HAIR TYPE

by Alanna Hinds

Everywhere we look there seems to be products for every hair type, whether it be dry, oily, thick or fine and while it’s amazing to have options out there, sometimes it can be hard to understand your hair type and what products you need. There are a couple of ways to determine your hair type, including the thread method and the 1-4 method. 

Thread method

Start with a piece of thread and a strand of hair from your hairbrush. Place the two side by side and examine the thickness. If the hair strand is: 

  • Thicker than the thread, you have thick or coarse hair. 
  • The same thickness as the thread, you have medium hair. 
  • Thinner than the thread, you have fine or limp hair. 

1-4 method

There are 4 basic hair types including Straight, Wavy, Curly & Coily. 

  1. Straight = hair falls flat from the root, hair texture is likely to be soft and silky. Straight hair generally produces more oil. 
  2. Wavy = not straight, but not curly. Hair in this category can be thin, thick or medium. 
  3. Curly = hair strands have a general “S” pattern, is generally fuzzy and tangle-prone.
  4. Coily = hair standards have a general “Z” pattern, curls are very tight, generally coarse and prone to breakage. 

What products suit which hair type? 

  • Straight hair = thickening products and those that add shine and volume. 
  • Wavy = moisturising products that don’t include sulphates. 
  • Curly = anti-frizz moisturising products that don’t include sulphates. 
  • Coily = moisturising and those that deeply condition, avoid silicones. 
  • Thin/fine/limp hair = thickening products and those that add volume. 
  • Thick hair = anti-frizz moisturising products. 
  • Dry hair = moisturising and hydrating products. 
  • Oily hair = products which balance moisture, hydrate and are gentle. 
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