In the previous article, you learned how to determine the natural hair types on the basis of density, porosity, elasticity and hair texture.
In this article, we will learn the Andre Walker’s system for determining natural hair type. It is based on curl pattern and size. It helps to understand the hair texture properly so that you can make the correct choices of the hair products and styling.
According to curl pattern, and size, we can divide hair type into following:
- Straight hair- This hair type does not have any curve. They are curled resistance. Such hair is fragile to coarse, fine and thin.
- Wavy hair- These hair types are little wavy however not as much as curly hair. They are also thin to coarse and fine, but they are also frizzy.
- Curly hair– This natural hair type is S in shape. There curl pattern is definite even if they are not styled. However, their curls vary from loose curls to crock screw curls.
- Kinky hair– Their curl varies from tight hair colors with highly patterned. Even if you stretch them, they will return to their original shape. They shrink up to 75 percent of their actual length.
Subcategories of the above natural hair type:
- 1A: Hair is very soft, very thin, fine and unable to hold a curl along with a shine that is noticeable.
- 1B: Although this hair type does not have curl has volumes more than Type 1A. They are medium textured.
- 1C: They do not curl and are coarse in comparison to above-discussed hair types. They are resistant to styling
- 2A: They resemble S letter, and are wavy and coarse. But in comparison to other Type 2 natural hair types, they are thin and fine. They are easy to handle, style and to be curled.
- 2B: Have definite wave along with being frizzy.
- 2C: Such hair type belongs to the coarsest category. They don’t only have thick waves, but are also very frizzy.
- 3A: Curls are pretty loose with a diameter as side chalks. But they are shiny.
- 3B: Curls are medium-sized with a diameter as a sharpie.
- 3C: Also known as corkscrew curls with a diameter as a pencil.
- 4A: Very tight curls of diameter as a needle. When stretched makes an S pattern.
- 4B: Looking like letter Z such hair curls resembles Zigzag pattern. Their curl pattern is less defined. This hair type bends with very sharp angles.
- 4C: There is no curl pattern to this hair type.
Type 3C and Type 4C are not part of original Andre Walker Hair Typing System because they were created after the release of hair typing system from Andre Walker.
LOIS system
There is one more way to determine the hair curl pattern and that is LOIS system. For this take a hair strand and compare it with the letters L, O, I and S.
If Your hair shows dominate right angles, fold and substantial bend it looks like the letter L.
Curled or coiled hair strand resembles the letter “O”.
Hair without distinctive curls that lies flat is considered“I” patterned.
S = If hair has “S” shaped waves it is a pattern “S”.
Hope you find this article helpful in determining your hair type.
