More bend than straight but not quite wavy – 1C hair walks the fine line. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Type 1C hair is tricky to place: it’s the in-between zone between straight and truly wavy hair. No wonder it’s so hard to pinpoint! If you find styling or cutting your 1C hair a dilemma, this article has all the information you need. You’ll get helpful haircut suggestions, styling ideas, and pro product picks.
Type 1C hair is mostly straight but not completely flat. It has a natural bend, often toward the mid-lengths or ends. “Type 1C has definite body and a slight bend – more movement than 1B (which lies flatter) but without forming the defined S-waves of 2A hair,” says Victoria Michael of Salon Eunoia in Tampa, Florida.
Zoey Taylor at CurlsQueen adds, “Whereas 1B is straight with just a hint of volume at the roots, 1C is slightly more textured and therefore even looks a bit tousled without any effort.”
If your hair starts to form a subtle wave when air-dried but doesn’t cross over into true wave territory, you’re likely working with 1C. You’ll also notice more bulk than fine straight textures and a tendency for the ends to flip, twist, or bend.
Here are four haircuts to try that turn your texture to your advantage.
All experts agree that 1C hair thrives with layers! And what is the ultimate layered style? That’s right – a shag. “A shoulder-length shag helps to add more volume and body,” explains Zoey.
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Want to encourage the natural volume and shape of the 1C hair type? Stephanie Idio, the founder of Hair By Akoni, recommends going for a long textured bob.
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Dealing with bulk? Invisible layers will successfully tackle volume overload. “One of my Tampa clients with thick 1C hair struggled with heaviness until we incorporated long, invisible layers that released the natural body without creating too much volume or frizz in our humid climate,” says Victoria.
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Not ready for the haircut overhaul? Sometimes getting bangs can be as loud a statement. “Curtain bangs are among others that tend to blend nicely into the slight wave of 1C,” says Zoey.
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Stephanie also offers a word of warning: “Avoid blunt cuts unless you’re aiming for a super sleek, weighty look.”
For 1C hair, less is usually more when it comes to moisture and holding frizz at bay. Zoey recommends light leave-in conditioners with ingredients like glycerin or panthenol. For smoothness without buildup, try It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite or the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Leave-In Conditioner. “Both of these control frizz without weighing it down,” says Zoey. Stephanie agrees; her go-to is a Lightweight Leave-In that softens and defines without heaviness.
For an extra dose of natural bend, skip the flat iron. Reach for some sea salt or sugar spray instead! “I suggest that my clients scrunch in Ouai Wave Spray into damp hair and air dry it,” Zoey comments. Victoria is a fan of a lightweight mousse that enhances natural texture without weighing it down: “Apply to damp hair and either air dry or use a diffuser attachment on low heat to encourage that natural bend.”
When heat styling, always protect your strands. 1C hair takes heat well, but you need a thermal spray in all cases. Kenra Thermal Styling Spray or CHI 44 Iron Guard are two of Zoey’s go-tos. And switch to microfiber towels to keep frizz down after washing.
Type 1C hair lives in that underrated space between sleek and wavy – and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. For more ideas, check out our other articles on hairstyles for straight hair and low-maintenance haircuts for straight hair.
