Passionate author specializing in the vibrant world of hairstyling. With a knack for unraveling trends and sharing expert insights, Marissa crafts engaging content on the latest hairstyles, techniques, and industry innovations. Committed to empowering readers with knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to embrace their unique style.
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Keep your type 4A curls full of life with styles and routines that work.
Just imagine – you step out of the shower and your curls form themselves into little defined ringlets presto! Until they start to shrink as they begin to dry. Hair type 4A promises fabulous bounce, but neglecting its needs can turn this bounce into frizz. Learn today about various ways you can care for your curls, making them look fabulous.
Closely examine your curls. Do they look tight and springy, with a well-defined S or O shape (or a mix of both)? When you touch your hair, is it soft and fine rather than wiry or densely packed? Is your curl pattern more visible and looser compared to tighter, more densely packed coils?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you likely have type 4A hair. When wet, it clumps well and shrinks about half its length when it is completely dry. Your hair retains moisture better than other coily types and doesn’t need as much product to bring out the definition.
This curl type is often mixed with its closest neighbors on the hair type scale – 3C type and 4B type.
With 3C curls, you’ll have more thickness and volume and less shrinkage. It holds moisture more effectively and may have a natural shine. Lightweight products are best as heavy formulas may cause unwanted buildup.
Type 4B curls are easy to tell because of their zigzag shape and fluffy appearance. It’s dense and doesn’t naturally clump together. It would shrink about ¾ of its length when dry.
Type 4A balances defined coils with tightness, sitting between the looser curls of 3C and the denser coils of 4B.
When we say this hair type is extremely versatile, we mean it. It takes well to twist-outs, wash-and-gos, and defined curl styles with minimal effort. Here are some ideas to try.
You can enhance your natural curl pattern with a wash-and-go using a leave-in conditioner and curl-defining gel. This style will highlight your springy coils.
@iam.nubian
Twist small sections of hair into Bantu knots, let them set overnight, and unravel in the morning for bouncy curls with extra definition.
@slaymiya1
Gather your curls into a high puff with the help of a soft brush and an elastic band. Try it as a protective hairstyle for sleeping to prevent tangles and breakage.
@wambui.k._
Create flat twists along your scalp and leave the ends tucked in or styled into a bun. This protective style is great for retaining moisture.
@ebonybomani
Beauty blogger with curl type 4A Alycea Adams shares her five fabulous tips “to keep your natural hair thriving and shining its brightest!”
Leave-ins, creams, and oils seal in moisture, but they don’t provide it. When you apply products to dry hair, it can lead to buildup rather than hydration. Spritz your hair with water first to help products absorb better and lock in moisture effectively.
Type 4A hair has a well-defined curl pattern that can easily get weighed down by thick creams. Oils are lighter and absorb more easily. They smooth the hair cuticle, taming frizz and making curls more defined.
We all know that hair growth happens on the scalp. But retaining length depends on keeping the ends intact. Regularly moisturizing and sealing them with protective products minimizes split ends.
Friction from rubbing against pillowcases (especially cotton ones) can lead to tangles and breakage. With your hair tied up, you minimize movement during sleep and, therefore, knots.
First and foremost, low-tension styles are comfy. No more pulling on the hair, your edges are intact, and you save your hair from long-term damage.
Need more inspiration and visuals? Check our extensive collections of 75 Most Inspiring Natural Hairstyles for Short Hair or 15 Diverse Hairstyles for Long Natural Hair.
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