Type 3B Hair: How to Care for 3B Curls
3B Hair Type
These simple tips will help you achieve the healthy, gorgeous 3B curls of your dreams.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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What is 3B Hair?
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What Does 3B Hair Look Like?
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How Does 3B Hair Differ From Other Hair Types?
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How to Take Care of 3B Hair
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How to Style 3B Hair
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3B Hair Products
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Common Hair Concerns for 3B Hair
When differentiating type 3 curls, things can be a little tricky. See, 3A curls can be misidentified as waves, and 3C curls can be so coily you might think you’re dealing with type 4 hair. But thankfully, 3B curls are a little more identifiable. If you have loose ringlets that are a bit wider than the width of your finger, chances are you’re dealing with 3B curls. Keep reading for easy-to-follow tips on how to know if you have 3B curly hair, how to take care of 3B hair type, and how to keep your curls looking flawless.
What Is 3B Hair?
3B is a textured hair type. The 3 in 3B signifies that it falls under the “curly” category, as opposed to 1 for “straight,” 2 for “wavy,” and 4 for “coily.” The letter in any hair type refers to the width of a wave, curl, or coil. In the 3B hair type, the width of the curl is medium.
What Does 3B Hair Look Like?
If you have 3B curls, your spirals are springy and clearly defined. They’re not tight curls, but they’re not loose, either. 3B curls fall somewhere in the middle with a curl circumference about the width of a marker. Your curls may be a mix of loose and tight curls, but one thing is certain: 3B curls have major definition. There’s no guessing if you have curly hair or not. Still not sure about your curl type? Take our handy quiz before you read on.
How Does 3B Hair Differ From Other Hair Types?
3B’s perfectly shaped ringlets and spirals tend to be full of volume, slightly dense, and prone to frizz. 3B hair is unmistakably curly and belongs in the type 3 category, thanks to its clearly defined spirals. 3B curls are tighter than 3A curls but looser than 3C curls.
How to Care for 3B Hair
Now that you know what type 3B hair is and what it looks like, it’s time to become an expert on how to take care of 3B hair. In this section, we’ll show you how to bring out the best version of your curls with hair care habits and the best 3B hair products.
1. Avoid Heavy Products
3B curls don’t need to be weighed down by heavy formulas. Your best curly hair products will be lightweight and hydrating. Choose a leave-in conditioner over a curl butter so your 3B curls stay springy and light. You can also opt to style your hair with the Black Vanilla Moisture & Hair Sheen. This hydrating sheen spray will make your shiny-hair goals a reality. Spritz it onto dry hair to condition strands and give them a gorgeous, glossy look.
2. Use a Hair Styling Cream to Reduce Frizz
If you find that leave-in conditioner alone isn’t enough to keep your curls intact, try layering on a styling cream. Styling creams not only deliver moisture and add definition, but they also help to keep frizz at bay. Black Vanilla 4-in-1 “Combing” Creme helps detangle hair and control frizz. Apply it from the mid-shaft to the ends to maintain natural volume and avoid greasy-looking roots.
3. Gel Is Your Friend
Just as 3A curls do, 3B curls love gel. Applying gel to your type 3B hair guarantees your curls remain bouncy and defined all day. Our Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly holds curls in place for up to 72 hours and controls frizz for up to 48 hours. And unlike traditional hair gels, it won’t leave your curls feeling dry or crunchy!
4. Use a Hair Mask
All curly types are naturally dry. Regularly using a hair mask will help keep moisture levels balanced in the hair. Try our creamy Goddess Strength Repairing Cocoon Mask to moisturize and strengthen your hair in just 5 minutes! Blended with castor oil, ginger, and wheat protein, this treatment promotes healthy hair growth and eases detangling.
How to Style 3B Hair
You’ll have a blast playing around with different hairstyles for your 3B curly hair. This mix of classic and current haircuts will show off your springy curls.
Hairstyles for 3B Hair
Long Layers
Growing out your hair? Long layers are a classic style that will take off some bulk.
Layered Shag
This 70s cut will look fun and edgy on the 3B curl type. The shorter layers at the top will frame your face and create maximum volume.
Asymmetrical Pixie
The asymmetrical pixie is even more fun when done on someone with 3B curls.
Curly Bangs
Curly bangs are the cutest. Wear them short, medium, or long to update your look and draw attention to your eyes.
Rounded Bob
If you have long hair, this cute and classic cut will take the weight off your shoulders and give you tons of volume and movement.
Be sure to check out these trending hairstyles for curly hair for even more inspo.
Best Products for 3B Hair
Some of the best products for 3B hair come from our Black Vanilla collection, a moisture and shine system that infuses hair with natural shine. We shouted out a few Black Vanilla products earlier, but below are other top-tier 3B hair products from the collection that are worth adding to your routine.
Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo
3B curly hair benefits from retaining as much moisture as possible. This sulfate-free shampoo will gently rinse away impurities without stripping your scalp of natural oils.
FOR DRY, DULL OR BRITTLE HAIR
Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hydrating Conditioner
Use this conditioner for softer, shinier, more manageable curls. It’s lightweight, so it won’t leave your roots looking limp, and it even doubles as a co-wash on days you want to skip the shampoo.
FOR DRY, DULL OR BRITTLE HAIR
Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Leave-In Conditioner
This leave-in conditioner delivers up to 72 hours of moisture, shine, and frizz control. Because it comes in a spray bottle, you can keep it in your bag to refresh your style anytime, anywhere! It’s particularly handy for protecting your hair during the summer.
FOR DRY, DULL OR BRITTLE HAIR
Common Hair Concerns for 3B Curls
3B hair concerns are similar to hair concerns for curly hair in general. However, 3B hair’s porosity can create additional challenges.
Frizz
Almost every hair type can deal with frizz. With the 3B hair type, frizz can result from a lack of natural moisture or environmental factors such as humidity, which can introduce too much moisture into the hair.
Dryness
As a curly hair type, 3B hair struggles with dryness. The spiral shape of 3B curls makes it hard for natural oils at the scalp to travel downward.
Breakage
The 3B hair type is prone to breakage due to its high porosity. It absorbs water and products easily but has difficulty retaining moisture, which can leave it parched, fuzzy, and weak.
Tangles
3B hair’s high porosity also makes it prone to tangles. Black Vanilla 4-in-1 “Combing” Creme will help you get through tangles while treating frizz and dryness.
