3C Hair Type

How to get the curliest curly hair type thriving.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is 3C Hair?
What Does 3C Hair Look Like?
How Does 3C Hair Differ From Other Hair Types?
How to Take Care of 3C Hair
How to Style 3C Hair
3C Hair Products
Common Hair Concerns for 3C Hair

If you have the 3C hair type, congrats: you have the curliest hair possible! This article has everything you need to know to ensure your tresses look their best. Think you might have this hair type or a similar one? You’ll also want to keep reading. Ahead, we help you determine whether you have the 3C hair type (take our quiz for fast results), teach you how to care for 3C curly hair, and share the best 3C hair type products.

What Is 3C Hair Type?

Hair type 3C is full of volume, definition, and swoon-worthy, practically picture-perfect curls. When it comes to true curly hair, which is the type 3 category, 3C is the tightest of this curl pattern.

What Does 3C Hair Type Look Like?

3C hair is the curliest of the type 3 curly hair patterns. If you have 3C curls, your curls have the width of a pencil and are shaped like corkscrew-like ringlets. Hair type 3C is also very dense and full of volume.

How Does 3C Differ From Other Hair Types?

The 3C hair type has more volume than any other curl type. Type 3C curls are usually fine to medium in texture, are super defined, and tend to stick close together. They are springy and bouncy and easily one of the most gorgeous curls out there.

How to Care for 3C Hair

Even though the 3C hair type has many positives, it needs tons of moisture and care to thrive. Here are a few 3C hair care tips for keeping this curly hair type healthy and looking its best.

1. Sulfate-Free Shampoos Are Your Friend

Don’t skip cleansing. Regular shampooing is necessary to maintain a healthy scalp. Reach for a sulfate-free formula like the Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo, which will weightlessly cleanse your hair and give it moisture and shine.

2. Deep Treatments Help Boost Definition

Since hair type 3C has bouncy spirals, definition will take your hair from good to great. Applying a deep conditioner once a week will help balance your hair’s moisture levels and give your strands a reset. The Goddess Strength Cocoon Hair Hydrating Mask is ideal for dry hair types, like 3C curls, because it leaves the hair moisturized, soft, and protected against breakage. Or opt to try a hair cream like our Healthy Hair Butter.

3. Snooze With Care

Hair care doesn’t end once bedtime comes around. Put your hair up in a pineapple to prevent your spirals from being squished while you sleep. Even better, add a spritz of the right product for 3C curls before tying up your hair. Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Leave-In Conditioner eases detangling and will work its magic as you sleep, providing shine, moisture, and frizz control.

4. Make Moisturizing Your Focus

All curly hair needs moisture, and hair type 3C is no different. Whether you’re shampooing and conditioning or styling, be sure you’re using moisture-rich products as part of your hair routine for 3C hair. To give your style extra moisture, try layering Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hair Sheen and the Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly.

5. Experiment With Protective Styles

If you love a good wash-and-go, chances are your strands could use a little break from styling and exposure to environmental elements. Consider sporting protective styles like twist outs, Dutch braids, and Bantu knots from time to time to relieve your hair of manipulation.

6. Figure Out Your Hair Porosity

Not all 3C curls are the same. Low-porosity hair tends to reject moisture, while high-porosity hair has trouble keeping moisture locked in. Understanding your hair porosity will help you pick the best products for type 3C hair and the best styling techniques.

7. Beware of Knots

Since 3C curls are tightly packed corkscrew ringlets, there is a tendency for this curly hair type to knot and tangle easily. Single-strand knots or fairy knots are very common in type 3 curls since the curls tend to wrap around each other. The general rule of thumb is to treat a fairy knot like a pimple. Don’t pick at or pull it; simply grab hair scissors and cut it out. Avoid pulling or tugging on knots as doing so can cause irreversible breakage.