Find yourself getting overwhelmed and lost when browsing all the options for shampoos, conditioners, and styling products? Are your current haircare products the best match for your strands? The answer lies in knowing your hair type and hair texture!

Just like knowing your skin type matters for creating the perfect skincare regimen, getting to know your hair type and texture is just as important. It will help create an effective haircare routine with the best benefits, uniquely for you. From the tight coils of type 4 hair to the straight strands of type 1, and everything in between, let’s dive into learning about hair texture, type and the products that will work for you!

What is Hair Texture?

Hair texture refers to the thickness of individual hair strands and how they feel to the touch. It's essentially the thickness or thinness of your hair strands, and it plays a significant role in determining how your hair looks and feels. Hair texture is usually categorized into three main texture types: fine, medium, and thick. The best way to determine your texture is to leave your hair free of product and let it air dry after washing.

Fine Hair:

If you have fine hair, your individual strands are relatively thin. Fine or thin hair often gives the appearance of being delicate and can sometimes lack volume. It's important to choose products that cleanse and nourish hair without weighing it down. For finer hair textures looking for body and volume, check out the Lift Off Volumizing Collection. For weightless and gentle daily cleansing, try the NEW Take Care Healthy Hair Collection. If you're looking for a lightweight heat protectant to add to your haircare routine, check out of Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer for Fine Hair.

Medium Hair:

Medium hair falls in between fine and thick. It's a common and versatile texture that can handle a range of styles and products. If you’re looking to reduce frizz, reach for the Frizz Fixer Smoothing Collection complete with a rich shampoo and conditioner, pillowy soft leave-in cream and styling products that help smooth and nourish hair. If you’re looking to restore balance and deeply hydrate, reach for the H2-Whoa Hydrating Collection or to repair damage, the Repair Ritual Strength Collection.

Thick Hair:

Thick hair is exactly what it sounds like, thicker individual strands of hair. This texture tends to be more resilient but might require extra moisture to keep it manageable and soft. If your thick hair is frizz-prone, reach for the Frizz Fixer Smoothing Collection. We recommended this collection for medium and thick hair textures. Its ultra-rich products fight frizz, add shine, and leave hair satiny smooth.

To repair hair’s strength, try Therapy Session Deep Conditioning Hair Mask infused with jojoba oil, known to nourish, and vitamin B5, known to deeply hydrate. This buttery, rich mask melts into dry, damaged hair to deeply condition and provide fortified strength and smoothness.

Not sure of your hair’s texture? Take one strand of your hair between your thumb and index finger. If it feels like a strong thread, then your hair is thick. If you can’t really feel the strand, your hair is fine. If you’re somewhere in between, it’s medium. All hair textures that struggle with damage can benefit from the NEW Repair Ritual Strength Collection, for stronger hair & damage protection.

Hair type refers to the natural shape and pattern of your hair strands. This is classified by a number 1-4, followed by a letter A-C to specify the subtype further. For example, if you have curly hair, depending on the thickness of and the tightness of your curls, you could be anywhere between a 3A and 3C. Here's a breakdown of the different hair types:

Type 1: Straight Hair –

Straight hair in its natural state does not have a curl or wave. It is straight from roots to ends and can be any hair texture. You can have fine straight hair with minimal volume or thick straight hair with slightly more volume and resistance to styling.

Type 2: Wavy Hair –

Wavy hair has a gentle wave pattern that ranges from loose S-shaped waves to more defined waves.

Type 3: Curly Hair –

Curly hair has a distinct curl pattern and can range from loose ringlets to tight spirals. Tightness of type 3 curls can vary and curly hair can span from fine to thick.

Type 4: Coily and Kinky Hair –

Coily hair is incredibly versatile, ranging from tight coils to zig-zag shaped strands, and is known for shrinkage. While coily hair typically has lots of volume, strands can also vary from fine to thick.

Keep in mind, you may discover that your hair is a variety of different types, but knowing your hair texture and type will help you create the best haircare regimen specifically for you. Need a bit more help? For personalized recommendations based on your hair texture, type and goals, take our hair quiz.