How to Determine Your Hair Type

Have you found yourself asking, “What type of hair do I have?” When determining the right hair care routine for you and finding your go-to hair styling products, it really does all come down to your hair type. Whichever of the different hair types you’re blessed with, there are products that can make your daily beauty look easier—as long as you’re using the right ones. You may already have an inkling of which hair type you have, but do you know the best way to maintain and style it? Do you even know all of the different hair types out there? There’s curly, straight, coarse—and so many more. But don’t stress; here’s everything you need to know about determining your hair type and choosing the right hair care and styling products to match.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE CURLY HAIR

We’re pretty sure you can recognize whether or not you have curly hair. Just look in the mirror (or run your fingers through your mane), and you’ll know if your strands have a spiral shape. It’s easy to identify whether or not you have curly hair, but curls can also be broken down into different types, ranging from 2a (loose waves) to 4c (very tight coils). If you think your hair falls into the latter end of the curly hair spectrum, head over to our article, What Is Coily Hair?, to learn more about the different curly hair types.

How to care for curly hair: Curly hair, while absolutely beautiful, is similar to thick hair due to the fact that it can be more difficult to maintain. The key to keeping your curls in check is to use a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated to manage a curly mane. Containing coconut oil, the L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Conditioner will give you anti-frizz definition and leave your curls feeling soft and manageable.

How to style curly hair: Put down your hair straightener and show off those gorgeous curls. For a heat-free hairstyle, try a bubble ponytail.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE STRAIGHT HAIR

Straight hair is also pretty immediately recognizable. Need confirmation? When you run a flat iron through your hair, it will barely change the appearance of your locks—if at all.

How to care for straight hair: If you have naturally straight hair, the goal of your hair care routine should be to keep your locks sleek and frizz-free. To do this, try an anti-frizz line like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Conditioner.

How to style straight hair: Switch it up by adding some curl to your strands. Check out our article, How to Create Long-Lasting Curls on Straight Hair, for help.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE WAVY HAIR

Does your hair look as if you’ve just taken a dip in the ocean 24/7? We’re officially jealous! You’re lucky enough to have amazing waves, without much effort.

How to care for wavy hair: For those with naturally wavy hair, embrace your waves and use your hair care routine to boost your hair’s volume. Try using a volume-boosting shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner. The shampoo and conditioner pairing will give your mane lasting volume and luminous shine.

How to style wavy hair: For styling, you don’t have to do much. Finger comb through your waves to tame any errant strands, then rock your beachy look. For slightly more involved wavy hairstyles, head over to our article, The 15 Best Hairstyles for Wavy Hair.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE THIN HAIR

Do your strands sometimes fall a little flat? Do your ponytails and updos seem smaller than they should be? Sounds like you have thin hair! If you aren’t a fan of how your thin hair looks, you can use your hair care routine to give your tresses a thicker appearance.

How to care for thin hair: As we hinted above, if you have thin or fine hair, the goal of your hair care routine is to help your hair look thick. This doesn’t require anything too drastic—you can see results by using the right shampoo and conditioner. The L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Conditioner will be perfect for your fine hair. Used together, the system will help strengthen your strands and leave you with thicker-looking hair.

How to style thin hair: Rock a deep side part to give your fine hair some instant volume! Find out how to achieve that look and six other fine hair hairstyles in our article, 15 Hairstyles for Fine Hair.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE THICK HAIR

If it takes you forever to brush through or blow-dry your hair, the problem may not be that you’re useless at hair styling. Rather, it could mean you have thick hair. Thick hair is both a blessing and a curse because while you have enviably full locks, it tends to take longer to tame your mane.

How to care for thick hair: To get your hair on your side, add some moisture to your strands. It can be difficult for thick hair to stay hydrated since you have so much of it, so opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner. The line is formulated to deeply replenish moisture for lush-touch softness.

How to style thick hair: Lucky you—you have plenty of hair to put to use for seriously gorgeous hairstyles! Head over to our article, 4 Easy Hairstyles for Thick Hair, for inspiration.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE COARSE HAIR

If you've been assuming that coarse hair and thick hair are the exact same, think again! The term coarse hair actually refers to the diameter (or width) of your individual hair strands. When you touch your hair, does it feel like you have a lot of it? Does your hair feel very strong, yet often dry and rough to the touch? Sounds like you have coarse hair.

How to care for coarse hair: You’ll want to use a shampoo and conditioner system that’s formulated to replenish your strands with moisture, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oils Deep Nourishing Shampoo and the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oils Crème Conditioner. This duo helps revive dry hair after just one wash, replenishing moisture for intense shine and softness. For a full tutorial on caring for this hair type, head to our article, Caring for Coarse Hair the Right Way.

How to style coarse hair: Your strands are wide and strong, lucky you! Rock a half-up, half-down look to break up the bulk and stay totally on-trend. Here are The Best of Both Worlds: 6 Half-Up Hairstyles to Try.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE DRY HAIR

While this is technically not a hair type, it’s still an important hair care concern. Does your hair feel dry and brittle to the touch? Bingo—you’ve got dry strands.

How to care for dry hair: Use a super-moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo, like the L'Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Shampoo and the L'Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner. For a full rundown of the best ways to boost your hair’s hydration levels, check out our article, How to Take Care of Dry Hair, and learn about Our Best Deep Conditioner for Dry Hair. 

How to style dry hair: One of the best ways to style dry hair is to run a little bit of nourishing hair serum through your strands, then rock your natural texture. You can also finish things off with a shine spray to make your locks look less parched.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE OILY HAIR

Also not technically a hair type, but important nonetheless: oily hair. Do you cleanse your hair regularly, only to find that greasy roots have popped up by midday? Yep, sounds like you have oily hair. While the oil that your scalp produces is actually beneficial to your strands, having greasy hair is never a good look. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to help keep your oily hair in check.

How to care for oily hair: Did you know that clay has many benefits for oily hair? It’s true! Read up on The Benefits of Clay for Oily Hair and Our Best Shampoo for Oily Hair.

How to style oily hair: Are your roots looking extra oily? Try styling your strands with a hair scarf, so no one's the wiser.

Looking for more in the way of hair care tips and tricks? Check out our article on Our 21 Best Hair Care Tips for Every Hair Type.