3A hair
Big, loose, shiny curls about the width of sidewalk chalk. Defined loops that can lose their shape when touched.
- Family
- Type 3, curly
- Curl size
- About the width of sidewalk chalk
- Key traits
- Large, loose loops, Shiny and defined, Softer than tighter curls, Frizzes when touched
What does 3A hair look like?
3A hair forms big, round curls about the width of a piece of sidewalk chalk. The curls are loose and shiny, with a clear S-shape that wraps into a loop. They are defined when left alone, but brushing or touching them a lot turns them into frizz.
The strand is more oval and grows from a more curved follicle than wavy hair, so it bends all the way into loops. Loose loops still let some oil travel down, so 3A is often shinier than tighter curls.
How do I know if I have 3A hair?
Check it on wash day, after your hair has dried on its own with no styling products. Look at a section from the middle of your head, not the hairline, which is often looser.
Compared with 2C, 3A forms full loops rather than S-waves. Compared with 3B, the curls are bigger and looser. If your curls are about the width of a marker pen and very springy, look at 3B.
For a second opinion, take a close-up and run the free hair type test, or compare the photos on the hair type chart.
How to care for 3A hair
- Wash two or three times a week with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo or a co-wash.
- Detangle only in the shower, with conditioner in, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Apply a leave-in, then a gel, to soaking wet hair and scrunch upward.
- Plop or diffuse, and do not touch the curls until they are completely dry.
- Refresh day-two curls with a spray of water and a little leave-in.
Best products for 3A hair
3A hair likes moisture and hold together. A light curl cream plus a gel is the classic pairing. Heavy butters can stretch the loops out, so start light and add more only if the hair feels dry.
Your hair's porosity matters as much as its type when you pick products. Low porosity hair needs lighter products and a little warmth to let them in, while high porosity hair needs richer ones to seal moisture. Our hair porosity test shows how to check yours.
Styles and cuts for 3A hair
Long layers or a curly cut keep 3A curls bouncy. Pineappling, a loose high ponytail at night, keeps the curls from getting crushed. Wearing it down and loose shows off the pattern best.
For a full wash day, step by step, see our curly hair routine.
Not sure which type you are? Take one close-up of your hair and the free hair type test tells you in seconds.
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