3C hair
Tight corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil or straw. Dense, voluminous and prone to dryness.
- Family
- Type 3, curly
- Curl size
- About the width of a pencil or a straw
- Key traits
- Tight corkscrews, Densely packed, Noticeable shrinkage, Needs lots of moisture
What does 3C hair look like?
3C hair forms tight corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil or a drinking straw. The curls are packed closely together, so the hair has a lot of volume and texture. It shrinks noticeably when dry. It is often fine at the strand level even though it looks thick.
Each strand bends many times along its length. Every bend is a weak point and a place where moisture escapes, so 3C hair needs gentle handling and steady moisture.
How do I know if I have 3C 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 3B, 3C curls are narrower and more densely packed. Compared with 4A, they are still clearly looped corkscrews. If your coils are as narrow as a crochet needle and form tight S-patterns, look at 4A.
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 3C hair
- Wash once a week or less, with a moisturizing shampoo or a co-wash.
- Detangle only when the hair is wet and full of conditioner, working in small sections.
- Use the LOC or LCO method, then a gel or custard for definition.
- Deep condition every week, with gentle heat if you can.
- Sleep with a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase, and keep manipulation low.
Best products for 3C hair
Rich leave-ins, curl creams, butters and custards suit 3C hair. Gels help with definition and frizz. Avoid drying sulfates and alcohol-heavy products, which strip the moisture the curls need.
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 3C hair
Wash-and-gos, twist-outs and braid-outs all work well. Protective styles like twists or braids give the hair a rest. Stretching methods like banding or threading reduce shrinkage when you want length.
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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