Type 3C Curly Hair: Haircare, Identification, and Hairstyles (2024)

Type 3C hair, also called type 3C curls, is a hair type identified by well- defined, voluminous curls that are about the circumference of a straw. Both men and women from different races and backgrounds can have type 3C hair. While 3C hair isn’t specific or belongs to a certain ethnicity, it is usually common among people with African heritage.

To stay on top of your game with caring for 3C hair, you have to deep condition, moisturize, and do protein treatments.Type 3C hair requires proper treatment and care because it is prone to dryness and frizz. A lot of moisture and hydration is required to keep 3C curls defined and healthy. There are also various hairstyles to explore with 3C hair, such as: wash and go, updos, twist out and protective hairstyles.

From hair care routines, to the best products, and hairstyle suggestions, we would be exploring everything you need to know about 3c hair in this article.

3C hair is a curly hair type, characterized by firm, corkscrew-like curls that spring up in an upward motion from the roots. Type 3C hair is the curliest hair type under type 3 hair.

Type 3C hair pattern

Type 3c hair has a very curly, distinct spiral shape like curl pattern. 3c hair usually has small sized curls that are tight, springly, and packed closely together. 3C hair is climate dependent and more prone to damage, if not properly taken care of. 3C hair is highly affected by the air during humid conditions and this can lead to loss of curl definition, and frizz. When wet, 3C hair shrinks and appears shorter than when it is dry.

Type 3C hair texture

3C hair generally has thick and coarse curls but texture varies and everyone has a unique texture. The 3C hair type has a tight curl pattern while it feels springy and lush to touch. Compared to other hair textures that may have looser curls to straight patterns, 3C hair has more defined curls.

What does 3C hair look like?

Type 3C hair has gorgeous, spiral shaped curls that are well- formed. The 3C hair type has a coarse and thick texture that also feels soft to touch. 3C hair comes naturally in colors ranging from black to various shades of brown but can be dyed into other colors of choice. 3C hair length varies for different people and it ranges from short to long flowy curls.

A general hair care routine for 3C hair type involves washing, and detangling with shampoo, and conditioner first. Followed by styling with moisturizing products and finishing up with a diffuser or air drying. When doing a 3C hair routine, a lot of moisture is required. Type 3C hair should also be handled with care and detangled gently. 3C hair should also be deep conditioned regularly. and excessive brushing should be avoided. Avoid using too much product on 3C hair because it can weigh your hair down. Minimal or no heat should be used on 3C hair to avoid heat damage.

• Don’t shampoo too often: Naturally, 3C hair is prone to dryness. So, shampooing it too often can strip your 3C curls of its natural oils. Breakage can also occur if you shampoo 3C hair too often.
• Use a deep conditioner: A deep conditioner is a hair treatment product that provides the hair with a high level of moisture and nourishment. Deep conditioning 3C hair is important for the overall hair health. Using a deep conditioner can also help you manage your 3C hair better, and make it softer.
• Use a curl defining cream: A curl defining cream is a hair product designed to help you achieve well defined curls. Curl creams are great for enhancing the pattern of your 3C curls while also providing moisture.
• Don’t blow dry: Blow drying involves using heat from a dryer, directly on the hair. 3C hair can easily lose moisture, so it is important to avoid blow- drying it. Blow drying 3C hair can cause damage and result in more frizz.
• Detangle your hair gently: Dentagling hair refers to the process of removing tangles and knots from the hair. When 3C hair is wet, the curls can come together and matt up. To loosen up. knots, use a wide toothed comb or a detangling brush to gently detangle your hair. 3C hair is best detangled while wet. It is highly beneficial to detangle 3C curls gently, to preserve your curls and minimize breakage.
• Pineapple your hair at night: to pineapple your hair is a technique that involves loosely securing your curls upward with a hair tie or scrunchie. The pineapple method helps to keep 3C curls intact, avoid the curls from tangling, and going flat.

How often should 3c hair be washed?

3C hair should be washed once within a week or two weeks. Due to the s- shape of 3C curls, a lot of oil or sebum does not travel through 3C curls. Therefore, 3C hair does not often get greasy and does not need frequent washes.

How to define 3c curly hair.

Type 3C hair is best defined by stretching out either with a brush or your hands. Extending 3C curls helps to define its curls and show off its natural pattern, and shape. Using product while stretching out 3C hair will also help to avoid the curls from springing back up, and losing its shape.

The steps to define 3C curly hair are:

• Start with freshly washed and detangled hair.
• Section your hair into three or more parts, to make styling easier.
• Add some moisture to your 3C hair by spraying some water and applying leave-in conditioner to each section.
• Starting from the ends, use a detangling brush to brush and stretch out your 3C hair.
• Apply gel to each section and run your fingers through your 3C curls.
• Finger curl the top section to define 3C curls even more. This is an optional step.
• Leave your hair to air- dry or dry with a diffuser.

How to keep 3C Hair moisturized.

Type 3C hair can be kept moisturized by using a hydrating shampoo to wash your hair first. Followed by using a leave-in conditioner. Deep conditioning will also help 3C hair to seal in moisture and avoid frizz.

How is 3c hair affected by water?

When 3C hair comes in contact with water, it shrinks and appears shorter than its original length. Water also hydrates 3C hair and makes it easier to detangle and style. When wet, 3C hair also absorbs product easily. To get the most out of using water on 3C hair, apply moisturizing products while your hair is still damp. Also make use of a microfiber towel to avoid removing all the hydration and moisture that water provides to 3C hair.

How is 3C Hair Affected by Blow Drying?

Blow drying 3C hair, especially at high heat can damage 3C hair and cause its curls to lose their natural pattern. If you must use a blow dryer on 3C hair, apply a heat protectant. Also, put the blow dryer on low heat, and keep the blow dryer at a distance from your 3C hair.

How is 3C Hair Affected by Diffusers?

A diffuser helps to distribute airflow evenly, and enhance 3C curls. Using a diffuser is a more gentle way of applying heat to blow dry 3C curls. The best way to diffuse 3C hair is to use the diffuser on a low heat setting. It is also advisable to partially air dry your 3C hair before using a diffuser, so that the amount of heat used is minimized.

How to Handle Frizz in Type 3C Hair?

To handle frizz in type 3C hair, ensure your hair is always hydrated with moisturizing products. It is also important to avoid using products that contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfate. Using harsh products on 3C can cause dryness and more frizz. Gently detangling and styling 3C can also help handle frizz.

The best haircare products for 3C hair include:

• Spray bottle: Water is the first thing 3C curls need to thrive and a spray bottle is used to apply water to the hair. Using a spray bottle to wet your 3C hair cuts down the styling time and also makes it easy to style 3C hair.
• Shampoo: A shampoo helps to keep the scalp clean and prevent it from becoming dry.
• Deep conditioner: A deep conditioner helps to bring in moisture to 3C curly hair. It also helps to keep 3C hair soft and easy to style.
• Leave- in conditioner: Using a leave-in conditioner helps to provide 3C hair with hydration, and make it more manageable.
• Curl creams: Curl creams are used to style and define 3C curls. It is recommended to get silicone and paraben free curl creams for 3C hair.
• Oil: Using oil on 3C hair aids hair growth and also keeps the scalp hydrated.
• Scalp serum: A scalp serum helps to soothe the scalp and keep it hydrated after washes. A scalp serum should not be used often but only when your scalp feels extra dry or uncomfortable.
• Satin bonnet and pillowcase: The smooth texture, and surface of a satin bonnet and pillowcase keeps 3C hair protected by keeping it from friction and dryness.

Best Shampoo for 3C Hair

Some of the best shampoos for 3C hair are:

1. Alaffia all in one liquid soap: this is an authentic African black soap that helps 3C hair become thicker and prevent breakage. A little goes a long way with the Alaffia shampoo and it emulsifies well.
2. Dove amplified shampoo: is a gel like textured shampoo that contains aloe vera, which is great for 3C hair. It leaves 3C hair feeling soft, and looking shiny.
3. Shea moisture coconut and shine shampoo: is a great shampoo that contains shea butter and coconut oil, which are great ingredients for 3C hair. It is also sulfate free, and it helps to maintain moisture in 3C hair.

Best Conditioner for 3C Hair

Some of the best conditioners for 3C hair are:

1. Bounce curl moisture balance leave- in conditioner: this doubles as a leave- in conditioner and primer for 3C hair. The bounce curl leave- in conditioner also provides a good amount of moisture for 3C hair without leaving it too heavy.
2. Aussie 3 in 1 miracle conditioner: is an affordable conditioner that has a thick creamy texture. It helps to detangle your 3C hair with ease and remove any knots that may be in your hair.
3. Shea moisture deep conditioner: is a deep treatment mask that helps to revive and restore dry or damaged hair. It brings a great amount of moisture to 3C hair and can be used once a week.

Best Gel for 3C Hair

Some of the best gels for 3C hair are:

1. Xtreme professional styling gel: is an affordable gel that comes in a big jar. It is a great option for 3C hair that gives the most definition and strong hold without frizz.
2. Aunt Jackie’s flaxseed gel: is a gel that has a nourishing recipe that promotes hair health and prevents flakiness in 3C hair type.
3. Eco styler olive oil gel: is one of the best gels for 3C hair because it has a strong hold. It helps to define 3C curls without making it stiff. Eco styler olive oil gel does not contain alcohol, which is good for preventing 3C hair from getting dry.

Best Curl Cream for 3C Hair

Some of the best curl creams for 3C hair include:

1. Cantu avocado curl cream: is a curl cream that helps to define 3C curls without drying out the hair. It is also an affordable curl cream that keeps 3C curls hydrated.
2. Miss Jessie’s multicultural curls; is a lightweight curl cream that is perfect for refreshing 3C curls.
3. As I am double butter cream: is a cream that provides intense moisture to 3C hair. It defines 3C curls while keeping it hydrated. The As I am double butter cream is formulated with shea butter and cocoa butter, which are great ingredients that nourish 3C hair.

Some common hairstyles for people with 3C hair include: updos. Wash and go, twist out, and braid out. Most hairstyles for 3C hair reveal its curls beautifully, and are usually voluminous. 3C hairstyles usually require moisturizing products like curl creams and gels for styling.

Pineapple Hairdo

A pineapple hairdo is a hairstyle where the curls are gathered at the crown of the head. A pineapple hairdo keeps 3C hair in place and helps to keep your curls away from your face. A pineapple hairdo is easy to achieve and it helps to maintain the shape of 3C hairs, while reducing the possibility of frizz. The major downside of a pineapple hairdo is that it may cause tension on the edges, especially when it is secured too tight.

The image below shows a pineapple hairdo.

Image by @abbiecurls via instagram

Twisted Braid Bun

A twisted braid bun is a hairstyle where the hair is gathered, and twisted before being made into a bun shape. Making a twisted braid bun is a great way to switch up regular buns and show off your facial features.. A twisted braid bun can be positioned at either a high, middle, or low position. You can enjoy the benefits of convenience, elegance, and a good lasting hairstyle with a twisted braid bun. The downside of getting a twisted braid bun is that it can cause possible scalp tension which can lead to discomfort.

The image below shows a twisted braid bun hairstyle.

Image by @queenteshina via instagram

Wash and Go

A wash and go is a hairstyle that involves washing the hair, defining the curls, and allowing it to air dry, without any further styling. A wash and go is a great easy to do hairstyle that shows off 3C curls beautifully.The only drawback of a wash and go hairstyle is that it may not last and you may have to refresh it after just a few days.

The image below shows a wash and go hairstyle.

Image by @curleila via instagram

Braided top knot

A braided top knot is a hairstyle where the hair is gathered to a high point of the head and rolled into a knot-like form. A braided top knot hairstyle can be elevated with bangs or dramatic edges. A braided top knot is low maintenance and it is perfect for days where you have a lot of things to do.The downside of a braided top knot is that it can cause breakage, especially when it is secured too tightly.

Image by @yarashahidi via instagram

Kitty ear buns

Kitty ear buns is a hairstyle characterized by two high buns that look like the ears of a kitty. Kitty ear buns are created by parting the hair into two sections, and securing each section into a bun, with hair ties or pins. To get neater results, each section can be slicked with gel, before securing them. Kitty ear buns may not be suitable for people with shorter 3C hair. If your 3C hair also doesn’t haven’t too much volume, the kitty ear buns may not appear very nice.

The image below shows the kitty ear buns hairstyle.

Image by @freshlengths via Instagram

3C hair has tight spiral and corkscrew shaped curls while 4A hair has smaller curls that are more densely packed compared to 3C hair. 4A hair. 4A hair is also more fragile than 3C hair. 3C and 4A hair are both prone to dryness and frizz, so they require a lot of moisture for maintenance. People with 3C hair most likely have some parts of their hair as 4A curls.

4C hair is characterized by tight coils that lack natural definition compared to 3C hair that has spiral and well defined curls. 4C hair requires more attention and care compared to 3C hair which is more manageable. Both 3C and 4C hair offer various styling options. Both 3C and 4C hair appear shorter when wet but 4C hair experiences extreme shrinkage more than 3C hair.

3B hair has distinctly defined, and springy curls that are about the circumference of a marker, compared to 3C hair has tighter curls that are about the circumference of a straw or pencil.3B hair is also softer to touch than 3C hair that has a more coarse, and thicker texture. Both 3C and 3B hair types have a medium level of elasticity that makes the curls bounce. Both 3C and 3B curls also require products that provide moisture and hydration.