In the same way that knowing your skin type is a crucial part of skincare , understanding your hair type is the secret to achieving hair that consistently looks lusciously healthy. Your hair type should influence everything from your hair care habits to your hair styling techniques, as catering to the specific needs of your hair type is what will bring you the best results. 

Ready to learn how to achieve a flawless mane? Keep reading as Evalectric shares all of the tips that you need to know for your hair type.

Getting to Know Your Hair Type

First things first – you’ll need to know what your hair type is. Fortunately, this is easy to identify. Start by washing your hair as normal and then leaving it to fully air-dry, without the addition of any products. Then, separate a single strand of hair and take a close look at it to see which of the following categories it most resembles:

• Straight – if your hair is completely straight with no bends or kinks, then this means that your hair type is straight. Although this may be the strongest hair type, it’s also usually the oiliest. 
• Wavy – if the strand of hair you’re examining has a few bends in it or takes the form of an S-shape, this indicates that your hair type is wavy. Count yourself lucky because this happens to be one of the most sought-after hair types!
• Curly – if your hair features curls or loops in very distinct Z- or S-shapes, then your hair type is curly. Curly hairs tend to also be quite thick, providing a voluminous look.
• Coily – if your hair features notable spirals or coils, this means that you have coily hair. This is the weakest hair type that’s most prone to damage.

Now that you know what your hair type is, move on to the corresponding section to learn how to give your hair all that it needs…

Straight Hair

Like with every hair type, straight hair has its pros and cons. The good thing about this hair type is that frizz is relatively non-existent. Straight hair also reflects light beautifully, making it easier to achieve a glossy shine. However, the downside is that it often lacks movement and bounce. It’s also prone to greasiness, which can leave it looking limp. Here’s how to overcome that:

Caring for Straight Hair

Since straight hair is susceptible to oiliness, you’ll likely need to wash your hair two or three times a week. As soon as your hair starts to feel greasy, give it a wash to prevent it from turning limp. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a lightweight conditioner, taking care not to apply the latter anywhere near your scalp. 

When it comes to other hair care products, always scrutinize ingredient lists to ensure that they aren’t laden with heavy oils. Try to keep your hair as product-free as possible as this hair type is prone to residue buildup.

Styling Straight Hair

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When dealing with straight hair, regular trims are a must. Split ends are very noticeable on straight strands since they can’t hide behind waves and curls. You’ll need to have these snipped away every six weeks or so to keep your hair looking healthy.

In terms of styling, adding movement and texture is usually the aim for those with straight hair. There are a few heatless ways to do this, such as braiding your hair before bed. However, it’s usually much easier to simply turn to a curling wand as this will allow you to perfectly craft some shape into your hair. The Evalectric 25-18 Curling Black is a professional curling wand that makes use of infrared heat, enabling you to style your hair while mitigating the appearance of heat damage. 

Wavy Hair

With a soft and undulating curl pattern, wavy hair is often the envy of many! It has texture and volume, yet not so much that it’s difficult to manage. However, the bane of those with wavy hair is the accompanying frizz. Here’s how to deal with that while ensuring that your natural waves look beautifully defined:

Caring for Wavy Hair

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To prevent the appearance of frizz, you’ll need to give your wavy hair plenty of moisture. Frizz occurs when dry strands reach upward and outward in an attempt to grab onto some of the moisture that’s in the air around you. This is why frizz is usually exacerbated in humid conditions.

How can you give your hair the moisture that it needs? It starts with your shampoo and conditioner. Pick hydrating formulas, just like the Evalectric Moisturizing Shampoo and the Evalectric Moisturizing Conditioner. Both formulas are infused with argan oil, which is known for how it hydrates the hair while also providing a huge range of nutrients. 

Make sure that any other hair care products you use are hydrating too. A weekly hair mask would also be a good idea to give your hair an extra moisture boost.

Styling Wavy Hair

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A hair straightener is a very useful tool to own when you have wavy hair. The right model, like those in the Evalectric Classic Styler range, will enable you to straighten your locks as well as turn those waves into structured curls. Its rounded ends give it this versatility while its adjustable temperature control will allow you to lower the heat to a temperature that will style your strands without scorching them.

Another way to get frizz under control without having to spend ages styling your hair is with a straight brush, such as the Evalectric Straight Brush Styler Peach Please. Although this brush won’t give you pin-straight locks in the way that a flat iron would, it will leave your hair with a much smoother and sleeker finish, enabling your natural waves to shine!

Curly Hair

There’s quite a variation in curly hair. Some may have loose and open curls while others may have a tighter curl pattern. Either way, all of those bends in your hair mean that the sebum from your scalp has a tougher time traveling down your lengths. This is why curly hair is so prone to dryness. Here’s how to look after your curls to keep them looking luscious:

Caring for Curly Hair

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With dryness being such an issue with this hair type, over-washing your mane should be avoided. You want to retain those natural oils as much as possible since they help to condition and lubricate your strands, leaving them feeling soft rather than rough and brittle. However, when you do wash your hair, do so thoroughly, especially if you go heavy on the hair care products. The last thing you want is product buildup weighing your curls down! 

A hydrating hair serum would also be a good addition to your hair care routine. The Evalectric Hair Serum, which contains a blend of argan oil and vitamin E, would be a great choice!

Styling Curly Hair

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Due to all of those bends in curly hair, it doesn’t take much for this hair type to end up tangled. It goes without saying that these knots need to be dealt with ASAP. Ignoring them will only cause them to become bigger and thicker. The best time to de-tangle curly hair is in the shower, after applying your conditioner. Start by using your fingers before finishing the job with a wide-toothed comb or a de-tangling brush.

If you’re in the mood for a new look, give straight hair a try. While some straighteners can struggle with tight curls, the Evalectric Ultra Turbo Styler heats up to an impressive 500°F. This enables it to quickly manipulate even the most stubborn of curls! Its ceramic plates, which are known for producing a gentle and even heat, are also ideal for curly hair, which is prone to damage due to how dry it can become.

Coily Hair

Also known as natural hair, coily hair features tight and springy coily curls. While these provide beautiful volume, this hair type is also known for being the most fragile. Breakages are very common, making it important to understand how to correctly deal with those delicate coils:

Caring for Coily Hair

Just like with curly hair, coily hair is also extremely prone to dryness. Sulfate-free hair care products are a must, as is ensuring that you don’t over-wash your hair. Shampooing your hair once a week, or even once every ten days, will likely be sufficient.

Co-washing has also become a popular technique among those with coily hair. This involves washing your hair with a conditioner rather than a shampoo. You won’t need to do this for every wash but giving it a go every once in a while will help to preserve your natural oils to give your coils a healthier-looking bounce.

Styling Coily Hair

Protective hairstyles are usually a go-to among those with coily hair. These shield the hair from environmental damage, which this hair type is very susceptible to. While this is a good thing, it’s also worth keeping in mind that wearing protective hairstyles non-stop places huge amounts of tension on your roots. This will only increase your hair’s propensity to breakage. To prevent this, give your hair plenty of breaks from those protective styles.

Heat styling should also be minimized in order to prevent damage. The safest way to define those gorgeous spirals is to apply a styling product to your locks while they’re wet. Then, twist your hair around your fingers while it air-dries. Big, natural hair is having its moment, so make the most of this!

Summary

As you can see, each hair type is very different, meaning that they need to be treated as such. Your hair type will help to determine what your hair needs in terms of care, along with the best styling methods to use. Keep the tips that we’ve shared above in mind when working with your hair and you’ll soon be able to achieve and maintain a luscious-looking mane!

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