The Beginner's Guide to 3A Hair: Types & Care

Table Of Content

• Conditioning 3A Hair
• The 3A Hair Type Quick Reference Guide & Care Tips
• TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
• Differentiating Between Type 3A and Other Hair Types
• Everything You Need to Know About the Best Shampoo
• Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo for 3A Hair
• The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Deep Hydration Mask
• Limit Silicone Products

Typically, 3A heads tend to have more shine than sheen to their hair and may have more of an S-curl than a corkscrew. If you’re styling freshly washed hair, opt for using a detangling leave-in conditioner like Suave Cream Detangler Spray. Spray the product onto your hair while it’s wet and detangle from ends to root using your fingers, a detangling brush, or a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your curls. Caring for your 3A curls involves a delicate balance between maintaining moisture and avoiding product buildup.

Conditioning 3A Hair

These products provide hold, definition, and moisture for your curls without weighing them down or causing frizz. To care for your 3A curls, try using the Mielle Honey & Ginger Styling Gel. This versatile product nourishes hair without causing buildup or damage thanks to its blend of honey, ginger, aloe, and babassu oil. Incorporating these products into your curl care routine can help you achieve beautiful, bouncy curls with ease. These gels are designed to fight frizz, define curls, and provide all-day hold without leaving your hair feeling crunchy or weighed down.

The 3A Hair Type Quick Reference Guide & Care Tips

Type 3a hair is characterized by well-defined spiral curls that are typically the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Although the circumference of 3a curls is wider than that of 3b and 3c hair, it can be difficult to tell the three curl types apart. When caring for 3A curls, focus on gentle techniques that enhance definition, provide hydration, and prevent friction and breakage. Learn your porosity, adapt the Curly Girl Method to your hair’s needs, and protective styles like braids or twists can help maintain moisture between styling sessions. To refresh your curls throughout the day, simply spray the mist onto damp or dry hair and scrunch it in using your hands. It can also be used as a styling tool by spraying it onto wet hair before applying other products or by using it to reactivate product on second-day hair.

TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

3A texture is fine to medium, without much body or volume in your hair. It’s less likely to be as frizzy as type 3B and 3C hair, and can appear a bit flat. All curly hair types struggle with dryness, but some more than others.

Differentiating Between Type 3A and Other Hair Types

Unfortunately, drying haircare ingredients like sulfates and parabens can worsen the issue. Once you've figured it out, following the right routine will make all the difference to your curls. We’re diving into the world of 3A hair, including what it is, how to style it and the best hair care tips and products for this curly hair type. Unlike type fours, 3A hair doesn't always require manipulation to create a defined curl pattern. And while frizz and dryness are a common concern (which is true of all type 3s), creating definition usually isn't an issue. However, as with all wavy, curly, and kinky-coily hair types, 3As will usually have to pay attention to moisture retention to prevent frizz and dryness.

Everything You Need to Know About the Best Shampoo

Likewise, set your styling tools to the lowest heat setting possible that still allows you to achieve your styling goals in a single pass. Use some Suave Air Dry Cream Heat Free Styler to achieve a frizz-free style that will enhance your 3a curls. To add some extra definition to your curls with this product, twist individual sections after applying the cream to damp hair.

Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo for 3A Hair

You’ll get the benefits of extra curl definition and enhanced curl pattern without the heaviness or crunchiness of a gel. Compare some of the most similar hair types to see which is the best fit for your mane. "The Dyson dryer with diffuser quickly dries without negatively impacting the curl," says Yates. The Supersonic is engineered to help protect hair from extreme heat damage with fast drying and controlled styling (and has a five-star rating from Byrdie editor Ashley Rubell). To get the most out of your leave-in, customize it based on your hair’s porosity level. For example, low porosity hair may prefer the “soothe scalp” and “volumize” hair goals to tackle buildup and flatness.

15 Best Diffusers for Curly Hair (Tested & Reviewed 2024) - Cosmopolitan

15 Best Diffusers for Curly Hair (Tested & Reviewed .

Posted: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Deep Hydration Mask

Consider seasonal adjustments by protecting hair from harsh weather. In summer, refresh curls with leave-in conditioners to combat humidity. For winter, deep conditioning masks add nourishment to counter the drying effects of cold air. Achieving definition with 3A curls starts with proper conditioning to enhance elasticity and prevent breakage.

So in this section, we’ll walk you through some different hairstyles that are perfect for 3A locks. As the daughter of a long-time hair stylist and salon owner, she’s spent most of her life as a guinea pig for new color and cut techniques. Writing for respected publications like Forbes and HuffPost, she’s committed to bringing her passion for great hair to the masses. "If you need a bit of root volume, apply the I Create Lift Volumizing Foam at the roots before drying/diffusing," Yates says.

The 3A hair type tends to be a little flat without the help of volumizing products, but using too much product on a daily basis will result in a lot of buildup. You can rectify the problem with curl products that support and “hold up” your curls for a longer period of time. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough moisture without overdoing it and weighing your curls down. If you think you fit into the type 3A hair category, which means you have defined spirals, this guide is for you.

From the gentle descent of cascading loose curls to the energetic bounce of tight, springy spirals, understanding your curl type is key to embracing your natural hair. Once you’ve decoded the secrets of your strands, you can create a personalized hair-care regimen that fosters optimal health and vitality. Of course, you’ll have to put in the work to keep your swirls looking their best.