3C hair type, also known as the ‘tightest type of 3 curls’ or very curly hair, is all about curls that look like tight corkscrews and are much denser than the other types.

This hair type is largely characterized by voluminous, bouncy, and kinky curls, along with tight coils and strands that have a lot of volumes.

Interestingly, 3C hair was added to the hair type chart when there was quite a gap between the 3B and 4A hair types. 3B hair comprises of well-defined, spiral curls, and 4A hair consists of tightly coiled and curled hair.

The void between these two hair types was conveniently filled by 3C hair as many women do have fine, textured curls that couldn’t be put in 3B or 4A curl categories.

What Is 3C Hair?

3C hair is characterized by the tightest curl pattern with corkscrew-like ends. You can expect a single curl to be as long as a straw or a pencil when stretched.

In case you do fall in the 3C hair type category, you should know that it comes with its own hair care routine, hair maintenance regime, and what not!

But not to worry, our 3C hair guide will give you all the scoop you need about your hair in terms of how to style it and care for it so that you can give your kinky and bouncy curls all the flair and love they deserve.

It’s More Than Just A Mass of Densely Packed Curls

When it comes to hair types, a lot of women are often unable to tell if they have the 3C hair type. Some also don’t know what it means to have 3C hair.

To them, it’s simply a mass of densely packed curls, and while that is a simple way to describe this hair type, 3C hair is actually so much more than that. It’s a very curly hair type with a prominent Z or S-curve that holds on to its shape even if you pull or stretch it.

The most defining feature of 3C hair is that it retains its fine texture as well as a definite curl pattern without looking like frizzy coils.