Finding a hot hairstyle to copy straight from the catwalks or red carpet is one thing, but having the right hair type, texture and condition is another. That's not to say you won't be able to wear the 'do, just know how to identify your hair's assets and which products will suit it best so you can pull off the style.
1. Hair structure refers to how curly or straight your hair is. There are three categories: Straight, curly and wavy, and afro.
- Straight hair is naturally smooth and shiny. This is because, unlike curly hair, the cuticle lies flat which means light bounces off your hair making it appear glossy.
Celebrity inspiration: Kate Moss.
- Curly hair is just that — curly! Because the cuticle doesn't lie flat on curly hair, it won't look naturally shiny like straight hair (a gloss serum or shine spray will easily fix this, though). It's also prone to frizz, which is why curl-defining creams are great for this hair type.
Celebrity inspiration: Sarah Jessica Parker.
- Wavy hair: left to dry naturally, wavy hair will have a kink to it. With easy use of a straightening iron or diffuser while drying, it's easy to take wavy hair to straight or curly looks. Lucky you!
Celebrity inspiration: Jessica Simpson.
- Afro hair is tightly curled, full of volume, and looks amazing. It's not easy to straighten with a straightening iron (much like super-curly hair, it won't hold poker straight locks for a long time), but a sleek look can be achieved with fine cornrow plaits, and as many celebrities with this hair type go for, a "weave" (i.e. lengths of straight or wavy attached to plaits close to the scalp).
Celebrity inspiration: Beyoncé Knowles.
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2. Hair texture refers to how thick your hair is (not how much hair you have). There are three types: fine, medium and thick (or coarse). The thickness is determined by the diameter of each strand.
Fine hair can look limp, especially if a heavy conditioner or styling product is used on it. Use styling products sparingly.
Medium hair falls between the fine and thick/coarse category and most styles work with this hair texture.
Thick/coarse hair has the widest diameter of the three hair textures. It can feel rough and wiry, so a good conditioner is recommended.
3. Your hair's condition is similar to your skin's condition, in that it's classified as oily, dry, normal, or combination. When choosing shampoo and conditioner, remember shampoo is for the roots and conditioner is for the ends.
Oily hair can look greasy and manky within a day of washing. Clarifying shampoo will help to make your hair look super clean and dry-hair shampoo is a godsend for in-between washes (it'll make your hair look fresh in seconds wherever you are).
Dry hair is normally associated with curly, but normal hair can become dry if chemically treated (i.e. coloured, over styled). It feels rough, and needs moisture to make it feel soft and smooth. A daily leave-in conditioner is recommended, as is weekly conditioning hair mask.
Normal hair feels neither oily nor dry. If you're blessed with this hair condition, you're very lucky! Make sure your hair stays this way by using a gentle shampoo (a strong one will strip the natural oils from your hair) and don't go OTT with heated styling tools.
