What Does It Mean To Have 3C Hair?

There are mainly four different types of hair –type 1 (straight), type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly), and type 4 (coily). Type 3C hair comes under the type 3 curls and has the tightest ringlets. If you have type 3C curls, it means your hair is densely packed and has a lot of volume.

What Does 3C Hair Look Like?

Type 3C curls look like tight corkscrews and have a very tiny circumference. They are tightly packed, have a high density, and appear coarser than type 2 or 3 hair. These curls have a fine texture and are more prone to frizz. Let’s now take a look at the best products that work wonders on 3C curls.

Best Products for Type 3C Curls

1. Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard

The Curl La La Defining Curl Custard by Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils is a lightweight leave-in cream ideal for wavy, kinky, and coiled hair. It is enriched with shea butter, hydrolyzed quinoa, and olive oil that moisturize the hair and impart shine to it. The cream tames and revives lifeless, frizzy, and dull curls and enhances their definition without any flaking or caking. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Hydrolyzed quinoa, and Olive oil Pros

Lightweight Pleasant scent Non-sticky Non-crunchy Paraben-free Sulfate-free Petroleum-free Mineral oil-free Value for money

Cons None

2. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner

The Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner by Aunt Jakie’s is moisture therapy for your hair. It is ideal for naturally curly, wavy, and coiled hair and enriched with olive oil, shea butter, and marshmallow root. It hydrates your hair and locks in moisture for a long time. The hair becomes soft and manageable with regular use. The natural ingredients like marshmallow root in the formula keep the scalp fresh. Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Shea butter, and Marshmallow root Pros

Lightweight Non-greasy Pleasant scent Paraben-free Sulfate-free Petroleum-free Mineral oil-free Value for money

Cons None

3. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

The Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo by SheaMoisture is ideal for dry and damaged coily, and heat styled curls. It is infused with aloe vera leaf juice, castor oil, clove oil, peppermint extract, and shea butter that keep your hair refreshed and hydrated. Black castor oil is rich in vitamin E and provides essential vitamins and minerals to the hair, reducing breakage and promoting new hair growth. Peppermint invigorates and keeps the scalp fresh. The natural oils in the formula strengthen chemically treated and heat damaged hair. This clarifying shampoo removes scalp buildup without stripping the hair of its natural moisture. Watch this video to know more about the product. Key Ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, Aloe vera, and Shea butter Pros

Nice fragrance A little goes a long way Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Petroleum-free Mineral oil-free Silicone-free Value for money

Cons

Tends to dry out the hair ends

4. Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

The Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream by Cantu is infused with shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sage extract, grape seed oil, and mango seed butter. Coconut oil hydrates and protects the hair from damage, while the shea and mango seed butters provide intense moisturization to your curls. This curl activator cream smooths and defines the curls, reduces frizz, and makes your locks manageable. It also adds shine, volume, and bounce to the hair and makes it bouncy. This video will give you more insights into the product. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, Sweet almond oil, and Sage extract Pros

Natural ingredients Sulfate-free Paraben-free Mineral-oil free Silicone-free Phthalate-free Gluten-free Value for money

Cons

May leave a residue

5. Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream

The Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream by Marc Anthony is ideal for dry, coarse, and frizzy curls. It is infused with avocado oil, shea butter, and soybean oil to nourish and moisturize your locks. Shea butter and avocado oil are rich in vitamin E that hydrates and moisturizes the hair. The provitamin B5 in the formula locks in moisture and makes your curls soft, smooth, and manageable. This styling cream helps repel humidity and keeps your hair frizz-free. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Avocado oil, and Provitamin B5 Pros

Lightweight Doesn’t leave residue Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Silicone-free Value for money

Cons

May weigh the hair down

6. Cake The Curl Friend Totally-To-Die-For Defining Curl Cream

The Curl Friend Defining Cream by Cake Beauty is infused with avocado oil, soybean oil, and shea butter to offer long-lasting hydration and moisturization to the hair. The lightweight formula doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. This moisturizing cream coats each curl with a silky layer to make it appear shiny, tame frizz, and make your hair manageable. Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, Soybean oil, and Shea butter Pros

Natural ingredients Paraben-free Sulfate-free Mineral-oil free Vegan Cruelty-free Value for money

Cons None

7. Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Soufflé

The Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Soufflé by Dark & Lovely is specifically formulated for tight curls and coils. It is enriched with bamboo milk and mango oil to smoothen and elongate the hair strands. The moisturizing formula instantly nourishes your hair and creates a strong hold while defining the locks without leaving behind any residue. Key Ingredients: Bamboo milk and Mango oil Pros

Lightweight Non-sticky Non-flaking Paraben-free Mineral oil-free Drying alcohol-free Petroleum-free Value for money

Cons None

8. Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream

The Curly Curl Cream by Taliah Waajid is ideal for curly, coily, and bouncy locks. It is infused with sage extract and shea butter to nourish and hydrate the hair. The lightweight formula conditions the hair, locks in moisture, and smooths and defines the curls. The hair cream also tames frizz and makes the hair manageable. Key Ingredients: Sage extract and Shea butter Pros

Lightweight Non-greasy Smells great Value for money

Cons

May cause flaking

9. Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream

The Curl Defining Cream by Rizos Curls is the best option for styling natural curls. It is infused with coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea butter that help define your curls and make them bouncy. This cream does not crunch or flake upon application. It tames frizz and makes hair manageable. Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Aloe vera, and Shea butter Pros

Lightweight Pleasant scent Non-sticky Non-flaking Paraben-free Sulfate-free Silicone-free

Cons

May weigh the hair down

10. Curls Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil

The Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil is infused with certified organic blueberry extract, jojoba oil, avocado, aloe vera, chamomile extract, argan oil, gardenia flower oil, and pomegranate seed extract to repair and restore your curls. It helps repair damage and induces hair growth while replenishing the lost moisture to your strands. The hair oil also helps strengthen your hair, preventing breakage, defines your curls, and enhances the texture. Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Avocado oil, and Aloe vera Pros

Absorbs well Nice smell Non-greasy Lightweight Paraben-free Silicone-free Sulfate-free Artificial color-free Artificial fragrance-free Value for money

Cons None

11. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

The Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream is infused with argan oil that activates and defines your curls while hydrating your locks. It also contains vegetable protein that coats porous strands and reverses split ends. This super moisturizing cream is formulated with a heat-activated technology that tames your frizzes, offers a soft hold to your hair, and delivers natural-looking, bouncy curls. Key Ingredients: Argan oil Pros

Gentle Easy to apply Long-lasting Blends quickly Paraben-free Phosphate-free

Cons

Overwhelming fragrance

12. HoneyDew Nourishing Daily Shampoo

This shampoo from Honeydew is enriched with avocado oil and jojoba oil to provide intense nourishment and moisturization to the strands. The rich and creamy formula keeps your hair hydrated without weighing it down or stripping its natural moisture. This pH-balanced shampoo is gentle on your scalp and does not contain any harmful chemicals or harsh ingredients. Key Ingredients: Avocado oil and Jojoba oil Pros

Mild on scalp Paraben-free Sulfate-free Color-safe Cruelty-free Vegan

Cons

May cause frizz

13. Jane Carter Solution Curls To Go! Curl Cocktail Conditioning Styling Cream

The Curls To Go Conditioning Styling Cream by Jane Carter Solution is infused with shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera extracts. This defining cream elongates curls, makes them bouncy, conditions the hair, and locks in moisture. The cream also smooths the hair without leaving any residue or causing crunchiness, tames frizz, and makes your locks manageable. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, and Aloe vera Pros

Lightweight Paraben-free Sulfate-free Silicone-free Phthalate-free Cruelty-free Vegan Value for money

Cons None

14. KeraCare Curlessence Moisturizing Curling Cream

The Moisturizing Curling Cream by KeraCare is ideal for naturally curly and coily hair. It is enriched with Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil to nourish and moisturize your hair. Jamaican black castor oil helps strengthen the hair roots, reduces breakage, and induces new hair growth. The curling cream defines the curls and keeps them frizz-free. Key Ingredients: Jamaican castor oil and Coconut oil Pros

Holds well Paraben-free Sulfate-free Silicone-free Phthalate-free

Cons None

15. Novex Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

The Deep Conditioning Hair Mask by Novex is infused with vitamin E and pure avocado oil and offers intense hair repair treatment. It replenishes the lost moisture in the hair and gives it a boost of hydration. The vitamins in the formula nourish and strengthen the hair. This hair mask also repairs hair damage, eliminates frizz, and smooth sun tamable hair while protecting it from environmental and heat damage. Key Ingredients: Avocado oil and Vitamin E Pros

Lightweight Salt-free A little goes a long way

Cons None 3C hair is tickly packed and is big on volume, making it hard to style. This is why it is ideal that you pick the right products specifically formulated for 3C hair to moisturize your strands and define the curls deeply. To ensure that you choose the best, here are a few guidelines to consider before you select a product for your 3C-type curls.

How To Choose The Best Products For Type 3C Curls

Consider Your Hair’s Porosity

The most crucial factor to consider before you choose any product for your 3C hair is to know your hair porosity. Porosity is the ability of your hair to retain moisture or absorb moisture based on the structure of its cuticle. Here is how you can find out if your hair is highly porous or has low porosity, along with the products to consider for your porosity type. You have highly porous hair if your hair absorbs moisture but also loses it quickly. Therefore, you need products with a thick and rich texture to preserve the curls. In case your hair has low porosity, the products you use tend to build up on the surface of your hair instead of being absorbed. To induce moisture, you need lightweight, hydrating, and more gel-based products.

Look For Hydration

Ensure your products are infused with that tackle dryness, control frizz, and ensure the curls stay intact. Look for hydrating products that replenish moisture in your 3C curls. Shea butter is a natural emollient rich in vitamins. It helps seal in moisture to treat dry and itchy scalp. Argan oil is a non-greasy, easily absorbed ingredient found in hair serums and leave-in conditioners. It reduces frizz and flyaways and nourishes your strands. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and moisturize your curls.

Ingredients To Avoid

Avoid harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, SLS, phthalates, and drying alcohol that can cause frizziness and damage your curls in the long run. Maintaining 3C curls is tricky, but the following tips will make it seem like a breeze.

3C Hair Guide: How To Style and Care for 3C Hair

Caring For Your 3C Hair

Hydrate: 3C hair tends to be dry and brittle if it isn’t properly looked after. Make sure to use hydrating shampoos and conditioners that lock in moisture. You can also opt for a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Limit Using Heat Tools: Regular straightening of type 3C curls may affect the hair’s moisture levels, texture, and pattern. Hence, use heat styling tools sparingly. Silk Pillow Cases: Cotton pillow covers cause friction and increases hair fall by making the hair dry and brittle. Silk pillowcases reduce friction and keep hair fall in check. Use Natural Products: Regular shampoos and conditioners contain harmful ingredients like sulfates and parabens that strip off the hair’s natural moisture and leave it lifeless. Opt for natural and organic ingredient-based products for a healthy mane. Use A Diffuser: Using a regular hair dryer will alter the texture of your curls. A diffuser is a wise choice as it does not dry out your strands.

Styling Your 3C Hair

Natural Wash & Go: Once you have a hair care regimen in place, you can simply wash, dry, and go out with natural hair. To add more shine and definition, you can use a curl-defining leave-in cream. A Top Bun: A top bun is the most casual yet classy way of styling your 3C curls. Tie up your hair into a messy bun and lock in any flyaways with a bit of hair gel, and you are good to go. A Colorful Band: Tie your hair in a colorful band for a chic look. Comb the front section of your hair and secure it with a gel. Push back the flyaways for a cleaner look.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach passionate about hair care. She conducted extensive research and went through several user reviews on online forums and brand websites before compiling this list of the best products for 3C hair types. All of the products enlisted here are described in detail, along with their benefits and drawbacks. This post also includes a styling and caring guide to assist you in choosing the right product.

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