What does 1B hair need?

Root-lift spray or volumising mousse before blow-drying. Lightweight conditioner on mid-lengths and ends. Weekly clarifying wash to prevent product buildup at the roots. Heat protectant if you use tools, since 1B shows heat damage clearly.

What should 1B hair avoid?

Heavy butters and thick creams. Over-conditioning, which flattens the natural body. Applying any product to the scalp except cleanser. Skipping heat protectant — fine-to-medium strands scorch fast.

Type 1 · Straight

1B Hair

Straight hair with medium texture and more body. Type 1B hair is straight with medium thickness and noticeably more body than 1A. Learn how to identify 1B hair, how to work with its slight bend at the ends, and which routine keeps it voluminous without grease.

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How do I know if I have 1B hair?

Your hair is straight overall but has a slight bend near the ends, especially after sleeping on it. A single strand is clearly visible and has a bit of substance to it. You can hold a curl for a few hours with heat, but it drops by evening.

Key characteristics of 1B hair

Medium strand diameter — visible and with some weight
Straight from root to mid-length, slight bend at the ends
Holds a style better than 1A but still drops within a day
Good natural shine
Gets oily at the roots within 2 days

The one thing 1B hair struggles with most

Balance. Type 1B has enough body to style but not enough to hold it. The routine has to add lift without adding weight, which rules out most of the moisturising products sold for "dry hair".

What 1B hair needs

Root-lift spray or volumising mousse before blow-drying
Lightweight conditioner on mid-lengths and ends
Weekly clarifying wash to prevent product buildup at the roots
Heat protectant if you use tools, since 1B shows heat damage clearly

What 1B hair should avoid

Heavy butters and thick creams
Over-conditioning, which flattens the natural body
Applying any product to the scalp except cleanser
Skipping heat protectant — fine-to-medium strands scorch fast

1B hair and porosity

1B hair is usually low-to-normal porosity. If your hair takes a long time to get wet in the shower, you are low porosity and should stick to lightweight products.

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Get a routine built for 1B hair

Knowing your type is the first half. The quiz covers the other half — your porosity, scalp condition, damage level, and which ingredients your hair does not tolerate — then builds the routine around all of it.

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Other straight hair types

1A Hair

Fine, pin-straight hair with no natural bend

1C Hair

Coarse, thick straight hair that frizzes easily

Keep reading

All 12 hair types explained Hair type quiz Hair porosity test