Tight corkscrew curls, densely packed. Type 3C hair forms tight corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil, packed densely for maximum volume. Learn how to identify 3C hair and build a moisture routine that prevents breakage.
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Your curls are tight corkscrews roughly the circumference of a pencil or a drinking straw, packed very densely across your head. Dry length is far shorter than wet length, and the hair tangles quickly if left loose.
Moisture retention and breakage. Type 3C has the most bends per strand in its family, which means the most points where a strand can snap and the least chance of scalp oil reaching the ends.
3C hair is usually high porosity. Rich butters and sealing oils applied over a water-based leave-in are what keep moisture from escaping, and protein treatments help rebuild strength between washes.
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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