Determining your natural hair type involves assessing the pattern and texture of your hair without any products or styling. Here's a brief breakdown: Type 1 (Straight) 1a: Very straight and fine hair. It doesn't hold curls well. 1b: Straight but with a bit more body and volume. Might have slight bends at the ends. 1c: Straight with a slight wave, especially towards the ends. Type 2 (Wavy) 2a: Slight, loose, undefined waves. The hair tends to be fine. 2b: More defined waves that might resemble an 'S' shape. This type can get frizzy. 2c: Clearly defined waves or loose curls. This type often has a mix of different textures. Type 3 (Curly) 3a: Big, loose curls, about the size of sidewalk chalk. 3b: Bouncy, springy curls about the size of a marker. Hair can have a combination of textures. 3c: Tight, corkscrew-like curls, often the size of a pencil or straw. Type 4 (Coily) 4a: Well-defined, springy, tight coils about the size of a crochet needle. Has an "S" pattern. 4b: Z-shaped pattern with less defined coils. Hair bends in sharp angles. 4c: Very tight coils, often with a zig-zag pattern. This type can shrink more than 75% of its length. To accurately determine your type, wash your hair and let it air dry without applying any products. Then, compare its natural state to the descriptions above. Keep in mind, it's common to have a mix of different types on one head of hair.