All You Need To Know About 3B Hair Type

Have you had common questions? What is 3B hair? How to style 3B hair? How to take care of 3B Hair? Ahead, we will dive deep into these common questions about the 3B hair type. Keep scrolling to find out the hair care tips you need to be aware of.

What Is 3B Hair?

3B hair is a collection of bouncy ringlets in the category of type 3 hair. And 3B hair is made up of well-defined, spiral curls that range from bouncy ringlets (spiral-like loose curls of hair) to tight corkscrews (spiral-shaped corkscrew curls). Although this curl type looks like having more volume than wavy hair and straight hair, it is prone to frizzing and dryness.

How To Take Care Of 3B Hair?

As above mentioned, this curl pattern leads to intense dryness and even easy breakage. That is because the tight coils in 3b hair make scalp sebum have a difficult time sliding down the length of your hair shafts to moisturize the tips. Besides, compared to 3a fibers, 3b curls have a coarser hair texture, which also contributes to causing frizz.

And rough cuticles are not great at reflecting light, 3b hair may appear dull or lackluster. Therefore, you need to take some actions to better care for your natural hair, thus looking its best every single day.

1. Wash Your Hair Once A Week

When it comes to washing 3B hair, cut back your routine and wash your hair only once a week. After all, cleansing your hair frequently can strip the natural oils and lead to frizz and dullness, thus really drying out your hair.

And for type 3 hair, you will find your hair is definitely very dry. In this case, it is best to opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to prevent dryness and keep your locks hydrated with each wash.

If you feel that you need a cleanser between washes, you can add in a moisturizing co-wash. It is a way to safely clean your hair while still keeping it hydrated and moisturized.

2. Deep-Condition 3B Hair Regularly

There is no doubt that type 3 hair dries out quickly and often encounters frizz. Thus, you should deep condition either every week or twice a week, thus preventing frizz and adding volume to your hair. Don't forget to use a rich, creamy conditioner that can help detangle the knots, define your curls, and make your hair more manageable.

3. Detangle With Your Fingers

First of all, don’t detangle your hair when it is dry or greasy, which might cause friction and lead to hair loss. Please try to use your fingers to detangle your curls instead of a wide-toothed comb or hairbrush after you get out of the shower. By doing this, you can go a long way to protect your hair from shedding and frizz.

Of course, you can also try to detangle after you’ve applied a leave-conditioner or a detangling spray.

4. Choose Proper Products

In order to care for your 3b hair, avoid using these hair care products that contain sulfates, parabens, silicones, and sodium Laureth sulfates ingredients. These ingredients can pull natural oil from your hair, making it drier and prone to breakage. Instead, we recommend those that include humectants, which can help absorb the moisture that your hair requires.

You can also use light oils to lock in moisture and prevent moisture from escaping without weighing your curls down, such as coconut, olive oils, and so on. Just apply oil to wet hair to reduce frizz and retain the shape of your curls. It also helps make them become shiny, soft, and silky.

5. Use Lukewarm Water Rather Than Hot Water

Do not use hot water when washing your hair. Because hot water can lift cuticles and cause further damage. Instead, please use lukewarm water when washing and conditioning your hair.

6. Dry Hair With A Cotton T-shirt

Drying your 3b hair with a towel can create friction and cause breakage. A cotton t-shirt has a smoother fiber than a towel and can help protect your hair from damage.

If you are in hurry and want to blow-dry your hair, use a blow-dryer with a diffuser. At the same time, don’t forget your heat protectant!

7. Use Right Hair Products According To The Porosity Level

It is very important to understand if you have high or low-level porosity hair. Those people with low-porosity hair should stick to more lightweight products, while those people with high-porosity hair can benefit from richer, more moisturizing hair products. For example, coconut oil is great for high-porosity curls, but not so much for low-porosity ringlets. While aloe vera will strengthen low-porosity hair, though won’t do too much for high-porosity hair.

For 3B hair types with high porosity, you can apply gel products first and layer them with a cream-based product or mouse, which will help seal the moisture and keep your hair nourished for a long. What is worth noticing is that only applying these products on wet hair can achieve the best results.

How To Style 3B Hair?

1. Short 3B Hairstyles

Curly short 3b hair can look sweet, sexy, sleek, messy, and always chic.

Space Buns

As an ultimate cute-yet-edgy hairstyle, space buns can suit a variety of different hair lengths. If you have short 3b hair, try a half-up, half-down space buns style. It is cute and pretty. Or you can choose to add some eye-catching scrunchies, which can instantly bring a touch of personality to your hairstyle and make it look more playful and unique.

High Ponytails

Are you looking for a cute and easy hairstyle for your everyday life? Why not consider trying some short curly high ponytails? Short curly ponytails can mask our bad hair days, keep our tresses out of the way at the gym, and serve as a go-to style for days when we're running late. Of course, it is also a great option for you to use a braid or some colorful clips to wrap these ponytails.

Short Curly Bob

As a short haircut with a lovely bouncy texture, short curly bob hairstyles are not just in trend but are also more feminine, playful, and easy to style that are versatile, easily manageable, and effortlessly chic.

2. Medium 3B Hairstyles

Double Braids

Braid two braids along your hairline and allow them to fall naturally to create a relaxed, boho vibe and the ultimate summer vibes. We believe whether you are doing sports, shopping, having a holiday, or dating, the double braided hairstyles will always show the best side of you.

Half Up Half Down

For the mornings when you don’t have enough time to style your curly hair, half up half down hairstyles will be your saving grace! You can’t go wrong with a half up half down hairstyle for curly hair!

Butterfly Clips

Have you seen a ton of butterfly clips of hairstyles on Instagram or TikTok, from celebrities to influencers? Although they're very small, they are versatile and packed with personality, and even can add just a touch of playfulness to any boring hair day. Just one or two butterfly clips can be used to add both nostalgia and a pinch of fun to any day.

3. Long 3B Hairstyles

Honey Blonde Highlight 3B Hairstyles

If you have blonde highlight hair, nothing is better than recreating a Zendaya curly bangs hairstyle.

Top Knot Bun

A top knot bun is a sweet and playful hairstyle to give your look an effortless vibe and is one of the long curly hairstyles we know will never go out of style.

Bow-Tied Ponytail For Long 3B Hair

If you want to get an effortless hairstyle, you can use a cute little bow to tie a super-rushed ponytail. The messier hair is, the better the effect will be, so don’t worry about making it too messy.

FAQs About 3B Hair

1. Is 3B hair common?

Yes, 3B hair is very common in black hair with a mixed ethnicity with straighter hair.

2. Is 3B hair high porosity?

In fact, Type 3B natural hair has high porosity, which means that water, oils, and other types of products can be easily absorbed by your hair. That said, your hair may not be able to retain that moisture as well as other hair types.

3. Can 3B hair be an afro?

No, 3B curls are too loose to form a standard afro shape.

4. What’s the difference between 3A and 3B hair?

3B curls are coarser, springier, and tighter than 3A curls, and they usually have the circumference of a Sharpie marker or your index finger. Unlike 3A curls which tend to lose their definition or get pulled out, 3B curls stay coiled, no matter how you pull them or what products you put on them.