A 16-inch straight weave and a 16-inch curly weave may have the same length when stretched, but they will look completely different when worn. This is because curly hair naturally shrinks, making it appear shorter than straight hair of the same measurement. This difference often confuses people when choosing hair extensions or measuring their own hair.
Unlike straight hair, which falls at full length, curly and coily textures have a natural bounce that shortens their visible length. This means a shoulder-length straight hairstyle might look like a chin-length curly style, even though both have the same stretched length. Knowing the difference is essential for those looking to trim, style, or buy extensions.
A curly hair length chart helps clarify these differences, showing how various curl patterns affect length appearance. It provides a guide for understanding how hair looks at different stages, ensuring better styling choices. In this article, we’ll explore why curly hair length differs from straight hair, provide a visual length chart, and explain how different curl types impact the way hair is perceived and how to measure curly hair length.
Why Curly Hair Length Is Different From Straight Hair?
Curly hair often appears shorter than straight hair due to its natural twists and coils, which cause it to spring back toward the scalp. This effect, known as “shrinkage,” means that even if curly and straight hair strands are the same length when stretched out, curly hair will look shorter in its natural state. Additionally, the shape of hair follicles influences hair texture: round follicles produce straight hair, while oval or curved follicles lead to wavy or curly hair.
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Curly Hair Length Chart
This is a Curly Hair Length Chart, which helps you understand how long curly hair looks at different lengths. Since curly hair has a lot of volume and bounce, it appears shorter than straight hair, even if both are the same actual length. This curly hair length chart inches gives you a reference for how different hair lengths look on someone with curly hair.
Understanding The Curly Hair Length Chart:
Each length in inches tells you where the hair will fall on your body when it’s curly.
- 12″ (Below the Ear) – At this length, your curls will fall just a little below your ears. This is a short, bouncy look.
- 14″ (Chin Length) – Your curls will reach about your chin. It’s a good length for a stylish, short, curly bob.
- 16″ (Shoulders) – Your curly hair will rest around your shoulders. This is a medium-length curly style that looks voluminous.
- 18″ (Upper Back) – Your curls will reach slightly below your shoulders, around the upper part of your back.
- 20″ (Bra Strap Length) – This means your curls will fall right around where your bra strap sits at the back. This is a long and approving curly length.
- 22″-24″ (Shoulder Blade Length) – Your curly hair will fall to your shoulder blades, giving you a longer curly style.
- 26″-28″ (Mid Back) – This is quite long for curly hair, reaching the middle of your back.
- 30″ (Lower Back) – Your curls will reach your lower back, which is very long and usually requires extra care.
NOTE: This chart is just a reference. The actual length of your curls may vary based on your curl type, texture, and density.
Different Curly Hair Types Chart & Their Length Appearance
Curly hair varies significantly in appearance based on its specific curl pattern, which influences how long or short the hair appears. Understanding your curl type can help in determining the best hair care and styling practices for curly hair.
Curl Type Classification:
Hair types are commonly categorized using a system that ranges from Type 1 (straight) to Type 4 (coily/kinky), with subcategories A, B, and C indicating the intensity of the curl pattern.
Curly Hair Types:
1. Type 2: Wavy Hair
- 2A Curly Hair: Loose, fine waves with minimal curl.
- 2B Curly Hair: Defined “S” shaped waves that stick closer to the head.
- 2C Curly Hair: Wide waves with a more pronounced curl pattern and potential for frizz.
2. Type 3: Curly Hair
- 3A Curly Hair: Large, loose curls with a definite pattern.
- 3B Curly Hair: Medium-sized, tighter curls that may have a combination texture.
- 3C Curly Hair: Tight corkscrew curls with high density.
3. Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair
- 4A Curly Hair: Tightly coiled hair with a defined “O” shaped pattern.
- 4B Curly Hair: Z-shaped, less-defined coils with a fluffy appearance.
- 4C Curly Hair: Tightest curl pattern with almost no defined curl; highly prone to shrinkage.
Length Appearance Based On Curl Type:
The curl pattern significantly affects how long the hair appears:
- Wavy Hair (Type 2): Due to its loose “S” pattern, wavy hair experiences minimal shrinkage, often appearing closer to its actual length.
- Curly Hair (Type 3): With more defined curls, this hair type can appear shorter than its actual length. The tighter the curl, the more noticeable the shrinkage.
- Coily/Kinky Hair (Type 4): This hair type experiences the most significant shrinkage, often appearing much shorter than its actual length when stretched. The tight coils can reduce the visible length by several inches.
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Kinky & Deep Wave Curly Hair Length Chart
1. Deep Wave Curly Hair Length Chart
This chart focuses on Deep Wave Curly Hair but also includes Water Wave and Curly Hair for comparison. The curly hair weave length chart helps visualize how each curl type affects hair length:
- Water Wave: Looser, flowing waves that appear longer.
- Deep Wave: Tighter waves that give a voluminous look but shrink slightly compared to Water Wave.
- Curly Hair: Has a tighter curl pattern, making it look shorter even at the same measured length.
Since Deep Wave has a well-defined wave pattern, it gives a fuller look while still maintaining good length. The chart helps in choosing the right length based on the desired style and curl tightness.
2. Kinky Curly Hair Length Chart
This chart shows how kinky curly hair looks in different lengths. Kinky curly hair has tight, springy coils that create a voluminous, fluffy appearance. Due to its coily structure, it experiences significant shrinkage, meaning it looks much shorter than its actual length when not stretched.
The hair length chart curly serves as a 16 inch curly hair length chart and 20 inch curly hair length chart, illustrating how the length stretches downward as it increases. The curl pattern in kinky curly hair is typically 4A, 4B, or 4C, with 4A having defined coils, 4B featuring a zigzag pattern, and 4C being the tightest with the most shrinkage. This texture is good for those who love full, natural-looking curls with lots of body and volume.
Curly Hair Length Chart Men vs. Women
The main difference between curly hair length chart men and curly hair length chart women is the way hair is measured and styled. While the actual length chart remains the same for both, the way curls fall and how they are styled can create the illusion of different lengths.
Men’s curly hair is often cut and styled shorter, making shrinkage more noticeable, whereas women typically grow their hair longer, allowing more weight to stretch the curls slightly. However, when fully stretched, the length measurements are the same for both.
How To Measure Curly Hair Correctly?
Here’s how to measure curly hair length correctly:
- Select a Small Section: Choose a small portion of your hair to measure.
- Straighten the Section: Gently stretch or flat iron the selected hair section to its full length. This step is important because measuring curly hair in its natural state can lead to inaccurate results.
- Measure: Using a measuring tape, measure from the root (or where the hair exits the scalp) to the tip of the straightened section.
- Repeat for Accuracy: For a complete understanding, repeat the process on different sections of your hair, as curl patterns can vary across your head.
By following these steps, you can obtain a more accurate measurement of your curly hair’s actual length.
Conclusion
Anyone with curly hair knows the struggle of answering the question, “How long is your hair?” Without a chart, it’s a guessing game. Learning about curl types, shrinkage, and how men’s and women’s curls compare makes things so much clearer. Whether it’s for a trim, extensions, or just understanding growth, having this knowledge changes how curls are seen and styled.
And if anyone ever asks why your curly hair looks shorter, just tell them, ‘It’s called suspense.’
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