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Hair-care guide

3A hair

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From Wikipedia · How we compare

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3A hair forms big, loose curls, roughly the width of sidewalk chalk, that shine when they clump and frizz when they don’t. It is the loosest curl type and can be weighed down like waves; if yours drops, a light leave-in and a gel on wet hair usually work better than rich creams.

Start a wash-day plan for 3A hair

Choose your next step

Curls loosen into waves

Too much weight: cut the leave-in or swap a rich cream for a lighter one.

If curls feel limp

Frizz and lost definition

Gel over leave-in on wet hair; don’t touch until dry.

Fix frizz

3A or 3B?

3B ringlets are smaller and springier, about the width of a marker.

How to tell

What 3A hair looks like

3A curls are large loops with a clear pattern, often looser at the crown and tighter underneath. They stretch out easily when wet and spring back as they dry.

If yours are smaller, springy ringlets, read 3B. If the loops are wide S-shapes rather than full curls, read 2C.

A 3A wash day

  • Cleanse the scalp and let the suds run through the lengths.
  • Condition and detangle with fingers or a wide-tooth comb while conditioner is in.
  • Put a light leave-in on wet hair, as its label says, then a gel; rake it through, then scrunch.
  • Blot with a T-shirt, then diffuse on low or air-dry without touching.
  • Scrunch out the cast once completely dry, and sleep on satin or in a loose pineapple.

A 3A hair routine and what it costs

One product for each wash-day step, chosen only from products whose makers say they’re for 3A hair, priced at each maker’s own store. The left column takes the cheapest per ounce at every step; the right takes the one in the middle. We haven’t tested them, and how your own hair responds matters more than the price.

Lowest price per ounce

The product at each step that costs least per ounce.

  1. Shampoo or co-wash As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner · its maker says every curl pattern 16 oz, $8.99 at As I Am ($0.56/oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  2. Conditioner Aunt Jackie's In Control Moisturizing Softening Conditioner · its maker says every curl pattern 15 oz, $10.95 at Aunt Jackie's ($0.73/oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  3. Leave-in Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream · its maker says every curl pattern Jumbo 16 oz, $40.00 at Curlsmith ($2.50/oz); Mini 2 oz to try, $12.50 What a wash costs at your amount
  4. Styler The Doux BIG POPPA Defining Gel · its maker says every curl pattern 16 oz, $14.99 at The Doux ($0.94/oz) What a wash costs at your amount

To try it in the smallest sizes: $47.43
In the sizes above: $74.93

Open this routine in the planner

Middle of the price range

The product in the middle of each step’s prices per ounce.

  1. Shampoo or co-wash Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo · its maker says every curl pattern Full 12 fl oz, $26.00 at Curlsmith ($2.17/fl oz); Mini 3 oz to try, $12.50 What a wash costs at your amount
  2. Conditioner Bouclème Curl Conditioner · its maker says every curl pattern 1 liter, $78.00 at Bouclème ($2.31/fl oz); 100 mL to try, $18.00 What a wash costs at your amount
  3. Leave-in Bouclème Fragrance Free Curl Cream 300 mL, $36.00 at Bouclème ($3.55/fl oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  4. Styler PATTERN Curl Gel 25 fl oz, $49.00 at PATTERN ($1.96/fl oz); 3 fl oz to try, $12.00 What a wash costs at your amount

To try it in the smallest sizes: $78.50
In the sizes above: $189.00

Open this routine in the planner

34 of the 52 products we list for 3A hair at these steps had a size in stock at the maker’s store when we read it, so only those are ranked. Some makers print “oz” without saying fluid or weight; we compare them as printed. Prices checked between and ; stores change them. Every price per ounce.

What usually goes wrong

3A curls often drop under weight and frizz when handled. If they look great wet and fall into waves dry, use less leave-in or a lighter styler. If they frizz, style on wetter hair and touch less while it dries.

Frizz Limp, mushy curls

Products whose makers say they’re for 3A hair

These products’ own pages say they’re made for 3A hair, or for a range of curl patterns that includes it. The words are the maker’s; we haven’t tested these products, and how your own hair responds decides more than the label.

Named for 3A hair or a range that includes it (32)

Made for every curl pattern (42)

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

Your next step

Caring for 2C hair →

Caring for 3B hair →

Gels and foams compared →

Curly hair →

All hair types →