5 Step 3b and 3c Hair Routine for Voluptuous, Defined Curls

Paloma
by Paloma
6 Materials
$10
2 Hours
Easy

In this tutorial, I'm going to share with you my 3b and 3c hair routine, including how I style my 3b/3c curls, the products I use, and how I style my curly hair on a weekly basis. I love my curls to be defined - looking and feeling healthy and shiny. Here’s how to make your 3b/3c curls look gorgeous!

Tools and materials:

  • Microfiber towel
  • Comb
  • Leave-in conditioner
  • Curl enhancing cream
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Blow dryer with diffuser


What are the 4 types of hair?

If you're not aware, hair texture and curl can be categorized this way:

  • Type 1 is straight hair
  • Type 2 is wavy hair
  • Type 3 is curly hair
  • Type 4 is coily hair

The sub-classifications from A to C are based on the diameter or width of the wave, curl, or coil pattern.

Starting with clean hair

1. Clean hair

Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair. Don’t rub the hair: instead, wrap the hair in a microfiber towel to minimize frizz and lightly dry it. 

Using leave-in conditioner on 3b/3c hair

2. Use leave-in conditioner

Put a small amount of leave-in conditioner on your palm and run through your hair from the roots to the ends. Don’t use too much - just enough to soften the hair.

Putting the hair in a zigzag part

3. Part the hair

Use a zigzag part and not super straight parts in the hair to divide into sections. This makes it easier to work on each section one at a time. 

Working the curl enhancing cream into hair

4. Work each section

Start with the first section. Each section will have the same treatment. First, spray the hair with a spray bottle filled with water. Once the hair is damp, use a curl-enhancing cream to work through the hair with your hands.


Work it until you feel your hair has enough product. Twist the hair in place. Repeat the process with the next section.

Working product into the top of the hair

For the top of the hair and the front, you may need to use a comb. Hair textures vary and sometimes the hair is coarser in the front. If your hair type is closer to 3C or 4A, you may want to finger coil each curl individually. 

How to finger coil your 3b/3c hair

To finger coil 3b and 3c hair, separate a small section of hair and twist the hair as close to the roots as possible. Wrap the hair around your finger, twirl, and stretch the strand of hair until it coils when you let it go.


Gently pull the strand down as you twist the hair around your finger. Continue twisting until you reach the very bottom of the strand. Continue around the rest of your hair.


Scrunch each section when you’re done coiling or twisting. 

How to dry 3b and 3c curls with a diffuser

5. Dry the hair

There are a few ways to dry your curly hair. Air drying is the easiest and most eco-friendly, but may take several hours, especially if you have long hair like mine.


You can use a cotton towel to absorb the extra water and hair product, but just gently squeeze the hair and do not rub.


Lastly, you can use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment. Hover the diffuser over the hair for about 15-20 minutes to gently dry the curls. Scrunch the curls with your hands for that final touch. Listen for the special scrunch sound!

3b and 3c curls
3b and 3c curly hair
3b and 3c curly hair routine

3b and 3c hair routine

My curls look so beautiful and defined after some TLC and good hair care. Do let me know in the comments how this 3b and 3c hair tutorial worked for your curly hair! 




Products used:




This tutorial is by  Paloma.

Suggested materials:
  • Microfiber towel
  • Comb
  • Leave-in conditioner
See all materials

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Comments
Join the conversation
 2 comments
  • Jinxx Jinxx on Sep 11, 2021

    Your hair is insanely gorgeous! How long does it stay like that?

    • Paloma Paloma on Sep 13, 2021

      thank you! It usually lasts about 4-6 days

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