Type 1B Hair

Family

Type 1, straight

Pattern

Straight with more body, and a slight bend toward the ends.

Shrinkage

None to barely any.

What 1B hair looks like

It's the most common straight texture, and it's flexible: it holds a quiff or a slick back better than 1A because there's a little more grip in the strand, but it still lies smooth enough for a clean side part.

1B vs 1A and 1C

Next to 1A, 1B has visible volume and doesn't cling to the scalp. Next to 1C, it's smoother: 1C has coarser strands and a faint S-bend that can turn frizzy in humidity, while 1B stays sleek.

If the ends flip or curve slightly but the rest is straight, that's classic 1B.

Compare them: Type 1A hair · Type 1C hair.

Best taper and fade haircuts for 1B hair

These cuts keep the sides neat while working with the straight pattern on top.

• Low taper fade slick back: 1B has enough body to hold a slick back without collapsing by the afternoon.
• Textured fringe with a low taper: The slight bend at the ends gives a fringe natural separation.
• Mid taper fade for straight hair: A mid blend adds contrast that straight hair shows off cleanly.
• High taper fade for straight hair: With short sides, 1B's body keeps the top from looking flat.

Not sure which height suits you? The taper quiz weighs your hair type along with your face shape and routine, and the taper height diagram shows where each one starts.

How to style 1B hair with short sides

Rough-dry the top with your fingers, then shape it with a brush or comb for the last few seconds. 1B responds well to heat, so a quick blow-dry sets the direction for the whole day.

A medium-hold cream or paste suits it. For a slick back, apply product to damp hair and comb it through; for texture, apply to dry hair and twist small sections.

Care basics for 1B hair

• Wash every two to three days, or daily if you use a lot of product.
• Condition the mid-lengths and ends to keep the shine even.
• Use a heat protectant if you blow-dry daily.
• Trim the top regularly; the bend at the ends shows more as it grows.

What to tell your barber

Say your hair is straight with some body and tell the barber how you style it, since the same 1B hair can be cut for a slick back or a textured fringe. Ask for the top to be cut a little longer than the finished look if you blow-dry it upward.