- Family
- Type 3, curly
- Pattern
- Springy ringlets with clear definition and natural volume.
- Curl width
- About the width of a marker.
- Shrinkage
- Noticeable. Curls look shorter dry than when stretched.
What 3B hair looks like
3B has strong natural shape, so it can be worn short and sculpted or grown into a full curly top. The volume means the sides and back matter: left long, they widen the overall shape.
3B vs 3A and 3C
3B ringlets are tighter and smaller than 3A's chalk-wide loops, and they spring back faster.
3C curls are tighter still, about the width of a pencil or straw, packed closely together with more density and more shrinkage than 3B.
Compare them: Type 3A hair · Type 3C hair.
Best taper and fade haircuts for 3B hair
These cuts keep the sides neat while working with the curly pattern on top.
- Mid taper fade for curly hair: A mid blend controls the volume at the sides while the ringlets take the top.
- High taper fade for curly hair: Short sides make the curly top stand out as a clear shape.
- Burst fade for curly hair: The burst clears the area around the ear and keeps curls at the back.
- Skin fade for curly hair: Bare skin next to defined ringlets gives the strongest contrast.
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 3B hair with short sides
Style 3B soaking wet: rake in a curl cream for moisture, then a gel for hold, and scrunch. Diffuse or air-dry without touching it, then scrunch out the gel's cast once dry.
For a sculpted short top, a curl sponge or finger-coiling defines individual ringlets. A little oil on dry ends adds shine.
Care basics for 3B hair
- Detangle when wet, with conditioner, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Avoid brushing dry curls, which breaks up the pattern and adds frizz.
- Refresh with water or a light leave-in between washes.
- Sleep on satin, or with a durag or bonnet, to keep ringlets intact.
What to tell your barber
Tell your barber you have tight curly hair and want the curls cut with shrinkage in mind. Ask them to shape the top dry and to taper the sides so the volume doesn't push outward as it grows.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3B hair curly or wavy?
It's curly. 3B forms complete springy ringlets from close to the root, which is well past the S-waves of Type 2.
What's the difference between 3B and 3C hair?
Size and density. 3B ringlets are about the width of a marker; 3C curls are tighter, about the width of a pencil, packed more closely, with more shrinkage.
What's the best fade for 3B curls?
A mid or high taper is the most popular choice: it controls the volume at the sides and lets the ringlets define the shape on top.