Type 1C hair
Straight but coarse and resistant with a slight tendency to frizz
Shrinkage
0-5%
Strand diameter
Coarse - thick individual strands
Porosity tendency
Medium to high
Category
Straight
1C
Photo sourcing: Phase 2
What 1C hair looks like
Type 1C sits at the boundary of straight and wavy. Strands are coarse and thick with a tendency to frizz in humidity. No defined wave pattern forms naturally, but the texture is resistant and has considerable body. It is the hardest straight type to style and the most likely straight type to develop slight waves after washing.
1C is the most-overlooked straight type, partly because it sits at the boundary where the typing system gets fuzzy. Strands are coarse (noticeably thicker than sewing thread) and the cuticle has more lift than in 1A or 1B, which is why humidity creates frizz that the other Type 1 patterns rarely encounter. The pattern itself remains straight, but the texture is resistant: 1C is the hardest Type 1 to flat-iron smooth and the most likely to develop a slight wave after washing. The coarseness is structural; it reflects a thicker cortex per strand, which is why 1C also handles richer products that would weigh down 1A or 1B. The compensating advantage: 1C has the most visual weight and presence of any straight type and is the least likely to look limp. 1C appears prominently in editorial coverage of East Asian and South Asian hair with coarser textures, and in commentary on certain Indigenous American hair structures.
Noted examples
1C appears prominently in editorial coverage of East Asian and South Asian hair with coarser textures, and in commentary on certain Indigenous American hair structures. The look has gained visibility as glossy-but-thick straight hair has come back into editorial fashion.
1C vs neighbouring types
1B and 1C are both straight but differ on strand thickness and frizz. 1C strands are noticeably thicker than sewing thread; 1B strands match thread thickness. 1C frizzes in humidity, often dramatically; 1B almost never frizzes. 1C needs richer moisture-based products (the Kerastase Nutritive line for example); 1B does well on balanced everyday products. If your hair is straight but you have always thought of it as thick or coarse, you are likely 1C rather than 1B.
Read the 1B full guide1C and 2A sit at the boundary of straight and wavy. The differentiator is wet pattern: 2A forms a loose S-wave when wet; 1C remains visibly straight even soaking wet. If your hair air-dries with a slight loose wave or kink but is straight when wet, you may genuinely be 1C with humidity-driven texture rather than 2A. The care approach overlaps significantly: both benefit from smoothing serums and anti-humidity products.
Read the 2A full guideThe 1C care routine
1C's brief is opposite to 1A's: lean into moisture and weight. Use a richer shampoo and conditioner pair (Kerastase Nutritive is the gold-standard premium pick; OGX Coconut Milk is the budget equivalent). Always finish with a smoothing serum or anti-humidity product on the damp ends; this is the step that separates frizz-free 1C from puffy 1C. Weekly deep-mask treatments make a visible difference; 1C's thicker strands actually absorb the mask rather than wearing it on top. Heat-style as desired, with a heat protectant. Avoid Type 2-3 curl products; the curl pattern is not there to define, and the cream weight will not produce waves on 1C, just leave it heavy. The blowout is where 1C shines because the heat tames the coarseness; air-drying without a smoothing product is where 1C most often disappoints.
Cleansing
Shampoo every 2-3 days. Lightweight sulphate-free formulas avoid stripping.
Conditioning
Condition every wash. A weekly deep condition improves definition and reduces frizz.
Styling
Mousse or lightweight gel applied to damp hair encourages wave definition. Scrunch upward.
Night routine
Protect your hair at night with a satin or silk pillowcase or bonnet. Loose styles reduce friction and breakage while sleeping.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skipping smoothing serum on damp ends; this is the single step that determines whether 1C reads as polished or frizzy
Using volumising products designed for 1A; the lightweight formulas do not address 1C's coarseness and leave the hair looking dry rather than voluminous
Trying curl products to produce waves; 1C does not form curls and the cream weight just sits on the hair without effect
Over-washing without compensating with deep conditioning; 1C's cuticle is more lift-prone than 1A or 1B and dries out faster from over-shampooing
Air-drying in humid conditions without an anti-humidity finish; 1C will expand and frizz dramatically without the cuticle-sealing step
Products that work for Type 1C
Curated picks by category. Affiliate links included - we earn a commission at no cost to you. See our full disclaimer in the footer.
Shampoo
Moisture Repair Shampoo
Kerastase Nutritive - $36
Premium moisturising shampoo formulated for coarse, dry strands; 1C's coarseness benefits from this richer cleansing.
Smoothing Shampoo
Aveda - $32
Tames frizz at the wash step; the morningstar lily extract in this formula helps 1C's humidity-sensitive cuticle.
Coconut Milk Shampoo
OGX - $10
Budget moisturising option for everyday 1C use; coconut milk gives the slip and weight 1C tolerates well.
Conditioner
Nutritive Conditioner
Kerastase Nutritive - $42
Rich conditioner that 1C's coarse strands absorb without going limp; the texture handles the weight that 1A or 1B would collapse under.
Smoothing Conditioner
Aveda - $32
Anti-frizz finishing conditioner; the morningstar lily complex tames 1C's humidity-driven frizz noticeably.
Smoothing serum
Frizz Defy Smoothing Serum
Living Proof - $36
1C's defining frizz issue; this serum is designed to seal the cuticle without buildup. Apply to damp ends before air-drying.
Anti-Humidity Spray
Living Proof - $30
Daily anti-humidity finish for 1C; lock the cuticle flat in damp conditions where 1C otherwise expands.
Leave-in
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil 6-in-1 Styling Spray
Bumble and bumble - $36
1C handles oil well; this lightweight oil spray adds shine and slip without making the hair greasy.
Coconut Argan Oil Leave-in
Mielle Organics - $11
Budget oil-based leave-in; 1C absorbs the oil rather than wearing it on top the way 1A would.
Deep treatment
Hair Mask for Dry Damaged Hair
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair - $38
Weekly deep mask for 1C's frizz-prone coarseness; restores moisture to the cuticle in a way the daily conditioner cannot.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase via our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe suit this hair type.
Next steps
Retake the quiz
Confirm your type or explore borderline results
Test your porosity
Porosity affects product choice more than type alone
Type 1A
Completely straight, fine, and silky with no natural wave
Type 1B
Straight with slight body and bounce at the ends
Self-test guide
5 steps to type your hair without the quiz