Hi, I'm a newbie and I have tried to find out what my hair type is. It's...erm difficult. When I wash it, it's in a z/ s shape (almost like I krimped it or something.) When I look at Number system thing-y it says that african american hair is either 3c (which I am NOT, for sure), 4a and 4b. My hair isn't one bit curly though....I'm really confused, can someone please help me?

Sounds like 4b.  I think 4a has a very tight s pattern and 4b has no curl pattern at all and is z shaped.

Taken from http://naturallycurly2.com/curl411/types.php - http://naturallycurly2.com/curl411/types.php .........

There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an "S" pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture. But what if your hair has been chemically straightened? How can you tell which subtype you belong to if your hair is relaxed? You'll need at least one inch of new growth to tell. Pull at the roots. If you can see a definite curl pattern, then it's an A, if not, then it's a B.

I'm glad someone was able to help her. Sometimes the hair typing system throws me off...so A means more curl than a B? Is that for all hair types?

cmesweet wrote: I'm glad someone was able to help her. Sometimes the hair typing system throws me off...so A means more curl than a B? Is that for all hair types?

Yeah, some of them are confusing.  That LOIS system throws me for a loop.  Yea, it applies to all hair types, for example type 3b is a tighter curl than 3a and 3c is curlier than 3b.  Same goes for the 2's.