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Whether you know you have 1B hair or you think you do, this guide details everything you need to understand your hair type. From the best hairstyles to the best products, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re not sure if you do in fact have the hair type, you’ll be 100% certain either way by the end of reading through this article. Ready to take better care of your hair type by gaining a thorough understanding of it? Read below for all the info you need on 1B hair!
(via Unsplash)
What Is 1B Hair?
First off, we want it to be known we’re talking about the pattern of hair, not the 1B hair color. If you’ve come here for the former, you’re in the right place. If not, keep searching. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive right in. This particular hair type is still about as straight as 1A hair but tends to have a bit more body and volume. What also differentiates this hair type from 1A is that it can hold a curl. Oftentimes, this hair type even has curled or flipped ends. So if you tend to have straight, thick strands that can hold a curl, you very likely have 1B hair. This even tends to be the hair type category most individuals who have straight hair fall into. If you can’t pinpoint the exact straight hair type category you fall into, go with this one.
As with other straight hair types, this one also tends to be a bit oily. The nice thing about 1B hair is that oil travels a bit easier from root to tip than 1A hair, leaving your strands looking shinier and less greasy. However, you’re very likely to struggle with flyaways, tangles, and frizz.
1B Haircare Tips
As far as 1B haircare goes, taking care of your strands is a relatively easy task. There are a handful of maintenance rules you should follow, but they aren’t too unrealistic. Discover how to best care for your hair below.
1. Maintain a regular hairwashing schedule.
For your 1B hair type, you’ll want to wash your hair between two to three times a week. If you wash it too often, you run the risk of ramping up oil production. Given that your strands already tend to produce more oil than they should, it’s best to avoid turning into a grease machine.
2. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp.
Because your strands can be a bit limp and lifeless, try your best to avoid applying conditioner to your scalp. Instead, focus on your ends. With your hair type, your tips tend to get a little frizzy and dry anyway. The best way to keep them nourished is by applying an extra bit of conditioner on them.
3. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week.
We’ll dive into the best 1B haircare products in a few scrolls, but for now, we want to emphasize adding a clarifying shampoo to your wash routine. Using one will help calm oil production, leaving your scalp free of excess sebum that can weigh down your hair even more. Your scalp will feel incredibly refreshed and free after just one use of a clarifying shampoo.
4. Try a hair rinse.
Is washing your hair with the right products still not doing enough to cleanse your strands? A hair rinse may very well be your saving grace. Rinses that contain apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, or rosemary oil can be very beneficial to keep oil at bay. Know that this isn’t a treatment you should use daily. Start using one every other week, then work it into your routine on a weekly basis.
5. Hydrate your hair.
You may think that because your hair is so greasy you don’t need to hydrate it, but you’d be wrong. We know it seems silly to add more oils and products to your strands. The fact of the matter is, that’s exactly what they need. Leave-in treatments and masks are great. Similar to our tip on conditioner above, be sure you avoid putting heavier products on your roots, aim more for the middle of your strands to the ends.
How to Style the Hair Type
Now let’s get into the fun part—styling your 1B hair type. Because your hair is naturally straighter, you may find that you don’t need to use a flat iron as often as other hair types. And unlike type 1A hair, your hair will hold a curl. So you can curl it when you’d like. That being said, be sure not to overdo it on the hot tools. Your strands tend to get damaged fairly easily and undoing that damage can take years. Before you use any hot tools on your strands, be sure you protect them with a heat styling spray.
Your hair also has the luxury of being a bit thicker than 1A, so you’re able to pull off more styles. You can try updos, braids, and so much more. However, these styles often require an extra bit of product to keep them in place. Too much product for your hair isn’t good, as it will likely make your strands appear oilier. Be sure to limit how often you try styles like these so that you don’t give your strands a reason to look greasy. And, again, use a clarifying shampoo.
The Best Hairstyles for 1B Hair
Ready for some 1B hairstyles? We figured as much. There are a number of styles and haircuts that look amazing on your hair type, so we rounded up a few of our favorites.
1. Pixie Cut
We know this can essentially mean chopping off your strands, but hear us out. The pixie is such a sweet, romantic short hairstyle that not every hair type has the luxury of being able to pull off. With your 1B hair, you do. It will require less maintenance than those with wavy and curly hair types and will grow out quite nicely. If you’ve been thinking of taking a risk with your hair, this is a sign to go for it.
2. Shoulder-Length Cuts With Layers
Shoulder-length cuts of any variety are truly the best 1B hairstyles around. They show off your hair’s natural texture, while not being too long or too short. What will really help your hair type is adding in some layers. With such straight strands, layers add an extra bit of dimension and volume that you would otherwise be missing out on.
3. Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are all the rage these days, and they’re an especially perfect hairstyle for the 1B hair type. The trendy bangs pair well with any haircut and (you guessed it) create some dimension in limp locks. They’re also incredibly easy to maintain and will grow out to gorgeous face-framing layers.
4. Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles
As far as styling 1B hair goes, our favorite looks are often half-up half-down hairstyles. There are a number of ways to pull off these styles and every way looks great on 1B hair. These styles help fake volume and dimension once again, while also being relatively easy to recreate.
5. The Side-Part
The middle part doesn’t really do a whole lot for your hair type. It really accentuates how flat your strands tend to be. To combat that, try the side-part. You can fake extra volume and body by messing around with the placement of your part. The deeper the side-part, the more voluminous your hair will appear.
The Best Hair Products for 1B Hair
When it comes to caring for your hair type, you’re going to need a little help. Luckily, there are a number of 1B hair products out there that will really give your strands the proper attention. From the best clarifying shampoo to the perfect hair mask, we’ve got a handful of the best products for your 1B hair type. Add these to your routine immediately!
Hey mane muse, we wanted to give you a heads up that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Okay, so what does that mean for you? It just means that Mane Addicts will collect a small share of the sale from any purchase you make from the products we recommend.
We’ve talked up clarifying shampoos as the ultimate 1B hair product, so it’s about time we share our favorite. Neutrogena’s The Anti-Residue Shampoo is touted by dermatologists and stylists alike for its ability to instantly remove up to 90% and leave your scalp feeling refreshed. The non-irritating formula means it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive scalps, so you won’t have to worry about it messing with your scalp’s precious pH balance. It’s even safe enough to use on color-treated hair.
(via Neutrogena)
We briefly touched on the importance of hair rinses above, but we wanted to remind you how necessary they are in your 1B haircare routine once more to really hammer our point home. From buildup brought on by styling products to your strands to incessant oil production, your strands need some heavy-duty rinsing. That’s where the dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse comes in. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and gluten, the vegan, cruelty-free, and color-safe rinse helps rebalance your scalp’s pH to keep oil at bay and produce shiny strands.
(via Ulta)
Adding a weekly hair mask into your routine will give your dry strands the moisture it desperately needs. Our favorite for your hair type is this one from OUAI. Shea butter, panthenol, and hydrolyzed keratin restore hydration, repair damage, and add shine to your strands without weighing them down.
(via Sephora)
Talk about a multi-hyphenate! This leave-in spray boasts 21 essential benefits for your strands. Not only does it add moisture and shine, it strengthens and repairs hair while also protecting it from heat. You do not need any other styling products for your 1B hair type other than this one.
(via Pureology)
Texturizing spray is a must for flat, fine hair because it adds that extra bit of oomph your strands tend to lack. We particularly love this one from Fekkai for our 1B hair because it’s designed specifically for those with flatter strands. Spray it on your roots and you’ll have body instantly that’ll last up to eight hours. No need to worry about reapplying every hour as you do with some texturizing sprays.
