Type 1A hair is pin-straight fine hair that shines beautifully. Most women dream of this straight hair and opt for different treatments like hair straightening, hair smoothening, keratin, or magic sleek. But the natural luster that people with this hair type experience is hard to achieve.
However, it’s not all good. 1A hair comes with its challenges and demands that extra TLC from you.
Let us discuss in detail how to care for 1A hair, and which hairstyles work best for your hair type with some exclusive hair hacks that will make your journey easier.
What Is 1A Hair Type?
1A hair is a straight hair type with a fine diameter that lacks volume and gets greasy fast. You will notice that it is hard to curl your hair as it lacks the ability to hold curls but it has a very beautiful glossy shine.
Best Features Of 1A Hair
Pin Straight Hair
One of the best features of the 1a hair type is that it is pin straight naturally even when they are wet or if you air dry them. You won’t feel the need to reach out to any heat-styling tools like flat irons to make your hair straight.
Frizz Free Hair
One of the most dreaded hair concerns of most women is stubborn frizzy hair that is unmanageable. You don’t have to worry about having frizzy hair because of the abundance of natural oils that help prevent your hair from getting frizzy.
Glossy Shine
Another distinct feature of 1A hair is the glossy shine. This hair type shines so beautifully leaving anyone envious especially people with lifeless or brillo pad hair.
Less Prone To Dry Hair
Since you have been naturally blessed with enough natural oils, your hair is less likely to appear dry.
Worst Features Of 1A Hair
Gets Greasy Fast
The sebum that helps your hair appear glossy and prevents dryness, unfortunately, leads to greasy and weighed-down hair.
Lacks Volume
Another challenge of having 1A hair is the lack of volume. No matter how much you try, your hair lacks that natural bounce and volume.
Doesn’t Hold Curls
We all love to experiment with our hair be it curly or straight. But people with 1A hair often deal with stubborn hair that does not hold curls no matter what you do. Whether you use a hair curler, sleep with sock curls, or use any heat styling tools, your hair always ends up losing its curls.
I have shared a detailed guide on how to curl 1A hair below in case you wish to check it out.
Prone To Breakage
This hair type is extremely fragile and susceptible to hair breakage and split ends.
Ideal Hair Care Routine For 1a Hair With Right Products
Choose Your Shampoo Wisely
Your scalp produces a lot of sebum so opt for a good volumizing shampoo especially one without more natural oils like argan oil as these may weigh down your hair even more.
Here are the best shampoos for 1A hair that we recommend:
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another hack is including reverse washing aka conditioning before shampooing as it would prevent your hair volume from being stolen while you wash it off. And do not opt for co-washing as it is not ideal for your hair type.
Don’t Ditch Your Conditioner
I know it feels like your hair is nourished enough and conditioner might leave your hair with more product build-up but using a good volumizing conditioner will definitely help you.
Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dry Shampoo
To prevent the greasiness, instead of washing your hair daily or every other day, incorporate a good dry shampoo in your hair care routine. It not only prevents your hair from getting greasy fast but also saves you a lot of time.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lemon Rinse Works Best
If you have ever been on this beauty blog then you might already know how much I recommend this hair hack. I personally use it all the time and it helps keep those dirty greasy strands in place.
Incorporate Indian Hair Oiling Treatment In Your Regime
I cannot stress this enough how much hair oiling treatment has helped my hair get better and healthier over the years. It is one of my long Indian hair secrets that I inherited growing up.
I know it might feel odd applying oil on your already oily scalp but trust me on this. Opt for lightweight hair oils that work best to combat your hair concerns and improve your scalp health. Hair oils for thicker hair also help your hair grow faster and thicker so you can have thicker hair.
Volumizing Mousses Does Help
Since your hair lacks that extra bounce incorporating a good volumizing mousse in your regime is a good idea.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave-ins Are Not A Bad Idea
As your hair are susceptible to hair breakage and split ends, incorporating a lightweight leave-in conditioner goes a long way in protecting your hair from hair breakage.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Opt For the Right Styling Tools
Blow drying works best for styling 1A hair and achieving that extra boost of volume instantly. You can also opt for hot hair brushes which are exclusively meant to get more volume in your hair.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Incorporate good flat iron for volumizing hair or a good crimper to achieve that extra volume in your flat hair. You can also invest in a good curling iron with a 1-inch barrel size for achieving those extra-tight curls.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Hairstyles To Style 1A Hair
Always opt for the hairstyles that you feel comfortable in. Here are just some recommendations of hairstyles that compliment 1A hair type well:
Long Hair With Layers
A lot of layers help create an illusion of volume in your pretty hair be it long hair length or medium length hair. It’s the perfect hairstyle for 1a hair.
Face Framing Curtain Bangs With Straight Hair
View this post on Instagram
With this style, you’ll show more of your bangs to create an attractive frame for your face. This style works best if you have a heart-shaped face.
Straight Bob
This is yet another hairstyle that not only is ideal for people who enjoy short hair and have less natural hair volume.
Modern Chelsea Hair Cut
Modern Chelsea haircuts come in the trendiest styles according to the preferences of the fashion culture. The hair comes in a variety of lengths, is unbalanced, and has softer and more textured layers which makes it one of the best styles for 1a hair.
Balayage
This hair coloring style complements perfectly to fake hair volume. It’s the perfect hair coloring technique that makes your hair appear naturally sun-kissed and appear gorgeous.
Asymmetrical Cuts
If you are looking for a good non-binary haircut for a more androgynous look, then try this. Ask your hairstylist for asymmetrical cuts which compliments your hair type perfectly.
Braids
Braids not only help you appear more put together but also help your hair appear more thicker. The best braids you can opt for are side braids, waterfall braids, Dutch braids or French braids.
Side-Parted Strands
This is the easiest hairstyle you can try to make your hair appear more fuller. When you partition your hair from sides instead of center parting it suits best for people with 1a hair.
High Ponytail
A high ponytail also helps to make your flat hair appear full of volume. It’s the easiest hairstyle, takes just a couple of minutes to try, and looks extremely pretty.
Exclusive Hair Hacks For Your Hair Type
Satin Pillow
Switch to silk pillowcases instead of regular cotton pillowcases as it helps to absorb the extra natural oils from your scalp and hair which prevents your hair from getting greasy.
Last update on 2024-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Avoid Over Washing
I know you might feel the urge to wash your hair daily but it just triggers your scalp to produce more and more sebum contributing to your problem. In between washes you can opt for hair rinses, dry shampoos or washing your hair with just water.
Backcombing
Backcombing is the quickest way to add instant volume to your hair.
Choose Wooden Combs Over Plastic Ones
Wooden combs help distribute excessive natural oils from your scalp to your entire hair length. In turn, it helps prevent your hair from appearing greasy while lifting your roots at the same time. Also ditch the regular plastic combs or boar bristle brushes as it leads to static effect which contributes to hair breakage.
Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Avoid Swoop Ponytails
It’s always a good idea to avoid tight hairstyles like swoop ponytails as they tend to steal your hair volume and hold back your hair from its roots which does not work well with the 1a hair type.
Go For Multi-Dimensional Color Combinations
Multi-dimensional hair color ideas like ash purple hair, half red half black hair, half black half blonde hair, sunflower hair color, and peekaboo hair colors flaunt 1a hair beautifully.
Clarify Once A Month
Clarifying your hair once a month helps to remove excessive sebum and product buildup from your hair and scalp which promotes better hair health and scalp health in the long run. Along with a clarifying shampoo, you can also opt for ACV rinse or go for hair detox once every two months for better uplifting your hair from its roots.
How To Curl 1A Hair?
To curl your 1a hair and make your curls last longer follow these steps:
- Go for reverse washing or conditioning before shampooing to make your hair strands hold curls better.
- Follow up with a volumizing mousse and a curl activator. You can also go for a volumizing gel if that’s what you prefer.
- Now apply a good heat protectant on your hair and pick your ideal hair curler preferably with a one-inch barrel size for tighter and long-lasting curls.
- Part your hair in sections and curl your hair one section at a time.
- Follow with a good alcohol-free hair spray to make your hair last longer.
That’s it! you are ready to flaunt your beautiful curls. Just make sure you don’t use a comb or else you will put all your efforts to curl your hair in a vein.
Over To You
I tried to sum up a detailed guide on how to take care of 1A hair, what are the best products for your hair as well as the best hairstyles for your hair type. In case if you feel I missed out on any important point, feel free to share via comments.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out:
- Best Products To Keep Your Hair Straight After Straightening It
- Best Magnetic Rollers For Achieving Perfect Long Lasting Curls
- Best Hot Rollers For Short Hair: Buying Guide & Reviews
Have a lovely day.