Shaving, like a lot of things, isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all practice. The texture of your hair plays a major role in how comfortably a razor moves across your skin – influencing glide, resistance and how prone you are to shave irritation or ingrowns. If your current routine feels a bit hit‑and‑miss, it may have less to do with your technique and more to do with the natural behaviour of your hair.
If you’re a man wondering, what hair type do I have, you’re already on the right track. Understanding whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly or coily helps you choose the right tools and approaches, so you’re working with your natural pattern rather than fighting against it.
How Do I Find My Hair Type?
Here’s what to look for in the natural pattern of the hair on your head to determine where you sit within the four main men’s hair types.
Type 1 – straight hair: Naturally straight from root to tip. Type 2 – wavy hair: Has a gentle ‘S’ shape. Type 3 – curly hair: Forms clear curls or ringlets. Type 4 – coily hair: Can look like tight curls or zig-zag patterns.
Why Is My Body Hair Different From the Hair on My Head?
Don’t let the difference in your body hair stop you in your tracks when you’re figuring out how to know my hair type. There is a noticeable difference between the two hair types: while your head hair is meant to grow long for protection, your body hair only needs to be short and is guided by shorter growth cycles.
How Do I Shave Different Regions of My Body?
Every zone may require a different approach based on the types of hair men grow there. Understanding different hair types for men can help you to adapt your technique.
The Head (Scalp)
Scalp hair is usually the most uniform. Whether you have straight or curly hair, the main challenge is the surface area and the curves of the skull. A multi-blade razor, like the Gillette Labs Exfoliating Razor, is ideal for this as the Flexdisc pivoting head effortlessly adapts to your contours for a smooth shave.
The Chest and Back
Wavy and curly hair is common on the chest, and this hair often grows in multiple directions. To help avoid irritation when grooming this area, identify the direction of hair growth (often referred to as the ‘grain’) in different sections of the chest before shaving.
Selecting a razor specifically designed for body grooming is key to a successful shave. Our GilletteLabs BODY+INTIMATE products have all the tools you need to achieve smooth, comfortable results when maintaining your chest, back, legs and pubic hair. Whether you opt for a tidy trim or a close shave, our body grooming essentials are ideal for tackling hard-to-reach areas.
For more expert advice, check out our ultimate guide to shaving and trimming chest hair.
The Pubic Region
This area typically has the coarsest, curliest hair types men experience. Because pubic hair is often type 3 or 4, it is the most prone to ingrown hairs.
The skin is also thinner here, so using a dedicated tool with a fresh blade, like our GilletteLabs BODY+INTIMATE razor, is essential to help prevent nicks and tugging. Equipped with a triple defence system (long-lasting lubrication, anti-ingrown and anti-irritation bars), this innovative razor provides Gillette’s safest* body shave for smooth skin.
Pair with the dermatologist-tested GilletteLabs BODY+INTIMATE 2-in-1 Shave Cream Cleanser for enhanced glide and protection.
What Makes Hair Straight vs Curly?
The way your hair naturally falls—whether it’s straight, wavy or curly—often comes down to the internal structure and shape of each fibre and follicle. Straight hair tends to have a round shape, while curly hair has a more elliptical or flattened shape. This structure may influence how your hair bends and coils.
What Trimmer is Best for My Hair Texture?
Once you’ve solved the mystery of how to know your hair type, we’ve included some suggestions for which trimmer would suit you best, depending on your hair type and texture.
Type 1 – Straight Hair
The King C. Gillette Style Master is designed to glide easily through straight hair. - It’s great for stubble, short beards and clean edges.
- Little to no tugging as straight hair offers low resistance.
Type 2 – Wavy Hair
- Wavy hair can bunch or bend, so the King C. Gillette Style Master works well if you’re looking to achieve a short, tidy look.
For longer waves, the King C. Gillette Trimmer Pro with 2 Combs & Brush is great for keeping things even and controlled.
Type 3 – Curly Hair
Ideal for men with curly hair types, the King C. Gillette Beard Trimmer Pro Max also comes with a powerful motor and guided combs. - The interchangeable combs work to prevent snagging and help maintain shape.
- Best for medium to long curly beards.
Type 4 – Coily Hair
Coily hair is dense and springy, so it is compatible with the power and stability of the King C. Gillette Beard and Moustache Trimmer. - The metal blades are designed to stay sharp and cut through dense growth effortlessly.
- Adjustable settings make it perfect for shaping fuller, coarser textures.
Shaving Tips for All Men’s Hair Types
Whether these serve as a refresher or a quick nudge in the right direction, these shaving tips may boost the overall comfort and effectiveness of your shave.
Prep with warmth: Soften the hair with warm water before shaving to help reduce friction and make each stroke more seamless. Also, always use a shaving foam like our Gillette Labs Rapid Foaming Shaving Gel to improve the glide of your blade and boost comfort. Use a fresh, sharp razor: Using a new blade helps reduce the chance of razor bumps or shaving rash – especially for men with coarse or curly hair types. Aim to change your blade regularly and ensure you’re looking after your razor correctly too such as, storing your blades upright to air dry. Shave with the grain: Follow the natural direction of your hair growth to maximise ease and comfort. Follow with aftercare: Visibly soothe the shaved area by applying a gentle moisturiser, such as the King C. Gillette Face & Stubble Moisturiser. Explore more post-shave tips to incorporate at your bathroom sink in our dedicated post-shave routine.
FAQs
Do Men Have the Same Hair Types as Women?
Men typically have thicker hair, also known as terminal hair, across more areas of their body. However, hormones may affect how the follicle behaves, potentially influencing thickness, growth rate and more.
Does Shaving Make Hair Grow Back Thicker?
No, despite common belief, shaving does not actually make hair thicker. Shaving cuts hair at a blunt angle, which may make any regrowth feel coarser and appear thicker, but the hair follicle remains unchanged.
Does Shaving Your Hair Change Its Texture?
No, shaving your hair does not change its texture. Any unusual roughness you may feel is temporary and caused by sharp, freshly cut ends.
No longer pondering what type of hair do I have is the first step to perfecting your shave. Whether your hair grows straight, wavy, curly or coily, knowing where you sit on the spectrum helps you make smarter grooming choices.
The rumours are true – tools matter. The right trimmer can transform your routine, working with your texture to make each shave smoother and more precise. It’s the difference between everyday shaving and grooming that genuinely feels tailored to you.
Our Gillette range is a great place to begin – explore it today.
