Hairtyping Opinions on this 3 Type Hair

[DweamGoiL]

This is my youngest daughter's hair after I washed it for her today (pictures are clickable):

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/dweamgoil/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/th_Rowan_Wet_Hair_zps3d78464e.jpg (http://s987.photobucket.com/user/dweamgoil/media/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/Rowan_Wet_Hair_zps3d78464e.jpg.html)
Here it's still wet after combing it once

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/dweamgoil/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/th_Rowan_Dry_Hair_zps204e4c75.jpg (http://s987.photobucket.com/user/dweamgoil/media/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/Rowan_Dry_Hair_zps204e4c75.jpg.html)
This is after it dried. It's hard to see, but her hair is fine

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/dweamgoil/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/th_Rowan_Dry_Hair2_zps45242d76.jpg (http://s987.photobucket.com/user/dweamgoil/media/Long%20Hair%202003%20to%20Now/Rowan%20Curly%20Hair%20110913/Rowan_Dry_Hair2_zps45242d76.jpg.html)
In this side picture, it's easier to see the curl pattern

I have always typed her hair as 3c/f/iii, but taking a closer look, she may be in between 3b and 3c...what do you think?

[CurlyCap]

Her hair looks a lot like mine when I comb it. Sharpie diameter curls that happen to also repeat many times per inch. This is not the same as 3c, which is smaller, pencil sized curls that can occur at any repetition/inch.

The act of combing it turns the curls into s-curls or waves and prevents a nice solid curl from forming. What does her hair look like if you co-wash it, slap on a lot of conditioner as a leave-in, and let it drip dry?

For some reason, the instinct is to at least comb hair that is curly, hoping to tame it in some way. But oddly enough, curly hair behaves best when it is left alone, usually with lots of product in it. I only felt comfortable completing abandoning my comb about a year ago.

Might be an experiment worth trying: Have her co-wash her hair, and while it is slathered with a ton of conditioner, only finger comb through it. Then rinse the conditioner out and 1) let it dry without product in it or 2)Gently smooth conditioner over her length disturbing the natural curl as little as possible. This will let us see how her curl forms on it's own.

I'm very interested to see if MandyBeth chimes in. Her daughter apparently has true 3c hair that is classic length and she might be able to remark on what 3c hair looks like long and combed. However, just going by my friends who are 3c...they're hair isn't as long as your daughter's, but it doesn't relax into waves when combed.

Hope that helps.

[DweamGoiL]

Thanks, CurlyCap; I'll try that. I do only COwash her hair. I have been doing this for years, but I also comb it out after she gets out the shower. I'll try not to comb it out next time to see what it does on its own.

[Kaelee]

I don't know, but her hair is stunning!!!!

[jeanniet]

Her hair is beautiful. I do agree with Curly Cap that it's more 3b than 3c. If you do feel it needs to be combed out, try doing it in the shower before you apply leavein and see if that makes a difference.

[Cheyne]

Just popped in to say "What gorgeous hair!".

[DweamGoiL]

I will definitely pass on all your wonderful compliments. She will be thrilled!