Straight Hair with Swing
Photo: TYMO Beauty / Unsplash
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Straight Hair with Swing (Type 1B)
Quick look
- Type code: Type 1B — Straight Hair with Swing.
- Texture & porosity: Fibers remain mostly round with a slight elliptical lean, giving this type a soft S-bend and medium density that responds quickly to direction.1
- Risk factors: Removing too many layers or blasting with uncontrolled heat collapses the bend that provides movement and exposes gaps along the outline.2
- Tool pairing: Secure the baseline with a micro-serrated bevel, then layer with 5.5-6.0 in semi-convex blades and reserve mid-tooth blenders for gentle interior diffusion only.2,3
Why it matters
Type 1B hair needs enough structure to read intentional while allowing the natural swing to show. Balancing a firm weight line with airy crown work keeps the silhouette modern without emptying the perimeter your client relies on for fullness.2
Technique map
- Cut the outline in natural fall using a short micro-serrated bevel so the weight line stays graphic even after the strand settles.2
- Elevate crown sections to about 45 degrees above horizontal and point cut with a semi-convex 5.5 in shear to stack soft movement.2
- Ventilate interior panels with a 35-40 tooth blender above the parietal ridge, leaving the final inch untouched so the outline remains solid.3
- Finish with nozzle-directed airflow or a cordless iron pass to accent the weight line and open the mid-lengths without scorching the cuticle.2
Usage notes
- Use diagonal-back partings when setting sections; the bias automatically lifts the root without stealing weight from the ends.2
- Keep tension moderate—just enough to control the panel while letting the natural S-curve cue where layers should land.2
- After heat finishing, reassess the outline in natural fall and refine with the bevel wherever the weight line has softened.2
Maintenance / Client Care
- Encourage clients to rough-dry to about 75 percent without a nozzle, then polish with a round brush to lock in movement while keeping cuticle flat.2
- Layer a root-lift spray into the palms before raking through so the product lives at the base instead of weighing down the surface.4
- Book trims every eight to ten weeks so interior lift and perimeter strength stay balanced as density shifts with wear.2
Related Types & Sources
Related hair types: Glass Straight Fine Hair (Type 1A), Dense Straight Heavy Hair (Type 1C)
Sources