With type 2 hair, you can enjoy more liveliness with dynamic waves, but you can also be frustrated by its potential frizz. As with most hair types, it has its pros and cons. However, the versatility of type 2 hair is unmatched as it can be straightened, curled, or sit in its natural waves.

When cared for properly, your type 2 hair’s potential is almost limitless. With more insight into what it is like to have type 2 hair, you can take the right steps to care for your hair while keeping it healthy and lively.

Table of Contents:

• How To Differ Type 2 Hair from Other Types
• What Are the Subtypes of Type 2 Hair?
• Type 2A
• Type 2B
• Type 2C
• What to Expect from Type 2 Hair
• How to Care for Type 2 Hair
• How To Style Type 2 Hair
• Embrace the Waves
• Go Curly, or Straight
• Handle the Frizz
• What Products to Use on Type 2 Hair
• Volumizing Conditioner
• Hair Oil
• Hair Mask

How To Differ Type 2 Hair from Other Types

Your hair type and subtype help define the structure and texture of your hair. Type 2 hair is probably the most ambiguous hair type, as it is certainly not straight but also not quite curly. Type 2 hair is best described as wavy hair. This hair type is generally straight closer to the roots before starting to develop an S-pattern closer to the end of the strands.

What Are the Subtypes of Type 2 Hair?

Although all type 2 hair has a similar structure, the texture of your hair depends on its subtype. The following three subtypes help give more insight into what you can expect from type 2 hair.

• Type 2A

Type 2A hair is the straightest of the three subtypes. The texture of 2A hair is finer and thinner than others and has a slight S pattern. Since the hair strands are thinner, the hair is often easier to work with and detangle. Type 2A hair runs a greater risk of being flat or less lively than other subtypes, especially when treated with heavy products.

• Type 2B

This subtype is wavier than 2A and has a clearer, more apparent S shape. Some find Type 2B more difficult to manage because it is more likely to be frizzy and harder to style due to its thicker texture. You may need to put in extra work when trying to straighten type 2B hair. However, this hair subtype is also bouncier and voluminous, especially farther away from the root.

• Type 2C

Those with type 2C hair have the thickest hair of the three subtypes. People with 2C hair enjoy the benefit of naturally lively hair that often needs little effort to style. Many people mistake this hair type for curly hair, but it can be distinguished for its lack of ringlets and total curls. Still, this hair type has plenty of body and is less likely to fall flat, especially as the waves begin closer to the roots rather than the ends of the strands.

What to Expect from Type 2 Hair

If you have type 2 hair, you can expect a few tendencies. For example, type 2 hair runs the risk of being dryer than completely straight hair. The natural waves, and sometimes curls, of type 2 hair makes it a little more difficult for oil to move from the roots to the strands.

Because of the texture and pattern of the hair, the natural oils are able to move through the hair strands without too much difficulty. However, the oil does not pass through the hair as easily as straight hair, so it does not become overly oily. As a result, type 2 hair demonstrates a better balance between not being too dry and not too greasy. However, wavy hair can still end up drier than straight hair if not cared for properly.

Wavy hair’s increased risk of dryness means that you can expect the hair to be frizzy more often. Wavy hair is also typically lighter than curly hair, making the chances of frizzy hair even higher. The higher risk of frizzy hair means that you should take extra precautions to prevent frizz as you care for your wavy strands.

Since type 2 hair falls between straight and curvy hair, it can often change between the two structures and is more susceptible to the weather. In the summer humidity, those with type 2 hair can expect their hair to be wavier, more voluminous, and even frizzier. Meanwhile, in the dryer winter air, your hair is often straighter and ends up flat. As a result, you will need to consider how to include moisturizing techniques in your hair care routine.

How to Care for Type 2 Hair

Your routine will play an important role in the strength and texture of your hair. Although you cannot completely change how wavy your hair will be, you can accentuate and emphasize its natural textures.

• Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Much

Unlike straight hair, type 2 hair doesn’t need to be washed every day. Type 2 hair does not build up oil nearly as fast as straight hair, so washing your hair too frequently will strip it of the residual oil and leave it feeling dry and dull.

Rather than washing every day, try to wash your hair around two to three times a week. This allows your hair to retain more of its natural oils.

When you do wash your hair, you should use a product that will not dry out your hair. It is important to use a shampoo with naturally moisturizing ingredients. Shampoos with harsh ingredients will dry out your hair strands and leave it looking dull and frizzy. Try a shampoo like WOW’s.

• Find a Trustworthy Conditioner

A crucial part of caring for your hair is finding an effective conditioner since it plays such an important role in a hair care routine. As you wash your hair, you risk washing out all of the natural oils. Using the right conditioner is an excellent way to start restoring those oils and keeping your hair hydrated. Your conditioner can also play a part in strengthening your hair, helping to minimize the risk of damage and breakage.

The ingredients in your conditioner matter. Just as you should with any hair care product, you should make sure that your conditioner does not have any harsh chemicals. Conditioners with alcohol or sulfates are often counterproductive as they can dry out your hair more than moisturize it. Instead, choose a conditioner that will provide vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients to your hair.

Onion oil is another beneficial product for type 2 hair. It contains sulfur, which is essential for healthy hair growth and can improve the overall condition of the hair. Onion oil can help reduce breakage and thinning, and can even stimulate new hair growth.

To keep your hair silky and smooth with extra hydration, you can choose to be less detailed when rinsing your hair and allowing some conditioner to rest in your hair. By not rinsing all of the conditioner out of your hair, you can coat your hair strands to prevent them from drying out as quickly. 

• Brush Your Hair Regularly

Those with straight hair can maybe skip a morning of brushing the hair without seeing major consequences. However, thanks to its natural waves, type 2 hair has a greater risk of tangling. Brushing regularly helps to keep the hair from tangling up.

Not only does brushing your hair make it less likely to tangle up, but it also helps you keep it from drying out. Brushing your hair at least once a day, if not twice, helps to work the natural oils from the roots of the hair out to the end of the strands. Moving the oil through the hair keeps it moisturized and strong, preventing breakage and damage.

When you brush, make sure not to brush your hair when it is dry. Brushing dry hair increases static electricity build-up, leads to breakages, and causes frizz. Always brush your hair when it is wet. If you need to fix your hair when it is dry, you can gently run your fingers through your hair to break up the tangles.

How To Style Type 2 Hair

One of the biggest benefits of type 2 hair is its versatility. The thickness of most type 2 hair makes it able to hold styles, but the natural waves also make for a great style on their own. When styling your hair, you should consider doing the following.

• Embrace the Waves

With type 2 hair, especially 2C and often 2B, you can often forego styling altogether. If you want to, you can fully embrace the natural waves and curls of your hair. Instead of loading product into your hair, you can allow the hair to sit naturally. 

• Go Curly, or Straight

The thickness of type 2 hair makes it more resilient when styling. With the right tools, your wavy hair can become curly or straight in no time. The thicker hair texture more easily holds shape after styling. 2A hair may be a bit more challenging to style than the other subtypes, but it can still hold shape with enough effort.

Unlike thin, straight hair, type 2 hair is more resistant to heat damage. However, you should always take precautions to protect against heat damage and avoid trying to style hydrated hair.

• Handle the Frizz

When styling type 2 hair, the biggest challenge that you are likely to face is taming the frizz. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to reduce stray hairs. However, to make styling easier, you need to be mindful throughout the other parts of your hair care routine as well.

In the shower, avoid using hot water that will dry out your hair and cause frizz. After your shower, you should steer clear of towel drying your hair since it increases the likelihood of frizz. Instead, you can let the hair air dry or use a blow dryer. You should also be sure to choose the right products and be careful of your brushing routine to tame your frizz.  

What Products to Use on Type 2 Hair

The products that you use on your hair can have a big impact on the health and texture of your hair. Because of the unique waviness of type 2 hair, you need specific haircare products to care for your waves.

• Volumizing Conditioner

Despite being more lively than straight hair, type 2 hair still has the potential to be flat on a bad hair day. Fortunately, you can have more control over your bad hair days than you might think. Finding the right volumizing conditioner helps you accentuate your natural waves and bring more life to your hair.

You can select an effective volumizing conditioner by choosing ingredients that nourish and hydrate your hair. Volumizing ingredients are also hydrating ingredients. Some of the best ingredients to look for in a conditioner include coconut oil, almond oil, and vitamins E and B5. All of these ingredients can be found in WOW’s Coconut and Avocado Conditioner, capable of adding life to your hair.

• Hair Oil

Treating your hair with a hair oil treatment can do wonders for its health. Hair oil treatments are especially helpful for wavy type 2 hair, providing additional moisture and nourishment past your regular shampoo and conditioning routine. This treatment provides hydration not only to your hair stands but also work deeper into the scalp.

When searching for hair oil, you will find that you have many options. Different oils have different benefits, providing a range of vitamins and antioxidants. WOW Skin Science has multiple hair oils to choose from, including Moroccan Argan Hair Oil and our nutrient-packed 10-in-1 Hair Oil, among many others. You can’t go wrong with either option, so explore the benefits of each for yourself.

• Hair Mask

Wavy hair needs extra help to retain moisture in order to prevent frizz. A good conditioner can help, but an effective hair mask can take your hair care routine to the next level. Hair masks can keep your hair hydrated and help strengthen each strand, helping you steer clear of potential damage and breakage.

WOW hair masks contain hydrolyzed wheat protein, which is great for adding volume to your hair. For a surprisingly nourishing hair mask treatment, try WOW’s Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Mask. With hydrolyzed wheat proteins, argan oil, almond oil, and coconut oil, this hair mask brings your softer, silkier, and shinier hair. These natural oils offer omega-6 fatty acids, lauric acid, and several vitamins that soak into the hair to moisturize, strengthen and protect each strand.

Other great options include WOW’s Coconut Milk Hair Mask for damaged hair and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask for dull hair. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural hair clarifier that can help remove build-up from hair products and hard water. It also helps balance the pH level of your scalp, which can reduce dandruff and itchiness.

As with all hair types, type 2 hair has its list of benefits and drawbacks. You can enjoy the natural waves of type 2 hair, but you may have to take extra steps to keep it from falling flat. As long as you nourish and moisturize your hair properly, you can protect your wavy strands and keep them looking lively.

To learn more about the best way to care for your type 2 hair, explore our expert advice section at WOW Skin Science. We bring you plenty of tips and important information about how you can provide the best care possible for your hair type and concerns.

WOW Skin Science is here to give you the help and the tools you need to care for your hair, regardless of your hairstyle. With all-natural products, free from harmful chemicals and additives, you can give your hair 100% plant-based nourishment. Explore our complete collection of hair care products and find the formula that best fits your needs.