The Ultimate Guide For Wavy Curly Hair: 2A, 2B, And 2C | The Mestiza Muse (2024)

Discovering Your Wavy Hair

When you shop for hair products, you probably notice all the labels marketed toward dry, fine, oily, colored hair, etc.

And while you can roughly conclude your hair texture, how do you genuinely know what category your hair falls into? Do these labels require a basic assumption of your hair type?

Well, your hair type is determined by a number of genetic factors and typically fits into straight, wavy, curly, or coily.

None of these are right or wrong. They just require different cuts, styling techniques, and products to look their best.

It’s essential to have an idea of your type, especially your hair curl type, to choose the right cut, style, products, and hair care regime for your hair.

If you don’t understand your hair type, you may use products that don’t serve your hair’s best health, resulting in damage.

People these days use a hair typing system as a guide. And while the hair typing system is not an end-all-be-all or one-size-fits-all guide, it’s a helpful place to start when understanding your hair.

It also isn’t perfect, but it helps to determine your curl pattern and hair requirements.

Besides hair damage, bad hair days, difficulty in managing your hair, challenges with styling, and unhealthy appearance of your hair may be because you aren’t using the correct methods and products that your hair type needs.

That is why discovering your hair type becomes essential.

What is Type 2 Wavy-Curly Hair?

To discover your hair type, you must understand the hair typing system and the hair categories. Two such systems are Naturally Curly, which follows this Curly Hair Scale, and the Andre Walker Hair Typing System (created in the 1990s).

• Type 2 Wavy – 2A, 2B, 2C
• Type 3 Curly – 3A, 3B, 3C
• Type 4 Coily – 4A, 4B, 4C

Each hair type (2,3, and 4) is classified into three subcategories demonstrating curly hair’s distinct patterns. The sub-classifications – from A to C – are based on the diameter of the wave, curl, or coil.

Type 2 (A, B, and C) hair is defined as S-shaped waves or curls. It is looser in texture and is often mistaken for straight or curly frizzy hair.

That is because it loses shape without the correct care techniques and products and doesn’t appear to fall under any category.

It can also look unruly or undone – almost as if it hasn’t been brushed out. Sometimes, it seems like curls gone wrong or dents left from scrunchies or braids.

Wavy hair is also easier to style in any form because it’s neither too smooth nor too textured.

Most of us curlies will fit into one or more categories/subcategories, which is normal. Sometimes you may fall into two categories, like 2C/3A or 3C/4A. That is also pretty common.

But knowing where your hair is placed on the scale can substantially change the game for your hair’s health.

The Curly Girl Method for Type 2 Wavy Hair

The Curly Girl Method (aka CG method), created by Lorraine Massey, is a set of guidelines for people with wavy, curly, and coily hair. It is a new way of thinking and caring for your hair, taking social media by storm.

Not only is it trending everywhere, but the Curly Girl Method has also allowed wavies and curlies from all walks of life to embrace their natural hair textures and styles and wear it like a crown.

The method has been a game changer for those with natural waves because it helps wavy hair gain shape and life.

The Curly Girl Method aims to help you understand your hair and how to take care of it to achieve healthy, frizz-free, bouncy curls.

It is based on the premise that many hair products on the market containing ingredients like sulfates, drying alcohols, mineral oils, wax, and silicone are “bad” for your hair.²

Massey says these ingredients can cause build-up, leading to frizz, tangles, and dryness. She also suggests no shampooing with silicone-based shampoos or conditioners with the Curly Girl Method.

However, this statement from Massey generalizes all silicone compounds as “bad” for curly hair. Some milder types such as amodimethicone are relatively curly hair-friendly, depending on the amount, how it is mixed with other active ingredients, and the manner of use.^3,4,5

Massey encourages curly girls to use a cleansing conditioner (or co-wash) to cleanse their hair.

She also suggests using water-soluble products that disclose their ingredients and avoiding synthetic fragrances in your products. Also, eliminate heat-styling tools as they can cause heat damage over time.

If you can find the right sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free products and use them consistently for about two months, you will see a difference in your hair. Your hair will be softer, more manageable, hydrated, and less frizzy.

The curly girl method is essentially a three-step simple process: cleanse, condition, and style. To learn more about the curly girl method, you can get the book on Amazon and start your CG journey.

Understanding Hair Porosity for Wavy Hair Care

Identifying your hair’s porosity is pivotal in tailoring your hair care routine. Hair porosity describes how well your hair strands can absorb and retain moisture,^6,7 and it comes in three types: high, medium, and low. Each porosity type requires a unique approach to care.

• High Porosity: Also known as “highly-porous,” has a damaged structure with gaps and cracks in the hair shaft. Its lifted cuticle layer allows for quick moisture absorption but makes retention difficult, often leading to problems like dryness and frizz.
• Medium Porosity: This type is the most balanced, allowing for easier moisture retention and requiring the least specialized care.
• Low Porosity: Features a more compact cuticle layer, making it less receptive to moisture absorption, but retains it well once it does.

Knowing your hair’s porosity level is essential for choosing the most effective wavy hair products and care techniques, helping you maintain healthy, beautiful locks.

Wavy Haircare Routine for Type 2A, 2B, and 2C

Now that we understand what wavy hair is and how to care for it, let’s discuss wavy hair routines. Here are some ideas for wavy haircare regimes:

• The first step in caring for wavy hair is understanding your hair’s needs. Wavy hair is generally more dry than straight hair, so finding products that hydrate and nourish your hair is important.

• Getting a curly cut is one of the best things you can do for your wavy hair. A quality, fresh haircut will help your hair look its best and make it easier to style. It will also have layers that help to remove weight from the hair and help define and add shape to your natural curl pattern.

• Avoid heat styling tools that can damage your wavy hair, as these damage your strands.

• Using a diffuser is a great way to dry your wavy hair without damage. Diffusers help evenly distribute the heat so your hair dries equally and with less frizz.

• Use a leave-in conditioner (see below to find out what the experts have to say) to provide ongoing conditioning and moisture that will help reduce frizz and make curls more manageable. It also protects against environmental damage like humidity, making it a key step for your wavy hair. They can also help to detangle your hair and add shine and softness.

• Deep conditioning your wavy curly hair is a great way to add extra moisture and conditioning. Do this once a week or as needed.

• Clarifying your wavy curly hair can help to remove build-up and residue that can cause your hair to look dull and feel heavy. This will also help your hair to better absorb moisture from products.

Tips for Styling 2A, 2B, and 2C Curls

Styling wavy hair doesn’t have to be challenging and becomes a bother. Wavy hair is one of the most fun hair types to style because of its versatility and texture.

You can style your wavy hair for maximum definition and curl-clumping waves in a few different ways.

Check out these techniques:

Applying Gel or Mousse to Wet Hair

After showering and thoroughly rinsing out the conditioner, it’s time for the gel or mousse —a product that many of us may have abandoned since the middle-school years of hair experiments gone wrong.

The trick here is to apply a generous amount of gel or mousse to your hair while it’s still wet. Doing so is crucial for curl definition and hold.

The Scrunch Method

To scrunch, apply your styling product (leave-in conditioner and or curl cream) and gel to wet hair, then scrunch your hair with your hands to help define your waves.

The Art of Air Drying

Next, let your hair air dry naturally. If you’ve already given up the blow dryer, this step should be easy to incorporate into your routine. The challenge is to avoid touching your hair as it dries.

Doing so can disrupt curl formation and lead to unwanted frizz. Unfortunately, this also means resisting the temptation to take a nap while your hair dries, as movement can interfere with the drying process.

The Squish-to-Condish Method

This method can be done directly after you shampoo and condition your hair on wash day with your head upside down.

To achieve it:

• With your head upside down, detangle your hair with your fingers or your favorite detangling tool.
• Apply your hair products to wet hair, then squish your strands with your hands.
• Prepare your hair for styling products by applying a small amount of leave-in conditioner with a lot of water. Scrunch your hair until you see clumps forming together.
• Micro-plop your hair for a few minutes using an old cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel. This method will help your waves dry faster and keep their natural shape.
• Then, apply your styling products.
• Diffuse your hair on medium to low heat.

The Pineapple Method

This is an excellent way to preserve your wavy hair overnight. It is also pretty popular in the curly hair world.

To do this:

• Gather your hair into a loose ponytail on top of your head.
• Then, secure it with a satin/silk scarf or scrunchie.
• Remove the scarf or scrunchie in the morning and shake your hair from the roots.

The Bowl Method

Applying products to soaking wet hair will help your wavy hair better absorb the product and help define the waves.

You can also apply the products while standing up or with your head upside down.

How to Make Type 2 Hair Curlier

If you have wavy hair, you may sometimes feel like your curls are more of a bother than anything else. This is probably because wavy hair can be challenging to style.

It often looks like untidy, straight hair – almost as if you have not brushed it or don’t know what to do with it.

Wavy hair can also appear frizzy or unruly. You can do a few things if you are looking for ways to make your wavy hair curlier.

If your hair was affected by heat straightening tools or harsh chemicals, it produced loose wave curls.

Go for deep conditioning treatments and protein masques to revive your wavy locks back to their natural state. Eventually, your damaged hair will become more wavy or curlier.

You can also train your hair with the finger coiling method:

• Start with damp, clean hair and section your hair into a small subsection.
• Create a small coil by wrapping your hair around your index finger (or use a Denman brush) in a clockwise direction.
• Repeat this process until all of your hair is in small coils.

You can also use a diffuser to help wavy hair become curlier.

• To use a diffuser, start with clean, damp hair.
• Apply a curl-enhancing product to your hair, and then place the diffuser attachment on your blow dryer.
• Start at the roots and work in small sections, moving the diffuser up and down your hair.

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