Free shipping on orders $50+
Have you recently come to the conclusion you have type 2B hair? Or, are you still trying to decipher if you in fact have this hair type? Want to clear up that confusion once and for all, and learn a bit more about your hair type in the process? You’ve stumbled upon the perfect post for that. Here at Mane Addicts, we’re all about sharing the best tips, tricks, tools, and more to ensure your hair is able to flourish. As we like to say, we’re hair for you. Below, we put together a thorough guide on this specific hair type that won’t leave you with any questions on how to care for your 2B strands. What are you waiting for? Learn more about your hair type below!
(via Unsplash)
What Is 2B Hair?
Every type 2 hair is considered to be wavy, but your hair type is what most people think of when they picture wavy tresses. Your strands aren’t quite curly, but they’re also not stick-straight. You sit almost perfectly in between the two. Dove hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez tells Popsugar, “Your strands have a medium texture and more of a loose curl definition; it’s also a little resistant to styling.” If you’re wondering what medium texture with a loose curl looks like, think natural beach waves. The strands may be a bit flatter closer to the root, though they have a prominent S shape wave throughout the length to the ends.
What Differentiates It From 2A and 2C Hair Types?
So what sets this hair type apart from its other type 2 counterparts? 2B has a much more defined wave pattern, whereas 2A hair is less defined and can almost appear straight. 2A also tends to be a little bit thinner and lifeless than your hair type. Plus, it’s easier to straighten. Your strands require an extra bit of elbow grease when it comes to styling, though more on that later.
With 2C hair, those waves start at the root. So while both 2B and 2C feature defined S shape waves, only 2C’s waves extend through the entire length of the strand. It also tends to be a bit thicker and coarser than 2B strands.
(via Unsplash)
2B Hair Routine Tips
Caring for your naturally wavy tresses isn’t as easy as it appears to be. Your hair type is prone to frustrating frizz and troublesome tangles. Following the below 2B haircare routine will ensure you don’t have to deal with those hair issues ever again—well, maybe not as often as you usually do.
1. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.
Sulfates can be really damaging for your strands, especially when it tends to get frizzy frequently. Using sulfat-free shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products will help keep the frizz to a minimum and will provide better care for your hair. They offer a way to gently cleanse your scalp and hair without stripping them on their natural oils, so they’ll feel cleaned without feeling dried out.
2. Add product.
Many (if not all) of the hair types before you aren’t able to add too much product to their hair. Anything more than a lightweight serum and their strands will be heavily weighed down. You, however, are fortunate enough to add plenty of product to your hair without that happening. And this is great, because you need it. From leave-ins to serums to gels, your hair needs product to keep it looking its best. Don’t shy away from them by any means.
3. Use a wide-tooth comb over a brush.
When it comes to brushing your hair, try a wide-tooth comb. Your hair often gets tangled and knotted quite easily. Brushing it out can work, but it can also be rather damaging. Use a wide-tooth comb will be a bit gentler on your strands and is also better to enhance your natural waves.
4. Add a diffuser into your blow-drying routine.
Utilizing a diffuser can really help boost the waviness of your, well, waves. The attachment will enhance the gorgeous natural waves you were blessed with. So the next time you blow dry your hair, use a diffuser during the process.
5. Forgo straightening your hair.
It takes a lot of work to straighten your hair. So much so, that simply using a flat iron won’t cut it. You’ll likely need to straighten your strands the old-fashioned way, with a hair dryer and a round brush. And we all know how much energy that process requires. Besides, you were blessed with stunning waves—show them off. Spritz them with a sea salt spray and you’re good to go.
How to Style Your Wavy Hair Type
Styling your wavy strands is relatively easy, especially if your main goal is to enhance your hair’s natural pattern. All you really need is a diffuser, some frizz-free styling cream, a wide-tooth comb, some sea salt spray, and you’re all set. With this hair type, we do recommend opting for styles that showcase the waves you were blessed with. Yes, you can absolutely curl your hair or make your waves wavier, should that be what you’re looking for. But when it comes to straightening your hair, we suggest avoiding this with your hair type. We mentioned this already, but it requires a lot of energy to get your strands straight. You can’t use any ol’ flat iron either, so you’ll have to resort to the blow dryer and round brush method. Save yourself the trouble and stick with what your hair does best.
The Best Hairstyles for 2B Hair
Knowing the best hairstyles for your 2B hair can make all the difference. Below, we rounded up our top five styles and cuts for your hair type. No need to thank us, we’re just doing our job.
1. Messy Beach Waves
Again, beach waves should always be your go-to. Your hair already wants to be in this style, so grab some sea salt spray and enhance those waves. Take inspo from Vanessa Hudgens. Though her waves are a bit more glam, use this hairstyle as a starting point.
(via Getty)
2. Medium-Length Cuts
Just as your hair type falls between straight and curly, your haircut should fall between short and long. If your strands are shorter, they’re more prone to frizz. If they’re longer, they can be weighed down. Going with a medium-length cut will accentuate your waves perfectly. We love this angled-cut on Lily James.
(via Getty)
3. Half-Up Half-Down Styles
Some of you tend to have quite a bit of hair and it can often feel overwhelming to style. That’s where a half-up half-down hairstyle comes in handy. They’ll take away some of the unnecessary volume all while highlighting that gorgeous face of yours.
(via Getty)
4. Brushed-Out Ringlets
Straightening your hair may be tough, but curling it isn’t. Your wavy hair can produce some of the most gorgeous ringlets. We highly recommend going with a brushed-out look, like this one on singer Joss Stone.
(via Getty)
5. Multiple Layers
Adding some layers throughout your strands will give it some extra dimension and also make it a bit more manageable. Definitely see a curl specialist when it comes to cutting your hair, that way you get the layers that work best for you.
(via Getty)
The Best 2B Hair Products
We couldn’t let you go without sharing the best hair products for your 2B hair type. From shampoos to styling products, this is everything you need in your haircare arsenal.
1. Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulfate-Free Shampoo: $42
A sulfate-free shampoo is crucial for your strands. We particularly love this one from Redken as it also works to eliminate frizz with its sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free formula. You’ll have softer, shinier strands after one wash.
(via Ulta)
2. Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel: $7.99
Another great way to better manage frizz is by drying your hair with a microfiber towel. This one from Turbie Twist offers a faster drying time without damaging your hair.
(via Ulta)
3. Function of Beauty Custom Leave-In Treatment: $29.99
The right leave-in treatment can make a world of difference when it comes to your waves. To get the best one for your specific strands, we suggest opting for a custom leave-in treatment. Function of Beauty can help with that. Tell them everything there is to know about your hair and they’ll create a custom leave-in treatment that will give you the healthiest strands ever.
(via Function of Beauty)
4. Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray: $6.99
Enhance your natural waves with a sea salt spray. You can use any you like, though we always recommend the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. We’ve used a number of sat sprays in our lifetime, yet we always find ourselves coming back to this one. It gives us the perfect beachy texture without leaving our strands feeling dry, coarse, or brittle.
(via Ulta)
5. Conair Curl Collective Wavy Hair Comb: $5
A wide-tooth comb is the gentlest way to brush through your wavy hair so that it doesn’t cause any damage. Made specifically for wavy hair types, this comb from Conair features curved teeth that enhance and define your natural waves.
(via Ulta)
Starting to think you may actually have 2A hair? Read up on the hair type HERE!
Hey, mane muse! We wanted to give you a heads up that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that Mane Addicts will collect a small share of the sale from any purchase you make from the products we recommend.
