Hair care is essential to styling. Knowing your hair type can help you achieve a great hairstyle without torturing your hair with chemicals and heat. It brings out the best in your hair.
If your waves (1) start midway through the hair shaft (with straight roots), your hair type is 2B.
A 2B hair type is low maintenance, given you properly care for it. With proper love, products, styling tips, and care, your 2B waves can become bouncier than ever.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2B hair type.
Article Contents
What Is the 2B Hair Type?
Type 2 hair is wavy and isn’t oily or dry. According to researchers, type 2 hair type falls between type 1 (straight hair) and type 3 (very shiny and curly). (1)
Type 2B hair is an S-shaped wave that adheres to your head’s shape. (1) The waves sit flat at the roots and create an S-shaped wave from the mid-length to the ends.
In contrast, the 2C hair type has a firmer shape and wavy pattern from the roots, and the S-shape gets smaller and stronger at the ends. Type A hair type has a more elongated S-shape.
2 (wavy) hair type | Standard characteristics |
2A | Loose S-shaped pattern |
2B | Moderately defined S-shaped pattern |
2C | Well-defined S-shaped pattern with spiral curls |
Pros and Cons of 2B Hair Type
The following are the pros and cons of the 2B hair type.
Pros
- Versatile: You can straighten and smoothen your 2B hair by just flat ironing. You can wear an updo hairstyle for a formal event or braid it to run daily errands. Using proper styling methods and products, you can make multiple hairstyles (from chic and silky to bouncy and big) with a 2B hair type.
- Voluminous: The body and texture of 2B waves make the hair look voluminous. People with 2B hair don’t have to worry about flat hair.
- Low maintenance: A 2B hair type requires little work and upkeep due to its wavy texture. It doesn’t require frequent styling like other hair types and can be washed often and air-dried.
- Natural beachy waves: You only need a quick scrunch and a little salt spray to bring out your beachy waves.
Cons
- Frizzy hair: The dry and wavy nature of the 2B hair type makes the hair prone to frizz. People with 2B hair have this common complaint of frizziness.
- Tangled hair: Brushing 2B hair can be a nightmare if you don’t have a proper detangling routine, as the hair catches on each other, leading to knots and tangles.
- Flat roots: The ends of the 2B hair type have plenty of texture and body but can have lifeless and limp roots. Thus, certain hairstyles can be difficult to achieve.
How to Style Your 2B Hair Type
Styling a 2B hair type can sometimes be challenging due to its frizz and shape. Here’s how you can style a 2B hair type:
- Messy beachy waves: You can make messy beachy waves using your natural hair shape.
- Medium-length cuts: Medium-length cuts are suitable for a 2B hair type as too short can make it extra poufy and too long can make it flat.
- Half-up half-down styles: You can give your hair some extra volume with a half-up style.
- Layers: Long or short layers can significantly define your waves and add volume to your hair.
- Brushed-out ringlets: You can brush out the curls to enjoy a voluminous and soft look.
How to Eliminate Frizz from 2B Hair Type
It is common for the 2B hair type to have frizz, but here’s how to eliminate it:
- Use the right shampoo and conditioner: Applying natural ingredients that suit your 2B hair type can make your hair look its best. Natural oils such as coconut oil (2) and shea butter suit this hair type.
- Avoid buildup-causing products: Silicone-containing products may help style hair but can also cause buildup, making the hair lifeless and limp.
- Avoid touching your hair: Constantly touching your hair is a bad habit that can lead to frizz. Avoid touching your hair after styling it.
How to Detangle a 2B Hair Type
Getting rid of 2B hair tangles can be difficult. Not detangling your hair correctly can cause breakage, which is even more challenging to avoid.
Therefore, detangle your hair in sections, deeply condition, and use a wide-teeth comb. You can also slide your fingers through your hair.
Reasons a 2B Hair Type Becomes Dry
There are multiple reasons the 2B hair type may become dry:
- Chemicals: Using anything that may open up your hair cuticles, such as relaxing products or colors, can lead to dryness and breakage. Therefore, moisturization is important. Use leave-in conditioners and hair masks.
- Sunlight: The sun can rejuvenate health, but its harsh rays can also dry out the hair. (3) You can shield your hair from the harmful rays of the sun by applying sunscreen (4) or covering your head with a hat or a scarf.
- Hair care products: Using products laden with chemicals (alcohol or sulfates) can dry your hair quickly. Using natural haircare products will help.
- Heat tools: Heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, (3) curling irons, and straighteners, often dry out hair. Air-drying your 2B hair type is recommended to keep it moisturized for a long time. Also, use heat protectants if you use heat styling stools.
Some Tips and Tricks to Care for Your 2B Hair Type
Remember the following things when caring for your 2B hair type:
- Shampoo less: Shampoo only 3-4 times weekly. You can also use dry shampoo if needed in between hair washes.
- Scrunch your hair to add definition: After washing your hair, scrunch it in sections to activate the curls while the hair is still wet.
- Use leave-in conditioners: Use leave-in conditioners on 2B hair type to moisturize and control dryness and frizz.
- Finish it up with curling tools: After scrunching and applying a leave-in conditioner, use a curling iron to add shine to your curls.
What Are the Different Hair Types?
The different hair types are as follows.
Hair type 1 (straight hair) | 1A, 1B, 1C |
Hair type 2 (wavy hair) | 2A, 2B, 2C |
Hair type 3 (curly hair) | 3A, 3B, 3C |
Hair type 4 (kinky/coily hair) | 4A, 4B, 4C (1) |
A 2B hair type comes in between 2A (the least wavy hair type) and 2C (the waviest hair type) under the wavy category. 2B waves are neither subtle nor strongly defined.
General Queries
How to identify 2B hair?
The 2B hair type is characterized by the following:
The S-shaped wave starts further down the hair strand, mainly toward the mid-lengths.
The root area appears straight but has a slight curl or wave.
The hair seems short when dry with hardly an inch of shrinkage.
Can you straighten or curl 2B hair?
Yes, you can straighten or curl your 2B hair, but the results vary based on your hair density and thickness.
Using a flat iron to straighten 2B hair smooths out the waves, giving the hair a sleek and straight look. Using a curling iron to curl 2B hair enhances the natural wave pattern and defines the curls.
Final Word
A 2B hair type is a beautifully versatile hair type, as you can style it in multiple ways. Care for it properly by shampooing less, conditioning more, carefully detangling, providing damage protection, and using the right products.
You can rock your 2B waves with flair and confidence with proper styling and care.
References
- Towards creation of a curl pattern recognition system – researchgate. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/GloriaWashington/publication/328799161
- Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair oils: Indigenous knowledge revisited. International journal of trichology. 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9231528/.
- Lee Y, Kim Y-D, Hyun H-J, Pi L-Q, Jin X, Lee W-S. Hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of hair dryer. Annals of dermatology. November 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3229938/.
- WO2001005363A1 – sunscreen for the scalp and hair. Google Patents. https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2001005363A1/en.