Caring for Type 2B Hair + Styling Tips
Your ultimate guide for maintaining and styling Type 2B waves.
From understanding the nuances of your wavy hair to mastering the perfect everyday routine. You’ll learn everything you need to keep your 2B hair looking healthy and vibrant.
What exactly is Type 2B Hair?
Type 2B hair sits right in the middle of the Type 2 spectrum, boasting waves that are more defined and tighter than type 2A hair, but not as curly as type 2C hair. This gorgeous middle sister has waves that begin straight from the root and take on an S-shape along the mids and towards the tips.
Identifying 2B Wavy Hair
- S-shaped waves from mid-length
- Slight frizz and more volume than 2A
- Tends to be thicker and fuller
- Waves that resist being straightened but aren't as bouncy as curls
If this sounds like your hair, you're likely in the 2B camp. If not, exploring our Type 2A and 2C hair guides might offer more insight.
How is 2B Different from Other Type 2 Hair?
2B waves have their own unique characteristics:
- They possess a more prominent wave pattern compared to 2A.
- There's a greater resilience to styling; they might not hold a curl as tightly as 2C but resist straightening more than 2A.
- They often have more volume and are prone to frizz due to their texture.
2B hair is responsive to moisture, but balance is key to prevent limp waves or excessive frizz.
2a, 2b, 2c - Wavy Hair Kit
- Regular price
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$175.86 - Regular price
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$195.40 - Sale price
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$175.86
Porosity and Texture of 2B Hair
Understanding your hair's porosity is super important to maintaining the overall health of your hair. Porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and hold moisture. You can evaluate the porosity of your hair using a straightforward and informative water test at home. Dictating how you should hydrate and style your hair.
Assessing Hair Porosity with a Simple Water Test
Here's how you can do it:
- Preparation: Begin with thoroughly clean hair. For this test to work, remove any products or oils that might skew the test results. It's important that the strand is completely natural, with no conditioners, serums, or styling products.
- The Test: Fill a clear glass or bowl with room temperature tap or distilled water. Gently place a clean, dry hair strand on the surface of the water.
- Observation: Watch the behaviour of the hair strand for about 2-4 minutes. Note how quickly it sinks or if it remains floating on the surface.
Assessment:
- High Porosity: If the strand immediately sinks to the bottom, it indicates high porosity. This often signifies that the hair has gaps or damage, which allows it to soak up moisture quickly but also means it's more prone to moisture loss, dryness, and frizz.
- Normal Porosity: A strand that gradually sinks and hovers in the middle of the glass suggests a balanced porosity level. This is good! It means your hair maintains a healthy level of moisture and is likely to respond well to various styling techniques and products.
- Low Porosity: If the strand of hair continues to float on the surface after several minutes, it's characteristic of low porosity hair. This type has tightly bound cuticles that resist moisture absorption but are effective at retaining it once absorbed.
Additional Considerations:
- Temperature and Hair Condition: Understand that the porosity can be affected by the temperature of the water and the condition of your hair. If you've recently treated or coloured your hair, it may temporarily exhibit higher porosity.
- Multiple Tests: It's a good idea to conduct this test several times throughout the year. Hair porosity can change due to environmental factors, dietary changes, and hair treatments.
- Hair Thickness: Keep in mind that thicker strands might take longer to sink than finer hair, even if the porosity is the same. It might be beneficial to compare your results against a strand of known porosity.
By conducting this simple test, you can gain valuable insights into your hair's health and porosity, allowing you to choose the most appropriate products and methods to care for your hair effectively. Remember that hair with different porosities will require varying levels of moisture and types of care to look and feel its best.
What is the Texture of 2B Hair?
Hair texture generally refers to the thickness or diameter of the individual hair strands and is typically categorised as fine, medium, or coarse.Whether your 2B hair is fine, medium, or thick, texture will influence your care routine, from washing frequency to product selection.
Understanding the Texture of Type 2B Hair:
Type 2B hair is distinguished by its S-shaped waves that lay closer to the head, unlike looser 2A waves or the more defined spirals of 2C, 2B hair is defined by its defined wavy “almost curls'. The texture of your 2B waves will determine the density and longevity of your waves; Texture can affect the way your waves behave and respond to styling and care.
Why Knowing Your 2B Hair Texture is Crucial: The texture of your 2B waves plays a significant role in every aspect of hair care and styling. By understanding the texture of your 2B hair, you can tailor your routine to enhance your natural waves, ensure your hair remains healthy, and achieve the best possible results from styling. Whether it's choosing the right shampoo, conditioner for curly hair, styling product, or even the temperature of your styling tools, knowledge of your hair's texture is valuable for making informed decisions.
Caring for Your 2B Hair
Care revolves around balancing moisture and using styling products that enhance your waves without weighing them down. Coarse hair may be more prone to heat damage, and fine hair may be more susceptible to breakage. Knowing your texture and porosity can guide you in adopting protective styling practices and avoiding long term damage.
Washing Your Type 2B Hair
Those with fine 2B hair might need to wash their hair more often to prevent it from becoming greasy, whereas those with coarse textures might extend the time between washes without issues.
- Avoid over-washing to prevent drying out your waves.
Moisturising + Hydrating Your 2B Hair
2B hair typically needs more moisture than 2A hair types, because it can appear dry and frizzy. Understanding your hair type, texture and porosity helps in choosing the right hydrating products to keep your waves defined and frizz-free.
- Use leave-in conditioners and light oils to keep waves defined and frizz at bay.
Deep Conditioning Treatments for Type 2B Hair
Different hair types respond differently to hair care products. Likewise, different textures have different hydrating needs- Fine hair can be easily weighed down by heavy products, whereas coarse hair may require richer, more intensive moisturisers to maintain its health and shine. Type 2B hair is much thirstier than Type 2A Hair and Type 1 Hair.
- Incorporate regular deep conditioning to maintain healthy waves.
Using Oil on Type 2B Hair
Integrating oils into the care routine for Type 2B hair can be transformative, especially when it comes to enhancing shine, taming frizz, and providing nourishment. Hush Nourishing Oil is well suited for all hair types, thanks to its lightweight formulation that won’t weigh down your waves or leave them feeling greasy.
Key Benefits of Hush Nourishing Oil for 2B Hair:
- The blend of jojoba and rosehip oils in Hush Nourishing Oil delivers moisture that’s essential for wavy hair, which can be prone to dryness, without the heavy residue that can flatten your natural wave pattern.
Because 2B hair can frizz easily, this oil can help to smooth down the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and leaving your waves looking polished and defined. The light-reflective properties of the oil can give your waves a lustrous sheen, accentuating their natural beauty and enhancing the overall health appearance of your hair.
Tips for Using Hush Nourishing Oil on Type 2B Hair:
- As a Pre-Style Treatment: Apply 1-2 drops to damp hair before styling. This will help to protect your hair from potential heat damage and make it easier to style.
- To Finish a Style: Warm a small amount between your palms and gently scrunch into the ends of your hair to define waves and add a healthy shine.
- For Scrunching Out the Crunch: If you use a gel or mousse to style your waves, Hush Oil is perfect for scrunching out crunchy waves once your hair is dry, leaving you with soft, touchable waves.
- For Overnight Nourishment: Apply a generous amount to your hair before bed and wrap your hair in a silk scarf for an overnight deep-conditioning treatment. ** Remember if your hair is fine and more prone to oiliness, always consult your stylist to make sure this treatment will benefit your hair.
Guidelines for Application:
- Start Small: Begin with just one or two drops of oil to see how your hair responds. You can always add more if needed.
- Focus on Ends: The ends of your hair are the oldest and usually the driest part, so focus the application there and avoid the roots to prevent your hair from looking greasy.
- Warm It Up: Rub the oil between your hands before applying. This warms it up, helping it to spread evenly and absorb better into the hair strands.
- Use Sparingly: Since 2B hair can be fine and prone to looking oily, it's crucial to use Hush Nourishing Oil sparingly. A little goes a long way, and you can always apply more as needed.
By incorporating Hush Nourishing Oil into your hair care routine, you can significantly enhance the health and appearance of your 2B waves, ensuring they are as nourished and beautiful as they can be.
Step-by-Step Styling Guide for Type 2B Hair
Fine-textured 2B hair may struggle to hold curls and can become limp if over-styled, while coarse textures might need more heat or stronger hold styling products to achieve the desired look. Fine 2B hair might need volumizing products to achieve a fuller look, whereas coarse hair could require smoothing agents to tame bulk and frizz.
- Apply LOHY's Cruise Control Cream to damp hair for moisture.
- Scrunch in Oomph Gel for definition.
- Air dry or for more defined waves diffuse on a low setting.
Scrunch out the crunch with a touch of Hush Nourishing Oil.
Hot Tips: Caring For Your 2B Hair
- Protect your hair at night with a silk pillowcase.
- Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb.
- Limit heat styling to preserve wave pattern.
- Use a diffuser when blow-drying to reduce frizz.
- Trim regularly to avoid split ends affecting your wave.
- Use microfiber towels for drying to minimise frizz.
- Incorporate a consistent washing and conditioning routine.
- Be mindful of the climate's impact on your waves.
Styles and Haircuts for 2B Hair
Opting for long layers or a lob (long bob) hairstyle is a great way to highlight your natural waves.
Here, we’ve listed trending hairstyles that beautifully complement the natural texture of Type 2B hair:
Layered Lob (Long Bob): A lob with soft layers can add movement and prevent your waves from being weighed down, giving your hair a bouncy, voluminous look.
Beachy Shag: A modern shag haircut with its multiple layers creates volume and texture, perfect for showcasing the natural waves of 2B hair.
Side-Swept Bangs: Incorporating side-swept bangs with 2B hair can frame the face beautifully and add a touch of softness to your overall look.
Textured Waves: Enhance your natural waves with a bit of texturizing spray or cream to achieve a casual yet chic tousled hairstyle.
Sleek Middle Part: For a change from the usual wavy style, a sleek and straight middle part can give a sophisticated and polished appearance, making it a perfect style for formal events.
Half-Up Half-Down: This classic style allows for versatility, keeping hair out of the face while still showing off the wavy texture of the lower half.
Waterfall Braids: Adding a waterfall braid to your wavy hair can introduce an element of whimsy and intricacy, ideal for both casual outings and special occasions.
Messy Bun: A high or low messy bun not only gets your hair off your neck during warm weather but also adds an effortless vibe that's both practical and stylish.
FAQs
How often should I wash my 2B hair?
Generally, 2-3 times a week is sufficient, but adjust according to your hair's needs.
Can I use oils on my 2B hair?
Yes, but sparingly. Lightweight oils like LOHY’s Hush Hair Oil are best.
What styling products work best for 2B hair?
LOHY's Cruise Control Cream and Oomph Gel are excellent choices.
How can I enhance my natural 2B waves?
Try plopping your hair post-shower and using a diffuser when drying.
What's the best way to dry 2B hair?
Air drying or using a diffuser on a low setting.
Are there any specific ingredients I should look for in products for 2B hair?
Look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin and proteins for structure.
How can I combat frizz in my 2B hair?
Use a leave-in conditioner and seal with a light oil.
Can I straighten my 2B hair without damaging the waves?
Yes, but use a heat protectant and limit the frequency of straightening. Using heat consistently on any texturedhair type will ultimately cause damage.