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
Porosity and Texture of 2B Hair
What is Hair Porosity?
One of the most talked about topics between curly guys and girls is hair porosity. What is it? How do you test the porosity of your hair and does it really make a difference to styling?
What is Hair Porosity: The porosity of your hair determines how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
- Three types of Hair Porosity:
- Low Porosity: Resistant to moisture.
- Medium Porosity: Balanced, absorbs and retains moisture well.
- High Porosity: Absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast.
An invaluable tool for discerning the porosity of your hair, the strand test plays a pivotal role in shaping your hair care routine.
To perform the test, immerse a single strand of clean, untreated hair in a bowl filled with room temperature water, then observe its reaction. The outcome of this test will guide you in customising your hair care routine:
How To Test The Porosity Of Your Type 2B Hair
The Strand Test is a simple yet effective way to determine the porosity of your hair, which in turn can greatly influence your hair care routine.
To perform this test: you need to place a single strand of clean, product-free hair in a bowl of room temperature water and observe how it behaves.
Here's what each result indicates and how to address it:
Low Porosity (Floats)
Characteristics: Tightly bound hair cuticles that lie flat, resisting moisture penetration.
Test Observation: The hair strand remains afloat on the water's surface.
Care Recommendations:
- Utilise mild heat (like a warm towel) during conditioning to facilitate cuticle opening.
- Favour lightweight products to prevent heavy residue on hair, Chutzpah Volumising Foam is perfect for Low Porosity Hair.
- Apply hair products to slightly damp hair for enhanced moisture absorption.
- Regularly use a clarifying shampoo to prevent build-up on your hair.
Medium/Normal Porosity (Sinks Slowly)
Characteristics: Cuticles with a moderate arrangement, promoting a balanced absorption and retention of moisture.
Test Observation: The hair strand sinks slowly, not reaching the bottom instantly.
Care Recommendations:
- Implement frequent deep conditioning to sustain optimal moisture levels.
- Intermittent protein treatments are beneficial for hair fortification.
- Strike a balance in your hair care regimen between hydrating and protein-rich products.
- Generally, this hair type is more manageable and responds well to varied treatments.
High Porosity (Sinks Immediately)
Characteristics: Presence of gaps or holes in the cuticle, leading to rapid moisture absorption but also quick moisture loss.
Test Observation: The hair strand quickly sinks to the bottom.
Care Recommendations:
- Apply leave-in conditioners and curl creams to help maintain moisture- we recommend Cruise Control Curl Cream to enhance texture and balanced moisture.
- Seal the moisture with thicker gels- Oomph Hydration Gel or Pow Strong Hold Gel are perfect and can be used in conjunction with Cruise Control.
- Use protein treatments to fill in cuticle gaps temporarily.
- Avoid excessive heat styling and harsh chemical treatments to prevent further porosity increase.
Understanding your hair's porosity through the Strand Test can significantly influence the choice of products and methods in your hair care routine. Ensuring that you provide your hair with the right level of moisture and care it needs will dramatically change the overall appearance and health of your hair.
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
Characteristics: Medium-textured 2B hair strikes a perfect balance, making it the most common and versatile within the Type 2B category.
Strengths: This texture boasts a combination of strength and volume, allowing it to hold styles well while maintaining a natural bounce and lightness. Medium-textured hair is less prone to oiliness compared to fine hair and can handle a wider range of products, including light oils, leave-in conditioners and curl creams. It's resilient enough to withstand various styling techniques, from occasional heat styling, diffusing to air-drying, without showing immediate signs of damage.
Care Tips:
- Regular maintenance, like trimming and routine hydration, can keep medium-textured 2B hair looking healthy and vibrant.
Coarse Hair:
Characteristics: Coarse-textured 2B hair features thicker strands, providing a robust and resilient quality. This texture is less common in Type 2B hair but stands out due to its volume and distinct feel.
Challenges: While coarse hair is strong, it is often more prone to dryness and may require more intensive moisturising routines. Coarse hair can also hold styles well but may require more effort to manipulate due to its thickness.
Care Tips:
- Deep conditioning treatments and rich hydrating products are beneficial for maintaining its health.
- Embracing curl creams, foams and gel for curly hair, while avoiding products that contain drying ingredients like sulphates, can help in keeping coarse 2B hair well-moisturised and manageable.
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
Maintaining the moisture balance in Type 2B hair is crucial for its health and appearance. Hydrating your hair properly can combat issues like dryness and frizz, giving your hair a healthy shine and improved texture.
- Leave-in Conditioners: These are perfect for daily moisture without the heaviness. They help in detangling and smoothing your hair, making it more manageable. Apply a small amount to damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends, where dryness is most common. Look for formulas that contain natural hydrators like aloe vera or glycerin.
- Hair Masks: Using a hydrating hair mask like Drench & Quench Nourishing Mask once a week can deeply nourish your hair. These treatments penetrate the hair shaft, providing lasting hydration and repairing damage. Choose masks rich in ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or coconut oil for deep nourishment.
Pro-tip: Creating a DIY leave-in conditioner using LOHY's Nourish & Flourish Hydrating Conditioner is an excellent option for saving money and using products that you already know and love. Not to mention they add extra hydration and manageability to your hair care routine.
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, Pow and Chutzpah work best to style 2B hair!
How can I enhance my natural 2B waves?
Try plopping your hair post-shower and using a diffuser when drying.
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 textured hair type will ultimately cause damage.