Type 2B Hair: How to Care for 2B Hair

Revive flat hair to a voluminous wave with these 2B hair tips and product recommendations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is 2B Hair? 

• What Does 2B Hair Look Like? 

• How to Take Care of 2B Hair 

• How to Style 2B Hair 

• 2B Hair Products 

• Common Hair Concerns for 2B Hair 

Among the hair types, 2B hair is one of those curl types that sometimes appear as loose waves and sometimes look extra curly with the right hair products and routine. That’s why a dedicated hair care routine is so important for all hair types, especially for people with wavy, curly, and coily hair that needs help defining its shape.

If you’re constantly struggling to determine whether or not you have 2B hair or just need help caring for your wavy hair type, let this guide be your ultimate source. Here, discover how to care for 2B hair, the characteristics of 2B hair, and the caring tips and products you’ll need for the best waves yet.

What Is 2B Hair?

Among the four main hair types — straight, wavy, curly, and coily — 2B hair falls in the wavy category. This hair type appears straight at the root and begins to loosely shift into a wave from the mid-shaft to the ends of the hair. Within the wavy hair type, 2B hair is in the middle of 2A and 2C hair. The biggest difference between 2A, 2B, and 2C wave types is how loose or tight the curls appear, with 2A hair seeming almost straight with a subtle wave, 2B having more defined waves, and 2C curls being tighter in shape with a loose zigzag look.

Since 2B hair is wavy and not curly, you won’t see any corkscrew or spiral textures within your hair. Instead, you’ll have a loose or elongated S-shape from the middle part of your strands to the ends. Type 2B hair, like all wavy and curly hair types, is prone to frizz, especially when it’s humid.

What Does 2B Hair Look Like?

2B hair can vary in appearance depending on the individual, but it is typically characterized by S-shaped waves that start at the mid-shaft of the hair and continue to the ends

How Is 2B Hair Different From Other Hair Types?

Understanding whether your hair is curly or wavy can be challenging, especially when it’s possible to have more than one hair type within your mane. The most basic difference between wavy hair and curly hair is that waves tend to be S-shaped while curls tend to have more of a spring or spiral shape that makes a complete circle around (similar to a spring). Some curly hair types are S-shaped, like 3A and 3B curl patterns, but this type of S-shape is tighter and springier than a type-2 wave.

On the days that your 2B hair is looking extra limp, look towards flat waves as the culprit. Flat waves happen when hair is heavy from product buildup and keep your waves and curls from looking their best. After cleansing hair with a sulfate-free shampoo like Born to Repair Sulfate-free Nourishing Shampoo, your 2B hair will be refreshed and its natural wavy curl pattern should be revitalized.

How to Take Care of 2B Hair

Thankfully, type 2B hair is fairly easy to manage once you’ve got the right routine. Below, explore a hair care routine dedicated to 2B hair to tackle tangles, frizz, dryness, and lackluster waves.

1. Use a Gentle Shampoo

Since the roots of 2B hair tend to lay flat, they are more prone to greasiness than the rest of the hair shaft. Routinely washing and cleansing type 2B hair is important for its overall health along with keeping waves in its most defined state. Use the aforementioned Born to Repair Sulfate-free Nourishing Shampoo to gently cleanse hair without stripping it of necessary natural oils. This shampoo helps soften dehydrated, brittle hair and boosts its moisture levels with the infused hydrating aloe leaf juice while rose extract helps add shine.

2B hair should be shampooed every two to three days depending on how greasy your hair feels and the amount of product buildup on your scalp. You can tell your hair needs a good cleansing when waves begin to fall flat and hair feels extra greasy.

2. Saturate Strands with Conditioner

All wavy hair types need conditioners for added moisture and hydration to protect hair from environmental stressors like humidity, which can lead to frizz. Use the matching conditioner Born to Repair Nourishing Conditioner after shampooing to complete your in-shower 2B hair care routine. This conditioner helps detangle wavy hair without any tugging on knots and hydrates hair thanks to added shea butter. Massage this conditioner in your hair from mid-lengths to end before combing the product through to add nourishment to your entire mane.

3. Add Lightweight Stylers to Define Waves

2B hair types tend to have high porosity, meaning they absorb liquids well but have a hard time retaining that moisture. Having high porosity levels could leave your 2B hair thirsting for moisture and appearing flat, dry, and brittle. An easy way to tell how porous your hair is is by seeing how long it takes to dry. If your hair dries quickly (even after stepping out of the shower) you most likely have high porosity hair.

To keep moisture in your hair use the LOC method, which requires hair care products to be layered in a specific order (leave-in conditioner, then hair oil, then hair cream) to help hair add and retain moisture. Start with the lightweight Born to Repair Defining Leave-in Cream with Shea Butter as your first step in the LOC method. This spray leave-in instantly hydrates hair, promoting shine and improved manageability for styling, all without weighing down your hair.

 4. Scrunch and Flip Hair When Styling 

Most type 2B hair can use a boost in volume and definition to keep soft waves from falling flat. To liven up limp strands, flip your hair over when applying any product and scrunch the roots for major definition. Add Black Vanilla Moisture + Hold Jelly to your styling routine to define your waves and minimize frizz without getting stiff or crunchy.

5. Apply Product From the Mid-Shaft to the Ends 

No one wants greasy roots, so if your 2B roots are prone to looking oily, focus your styling product from the mid-shaft to the ends and use the remaining product left on your roots to avoid frizz at the crown. Applying the product to the part of the hair that is wavy will help your waves stay plump and hydrated after styling.

6. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb to Detangle 

Since 2B hair can get tangled and knotty easily, you’ll want to detangle your wavy hair when it is wet and with the use of a conditioner with good slip to avoid damaging the hair. If you prefer using a tool over finger detangling, opt for a wide-tooth comb over a paddle brush as this will cause the least amount of manipulation to your wavy curly hair and allow your waves to be more defined and bouncy.

How to Style 2B Hair

The possibilities are endless when it comes to styling 2B hair to embrace your wavy tresses. Here are a few trendy and easy styles to try, including ones that look great on men with 2B hair.

Hairstyles for 2B Hair 

Wash and Go

You can’t go wrong with a simple wash-and-go style that requires minimal manipulation to showcase hair in its most natural wave pattern. If you’re letting your waves flow naturally, don’t forget to scrunch, scrunch, scrunch. The few extra minutes it takes to scrunch your strands are well worth it when your waves are plump and defined all day long.

Wavy Layers

If your 2B hair tends to fall limp and flat, visit a professional and get some wavy curly layers. Layered hair adds definition and texture to hair while giving it a desirable shape. Depending on the length of your hair, cut 2B tresses into a mullet or shag for a TikTok-worthy haircut.

Curtain Bangs 

Try cutting the front pieces of your hair into bangs to embrace this other trendy cut that puts your waves on display and perfectly frames your face. Curtain bangs are a great choice for 2B hair when you want to cut weight off tresses in the front and get bouncier waves.

Best Products for 2B Hair

To keep 2B hair looking its best, it's essential to use moisturizing products that combat frizz and define the waves. Look for products that specifically target common concerns for this hair type, such as frizziness, undefined curls, and dryness. 

The Born To Repair collection is designed to nourish and repair all textured hair, including 2B hair. This color-safe range can repair up to a year's worth of visible damage with just one use. Even if your hair isn't damaged, this collection offers numerous benefits to enhance and care for your waves. Explore some of our favorite products from the collection and more listed below.

Born To Repair Sulfate-Free Nourishing Shampoo

This sulfate-free shampoo will gently cleanse your 2B waves without stripping the hair of its natural oils. All Carol’s Daughter shampoos skip the sulfates to provide a gentle, non-drying cleanse. But we recommend trying this one out, especially if you’re looking for a go-to formula to repair your hair, control frizz, and increase hair elasticity so your waves emerge stronger.

Born To Repair Nourishing Conditioner With Shea Butter

This nourishing conditioner is the perfect complement to the sulfate-free shampoo. Loaded with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, Amazonian nut oil, and Babassu oil, it will deeply moisturize and detangle your hair while repairing any damage. It also helps to define and enhance your natural waves, leaving them bouncy and shiny. 

Born To Repair Reviving Hair Oil With Shea Butter

Searching for a lightweight hair oil that will leave your hair super shiny? Born to Repair Reviving Hair Oil has your name written all over it. This versatile hair oil not only conditions and detangles, but also tames frizz and adds extra shine to your waves.  

Black Vanilla Moisture and Hold Jelly 

While styling your 2B hair, we recommend the Black Vanilla Moisture and Hold Jelly to set your style with shine. This non-sticky hair jelly will hold your strands in place for up to 72 hours and control frizz for up to 48 hours.

Common Concerns for the 2B Hair Type

Every hair type is associated with particular concerns. Dryness and frizz are the top concerns for the 2B hair type.

Lack of Definition

2B hair can often lack definition and appear flat or limp. This can be due to the loose S-shaped curl pattern, which can make it difficult for the curls to clump together and form defined spirals. To combat this issue, it is important to use styling products that enhance and define the natural curl pattern, such as curl creams and gels.

Frizz 

Frizz is a common concern for all hair types, but it can be especially a challenge for 2B hair due to its tendency to be dry. Frizz can be caused by a variety of factors, such as humidity, heat damage, and lack of moisture. To combat frizz, it is important to use products that provide moisture and hydration. It is also important to avoid over-manipulating the hair, as this can cause friction and lead to frizz.

Dryness

2B hair can also be prone to dryness due to its loose curl pattern, which can make it difficult for natural oils to reach the ends of the hair. This can lead to dull, brittle hair that is prone to breakage. It is important to limit the use of heat styling tools and to protect the hair with a heat protectant when heat styling is necessary. Additionally, incorporating regular trims into your hair care routine can help prevent split ends and keep the hair healthy and hydrated.