Issue No. 01 · Autumn 2026The journal of waves, curls & coilsAbout the Society
Curly Hair Society

Curl Types · Type 2A – 2C

Wavy

S-shaped bends that sit close to the head and lose their shape under anything heavy.

Wavy hair is the pattern most often mistaken for straight hair that misbehaves. It bends into an S rather than a spiral, usually lies flatter at the root and falls out of shape quickly when it is weighed down. The whole discipline of caring for waves comes down to one idea: give the pattern hold without giving it weight.

2A

A loose, fine bend through the lengths. Easily straightened by gravity and by rich products.

2B

A defined S from the mid-lengths down, with a flatter crown and some frizz at the surface.

2C

Deep waves that start near the root, often with a few true ringlets underneath. Thicker and more frizz-prone.

What it needs

  • Lightweight hold: mousse and foam before cream and butter.
  • A gentle shampoo used regularly, with a clarifying wash every few weeks.
  • Conditioner kept to the mid-lengths and ends.
  • Diffusing or plopping to set the wave before gravity pulls it out.

What to avoid

  • Heavy butters and raw oils, which flatten the pattern within hours.
  • Brushing once the hair is dry.
  • Layering several leave-in products at once.

The Routine

Technique and science for wavy hair

The Shelf

Products suited to wavy hair

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Shampoo

  • ShampooBriogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating ShampooShop
  • ShampooOuidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing ShampooShop
  • ShampooNot Your Mother's Curl Talk ShampooShop
  • ShampooKinky-Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing ShampooShop

Conditioner

  • ConditionerNot Your Mother's Curl Talk ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerBriogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning MaskShop
  • ConditionerAussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep ConditionerShop
  • ConditionerOlaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance ConditionerShop

Leave-In

  • Leave-InIt's a 10 Miracle Leave-In ProductShop
  • Leave-InGiovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture ConditionerShop

Mousse

  • MousseJohn Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Reviver MousseShop
  • MousseHerbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting MousseShop
  • MousseNot Your Mother's Curl Talk Curl Activating MousseShop
  • MousseCantu Wave Whip Curling MousseShop
  • MousseInnersense I Create Lift Volumizing FoamShop

Styler

  • StylerAussie Instant Freeze Sculpting GelShop
  • StylerOuidad Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing SprayShop

Treatment

  • TreatmentApHogee Two-Step Protein TreatmentShop
  • TreatmentOlaplex No. 3 Hair PerfectorShop

Night

Tool

  • ToolDiane Wide Tooth Detangling CombShop
  • ToolAquis Lisse Luxe Hair TowelShop
  • ToolKitsch Microfiber Hair Towel WrapShop
  • ToolDevaCurl DevaFuser Universal DiffuserShop
  • ToolDyson Supersonic Hair DryerShop
  • ToolBeautify Beauties Continuous Mist Spray BottleShop

From The Edit