A Full Guide To Type 2C Hair: Tips & Product Recs

There's been a recent uptick in customized hair treatment routines—you know, where you take a quiz and receive a shampoo and conditioner based on your responses? These formulas may seem hyper-customized, but more often than not they're simply playing to your hair type—from straight to wavy and curly. But hair type is more complex than it seems.

Before we jump into how to tend to type 2c hair, let us first explain what hair types are. On a scale, you have a total of 12 hair types. The three overarching categories are straight, wavy, curly, and kinky—also known as types 1, 2, 3, and 4. (For more information, check out our guides to type 2, type 3, and type 4.)

Within those categories, you have micro types known as A, B, and C. These letters dictate how much shape your hair has within your designated base type. Type 2a hair, for example, will have more waves than straight hair types but less shape than type 2b hair. 

As the last stop in the wavy hair category, we have type 2c. "Type 2c hair is that beautiful balance between wavy and curly hair," stylist and colorist Cassandra Olivia tells mbg. Think of it like the cusp of wavy hair, almost entering the curly category but not quite. 

This hair type comes with big waves, but they never quite form into an S curl—at least not consistently. "Even though 2c hair doesn't fall into the 'curly' category on the hair type chart, it can be treated similarly to 3a hair, which is hair that has a loose, true curl," Olivia explains. 

"Type 2c hair has a strong wave pattern, and depending on the density of the hair, can look anywhere from light waves to beachy waves, to near-true curls," Olivia says. 

If you have fine and thin 2c hair, then you may see waves starting 1 to 2 inches from the root, while the hair right at the follicle will appear straight. Thick 2c hair, on the other hand, may have more lift at the root given that there's more hair on your head, Olivia explains. 

If you walk away with one tip—it should be this: Don't overwash your hair. "2c hair types should follow the recommendations of their curly hair counterparts here—only wash your hair as needed, most likely two to three times per week max," Olivia says. 

"Overwashing strips hair of the much-needed natural moisture that forms the 2c waves and gives hair its beautiful look," she explains. When the hair is too dry, it's more difficult to hold a consistent wave pattern. 

Olivia recommends skipping the fine-toothed combs and brushes for 2c hair types. "Similar to curly hair, detangle in the shower with a wide-tooth comb or with your fingers and conditioner," she says. 

"If you prefer to dry hair with a blow dryer, use a heat protectant to help protect the integrity of the hair and use a diffuser," she says. Diffusers will be key to holding the shape of your waves, and even enhancing them—here's a quick how-to if you've never used one.

"In the winter, the air has less humidity; your hair is drier; take a look at your routine and modify what you do in the summer versus the winter," stylist and Matrix Global artistic director Michelle O'Connor tells mbg.

If you want to wear your hair wavy (read: not blown out and heat-styled every day), complementing your shape starts with a good cut. How your hair is trimmed, from layers to bangs and more, changes drastically if you're going for a wavy style.