May we count your visit with Google Analytics? It uses cookies and sends visit data to Google. You can change this any time under Cookie choices. Privacy

TheWashDay
Menu

Hair-care guide

Wavy hair (type 2)

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From Wikipedia and the American Academy of Dermatology · How we compare

Jump to a section

Wavy hair bends in an S-shape rather than forming full curls, from a loose bend at 2A to deep waves with a few ringlets at 2C. Waves are often easy to weigh down and brush out. If yours drop or frizz, the changes that usually matter most are lighter layers, styling while your hair is still wet, and handling it less while it dries.

Start a wash-day plan for wavy hair Gels and foams compared

Choose your next step

Waves fall flat by midday

Use less leave-in or skip it, and try a foam or gel instead of a cream.

Fix flat roots

Frizz instead of waves

Put styler on wet hair, as its label says, and leave it alone until it is dry.

Fix frizz

Not sure of your letter

2A, 2B and 2C differ in how deep the S is and where it starts.

Compare 2A, 2B and 2C

2A, 2B and 2C

2A is a loose S that lies close to the head and straightens easily. 2B has a clearer S from the mid-lengths down and tends to frizz. 2C has deep waves that start near the roots, often with a few ringlets, and frizzes the most of the three.

Caring for 2A hair Caring for 2B hair Caring for 2C hair

A wash day built for waves

The order is the same as any wash day. What changes for waves is how much goes on and when.

  • Shampoo the scalp and let the suds rinse through the lengths; waves rarely need a second lather unless there is build-up.
  • Condition the mid-lengths and ends and detangle with conditioner in, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
  • Skip leave-in at first, or use a small amount on the ends; add more only if they feel rough.
  • Scrunch a gel or foam into wet hair, as wet as its label says, from the ends up toward the scalp.
  • Blot with a T-shirt or microfiber towel, then air-dry or diffuse on low without touching.
  • Once fully dry, scrunch out any stiff gel cast.
Gels and foams compared Air-dry or diffuse

Wavy hair routine: what it costs

One product for each wash-day step, chosen only from products whose makers say they’re for wavy hair (or for one of its letters), priced at each maker’s own store. The left column takes the cheapest per ounce at every step; the right takes the one in the middle. We haven’t tested them, and how your own hair responds matters more than the price.

Lowest price per ounce

The product at each step that costs least per ounce.

  1. Shampoo Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Shampoo · its maker says every curl pattern 9.7 oz, $10.99 at Not Your Mother's ($1.13/oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  2. Conditioner Aunt Jackie's In Control Moisturizing Softening Conditioner · its maker says every curl pattern 15 oz, $10.95 at Aunt Jackie's ($0.73/oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  3. Leave-in, if your ends feel rough (not in the total) Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream · its maker says every curl pattern Jumbo 16 oz, $40.00 at Curlsmith ($2.50/oz); Mini 2 oz to try, $12.50 What a wash costs at your amount
  4. Gel or foam The Doux BIG POPPA Defining Gel · its maker says every curl pattern 16 oz, $14.99 at The Doux ($0.94/oz) What a wash costs at your amount

The three bottles: $36.93

Open this routine in the planner

Middle of the price range

The product in the middle of each step’s prices per ounce.

  1. Shampoo Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo · its maker says every curl pattern Full 12 fl oz, $26.00 at Curlsmith ($2.17/fl oz); Mini 3 oz to try, $12.50 What a wash costs at your amount
  2. Conditioner Bouclème Curl Conditioner · its maker says every curl pattern 1 liter, $78.00 at Bouclème ($2.31/fl oz); 100 mL to try, $18.00 What a wash costs at your amount
  3. Leave-in, if your ends feel rough (not in the total) DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence · its maker says every curl pattern 7.6 oz, $28.00 at DevaCurl ($3.68/oz) What a wash costs at your amount
  4. Gel or foam Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Fragrance & Protein Free Sculpting Gel · its maker says every curl pattern 6 fl oz, $10.99 at Not Your Mother's ($1.83/fl oz) What a wash costs at your amount

To try it in the smallest sizes: $41.49
In the sizes above: $114.99

Open this routine in the planner

23 of the 30 products we list for wavy hair at these steps had a size in stock at the maker’s store when we read it, so only those are ranked; leave-in stays out of the totals, as this page suggests skipping it at first. Some makers print “oz” without saying fluid or weight; we compare them as printed. Prices checked between and ; stores change them. Every price per ounce.

Why waves fall flat

A wave holds its shape only while the strand is light enough to bend. Rich creams, oils and too much leave-in pull it straight, especially on fine strands. If waves look good in the morning and drop by the afternoon, take one layer away or halve its amount before changing products.

Build-up from heavy stylers does the same thing over a few weeks. A clarifying wash in place of your regular shampoo resets it.

How to clarify

Brushing and touching

Brushing dry waves pulls them apart into frizz. If you brush, do it while your hair is wet and full of conditioner or styler, then leave it alone while it dries. The American Academy of Dermatology advises a wide-tooth comb and gentle detangling instead of tugging.

Products whose makers say they’re for wavy hair

These products’ own pages say they’re made for wavy hair, or for a range of curl patterns that includes it. The words are the maker’s; we haven’t tested these products, and how your own hair responds decides more than the label.

Named for wavy hair or a range that includes it (9)

Made for every curl pattern (42)

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

Your next step

Caring for 2A hair →

Caring for 2B hair →

Caring for 2C hair →

Gels and foams for curly and wavy hair →

Products for fine wavy hair →

All hair types →