TYPE 2A HAIR: WHAT IT IS, SIGNS & HOW TO CARE FOR BEACHY WAVES

Straight hair or curly hair? If your hair can’t seem to make up its mind, welcome to the world of type 2a wavy hair. Famed for having a split personality, type 2a hair can appear smooth and straight(ish) one day, and bouncing with beach waves the next. Once you’ve pinned down your hair type, and the exact lightweight routine your waves crave, you can achieve the kind of hair that says “I’ve just come from the beach” every day of the week.

What Is Type 2A Hair?

When your hair is having an identity crisis, the natural place to turn is the hair typing chart. This lexicon of locks shows type 2a hair as being flatter at the roots with gentle, undulating waves starting at ear or eye level. It’s the loosest wave pattern in the wavy hair family, with an overall look that is soft and relaxed. These may sound like care-free curls, but if you’ve got 2a wavy hair - or in fact any type of curl pattern– you’ll know they all come with their own particular pros and cons. Keep reading for more on tackling your tresses.

How to Tell If You Have Type 2A Hair

Let’s start with the basic signs you’re looking for in type 2a hair:

1. Straight hair at the roots and along the mid-lengths.
2. Soft, S-shape loose waves start towards the end, which can be as subtle as just a flick.
3. When wet, the waves hang in large loose ‘clumps or snakes’ which then separate and lose definition while air drying or diffusing.
4. Often lacks volume and has trouble holding on to the wave pattern.
5. Is weighed down by heavy styling products.  
6. On the upside though, it doesn’t usually suffer with frizz.

2A vs 2B vs 2C: How the Wave Patterns Compare

If you’re sizing up your wavy hair, but still a bit unsure, the key thing to look for is where your natural waves start from. You need to do this when your hair is entirely free of products and left to air dry. What are you seeing?    

Type 2a hair – flat at the roots and mid-lengths, with the wave forming at the ends. As mentioned above, curl clumps are large, loose and may come apart easily. Giving you that tousled, beachy vibe.

Type 2b hair – flat at the roots, with more defined S-shaped waves starting midway down the hair shaft. More volume and easier to achieve bouncier waves, but usually suffers with frizz and fly-aways.

Type 2c hair – the waviest hair, starting nearer the roots. Clearly defined S-shape waves that are smaller than 2a or 2b. They hold their shape better when drying, but frizz can also be an issue.

Building a Type 2A Hair Care Routine

Those gently undulating waves need a light touch and a less-is-more approach to keep them happy. For a 2a hair routine, think lightweight products, hydration and volume.

Step 1

Wash 2a waves regularly, about twice a week. It’s more prone to greasiness than other type 2 hair, because your scalp oil can easily travel down the hair shaft. Choose a volumising shampoo to help your hair look fuller without having to rely on texturising sprays or styling products that could weigh it down.

Step 2

When it comes to a conditioner you want hydration, but not too much and not too little. You want it to nourish dry ends, but keep well clear of the roots. Most 2a types recommend a lightweight conditioner for everyday washing, and the occasional leave-in conditioner if the ends of your hair are feeling particularly dry.

Step 3

Detangle your hair only when it’s wet and saturated with your lighter conditioner. It’s important to start at the ends then gently work your way up to the roots to avoid breakage, reduce frizz and maximise definition.

Step 4

While ‘beachy waves’ is a good catch-all for 2a hair types, everyone’s wonderful waves are unique. And so might your choice of styling products. What brings one wave to life, might flatten the next. Mousse is the go-to for giving volume without extra weight. Gently scrunch and rope it into your hair trying not to break up your curl clumps.

Step 5

Air dry or gently diffuse on a low heat and low speed. Some people use a holding gel to max out those curls, but use sparingly and remember to ‘scrunch out the crunch’ once your hair is fully dry.

Best Ingredients & Products for Type 2A Hair

Chasing the perfect wave means choosing the right products and avoiding ingredients that’ll cramp your style. For definition without build-up, look for lightweight shampoos gentle enough for frequent washing without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Many people with 2a waves recommend natural ingredients to take care of delicate curls - avoiding harsh sulphates, or heavy silicones that could drag you down.

Look for shampoos and conditioners that offer volume, especially if your hair is fine. Keep ends healthy and happy with a conditioning hair mask 1-2 times a month. Dry shampoo can be a life-saver between wash days, absorbing greasiness and giving you instant oomph.

Avoid heavy styling products like curl creams, butters or texturising sprays, instead opt for a mousse or gel. Ensure you apply it to soaking wet hair to help keep your wave clumps together.

Do's and Don'ts for Type 2A Hair

Whether you’re new to the wavy world or you need a quick refresher, here are the do’s and don’ts to help you establish the perfect haircare routine.

Do…

• Stick to lightweight shampoo, conditioner and styling products
• Choose lightweight conditioner for regular washing, and a leave-in conditioner for occasional tlc on the ends of your hair.
• Wash your hair 1-2 times a week to avoid greasiness at the roots and product build-up.
• Gently scrunch out excess water using a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt.
• Style upside down or try root clips to enhance volume.
• Air dry or diffuse on a low heat/low speed to maintain your subtle waves.
• Sleep with a pineapple! Use a silk scrunchie to gather your waves on top of your head to protect them being squashed overnight.
• Haircut: all one length will prioritise your waves, whereas layers can amp up the volume. But going too short could actually cut off your waves.

Don’t…

• Use heavy products like oils or butters.
• Leave it too long between washes as this can cause hair to look greasy and limp.
• Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to rake through your wet hair as this breaks up your wave clumps, making them look stringy or frizzy.
• Dry your 2a waves on a high heat or fast speed as they will also break up the definition.
• Refresh too much between washes. Use minimal product and water as this can cause product build up and flat-looking hair.
• Jump straight into the curly girl method as it’s too heavy for 2a hair. Adapt it for a wavy hair routine with a lighter approach.

Why Faith in Nature Suits Type 2A Waves

Delicate waves need a delicate touch. It’s why most curl types steer clear of heavy haircare formulas and prefer a more natural approach, free from sulphates and silicones.

If your scalp is balanced, the Rosemary Shampoo is a great everyday pick. It’s fresh, invigorating and light enough to keep your roots lifted and your waves bouncy rather than flat.

Prone to an oily scalp? Sticking close to the coast, you could try our Seaweed & Citrus Shampoo and Conditioner Set. It’s specially formulated with 99.5% natural origin ingredients and is free of parabens, SLS and silicones. Hand-harvested rock wrack seaweed is rich in antioxidants, amino acids and minerals, all known to support hair and scalp health.

If your scalp tends towards dry, try the Jojoba Shampoo. Jojoba oil is remarkably similar to your scalp’s natural oils, so it helps soothe dryness without weighing down those delicate waves.

When the ends of your hair feel the need for nourishment, try our Coconut & Shea Butter Hair Mask once or twice a month, just on the ends. It’s specially formulated for curly hair, and this deep conditioning treatment is a real fan-favourite: “My hair was seriously lacking moisture…using this hair mask really hydrates my hair and makes it soft and silky for so long afterwards. Very impressed!”

Frequently Asked Questions About Type 2A Hair

Is 2A hair straight or wavy?

The million-dollar question! Lucky for you, you can have it both ways. Type 2a hair is the easiest to straighten of the wavy types, and when you feel the need for more bounce, just embrace and enhance the waves mother nature gave you.

How often should I wash 2A hair?

Not too little, not too often. Start with 1-2 times a week to avoid greasy-looking roots, but don’t overwash, as your hair could become dry and frizzy.

Can 2A hair become curlier over time?

Typically no, 2a hair won’t get curlier. You may notice more juicy definition with a proper wavy hair routine, but a transformation to tighter curls is usually the result of hormonal changes.

What causes 2A hair to look flat or frizzy?

Flat-looking hair is often caused by product build-up weighing heavy on your waves. You could try a gentle clarifying shampoo for a thorough cleanse. Or maybe your styling product is too much for your hair and you need to ease back on the amount you apply. Remember, less is more for the 2a hair types. When it comes to frizz and fly-aways, this is usually because of over-handling your hair when either wet or dry. Leaving your hair to dry naturally in its wavy clumps will help maintain definition and reduce frizz.