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Type 2A is the gentlest of the wavy patterns, and the one most likely to be living under the wrong name. It sits just past straight: a soft, stretched S-shape through the lengths, with roots that lie flat. Most people with 2A hair have been told they have straight hair that will not behave.

How to recognize it

  • A loose, open wave that starts around ear level or lower.
  • Flat, straight roots.
  • Fine strands, with little natural volume.
  • A bend that falls out easily, often by the middle of the day.
  • Hair that turns oily quickly, because the scalp's oil travels down a nearly straight strand with ease.

If your waves are more defined and form a clear S from the mid-lengths, you are closer to 2B. If you are not sure there is a wave at all, try the test in Wavy or Just Frizzy?

What 2A hair needs

Everything about 2A care follows from one fact: the wave is weaker than the weight of almost any product. A cream that defines a curl will erase a 2A wave completely. The routine is therefore the lightest in this entire series. It aims to clean thoroughly, condition sparingly and add a little grip.

The routine

Cleanse, often

Wash every day or two. This runs against most curly-hair advice, which is written for drier patterns. 2A hair gets oily at the root, and oil flattens the wave.

Condition the ends only

Use a small amount of light conditioner on the last few inches, and rinse it out fully. Leaving conditioner in, which helps curlier hair, usually weighs 2A hair down.

Style with foam

Skip leave-in creams entirely. On soaking wet hair, scrunch in a light mousse, squeezing upward toward the scalp. If your ends tangle, a spray leave-in is as heavy as you should go.

Dry with lift

Blot with a microfiber towel. Slide a few small clips in at the roots along your part, lifting them off the scalp, then diffuse on low with your head tipped to the side. Scrunch gently once dry.

With 2A hair, the best product is usually less product.

Common 2A problems

Waves gone by lunchtime. Too much weight, or too little hold. Remove any cream or oil from your routine and add a second handful of mousse.

Greasy roots, dry ends. Wash the scalp more often and keep conditioner strictly on the ends.

Stringy, separated strands. Usually too much product on fine hair. Halve the amount.

Flat on top. Root clips and diffusing help; so do layers, which take weight off the crown. More in Why Your Curls Fall Flat.

What to avoid

  • Curl creams, butters and oils.
  • Co-washing, which is too rich for this pattern.
  • Heavy leave-in conditioners.
  • Brushing dry hair, which turns a wave into fluff.
  • Sleeping on wet hair.

Between washes

2A waves seldom last more than a day, and that is normal. To revive them, mist lightly with water and scrunch in a little mousse. Overnight, a single loose braid helps the wave survive. See The Second-Day Refresh.

Is it worth the effort?

That is a fair question for 2A hair. The pattern is subtle, and some people prefer to blow it smooth. If you like a soft, undone wave, the routine above takes about ten minutes and uses two products. If you want more wave than your hair naturally gives, braiding damp hair overnight will add it without heat.

For the wider family, see the Wavy hair guide.