While the hair typing system isn’t perfect – it can be a useful tool for figuring out what hair products and styling techniques will work best for your tresses. According to the system (which has evolved since celebrity stylist Andre Walker dreamt it up in the ‘90s), there are nine curl types in total. Sitting somewhere between curly (type 3) and wavy (type 2), is where you’ll find 2C.
It goes without saying that no two heads of hair are the same and, as Nià Pettitt, owner of The Curl Bar London, points out – “textured hair is so unique and many of us have multiple hair patterns on our heads.” For that reason, it can be difficult to differentiate between types 2B, 2C and 3A. Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know about the 2C curl pattern – including its characteristics, how to care for it and the best products to use.
What is a 2C hair type?
When identifying your curl type, celebrity hairstylist Dionne Smith recommends consulting a hair chart. “There are so many available online and they all provide a visual representation of every hair type and their subcategories to help give people an idea of which one they fall into,” she tells us.
For the uninitiated, there are four hair types in total – type 1 (straight), type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily). Each type has three subcategories – A, B and C. “These subcategories further define the different hair types depending on how loose or tight the waves/curls are,” explains Smith.
2C hair is the waviest type within the type 2 category. “It has a definitive s-shaped pattern that starts at the roots,” says Smith. Typically, 2C waves don’t form a full corkscrew through the entire length of the hair – but the defined waves are often mixed in with loose curls.
“I see so many clients on a day-to-day basis who have two or three different curl types that may require different styling techniques or even different products,” flags Pettitt. She adds that hair typing isn’t always helpful and to bear in mind that many people fall into two different types.
How do I know if my hair is 2C or 3A?
According to the experts, type 2C and 3A are quite close in texture. “The best way to differentiate between the two is to think of 2C as a flowing s-shape and 3A as a coiled spring,” says Samantha Cusick, ghd ambassador and celebrity hairstylist. So, while 3A hair has well-defined, spiral-shaped curls, 2C hair has defined waves that don’t quite make spiral curls.
