Ever looked yourself in the mirror after having dried your hair out and said, “is this wavy or is it just messy?”.If you have ever looked at yourself in the mirror after air drying your hair and said, “is this wavy or is it just messy?”. But you’re by no means alone, and, yep… Your hair type is more unique than you think!
The 2A wave pattern is at the loose end of the wavy hair spectrum. It is defined as being loose, soft and S-shaped, and is not always from the root. Fine to medium texture, fairly smooth towards the scalp and naturally beautiful texture, but sometimes unpredictable. On some days, it’s just darn beautiful beachy. But other days, by the time it’s time for lunch, it’s just a dud. Sound familiar?
The thing is, 2A hair is not an issue that can be fixed. It only needs to be comprehended. After finding out what this wave pattern loves, the right cuts, the right products, the right techniques, it can go from something that’s a daily problem to one of your most easily stunning features.
We’ve compiled 15 gorgeous 2A hairstyles that are perfect for this type of hair, and a few tips to help you make your natural locks look their best.
Understanding 2A Hair: What Makes It Unique
To get ready for the ideas, it’s best to realize exactly what makes this wave pattern different from the other wavier hair wave patterns (2B and 2C) as well as straight hair types.
Type 2A waves are the least tightly wavy type of waves. The wave pattern is subtle – subtle S curves that usually appear at the mid-shaft and ends of the hair. The roots and scalp area are less curved and flat, resulting in decreased volume and definition during the day.
The waves are very fragile and are affected by things such as the weight of the product, humidity, and how the product is styled. If too much product is added and the waves will sink under the weight. Less is more – otherwise it’s frizz time! The sweet spot is actually easier to imagine than it is to discover for those with this texture, and it’s a true life changer for them.
Fortunately, 2A waves are versatile by themselves. Depending on your mood and the event or occasion, they can be styled to create sleeker, more polished look, or pushed into fuller, more defined waves. It’s a very useful tool, indeed — but you have to know how to use it.
Here are 15 gorgeous 2A hair ideas
1. Classic Effortless Beach Wave
The beachy wave is a virtually essential look for this type of hair — and done well, it feels like you’ve been at the beach on a weekend, not spent 20 minutes in the bathroom. The aim is to be loose and relaxed, but not so loose as to be out of focus.
For this, condition soaking wet hair with a mousse or spray that will enhance the waves, then gently scrunch it from the ends to the roots, and then diffuse or air-dry with no hands until dry.
Styling tip: “plop” — wrap freshly washed hair in a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt for 15-20 minutes before diffusing; this greatly reduces frizz, while promoting natural wave formation.
2. Soft Layers with Face-Framing Waves
Layers are one of the most dynamic cuts for creating wavy hairstyles and of course, for finer 2A hair, they are a must-have! Well-placed layers eliminate bulk and weight which can flatten light waves, enabling them to spring up and hold their shape much better.
Layers that frame the face are especially gracefully designed—soften the face, create a movement around the cheekbones and provide beautiful, undisturbed fall for loose curls.
Styling tip: Request “curtain layers” or “butterfly layers” from your stylist, they are both set to move and frame the face, rather than thinning out the hair.
3. Tousled Half-Up, Half-Down
Half up/ half down will be an endless flattering and wonderfully simple style — and best of all — for wavy hair, it is an excellent way to lift volume at the crown while maintaining the waves at the bottom.
Pick up the top of the part loosely (not tightly) and hold it up with either a claw or a soft scrunchie; let the bottom waves fall in a natural way. It’s simple romantic and elegant, but not too showy.
Styling tip: After clipping off some of the wispy hair around the face for a more natural, less over-contrived look. This is especially gorgeous for dates, casual dates or days when you want to look put together without going overboard.
4. Curtain Bangs with Loose Waves
Curtain bangs are one of the most popular hair trends of recent times; these soft fringe bangs that part in the middle — it is a true beauty to be paired with loose waves.
Curtain bangs look great for 2A hair, as they tend to be longer than the natural hair style and flow with it quite nicely. They lend an air of bohemian and romanticism without the need for much styling.
Styling tip: If bangs are not naturally wavy or curved, wrap them around a round brush and blow-dry to add just enough curve to the bangs to frame the face flatteringly.
5. Low Bun with Wavy Tendrils
The most refined often are the most laid back. A low bun that’s not tidied and compacted has a soft, romantic and timeless look because the wavy pieces are intentionally left around the face and nape area. Though it’s great for everyday use, it can be dressed up or down, depending on the bun’s style.
It is important to keep it purposefully unbuttoned. This is not a sleek chignon, it’s a bun which is gathered but not too tidy and embraces the natural texture.
Styling tip: Sprinkle a little bit of the texturising spray on the loose ends and add some curl without adding crunch or stiffness.
6. Voluminous blow-out with a wave finish
If you’re looking for a bigger, more refined do on those days when you want to go big and bold, you can diffused or roughen up your do and raise the roots up a lot without completely straightening the hair.
Use a volumising mousse at the base of the hair and a lightweight cream or serum through the top with a low-heat setting on the diffuser or a blow dryer to rough dry with gentle scrunching. This yields fuller, bouncier and more defined texture than air-drying would produce.
Styling hint: Turn head upside down when diffusing the roots, this one simple move can make all the difference as far as root lift and volume that can be maintained throughout the day.
7. Braided Crown with Flowing Waves
A thin crown braid added on top of the hairline is the ideal way to achieve a fairy tale look; the rest of the crown remains natural and wavy. To the romantic and bohemian crowd, it’s very fashionable for casual wear.
The flowy and ill-defined 2A waves complement the crafty, handmade appeal of a hand braided crown. Don’t have to be flawless, they are both beautiful when joined together.
Braiding tip: After waves have fully-dried and set. Wavy hair that is wet or damp will create an irregular wave pattern, and will be frizzy when the hair is released from the braid.
8. Textured Lob (Long Bob)
The lob, or long bob, is a cut that generally ends somewhere between the chin and collarbone and is always a good look for wavy hair. At this length, 2A waves have sufficient weight to maintain their shape, but not so much that they easily pull out, and the shortness of 2A is more beneficial to wave formation.
Slightly textured lobs and layers are flattering. The texture cuts assure that the ends are not square or dull, but also provide movement and bounce to the entire piece.
Styling tip: Lightly style from mid-shaft to ends with a wave cream and scrunch after washing. The shorter the length of a lob, the less product is required — begin with less than you think you need and add as necessary.
9. Beachy Highlights on Natural Waves
Color and texture are a perfect match and sun-kissed highlights on naturally wavy hair can give it a multi-dimensional look that is truly beautiful. A living, changing depth that a flat, straight hair can’t achieve is captured by the light bouncing off the wave pattern of balayage or babylights painted through the mid-lengths and ends.
Honey blonde, caramel and soft golden highlights work well on most base colours, at the same time highlighting the colour and giving it dimension without overdoing it for 2A waves.
Styling tip: Ask for highlights that are more in focus in the sections where your waves are positioned (usually mid-shaft to ends), where you can see the most when your waves look good.
10. Defined Waves with a Diffuser
This is the one thing you can do to make the most of your wavy hair if you don’t already have a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer. A diffuser spreads the heat out uniformly and doesn’t interfere with the wave pattern as will direct blow-drying, which make for much more beautiful and less frizzy waves in much less time than air-drying.
Apply product, scrunch hair to condition, then put sections into the diffuser bowl, and hold for 30–60 seconds at a time, before moving to the next section and repeat steps; repeat on every section of hair. It’s a very rewarding game to play with patience.
Styling tip: Air-dry the locks into place with the cool blast to give them extra shine.
11. Loose Side Braid
Side braid is an easy, messy braid with wavy hair that lets it flow naturally which a neat and tight braid can’t. Looseness of the braid allows the wave pattern to show through the braid giving a beautiful texture and dimension throughout the braid.
This is an ideal look for casual days, outdoor activities or any time you don’t want to put a lot of time into your look, but still want to look put together.
Styling hint – After braiding, gently apart the sections to lightly untangle the braid even more, this is sometimes referred to as the “pancaking” of the braid as it adds even more fullness and volume.
12. Natural Ponytail with High Density
The high ponytail is getting a big makeover with the use of the natural wave pattern. A ponytail that’s slightly loose, gathered high and wavy in texture isn’t smoothened or sleekened into a tight, polished ponytail, but rather looks modern, youthful and stylish.
This is especially good for hot days when you wish that your hair is not in front of your face but you don’t want to lose the natural feel of your hair.
Hair styling technique: When wearing a ponytail, wrap a small amount of hair around the elastic band and fix it with a hairpin under the elastic band for any hair that is updo.
13. Mermaid Waves
Mermaid waves are just natural 2A texture enhanced and made more dramatic and purposefully styled with longer, more defined S-curves that flow down the hair lengths in an artistic, romantic way.
Mermaid waves is achieved by braiding slightly damp hair into several medium waves, leaving them over night and then gently releasing and separating the hair in the morning to create beautiful waves without any heat damage.
Styling idea: Lightly mist separated waves with a flexible hold hairspray to keep them separated and defined all day long, without giving the hair a stiff or crunchy feel.
14. Space Buns with wavy texture
Space buns don’t only work with straight hair, they are also fun, innovative and will look adorable on naturally wavy hair. The natural texture of the waves creates some interest in each bun, allowing it to be more dimensional and artisanal than the overly smooth bun.
This style is ideal for casual get-togethers, music festivals, beach days and when a bit of fun and personality is a welcomed addition to your outfit.
Hair styling tip: When done in the pulled-back style, leave a few loose wavy strands around the face and nape for a softer, more flattering look than if you did a completely pulled-back.
15. Glossy, Defined Wave Set
A fully intentional wave set (products applied section-by-section, waves scrunched and diffused carefully, and finished with a light gloss or shine spray) has the feel of a natural, yet still a beautiful, wave set, for special occasions or days when you’d like your waves to be at their best.
This is what those people will ask, “did you curl your hair?” and you will be able to say, “nope, that’s just how my hair dries.”
Styling hint: After hair is completely dry, scrunch with your palms to break the “crunch” caused by styling products, and reveal soft and bouncy, touchable waves beneath, which is called “scrunch out the crunch” or SOTC.
Best Products for 2A Waves
For this wave type, the selection of the appropriate products can make a tremendous difference. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
- Lightweight mousse or foam: Defines and lifts, but doesn’t weigh down waves
- Frizz control cream or milk: Smoothes out frizz and helps to enhance waves.
- Leave-in conditioner spray – adds moisture without weight to hair, especially important for finer wave types.
- Microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt: It will minimize frizz to a great extent than regular terrycloth towels.
- Hairspray that is flexible and lightweight, and provides longer lasting holds:
To avoid: Heavy creams, thick oils and heavy conditioners with mid-lengths and ends – all of this add weight to delicate waves and makes them flat.
Simple Daily Routine for 2A Waves
To get the most out of a wavy texture, it’s all about consistency. There’s a simple structure that will work great:
- Shampoo 2-3 times a week with a sulphate free, light shampoo.
- Only condition from mid-lengths to ends – never at the roots!
- Cool with cool water to help gloss over the cuticle and minimize frizz.
- Squeeze (do not rub) with a microfiber towel
- Use product that enhances waves when hair is wet
- Scrunch upwards from ends to roots to promote waves
- Bake on low heat or leave to air dry thoroughly before handling
- Finish by applying a light spray or shine serum for a shiny finish.
Final thoughts on 2A Waves
What you should remember from this guide is the following: 2A hair is NOT a lesser wave pattern. It’s not like “almost wavy” or “not quite curly. It’s its own gorgeous, unique characteristic and its own set of abilities and qualities and its own phenomenal possibilities.
Our 15 styles are all possible — not just with good hair days, but good hair days on regular days — with the right cut, the right products and a little patience to learn what your waves are looking for. You have lovely, natural curls, they really look good on you. You just need to know what to do with the hair you have and there you have the best hair days ever!
And now you do.
Common questions and answers (Q&A)
Q1. How to determine if you’ve 2A hair?
Type 2A hair has loose, soft S-curly waves which begin at the mid-lengths or ends and not the root. The hair is relatively straight near the scalp, and is finer than 2B or 2C wave hair types. If your hair dries with soft, subtle waves and falls flat relatively easily, and doesn’t create tight coils when you let it dry, then it is probably 2A.
Q2. Why do my 2A hair turn flat in the middle of the day?
One of the most common issues for this type of hair is flat falling waves, typically resulting from a myriad of factors including root weight, fine hair texture and product selection. The general idea is to use lightweight wave specific products, apply them to wet hair and diffuse the product instead of air-dry rather than all of these factors.
Q3. Do I brush 2A hair when it is dry?
Dry wavy hair is extremely frizzy, and will split the wave pattern by brushing. Rather, comb with a wide-tooth comb or fingers while wet, while hair is conditioned. Try using a very light hand with a wide tooth comb or a flexible paddle brush in between hair washings if you have to comb out dry hair – and be prepared for some frizz which can be smoothed with a very little amount of a light serum.
Q4. Can you use the ‘curly girl’ method with 2A hair?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM) was created for all types of waves and curls, and can be done beautifully with waves of type 2A. Some of the principles outlined – co-washing/low-poo cleansing, no sulphates or silicones, application to wet hair, and diffusing – are especially useful to this wave type. Others with lighter 2A waves may benefit from a lighter application of the method, though; some CGM products might be too intense for very fine waves.
Q5. Which is the best type of haircut for 2A type of hair?
Layered cuts tend to be the most flattering for this type of hair with long layers, curtain layers or butterfly cuts being the most popular. Layers take off excess weight, which can flatten out the waves, and help to form waves all over the lengths. Lob (long bob) is another popular and flattering bob for 2A waves. Steer clear of extremely straight and thick cuts which may flatten fine wavy hair on the ends.
