Consistency is vital when it comes to creating Wave Pattern Hair. Make time each day to brush your locks – be it during shower time, TV time, or work – until they achieve wave. As you brush your hair, a wave pattern will gradually develop.
Type 1 Hair
Type 1 hair is generally straight with no natural wave patterns. This subtype of the thinner variety typically gleams but may be vulnerable to breakage due to its delicate nature. Products designed not to add extra oil, like dry shampoos and texture sprays, should be used.
Type 2 Hair
Type 2 hair is defined as being wavy but not curly and comes in three subtypes: 2A, 2B, and 2C. Waves in 1A may be more ethereal, while those found in 2B tend to mimic beachy waves more closely. Finally, 2C waves may be more defined yet challenging to manage but are the least frizzy among wavy styles.
To identify your type of wavy hair, follow this simple technique. Holding your locks up against your chin, squish them into an S shape with your fingertips – if they resemble it, you have type 2 hair; otherwise, you have type 1 or neither. Chances are good your locks contain elements from types 1A and 2B.
Type 2 Hair
Wavy hair falls between straight and curly, often featuring S-shaped waves that start flat at the roots and get increasingly curlier from ears down. Frizz can often pose the most significant challenge in styling this textured hair, making styling even harder.
As opposed to other curl types, wavy hair tends to be less oily due to its looser S-shaped waves allowing natural oils to easily travel down. Still, however, buildup may occur, and frequent washing should be undertaken to maintain beautiful locks.
Avoid heavy mousses and gels that weigh down your strands with mousses and gels; brushing may also increase frizz and breakage. Instead, opt for wide-tooth combs, air drying your locks, or using frizz-taming products on them to minimize flyaways.
Type 3 Hair
Wavy hair typically forms into an S or C shape when short, and looser ‘S’ waves with more volume when long. Wavy locks also tend to exhibit frizziness and have heavier textures than their straight counterparts.
If you have type 3A wavy hair, its waves tend to be more relaxed and buoyant than other varieties of locks. To best care for them, opt for lightweight styling mousse or gel, which can increase root volume while moisturizing and keeping them hydrated.
Detangle with a wide-tooth brush or natural boar bristle detangling brush for best results and to prevent breakage, then follow up by applying pomade to help maintain moisturized, frizz-free locks. Other great products for your wavy locks could include sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners (co-washing), leave-in conditioners, deep conditioners, light gels, or volumizing mousse such as the Matrix Biolage Styling Whipped Volume Mousse that performed exceptionally in Good Housekeeping Institute’s hair mousse test.
Type 4 Hair
If your kinky curls form visible patterns resembling a zigzag or Z shape, this could indicate type 4A hair. Celebrities like Yara Shahidi and Macy Gray both possess this texture with medium-sized, springy S-shaped coils that are loosely packed; each loop independently spirals away from its neighbors.
Type 4b hair is another subtype of 4A hair that features tighter and denser coils than its counterpart, giving this texture tighter waves that resemble springs on a ballpoint pen rather than corkscrews. As this type can be prone to dryness, regular water intake, leave-in conditioners, heavier curl creams, or butter can help your locks remain hydrated, as can washing frequently with scalp massagers for an effective cleanse against product buildup and frizz reduction.
Finally, to prevent overstyling this hair type, it should also avoid over styling as this will lead to tangles and split ends, thus protecting its beautiful locks against over styling as possible!
