
In movie star stylist Andre Walker’s hair typing system, which classifies all hair sorts, 2C and 3A hair are sisters. They’ve the same look, however there are some key variations that you need to learn about them.
On this article, we’ll introduce you to each 2C and 3A hair, clarify all of the variations, offer you product suggestions for every, and share tricks to formulate a nourishing routine to your hair.
Reading: 3a vs 2c hair
Table of Contents
Kind 2C and 3A Hair Outlined

Earlier than we bounce into the variations between 2C and 3A hair, we’d like to provide you a little bit of background on every hair sort.
2C Wavy Hair
Kind 2C hair is the waviest of all wavy hair sorts. The sort 2 hair class homes all “wavy” hair sorts, from tremendous unfastened waves (2A) to outlined waves (2B) and tight waves (2C).
Kind 2C hair is the frizziest, most voluminous of all sort 2 hair. The curls often don’t begin on the roots of the hair however typically get tighter close to the ends. 2C hair could also be both high quality or coarse.
3A Curly Hair
Kind 3A hair is the loosest of all curly hair sorts. The 3A hair class encompasses the entire “curly” hair sorts, together with tremendous unfastened curls (3A), outlined curls (3B), and tight coily curls (3C).
Kind 3A hair typically appears like comparatively unfastened spirals and feels very mild in comparison with 3B and 3C curls. It’s obtained a number of physique and motion however can also frizz comparatively shortly.
2C vs 3A Hair: Key Variations

2C and 3A hair have some similarities, however they’re extra totally different than you assume. Listed below are the entire variations between 2C and 3A hair.
Look
Essentially the most obvious distinction between sorts 2C and 3A hair is their look. 2C hair is wavy, whereas sort 3A hair is curly. In the event you look intently at 2C curls, you’ll see that they’ve extra of an s-shape than a spiral (which 3A curls have).
Along with that, sort 2C curls might not begin on the root. Because of this, 2C waves will not be as voluminous as 3A curls.
Lastly, although sort 2C hair is taken into account wavy, it might have just a few unfastened curls right here and there. Contrarily, sort 3A hair has a constant curl sample that begins from the roots and continues to the ends.
Manageability
2C and 3A hair additionally differ on the subject of manageability. As a result of sort 3A curls are tighter than sort 2C waves, sort 3A hair could be harder to detangle.
Additionally, sort 3A hair tends to be frizzier than sort 2C hair – many discover that taming their 3A curls is a problem.
Dryness
Individuals with straight hair typically take care of extra oil, and that’s as a result of, within the absence of curls, the scalp’s pure oils can simply transfer down the hair shaft.
Within the case of curly hair, the scalp’s pure oils/sebum aren’t in a position to adequately moisturize the hair – the curls’ twists and turns make it practically inconceivable to your sebum to journey down the hair strands.
Because of this, the curlier your hair is of course, the extra inclined it’ll be to dryness. 3A curls are typically dryer than 2C waves as a result of they’ve extra twists and bends alongside the hair shaft.
The drier your hair is, the upper your probabilities of growing break up ends, so 3A hair is at a drawback on this space.
Distinctive Hair Points

After wanting on the variations between 2C and 3A hair, you will have the concept that 2C hair is a straightforward hair sort to take care of.
Nevertheless it’s vital to acknowledge that each hair sort has distinctive issues, and we’d like to focus on the problems associated to every hair sort.
2C Hair Points
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Listed below are among the commonest issues skilled by individuals with 2C hair:
- Simply weighed down. 2C hair is understood to be simply weighed down by merchandise, water, and even its personal weight.
- Lack of quantity. Although 2C hair is significantly extra voluminous than straight hair and different wavy hair subtypes, its lack of quantity could cause hairstyles to fall flat.
- Frizziness and tangles. 2C hair tends to get frizzy, and this contributes to the formation of tangles. Improper detangling can result in break up ends and breakage. We suggest detangling with a large tooth comb.
3A Hair Points
Similar to 2C hair, 3A hair has its personal points, and so they embody:
- Dryness. Kind 3 hair is understood to be dry, and dryness can spiral uncontrolled in a rush, negatively affecting coiffure outcomes, hair fullness, and size retention.
- Frizz. The frizz is actual with sort 3A hair (extra so than 2C hair), and it typically takes smoothing merchandise and particular styling strategies to fight it.
- Tough detangling. Curly hair is notoriously tough to detangle, far more so than straight or wavy hair sorts.
All of those points could be remedied with the proper merchandise and strategies. Subsequent, we’ll offer you some actionable ideas and product suggestions tailor-made to your hair sort.
Additionally, learn this text for those who’re curious about studying extra a few distinctive routine for curly ladies, known as the Curly Lady Technique that features curly woman authorised merchandise.
Do You Have 2C or 3A Hair?
Are you having hassle differentiating between 2C and 3A hair? Right here’s a desk you need to use to find out which one you could have:
To see the precise texture of your hair, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to make sure that it’s freed from buildup. Be sure you run your fingers via your soaking moist hair and therapeutic massage your scalp throughout the shampooing course of.
You should use a gentle conditioner afterward for those who’d like. Then enable your hair to air dry. Now, take a look at your hair intently to watch your curl sample.
Merchandise for 2C and 3A Hair

When constructing a routine to your 2C or 3A hair, you’ve obtained to have the proper merchandise. You’d be stunned by the astronomical impact that hair care merchandise have in your hair.
So, let’s get into some tailor-made product suggestions based mostly in your hair sort.
2C Hair Merchandise
The important thing to unlocking your finest hair is to compensate to your hair’s weaknesses. For 2C hair, meaning ensuring that your hair is clear, moisturized, and styled with out weighing it down or inflicting frizz. Listed below are among the merchandise you’ll want when you have 2C hair.
A Light Cleanser
Relating to cleaning 2C hair, it’s important to go together with a delicate cleanser. 2C hair shouldn’t be the driest hair sort, however for those who use a harsh cleanser usually, your hair won’t look or really feel its finest. Beneath are some nice cleansers to your wavy hair:
- Aveeno Oat Milk Mix Shampoo – This can be a sulfate-free shampoo formulated with almond milk, oils, and a delicate cleanser. It will get your hair clear with out stripping the entire moisture away. Clients love this shampoo, stating that it smells pleasant, cleanses the hair effectively, and leaves the hair gentle.
- MopTop Cowash Cleaning Conditioner – This can be a tremendous gentle cleanser infused with honey and aloe. It’s for wavy, curly, and coily hair sorts in want of moisture. In case your waves really feel dry, this cleanser will do wonders to your hair.
Tip: Wash your hair each time it appears or feels soiled. For most individuals with 2C hair, washing each different day is adequate.
A Light-weight Conditioner
Since 2C hair tends to get weighed down simply, you want a conditioner that’s each light-weight and efficient.
That method, you received’t have to take action a lot work to volumize your hair afterward. These light-weight conditioners come extremely really helpful for individuals with 2C hair:
- OGX Anti Frizz Conditioner – This can be a unbelievable conditioner for wavy hair that has fatty alcohols and seed oils/butters for penetrating moisture. You don’t have to fret about this conditioner weighing down your waves.
- DevaCurl One Situation – This can be a day by day conditioner that can present your waves with lasting moisture. It should make the detangling course of a breeze and depart your waves shiny, ethereal, and delightful.
Tip: Situation your 2C curls after each wash to maintain them hydrated.

Mild Maintain Styler
Your styler is an integral a part of your product stash since it could actually take your waves from frizzy and dry to clean and moisturized. Mild maintain stylers typically work finest, and listed below are two of the very best you’ll discover:
TGIN Rose Water Styling Gel – This gel is infused with each rose water and acai berry and is designed to outline your waves with out leaving them crunchy or flat. It’s formulated to provide your waves a light-weight, versatile maintain.
TGIN Rose Water Defining Mousse – This can be a styling mousse with rose water and hibiscus. It’s for each curls and waves and guarantees a light-weight maintain with out oiliness.
Tip: It’s vital to not be too beneficiant along with your styler in order to not weigh your hair down.
Depart-in Conditioner Spray
A hydrating leave-in conditioner will help maintain your waves tame and hydrated between styling classes or wash days. Your leave-in conditioner needs to be mild and formulated as a sprig.
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Utilizing a cream leave-in will immediately weigh your waves down generally. Let’s discover a few nice leave-in conditioners for wavy hair:
- Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Depart-in – This leave-in conditioner has tremendous mild elements that pack a punch. It’s obtained almond milk, aloe butter, and extra to provide your hair a pick-me-up as wanted. It’s made particularly for broken hair.
- The Trustworthy Firm Candy Orange Vanilla Depart-in Conditioner – This can be a citrusy sweet-smelling leave-in conditioner that offers your hair important moisture. It’s formulated with glycerin (which pulls in moisture from the exterior surroundings) together with mild oils and a contact of shea butter.
Tip: Spritz your hair along with your leave-in after you’ve conditioned your hair. It’s also possible to do a lightweight spritz each morning earlier than you allow for the day.
Observe: A deep conditioner could be useful each time you might be coping with extreme dryness from tough styling, warmth, or chemical processing.
A few nutrient-dense deep conditioners embody Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Masks and tgin Honey Miracle Hair Masks.
3A Hair Merchandise

You’ve obtained to satisfy very particular wants along with your hair care routine when you have hair sort 3A. You’ll have to fight dryness and frizz as you guard towards breakage. The next are some merchandise you’ll want when you have hair sort 3A.
A Tremendous Hydrating Delicate Cleanser
Gals with 3A hair want a gentle cleanser that removes dust and particles with out leaving the hair thirsty for moisture.
Utilizing tremendous harsh cleansers on curly hair is without doubt one of the quickest methods to jumpstart dryness, breakage, and thinning. Listed below are a few stellar cleansers for 3A hair:
- Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Cleaning Conditioner – This cleaning conditioner is without doubt one of the gentlest on the market. It’s sulfate-free and incorporates a number of intense moisturizers to maintain your hair hydrated throughout and after the wash.
- OUIDAD Extremely-nourishing Cleaning Oil Shampoo – This shampoo is sulfate-free and filled with oils that nourish your hair internally. It’s good for individuals who wrestle with dry curls.
Tip: You’ll be able to wash your 3A curls as soon as every week or extra as mandatory. Go by how your hair feels and behaves. It’s not really helpful to clean your hair day-after-day, as that may dry it out quick.
A Moisturizing Conditioner
Moisture is paramount for anybody with 3A hair, given its tendency to dry out. So, do your self a favor and just be sure you have a conditioner that imparts lasting moisture to your strands.
Try these hydrating conditioners for 3A hair:
- SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Conditioner – This conditioner is made for pure curls and is cherished by naturals in every single place. It’s infused with neem oil, coconut oil, and hibiscus to deeply nourish your hair, assist elasticity, and depart your hair wanting its finest.
- BIOLAGE Extremely Hydrasource Conditioner – In case your 3A hair looks as if it’s dry extra typically than it’s moisturized, perhaps it’s worthwhile to deliver out the large weapons. This conditioner has the products to moisturize tremendous dry hair – aloe, apricot kernel oil, cupuacu butter, fatty alcohols, and extra mix to hydrate the hair after which lock within the moisture. It additionally makes detangling classes a breeze!
Tip: By no means skip a conditioning session (until you’ll be deep conditioning). Your curls want it after each wash.

Hydrating Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioners are non-obligatory for individuals with wavy and fully straight hair, however Curlies want deep conditioner of their lives. deep conditioner will replenish moisture and heal your strands internally.
When you’ve got a tough time conserving your hair moisturized or usually apply warmth or chemical substances to it, a deep conditioner might be a lifesaver. Listed below are some unbelievable deep conditioners for 3A hair:
- SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hair Masque – That is no abnormal deep conditioner – it’s obtained the moisturizers, fatty alcohols, and humectants your curly hair must thrive. It’s obtained not one of the elements you wish to keep away from, like sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, petrolatum, and animal testing.
- Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner – This can be a conditioner for all hair sorts. It’s formulated to replenish your hair’s moisture and protein ranges. Full of amino acids, fatty acids, oils, and moisturizers, this deep conditioner has every part your hair must be moisturized, sturdy, and resilient.
Tip: You need to solely deep situation your 3A curls after they really feel like they want an additional dose of moisture. Most Curlies deep situation their hair each week or two.
Light-weight Styler
Everybody with 3A hair wants an acceptable styler. For curly hair, it’s essential to decide on a styler that’s substantial sufficient to tame your curls however not so heavy that it leaves your tighter curls limp or crunchy. Listed below are some wonderful stylers for 3A hair:
- DevaCurl Mild Defining Gel – This styling gel leaves your curls wanting shiny and feeling versatile – no crunchiness in anyway. The gel additionally has moisturizing elements to make sure that your hair doesn’t dry out shortly. It does have protein in it, so watch out when you have low hair porosity.
- Cake Magnificence Defining Curl Cream – This styling cream is slippery and moisturizing, serving to with the detangling step and leaving your hair feeling unbelievable. It has a light-weight system that offers you lasting outcomes with curl definition and shine for days!
Tip: Don’t be afraid to be liberal along with your styler if it’s light-weight. However for those who’re utilizing a heavier styler, use it sparingly.

Cream or Spray Depart-in
Relating to leave-in conditioners, you could have a few choices to your 3A hair. You’ll be able to select a featherweight leave-in spray or a light-weight cream leave-in.
The one you select will rely in your hair’s wants and your private preferences. A few superior leave-in conditioners embody:
- SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Depart-in – This can be a water-based leave-in spray with coconut milk and coconut oil. It’s nice for taming frizz, moisturizing, and detangling your hair.
- Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Depart-in Conditioner – This leave-in faucets into the ability of blueberries to restore any harm that’s been inflicted in your wholesome curls. It’s additionally obtained mango butter, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil, all of which work wonders for 3A curls.
Tip: Use your leave-in everytime you really feel like your curls want a lift. Use it day-after-day for those who’d like!
Associated Articles
- What Does 4D Hair Look Like?
- How To Decide Hair Kind and Texture
- What Is Coily Hair?
- What Is 1A Hair?
Conclusion
We hope that this text has cleared up every part for you. You will have the knowledge it’s worthwhile to decide whether or not your hair is 2C or 3A, select the proper merchandise to your hair sort, and formulate a stable routine to maintain your hair wholesome. We love curly hair and want you the very best of luck with throughout your curly woman journey.
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