Here’s my current 2B hair care routine, including wash day, refreshes, protein treatments, and products I use to help enhance my natural curl pattern.
Last week, I mentioned how I’ve been trying the curly girl method and detailed what tools you need to get started (AND 11 things I’ve learned since started the journey).
It’s been such a great learning process for me, and I’ve loved seeing my hair transform and become healthier in just a matter of weeks!
Truly, my hair has never seemed happier and I’m finally embracing the curlies my genes gave me.
When I first started researching the curly girl method, I was obsessed with trying to find someone who had the same type of hair I have – but I have yet to find one!
I wanted to write this post to help those who have the same (or similar) curl pattern, porosity, thickness, and ‘build’ that I have to determine what products I use for wash days, refreshes, and treatments!
BTW, if you have the same hair type I do, please comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
This post contains affiliate links, however, all opinions are my own.
My Hair Type
My hair is still currently transitioning, FYI. The above picture is the difference between 3 weeks ago and now!
I have a variety of waves/curls ranging from 2A-2C, although about 75% of my hair is classified as 2b hair.
My hair is also fine, thin, and has low porosity.
*I originally thought I had high porosity hair because it doesn’t take long to get wet in the shower by any means, but it’s also fine and thin.
My hair is low porosity because, even with it being so fine and thin, it still takes an entire day (and half a night sometimes) to air dry.
My Current CGM Routine For 2b Hair
All of the products I use in my wash day and refresh are CG-friendly!
2b Wash Day Routine
Here’s what I do in my personal wash day routine for mostly 2b hair:
- Wet hair in the shower and apply deep conditioner with protein in it. Deep Condition for five minutes, comb through with a wide-tooth comb. This is the deep conditioning protein treatment I use – my hair loves it! I do this anywhere from 1-2x a week, although my hair is not protein sensitive and favors protein. Rinse completely out.
- CoWash with As I Am Coconut Cowash. Work product along scalp and gently scrub to clean, avoiding ends of hair. Allow water to rinse cowash from 2b hair completely.
- Apply leave-in conditioner in shower.
Using my fingers, I smooth a quarter-sized amount of leave-in conditioner into my hair, grazing the roots but focusing on the ends.
I DO NOT RAKE (it breaks up the very few clumps I get which leads to stringy hair).
If I notice my hair needs it, I may use a wide-tooth comb as well while distributing the leave-in.
I gently squish in some leave-in conditioner while my hair is still sopping wet.
Then, I quickly run my hair once or twice under the water, but I do not completely rinse out the leave-in.
I leave a majority of the leave-in in my hair. It just happens to style better that way!
Shower DONE. I step out of the shower and towel off, leaving my hair dripping wet, and move onto styling…
How To Style 2B Hair (Well, How I Style Mine)…
For my 2b hair, I’ve found that I need three products to hold the waves after applying the leave-in:
- Emulsify a pea-sized amount of Canta curl activator and 2 pumps of LUS for Wavy Hair all-in-one in wet hands and apply by roping.
Run a good amount of cool water onto a wet brush and brush through hair to distribute product.
Lightly scrunch to encourage clumping, tilting head side to side.
- Apply a quarter-sized amount of emulsified MopTop Curly Hair Custard to ends by roping, and smooth over crown lightly.
Scrunch hair side to side.
- Lightly scrunch my hair with a dry cotton T-shirt to get rid of some of the moisture.
- Wet hands some more, and squirt a quarter-sized drop of Aussie Instant Freeze gel into hands.
Rub product in between wet hands to emulsify gel.
Apply gel to hair by roping again, and smoothing along the back and sides of my hair while my head is tilted to the side.
Be sure to apply the gel to the front of your hair as well.
Scrunch hair, lightly squeezing out excess water.
- Pixie diffuse hair with on warm setting with your head tilted side to side until 80%+ dry.
I know a bunch of other curlies online love and recommend this particular diffuser attachment, but I don’t think you need any special diffuser to get the job done.
I use my old Conair and cheap plastic diffuser and it works just fine!
P.S., The photos above were taken on a VERY humid day (the entire week was humid, actually), so I have some serious frizz going on already but that isn’t typical.
Frizz is, however, normal to experience with wavy and curly hair so don’t fret if you have some – it helps build volume!
- Apply a dime-sized amount of emulsified Aussie Instant Freeze gel with wet hands while hair is 80% dry (this is called the Smasters technique).
I do not scrunch the gel in this time, I instead use flat wet palms coated with emulsified gel to press the hair up to my head from the ends.
No scrunching involved in this step because I don’t want to cause extra frizz or break the cast that’s already forming on my curls.
- Diffuse until dry or allow to air dry the rest of the way.
Hair will develop a cast (that hard, crunchy feel) as the gel sets in the hair – refrain from touching hair at all costs.
Once dry, flip hair side to side every 5-10 minutes as I remember.
Now that my hair has been styled, I’ll give it time to hang out in the gel cast while I start my morning routine (coffee, writing, starting a load of laundry, waking the kids up for school, etc).
I try my hardest not to touch my hair at all during the drying process as this can break up the cast on my curls too soon (resulting in flat waves) and generate more frizz overall.
This is what my hair looks like in the cast most days.
I inherited some serious waves, but my thin, fine hair looks pretty scraggly in the gel cast, right?
Oh well, that’s genetics for you!
When I scrunch it out, it will look softer and fill out a bit.
I usually leave the cast in until right before I leave the house to drop the kids off at school. At that point, I will…
- SOTC = scrunch out the crunch. This means I will scrunch my 2b hair (with dry hands) to get rid of the ‘crunchy’ gel cast and reveal soft waves and curls that hold their shape.
Look at how shiny and healthy my hair looks from just a month of doing the curly girl method!
This is real shine, not silicones coating my hair to make it ‘seem’ healthy – WOOHOO!
Here is it fully scrunched out!
As the day goes on, the little parts of the cast that are missed in the SOTC process (there’s always just a little bit of stiffness still there after scrunching that can’t be helped), and I’ve touched my hair a bunch and am going about my day, it will continue to get softer and fuller.
- Fluff hair at the roots.
Using a pick or wide tooth comb, I will fluff my hair at the roots.
This helps build volume and breaks the cast up towards the roots.
Avoid fluffing at the crown and along the part.
- Apply root clips for about 10 minutes – IF I HAVE THE TIME.
Sometimes I forget this step, although it does help with volume.
These root clips are my favorite!
If we’re being honest, I hardly ever remember to do this or have the time – #momlife.
Sleeping on my curly hair
To sleep, I simply put my hair into a loose pineapple bun with a soft scrunchie on top of my head (see below) to help preserve my curls.
This method works best for my mostly 2b hair which rests just below my shoulders.
I currently do not use a CG-recommended silk pillowcase because I’m pregnant and sleep on my giant pregnancy pillow for which there is no giant silk pillow cover ;).
I’ll be looking into getting one like this for less than $10 after I give birth, however.
Some women like to use hair buffs or wet/dry plop their hair in a cotton t-shirt overnight.
Personally, my fine hair hates overnight plopping!
I seem to only be able to get away with plopping just long enough to get dressed after washing/styling.
Refresh routine for 2B Hair
To refresh my hair, I either do a full refresh or I pull it out of the scrunchie in the morning and it looks awesome without needing to do anything to it.
It all depends on how I slept the night before and if the hair gods are looking down on me with a smile that morning ;).
If I pull my hair out of the scrunchie and it looks crazy or lifeless, I’ll do a wet fresh…
- Remove scrunchie.
I literally pull it up towards the ceiling from my hair and allow my hair to fall however it wants.
Allow hair to ‘settle’ for about 10 minutes.
Make coffee, check my e-mails.
Once the 10+ minutes are over and my hair has settled, I can really evaluate if it’s in need of a refresh and see what I’m working with.
- Wet hair using the bowl method.
Rewetting my hair reactivates the product in it so I can restyle it.
I’ve tried spritzing it with a water bottle so I could scrunch and style – it just creates frizz and looks gross.
Plus, with low porosity hair, wetting with a water bottle takes forever because my hair doesn’t absorb any water unless fully submerged *rolls eyes*.
- Scrunch soaking wet hair with wet hands.
I always gently scrunch because my hair frizzes up fast with intense scrunching. Some people’s hair can tolerate the roughhousing – my fine, thin hair just can’t.
- ***ONLY ON 3RD DAY REFRESH, NOT SECOND DAY REFRESH***: Rub a dime-sized amount of Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie and 1 pump of LUS for Wavy Hair between wet hands to emulsify.
Smooth on strands by roping, squish into dripping wet hair.
*The curl enhancing smoothie product contains protein, which MY hair loooooves!
If you are protein sensitive, I would steer clear of this, even though the protein is towards the bottom of the ingredient list.
- Emulsify a quarter-sized amount of Aussie instant freeze gel in wet hands.
Apply to strands by roping and squishing.
- Diffuse hair on WARM until dry.
I like to do this until it’s fully dry if I have the time so make refresh days as simple as possible.
- Allow hair to remain in gel cast for about 20+ minutes while I do my makeup and start my morning routine.
I sometimes allow it to sit in the cast longer if I have time before we leave the house.
- SOTC (scrunch out the crunch) once it’s fully dry.
- Fluff hair, clip roots.
These pictures above are actually of 3rd-day hair after refreshing.
I’m still working on how to fluff my hair to get more volume, but with its density and thickness, I can’t really expect it to change too much.
I refresh my hair every 2nd and 3rd day after washing. Day 4 seems to be when I feel the need to wash.
Rarely, I have a morning where I remove my scrunchie after waking up, and my curls fall into a majestic state that requires NO refreshing, and I feel like a unicorn.
But, again, those days are very rare ;).
Special Treatments
At least once a week, I give my hair a protein treatment with a deep conditioner in the shower (as I mentioned earlier).
I use this deep conditioning hair masque after regular shampoo and conditioner, leave it on for five minutes and comb through my ends with a wide-tooth comb, and rinse it completely out.
Then, I’ll cowash and apply my leave-in.
My 2b hair loooooooves protein.
There has only been one week I didn’t give my hair protein in the shower, and I could definitely tell the difference!
Not everyone’s hair needs protein, and you may have the exact same hair type, porosity, and curl that I do and still not need protein in your hair.
In fact, it’s recommended that you do not try to balance the moisture vs. protein in your hair while transitioning, but I’m a total rule breaker.
To determine if your hair needs protein, read this article.
And, as I mentioned in last week’s post, not everything works for everyone.
My hope is that if you have the same hair type that I do, my hair routine can help shed some light on what might work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait – What Is The Curly Girl Method, again?
The curly girl method is a method developed by Lorraine Massey that encourages curlies to ditch sulfates and silicones, stop brushing and damaging their hair with heat, and enhance their natural curl patterns through wet styling and diffusing.
Waves and curls suffer from the modern-day haircare products and tools we use to curl, straighten, and dry our hair.
By cutting out these things, you can get wavier waves, bouncier curls, and healthier hair in time.
The most important thing to mention is that there are tons of different applications, techniques, and products to try because WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT HAIR!
Reading up on your hair type, density, and porosity (as well as taking into account the damage it’s accumulated), you can start to experiment and try to understand what it is your hair needs and the best way to care for it.
How Do I Emlusify My Hair Products?
When you emulsify your hair products, you are combining them with water. With the curly girl method, it makes for beautiful waves and curls.
To emulsify your hair gels before applying, for example, you would wet your hair with a spray bottle (or work with soaking wet hair from a fresh shower), and your hands.
Squeeze some product into your hands, grab a little more water from the faucet, and rub your hands together.
This emulsifies the gel for better application.
How Do I Determine My Hair’s Porosity?
My post last week talks about how to determine your hair porosity with a few simple tests, but you can also read about it in-depth HERE.
Will This Routine Help Me Get Curls/Waves?
No, but it can help you enhance your hair’s natural waves/curls.
It’s also important, and I say this all the time, to note that not all gels and products will work for all hair types.
It takes some trial and error to figure out what your hair needs, likes. It also takes time for your hair to recover from the heat and brushing damage it’s endured over the years.
A lot of women see results from adapting the curly girl method in just a month (like my hair!), while other women wait for 6-9 months to actually see a big difference.
But…if the good Lord didn’t give you any waves or curls, you probably won’t be able to do anything about that with the curly girl method – but there are some women I’ve seen and read that thought they had straight hair all their life that actually have natural waves and curls they never knew about until adopting the curly girl method.
Related 2B Hair Articles
How To Start The Curly Girl Method For Wavy Hair
The Curly Girl Method For Wavy Hair (11 Things You Need To Know)
I think I have the same type of hair as you, been following the curly girl method for almost 4 months
What is the protein product you use? The page won’t open for me.
Hi Bonnie, thanks so much for catching that! I’ve updated the link in the post, but here it is –> https://amzn.to/36wKwLb
I’ve been searching for someone with the same hair type and curl pattern as I have as well and it seems we’re incredibly similar. My hair is low porosity, fine, 2a-2c wavy-curly pattern, the only difference is density, mine is high density.
I completely feel you on the hair rewetting to refresh, it would take me an hour and two spritz bottles full to rewet that way. Have to drench it *eyeroll*
I’m so jealous you have high density hair! Oh well, genetics ;). So true for low porosity hair, though, high or low density – it takes FOREVER and a day to wet with a spray bottle 🙁
Hi! I have the same kind of hair as you! Fine, thin, low-porosity, and wavier than I realized! I’m trying to coax out the waves, and they’re definitely there, but I end up with waves that are super scraggly. How do you get your hair to “clump” together to form thicker chunks of hair for each wave? HELP.
Hey Sarah, I actually updated this post this morning since my routine has changed a little bit. I think I’ll add a clumping section in the post, though!
For clumping, I refrain from raking or detangling in the shower. Most of my clumping action happens after I’ve put in my ‘creams’ (Cantu and LUS) on soaking wet hair. I use a wet brush (not a denman) to distribute the creams throughout my hair and then scrunch side to side – this helps it clump up quite a bit! Other than using the wet brush at that time, I refrain from raking through my hair or even detangling in the shower. I also refrain from styling upside down or plopping.
I’ve noticed that any styling upside down or excessive brushing without creams in my hair results in a stringy, no-clump mess :(.
Ooh–great! What wet brush do you use? And do you still use a comb in the shower? It’s so much trial and error with this stuff! Hard to be patient… 🙂
No worries, I totally get it. I do not use a wide tooth comb in the shower, the only time I do any kind of detangling is with the wet brush after I’ve put my creams in it :). Here’s the wet brush I use: https://amzn.to/2SYlGji
Thank you!!!
I think I have the same hair type as you have! Except my hair might be a bit thicker. But my wave pattern is exactly like yours, and I also have low porosity hair! I started following the Curly girl method a little over a month ago, so my hair is definitely still transitioning.
I am amazed about how many different products you use. I only use the Cantu curl activator cream as a styler and that is all I need, it really is my go to. Do you ever make your own oil masks? My hair loves coconut oil and olive oil, it makes it very soft, it almost never gets tangly. How long do you wait between wash days?
Hi Eileen, that’s great! I still need a little gel to hold my waves some days, but the Cantu is a Godsend if you use it right on our hair type! 🙂 I wasn’t a fan of olive oil for my hair, but I think that has to do with having low density hair.
I wait anywhere from 2-4 days between washing my hair.
Hi! I have the same wave pattern and my hair is as fone and thin as yours. I think my hair is high porosity. How do you use the root clips for adding volume. Thanks for sharing your routine. I am going to try the bowl method of refreshing. Refreshing is my biggest challenge. I always have flat waves when I wake up, even when I sleep in a pineapple.
@Odessa, I had the same problem of waking up to flat hair and less curl definition no matter what I tried. But now I don’t do any of those methods and I hardly ever have to refresh anymore! My hair stays good until the next wash day. The only thing I do is fan my hair over my pillow so that I’m not laying on it. If works for sleeping on your back or side. Try it and see the results 🙂
Very glad I came across your page because it seems to be very rare to find this hairtype. My only difference is porosity, mine is very high. But I constantly struggle with stringy messy waves, and very frizz prone hair. I learned my styling method which is almost exact to yours but I don’t use products because my hair also needs limited manipulation. I cowash, brush under the shower with a wet brush then leave the shower with sopping hair and clumps. When I touch it it’s just exactly as you said, stringy, messy. I found the devacut to be helpful because the layering is soft and the ends don’t feel thin. Btw you’re gorgeous!!
Hi! I think I have pretty similar hair as you. It is hard to find similar types out there! I think a lot of wavies don’t always realize their hair isn’t just failing at being straight. I use the As I Am cowash and the Cantu curl activator also. I completely agree about frizz from using a spray bottle to refresh! My hair always looks like a total mess when I spray it. I’ve found more success using praying hands with wet hands to dampen it and then tiny bits of product at a time with lots of water and light scrunching like you mentioned.
So much great advise! I’m totally new to the CGM. Right now my hair is a combo of 2a, 2b & 2c. Top layer is 2a & gets curlier the closer it gets to my scalp. I don’t wear it natural cuz I never knew how to style it. I’d always have those ramen noodle curls & I can’t stand that look. I tried doing the ‘breaking the cast’ nothing but frizz. I always had natural wave/curl growing up but now the top layer has barely wave. My stylist said its from the years of straighting, blowing drying, ect. Do you think my wave/curl would come back if I started doing the CGM & using the right products – basically started taking care of my hair? Its def gotta be healthier for my hair than what I’m doing now to it.
I cant believe it, I seriously have the same hair, low porosity, thin, fine, loves protein, EXCEPT, I have 2b-3A, the longer my hair gets the more it curls. I’ve been searching for a routine dealing with hair like mine so this is really exciting for my lol
I have your hair type, and my goodness, you are lucky to be able to grow it — without length, this hair type is a nightmare and won’t look nice like yours. Mine won’t grow past just touching my shoulders, and the wispy fineness and uneven lengths of strands, that can NOT be cut into one layer because the strands never grow into one layer, are hopeless.
Thank your for your blog, I’ve lived my life as a “hair outcast”, not having any friends who have even close to this hair. I”ve even gotten rude comments from a so called friend, such as “why do you cut it like that?”. Answer, I don’t, I have no choice.
And as for trying to look “professional” with our society’s “rules” about how women’s hair should look, well my only option would be to cut it even shorter and look like a boy. So, I’ve opted for independent work. Can you imagine a job as a news anchor, business leader, or politician who is female, in America, being accepted with this type of hair if it cannot grow enough, other than cutting it into a boy cut? The media and business world refuse to accept that this type of hair has NOTHING to do with ability to do a professional job.
I’m glad you can grow yours and don’t have that problem. The products you describe are mostly those I already use, but without length, women like me are stuck, in a society that will not accept that everyone is not born with the same type of hair. Sorry for the rant.
Hi, you have beautiful hair! I do have the same exact hair minus the porosity. Mine is high. My hair loves protein too. Thanks for sharing your routine! It’s so helpful to find girls with my fine, thin, extremely fussy hair type. Ours has to be among the most difficult!! 😊. For a while I was beginning to think I was the only one with this hair. I literally have never met someone in person with it. Hairstylists have a hard time understanding my hair’s needs. God bless.
I’m pretty sure I have similar hair to you as well. My hair is between 2a and 2b type hair with medium density, and fine to medium strand thickness. I’m pretty sure my hair is also low to medium porosity as it takes forever to dry.
My hair is still in the middle of transitioning, but I’ve been using sulfate free products for quite some time! I only recently switched to completely silicone free products though, so I’m going to see how that works for my hair type. I’m still learning what my hair likes and dislikes, and how much product it can handle. Though I think it doesn’t like heavier products very much and likes harder holding gels since my waves tend to fall if I use something with a lighter hold. I’ve only been actually using styling products for about a month, give or take and I can see a difference. Some days are better than others, of course, but that’s normal.
It’s really nice to see someone with a similar hair-type to me and super inspiring. Watching all these youtubers with their amazingly curly/wavy hair can make me feel a bit hopeless sometimes with my delicate waves. It can be frustrating when all you see is those beautiful 2c-3c waves/curls that are thick and luscious.
I’ve opted for a shaggy-ish haircut, with plenty of layers to help lift my hair at the top and have less around my neck and shoulders. It’s about collarbone length. It works for the most part though sometimes the layering fights the waves and makes for a strange look haha. I originally got it cut this way because my hair broke off all the time and I needed to let the newer baby hair catch up haha. I might let it grow out though now that there’s the stay-home order where I live.
Anyway, I’ll stop ranting! Thank you for this blog post! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on your blog from now on!
Thank goodness! Me I’m the one who has hair like you! I had a sort of wave throughout childhood and then it went a weird frizzy. I always thought it was from damage but it turns out it was real waves. And then after getting pregnant it got so bad I had to change something. I’ve been going curly for about a year now but did not find the curly girl method until 6 months ago. I have a method I like but find the right affordable products. Or perhaps I need to manage build up.
Hi! I’m so happy I came across your post, I haven’t been able to find anything relating to my hair type until now. The only difference with mine is I have greasy hair, it needs washing daily, which I try not to do. It has been a nightmare trying to find products that moisturise my ends but doesn’t leave my roots horrible after a day. Do you have any tips or advice please? Thank you 😊
@Jodie, Try only conditioning the ends of your hair, and not your scalp. THIS HELPS SOOOO MUCH!!
This was amazingly helpful and your hair is GORGEOUS. Thank you so much! I believe there is help yet for my fine waves.
We have the same type of hair low porosity, fine and thin hair… But I’m a Nigerian🇳🇬 Africa…. Most of the ladies here in Africa are type 4…. I look different cos of my hair type I’m type 2b…. Well I learnt alot. I will start following this routine pray it works for me…. Thanks tho love from Africa 🇳🇬
Well, I am no longer a young mom like you. I am now a “young” grandmommy, but I have had a lifetime of hair like yours. Blonde, but with plenty of red and auburn strands. I even have a red-headed daughter! I have fine hair with a wave. The top layer is persistently frizzy and damaged looking. The “under layer” in the back along the sides of my neck forms ringlets when it dries naturally and the very back under layers are wavy. Since I have been avoiding the hairdresser over the last 7 months due to CVD, I am down to my completely natural haircolor (as described above) with a sprinkling of faded/silvery strands, and it has grown to about three inches below my shoulders. My thin, fine hair works best shorter at my age, but without being able to get it cut, I have been allowing it to dry naturally, and I have been putting in leave-in products just as you described through trial and error. What I cannot figure out is how best to deal with that fine, frizzle-frazzled top layer that does not behave like the bottom layer. I have just been twisting my hair in little ropes and allowing it to air dry, and the roping/scrunching thing works best, but I feel like applying any sort of brush or comb to the top layer totally straightens it and it just frizzes up. I am stuck. I’ve been looking at hair picks and various shower brushes. That is how I stumbled onto your link, and finally saw someone with HAIR LIKE MINE! I do not think I can afford the time that your routine involves, but I do many of the same things. Any advice on handling that topmost frizzy layer? (It might be like that as a result of having used a hair dryer in the past, or maybe because the sun is so unrelentingly bright here? Since I also share you coloring, though, I almost always wear hats outside. Any tips on that fragile, top frizzy layer would be so appreciated!
Hi Susan! I’m not sure if this will help, but in the super humid months, I’ve found that I can emulsify a small quarter-sized drop of mousse in my hands (rub water and mousse between hands) and lightly run my flat hands across the top layer after styling to help tame the frizz. It’s the only time my hair tolerates mousse. Most of the time that helps a bit, although I’ve found our hair is super prone to frizz, and all curlies deal with some frizz!
I have hair very similar to yours. Fine, low density, 2B/C, low porosity. I’ve found the combination of Jessicurl Spiralicious with the blue LA Looks Gel in top is a foolproof combo for high humidity days. I don’t even use a leave-in with the Spiralicious or my hair looks greasy.
Hi!
Not only do I have the same hair type as you (2b), but also the same hair colour, though mine is a bit lighter than yours. 🙂
Your article was very helpful, thanks so much!
I have the same hair type 🙂 Mine is pretty long right now, down to my lower back, and it’s always been very thick. So the frizz is definitely annoying! I just started using CG a few weeks ago, so I haven’t noticed too much of a difference. I am still researching and trying to find the right products to help my hair keep its shape and stop the frizz. Thanks for your post!
@Courtney Vogel, I am so glad you posted this! I have the same hair. Fine non porous but with natural wave. I have more wave than 2a so I am probably a 2b. My waves don’t stay in and sometimes I end up with wavy frizzy hair. I will be trying your tips out to see if they work for me too!
Hey! My hair has a very similar curl/wave pattern, although it is very thick. Thank you for all these tips and showing us you routine, it really helped me!
Thanks for posting such an in-depth post. My hair was more of a type 2-a and recently switched towards a 2b-2c and driving me nuts! I couldn’t figure out why it’s so frizzy, dry and out of control. Last night I barely washed it and let it air dry and beautiful curls started show up. I thought, “oh my word. I have curly hair and have been treating it like straight hair!!!” Now I’m trying to figure out what to do. Lol. 🙂
Hi I believe I have the same hair but I have a very high density to it super thick as well but I’ve been doing your routine and its helped a lot most days I can wake up and my hair is perfect thats when I get all the compliments lol I say its bed head lol but its definitely helped me with finding something that’s worked good for my curls thank you so much!
I have your hair, too!! 2b/2c, fine & takes FOREVER to dry! I have searched for products and advice from someone who knows what I have gone through with my hair. I have been using the CG method for two years, & have the added stress of being 54 years old and having menopause hair loss. I will continue to follow your blog – I am so happy to have found a “tribe” of my people!
Hi, I just read your article & I read it completely. My head is so dry & I am facing low porosity hair, The routine that’s you shared is so good. I will follow him & I hope my problem will be solved. Thanks, keep writing.
I have finally made the decision to embrace my “curls”. I’ve always had the dilemma of not curly enough to wear it curly but too curly to wear it straight. Anyway I came across your article and with the exception of length you were describing my hair. Thank you for the information. Now I have to figure out how to use this information with my schedule. Thank you very much
I’m so glad I found you!!!! I have the exact same kind of hair as you: wavy, thin, fine, and low porosity. Every blog I’ve ever seen is for girls with super thick and curly hair and it just never worked for me. I used your steps today and my hair looks so much better than normal. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your routine!!!
hi! this is so helpful 🙂 what shampoo do you use?
I’m so glad! I use LUS for Wavy Hair. 🙂
I’m pretty sure I have the same hair as you! I’m a red head. I’m not sure about my hairs porousity… It doesn’t take so long to dry but not real quick, either. I can relate to being a bit of 2A-2C with fine hair. I’ll have to give some of your tips a go. Sometimes it’s easier to just not brush my hair because it goes so boofy 😭 but I need to figure out a way to be able to brush my hair AND control it enough to leave the house. 😂
Hi! My name is Natalia and my hair is JUST LIKE YOURS!
2B wavy/curly, thin, no volume and soooo hard to find the rights products for my hair.
I’ve been using the As I Am leave in conditioner plus the Bed head TIGI On the rebound, and it kinda forks for me but not that much… and also I live in Costa Rica so it’s very hard for me to have access to other brands or products for 2B hair.
So my journey to find the perfect product for my hair still continues 😓
I never had wavy hair until my thyroid decided to be hyper & hypo in Jan-February 2021 & it got wavier & curlier each day. Always had straight hair. My hair is long and very thick. After buying about 40 products,reading every YouTube, nothing worked. I decided to try the small size of Ouidad, ( it’s expensive),but the shampoo& conditioner have cleansing oils, & the gel makes my hair soft. I wash, take some water out, then condition & scrunch, rinse, then use tshirt to take out excess water, & apply gel & scrunch. Bend over & put hair into my microfiber towel. I leave up for about 10 minutes. For some reason these products make my hair dry in about an hour & leave so soft( that’s because I do not do sopping hair, I hate that feeling, and feel most of the product goes down the drain). I don’t ever do a cast, I hate that feeling too, & it usually makes my hair frizz. I do nothing more except use a satin scrunch at night & have always slept on a satin pillow. Next morning take it down, spritz some water & Oudid refresh, & that’s it. Most of the time it’s wavier on the second day & I do nothing except fluff roots. My hair stays soft & wavy until I wash in 4-5 days. I won’t put in tons of product,if I do my head itches & feels gross on the first day.
I don’t know how to attach a picture here, but I will say my hair is much easier to take care of than when it was straight.
Thank you for posting this! I just started the curl journey and could not figure out why my 2B/2C waves look awesome in the cast, but almost instantly melt away when I break the cast. I think low porosity is the key to this mystery. I’m probably using the wrong products and techniques! I’m glad you included so much detail about your routine. Your hair is GORGEOUS!
Hallelujah! I have spent a long time trying to get some help on my hair and found I never fit a hair category until I came across yours! We are totally hair twinsies! I can’t thank you enough for posting your routine AND providing products you used. Other websites make you subscribe and pay to get information on their recommended hair products.
I tried your styling routine (I’m waiting on some products to come in for your shower routine) and my hair was so pretty and that was just day one!
One question I have, how do you KEEP the curl? I find mine is so weak that as soon as a gust of wind comes up, it blows away my curl. Any recommendations?
Thanks so much!
Val
Hi, Val! I’m noticing that by diffusing on COLD (not just low, because it’s still pretty warm), the cast from the gel doesn’t get *melted* and my waves hold better throughout the day and week. Also, over time, your hair gets *trained* to hold its natural curl better!
How many times do I need to wash my hair in a week? I’d like to bring back my natural curls.. I hope my message finds you, thank you!
Hiiiii! With my hair, I aim to wash it 1-2 times a week. I shower more often than that 😉 but wear a shower cap in between washes. The more time you can go between washes, in my experience with my hair type, the better!
Thank you so much for this detailed blog. I’ve found other wavy hair examples but never any good ones for fine hair. My hair looks like yours so I’m excited to learn from you. Mahalo!
Hello 🙂
I too seem to have primarily 2B, fine, thin, low porosity hair. Unfortunately I can’t afford to purchase a lot of products for my hair. Basically, something to wash it with and maybe a conditioner. Its nice to know I’m not alone with this particular hair type combination. 🙂 Thank you for posting this article.
This describes my hair type to a T. I just realized my true hair type after cutting my long hair to shoulder length. I am a beginner to curly/wavy hair so I am just learning. Thank you! It’s all so overwhelming and I am trying to add in new products/methods one at a time.
Thank you for a very thorough description of your routine. I’m going to try it.
I have the same hair, except high porosity! Thank you for all the tips! 🙂
Hi! I just found you and my hair is EXACTLY your texture. I saw a video on TikTok and was told I actually had curly hair all this time and have been fighting it instead of leaning into its natural
Texture. I went out and got stuff to try at Target and five hours later I am going to bed with 100% curly hair! OMG who knew?! Thanks for the tips on roping and products – you have given me so much to work with going forward.
My hair is very similar to yours, girl! I’ve been working on my waves/curls since I brushed my dreadlocks out a year and a half ago.
What I have learned is that my hair does not need all the things that most curlies do! Not even close. The only thing I do now is leave a tiny bit of conditioner in and use John Freida’s curl reviver)frizz ease mousse and only a little bit of it then my hair stays good till the next time I wash it. And I mean only a little. If I use too much of it after my shower my hair will not be as curly. I wish I could add pictures on here so you can see how much curlier my hair has gotten since figuring all this out. Hope it helps 🙂
Oh my gosh!!! I FINALLY found someone with my hair! Mine looks just like yours. Some days it gives me more curls and some days it’s barely wavy. Do you have a YouTube channel??? If not you definitely should because we need representation!
Me too! 2a-2c hair, mostly 2b. 80% of my hair is A LOT of fine strands and in the back is a course very frizzy mess. I cut off two feet of hair last week and i was like “oh….apparently i have very wavy hair. Now what?” I will be reading more of your post! Thanks for sharing.
I believe I have a very similar hair type to you. Unfortunately I just got my haircut before I decided to go more curly. I don’t know what the porosity of my hair is though. I know it’s fine and I have a problem getting it to clump as well.p
I have the same hair type, do you have layers in your hair or is it all one length? If you do have layers do you have “long layers” and do you find that they help curl definition and clumping?
Thanks!:)
Corinne, are you still active on this site? I have hair like yours except for the color. I was a blonde until my hair turned white and silver. I am a 2A 2B, fine, low density, low porosity type hair texture. I also have oily roots and can get an itchy scalp so I use Giovanni Tea Tree Treatment shampoo instead of a co wash. My hair loves protein as well and I use Curlsmith Protein treatment styling product every other week. I wash on the fourth day as well. I had my hair cut recently so not as long as yours. I hope you had your baby safely and are okay in these days of Covid.
I have super similar hair down to the color. My hair tends to be on the high porosity side though and the shafts are very dense but as I ade the individual hair follicles are thinning
Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve been embracing my waves again for about a month after about 10 years of straightening for a more consistent result… But my hair is so damaged, fragile, and broken off, that I knew it was time to heal my hair. I love your post because I’ve never seen someone with loose waves like mine! I love them and seeing you love and embrace your waves makes me feel like mine are beautiful too. 🥰 I find that sometimes I can get more of a 2c curl, and some days my hair is 2a, but most often seems to be 2b and fine without much volume unless I diffuse it. I appreciate your helpful tips!!
I’m just starting to embrace my natural hair waves and it’s so refreshing to see someone with hair like mine! I have mostly 2B hair, low porosity, and I feel this is a rare combo for most hair bloggers. Thank you!! Excited to give some of the products you recommend a try
Can you just pretend I know nothing for a minute lol. What is “roping”?
This was an awesome read! I have hair JUST like yours, and I was so glad to find this tutorial! I can’t wait to get started.
Hey girl! Your hair is beautiful btw. We have the same type of hair except mine gets super oily while my scalp is dry, and sore. Any recommendations?
I have almost exactly your hair type! I am also a red head!! Mine has gone more toward the dark and looks light brown/dirty blonde most of the time. I am following CG method now and LOVING the results!! Thank you!!! Wish I could attach a picture
My hair is EXTREMELY similar to yours. I will keep in mind to not rake it with my fingers, which is exactly what I do lol. My hair is so soft and healthy, but it never stays in defined waves or curls. It ends up becoming a poofy frizzy mess throughout the day. But honestly? I don’t care enough to go through 10 different steps. I want to wash my hair, let it dry, and have nice waves. There are so many products and steps mentioned that it’s overwhelming.
Consider trying super hold hairspray at the end after your gel. It really helps with keeping the clumps fizzless and make a great cast.
It helps dry your hair faster too. I love the more defined waves and even some twisting curls.
I have this hair type! My hair is just like yours. It seems like guess work to get it to look good, it seems to just do it’s own thing probably because I don’t have a routine. The times I have had it look super good we’re with much care and not messing with the little curlish-waves after I get out of the shower. It drys out really easy and maintaining volume is probably the biggest issue. Thank you for your article, it is helpful.
Oh my goodness I think I have the same hair type! I can’t wait to try this routine!
Thank you SO much for this extremely clear, detailed, well-written tutorial! I’ve known that I have 2B type hair for a while now, and some days it looks great (if one likes beachy/unruly waves), but it can quickly devolve into a tangly, frizzy, ill-defined mess! Your recommendations are excellent and make complete sense — I look forward to integrating them into my routine. Thank you, again!
Amazing run down!! Thank you 🙂 I was wondering about your thoughts on a couple of things-1.) silk scrunches ALWAYS come flying off when I walk around or sleeping when I wear it up in a pineapple. How do yours stay on? Do you use extra large ones? 2.) my routine is pretty similar except for the cowash part and I do an ACV scalp refresh in the shower couple times a month because my scalp has been pretty dry and itchy. What do you recommend for itchy, dry scalp? Maybe the ACV is too strong but the dry, itchy scalp was happening beforehand? My hair is just like yours in terms of waviness!
Same low porosity, density, and wave/curl mix. My hair also loves protein. Thank you for the bowl refresh tip. I gave up on refreshing with spray bottles because it took soooooo long.