Hair Type 2c - Any advice?

amanizaveri · 06-11-2010, 10:55 AM

Hello! My hair type is 2c and I wanted some advice. I have been straightening my hair for 5 years now (once every year), but I would like to leave it and see how it is curly. When it was curly it was very thick, coarse and extremely frizzy.

What type of haircut is best for this type of hair?
What hair products would you recommend?
Any other general tips?

Thanks in advance!

Sbudsky · 06-13-2010, 10:24 AM

If you're straightening you hair 1x per year, I imagine that means you are using some kind of chemical relaxer... do you still have to grow it out, or is it back to its natural texture?

Sounds like my hair might be similar to yours (I'm 2c-3aish depending on the weather and other mysterious factors), although mine is on the finer side.

Once your hair is back to its natural texture, I'd get a curly girl (dry) cut-- don't have them take off too much, but just reshape it and get rid of the unhealthy ends. Once you have gotten used to styling your hair curly and really have a sense of how it behaves, then you can go back and get a more drastic cut if you want...

Many gels and creams marketed to curlies tend to strive to define curls, but don't add a lot of hold. It seems to me that these products work best for people who already have a very strong curl pattern....I started using products like this (e.g. Totally Twisted gel) when I first went CG and found my hair would not hold its coils well throughout the day. Since your hair is 2c too, you will probably want to use a very hard-hold gel to help your curls keep their shape. I will usually use a curl cream (like Biotera Curl Creme) and a drop of gel on soaking wet hair, scrunch out the moisture with a t-shirt, let dry half way, and then scrunch-in LA Looks Sports Gel (which has a level-10 hold). Believe it or not, my hair does not come out crunchy or wet-looking at all.

Some things to keep in mind-- It will take some time for you to figure your hair out, and for for your hair to recover from the years of straightening, so expect some bad hair days. Also, be prepared to use way more conditioner and gel then you would expect.

CurlyToast · 06-13-2010, 10:45 AM

I have super coarse, frizz-prone, mostly-2c-some-3a hair and although you may not realize it at the moment, we are capital-L Lucky!

We are tremendously flexible when it comes to cuts and styles -- I can have my hair cut dry or wet, scissored or razored, and with relatively minimal concern with how my curls will make the final cut lay (though very subtle shadowing and angles will be useless, they're usually not disastrous).

I also think we have a lot more latitude with product. Coarse hair is not typically easily weighed down by oils, so those (I love coconut) can be used with comparative abandon to tame frizz, and add shine and softness. And if you're a fan of any level of dishevel, then our waves are perfect (and very easy).

Just jump in and experiment with stuff. Fun!

pedaheh · 06-13-2010, 10:56 AM

If you haven't already, check out the CG method.
Here is the before and after picture thread
Post your before & After CG pics
and here is a blog post that explains how to follow the method.
http://dormroomcurly.blogspot.com/20...ons-table.html

2Curlgirl · 12-24-2012, 11:40 PM

Hello-
I am a type 2c curly girl and I've been NC for a while now but just recently started researching NC hair care. I have thin to med. hair thickness and my hair is slightly course.
Here are some things that have been successful for me;
Try going no or little shampoo. I've been going four days or so between shampoos and co washing( washing with just conditioner) on the non shampoo days. I thought I would hate the co wash method because my hair is sometimes oily. However, when I tried it my hair was just as clean as w/ shampoo. It was also shiner, softer, curlier and less frizzy.( needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised).
Try using an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse 1 or two times a week. This will cleanse your scalp of any dead skin cells, bacteria and product residue. It also restores the ph balance of your hair and scalp and helps with split ends. I noticed that my hair is healthier over all when I do this.
I mix 1 tbsp. ACV with 1 cup warm water and poor into my hair after conditioning, concentrating on the ends and scalp.
If you don't like the smell, you can brew 1 tbsp. of herbs that are good for hair health (i like lavender) in 1 cup of water and add the ACV. That helps some.
As for hair cuts, I'd go with long layers. I've found that short layer on myself tend to poof out and look weird. Especially since my bottom layer is not very curly.
I've tried a lot of products but my top three fave are Herbal Essence Tousle Me Softly Cream.( I like the gel too, but if I could l only get one it'd be the cream). It has a good hold and is good for "reviving" your curls the next day. It also last a long time.
My second fave would be the Garnier Fructis Anit- frizz Curl Calm Down. It doesn't really have enough staying power to style my hair when i use a defusier, but it is good for fighting frizz and "clumping" curls. I use it after I style my hair mostly on the ends to protect ageist friction, it works pretty good for that and for a wash and go.
I just got some FX Special Effects Curls Up staler and I do love it..It holds good and fights frizz the best out of the three I've mentioned. It doesn't make your hair crunchy and has the added benefits of Chamomile and vitamin E so it's says it helps with split ends. The only down fall is it makes your hair feel kinda odd. I can't describe it...just kinda heavy. But it's not unbearable and I still love the stuff.
As for special tips I'd say try the NC pineappling method and a satin pillow case or cap when you sleep. Also use only a wide tooth comb as brushing and small tooth comes cause damage and frizz.
Good luck and hope this helps.

Myrna · 12-25-2012, 03:48 PM

I used to have 2C hair, in fact, I still kind of think of myself that way. But a year ago I got totally exasperated with my hair, nothing was working. I started the CG routine, but: I wash and condition every day, and I do NOT shampoo with conditioner, I use the Shea Moisture line. I no longer get my hair cut wet, in fact, my hair rarely needs a cut, just a snip or two here and there and sometimes, on the ends. Once you start treating your hair more gently (no sulfates, no cones, no harsh treatments), you may find your hair is different. Now, mine is definitely 3A, or even 3B, I have spirals, and loops, where as I used to have waves - and frizz.