Wavy Hair Routine for 2b–3a Waves: A Wānaka Stylist's Guide

Updated November 2026. Prices are our live online prices.

A lot of the messages we get on Instagram start the same way: "I've got loose waves, maybe 2b or 3a, and I can't get them to do anything." Usually the hair is fine. It's being treated like straight hair, brushed dry, loaded with a rich conditioner, then left to fall flat. Waves are fussier than curls because they're lighter. Too little product and they frizz. Too much and they go straight by the afternoon.

This is the routine we teach in the salon. If you only want to choose a shampoo, our best shampoo for curly and wavy hair guide covers that in detail. Tighter curls have their own routine in how to care for curly hair.

What is 2b hair? And 2a, 2c and 3a?

The numbers come from a curl-typing chart that most stylists use loosely. Type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly, and the letter tells you how tight the pattern is.

• 2a: a soft bend, mostly from the mid-lengths down. Easy to brush straight by accident.
• 2b: a clear S-shape that starts lower than the root. The most common wave we see in Wānaka, and the one that frizzes at the crown.
• 2c: deeper S-waves that start closer to the scalp, with the odd ringlet underneath.
• 3a: loose spiral curls roughly the width of a wine cork. Often mixed in with 2c.

Most heads are a mix. You might be 2a on top and 3a underneath, which is why the top layer always looks flatter. Choose products for the part you want to bring out, and go lighter on the top.

Wavy hair routine: the wash-day steps

1. Shampoo the scalp, not the lengths. A sulphate-free wave or curl shampoo, worked in at the roots. The suds rinsing through are enough for the ends.
2. Condition from the ears down. Rake it through with your fingers, then scrunch upwards while you rinse. Leave a little in if your ends are dry.
3. Don't towel-rub. Squeeze the water out with a cotton T-shirt or microfibre towel. Leave it wetter than feels right.
4. Styler on soaking-wet hair. Smooth a cream or spray over the top with flat palms, then scrunch up towards the scalp. You should hear a slight squelch.
5. Dry and leave it alone. Air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Don't touch it until it's completely dry.
6. Scrunch out the crunch. Once dry, scrunch gently with a drop of product on your palms to soften any hold.

Most people only need to wash two or three times a week. Wave patterns usually look better on day two than on day one.

Best products for wavy hair in NZ

These are the wave products we use most in the salon, all in stock at our live online prices.

Which styler suits 2b waves vs 3a waves?

2a and fine 2b: skip creams on the top layer. Mist Potion 9 Lite through wet hair, scrunch, and dry. Sebastian describe it as a lighter, spray-on version of the original Potion 9 made for fine hair, and that's exactly how it behaves. If you need more hold, scrunch a small amount of Volupt Thickify Mousse through the roots as well.

2b and 2c: Twisted Curl Magnifier is our everyday pick. It's light, it defines without a cast, and it suits loose waves through to classic spirals. Start with a five-cent coin sized amount and add more only if the frizz comes back. UKIYO is Wella New Zealand's No.1 Sebastian Professional retailer, so the Twisted range is one we know well.

3a and mixed 2c/3a: Crème de Jour Fondamentale gives more moisture and frizz control. It's from the Curl Manifesto range, made with manuka honey and ceramides, and it absorbs without leaving the hair stiff.

How do I make my waves more defined?

• Put product in wetter hair. This one change fixes most frizzy waves. Water helps the wave clump together, and the styler holds it there.
• Use less than you think. Waves sag under weight. Build up in small amounts.
• Stop brushing dry hair. Detangle in the shower with conditioner in, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
• Get the cut right. One-length wavy hair goes heavy and triangular. Soft layers let the wave spring up. Ask for the weight to be taken out of the middle, not the ends.
• Sleep on it gently. A loose pineapple on top of your head or a silk pillowcase keeps day-two waves intact.

Why do my waves go flat by lunchtime?

Usually it's weight. The common culprits are a rich conditioner left on the roots, a heavy oil on the lengths, or a curl cream made for tight curls. Hard water can also leave a film that weighs waves down. In parts of Central Otago that's a real factor, and we cover it in hard water and your hair. Swap to a lighter conditioner, keep it off the scalp, and try a spray styler instead of a cream for a fortnight.

Second-day waves: how to refresh without washing

Mist the hair lightly with water or Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolu, scrunch, and let it dry. Only re-wet the sections that have dropped, usually the crown and around the face. If frizz is the main problem rather than flatness, our frizzy hair guide has more on that.

Should I get my waves cut differently?

Probably. Wavy hair cut wet and straight can dry a few centimetres shorter and uneven. We cut waves partly dry so we can see where each section sits. If you're near Wānaka, have a look at our curly and wavy hair cuts or book online, and bring your products along so we can tell you what to keep.

Drying with heat? Our guide to using a hair diffuser shows the low-frizz method step by step.

Questions we get asked

What is 2b hair?

2b hair has a clear S-shaped wave that starts a little way down from the root rather than at the scalp. It tends to frizz at the crown and flatten if the products are too heavy.

What's the best product for 2b wavy hair?

For most 2b waves we use Sebastian Twisted Curl Magnifier Cream on soaking-wet hair. If your hair is fine and goes flat under cream, Sebastian Potion 9 Lite is lighter.

Is 3a hair wavy or curly?

3a is the loosest curl type. It forms spirals rather than S-waves, but it often sits alongside 2c waves on the same head, so it's worth treating as a mix.

Should I use a sulphate-free shampoo on wavy hair?

Usually, yes. A gentle sulphate-free shampoo cleans the scalp without drying the lengths, which helps waves clump. If you use a lot of styling product, add a stronger wash every week or two.

Can I brush wavy hair?

Brush or comb it while it's wet with conditioner in. Brushing it once it's dry breaks the waves up and makes it frizzy.

Why are my waves only underneath?

The top layer is often a looser wave and gets more friction and heat, so it looks flatter. Use a lighter product on top, and a cut with soft layers helps the top waves lift.

Everything we sell is genuine salon stock, bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors and shipped from our salon on Helwick Street in Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75.