I have everything from 2b to 3a. I use 2-3 products.

When I want soft curls that turn most wavy after a couple days, I use Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm. Apply to wet hair, scrunch a bit, plop in an old tshirt for a couple hours, then air dry.

When I want defined curls that last a few days, I use Ouidad Heat & Humidity gel. Apply to wet hair with the rake and shake method, patiently diffuse, then gently scrunch out the gel cast with an argan oil. Currently using a sample of Unite argan oil, which is working well.

OP I agree with the others that step one is to find a good hairdresser who works with curly hair - I finally have that, but even still I have to advocate for my hair with her! Dry cuts are better than wet, they can't be too short or too long (my hair gets stringy when it's too long).

Step two is talking to that hairdresser about products. They will want you to try a bunch of things - too many things - and you'll hate some of it but then something will start to work and your hair will get easier. For me, it's been using a leave in conditioner in addition to washing and conditioning in the shower - and unlike other people, my hair gets dry and lifeless if I don't wash every day; I'm not one of these wash once a week people.

I really like this leave in conditioner - recced by my hairdresser - it's light, doesn't have a strong scent, and my hair really likes it: https://lomabeauty.us/products/leave-in-conditioner

They have a curl cream, too - I don't like how stiff curl creams make my hair feel, but they work for other people. (I HATE curly girl method - I think it's so greasy and crispy and gross, even though the curls are glorious.)

I use the Aveda curl line and curl cream . They have great products that work for different curls.

Ladies under 40, buckle up because once you get to perimenopause/menopause, your Irish curls are either gonna go straight or get more curly … it’s a tossup! I have straight hair now for the first time in my life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you don’t have Irish curls? Is it straighter in some areas than others when dries naturally?

Not OP but this is me. 2b on top, 3a underneath.

I find that the best product is no joke the same cheap LA Looks X-treme Sport gel all my friends used in high school. Or cheap mousse. But always cheap. The expensive stuff doesn't add anything when your curl pattern just is what it is.

This is me! I've never heard the term "Irish Curls", but this exactly my hair. And I've tried so many products and always come back to the cheap stuff - it seems to work just as well as the $$$ stuff. Now I know why!

Irish curls here. A good wavy/curly cut gets things laying nicely. Otherwise, it just looks ridiculous no matter what I do. Like a sweaty little kid waking up from a nap. I can't even straighten it because the bottom frizzes beyond all control.

Yeah, you either have to go all in waves with a good curl/wave cut or decide to straighten it with more of an angled and less layered cut. Otherwise in the summer humidity, your hair looks like a mushroom. It’s hard to style your hair both ways with the same haircut with this type of hair. You can but it just takes a lot of time!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you don’t have Irish curls? Is it straighter in some areas than others when dries naturally?

Not OP but this is me. 2b on top, 3a underneath.

I find that the best product is no joke the same cheap LA Looks X-treme Sport gel all my friends used in high school. Or cheap mousse. But always cheap. The expensive stuff doesn't add anything when your curl pattern just is what it is.

This is me! I've never heard the term "Irish Curls", but this exactly my hair. And I've tried so many products and always come back to the cheap stuff - it seems to work just as well as the $$$ stuff. Now I know why!

Irish curls here. A good wavy/curly cut gets things laying nicely. Otherwise, it just looks ridiculous no matter what I do. Like a sweaty little kid waking up from a nap. I can't even straighten it because the bottom frizzes beyond all control.

One of the PPs here. I got a couple curly/wavy cuts. The stylists (these were ones certified and all that jazz) borderline made fun of me for thinking I needed it. Little snide comments about basically how not curly my hair was. The actually amazing Hair Cuttery stylist I used to see doing a nice long layered cut gets me to 90% of the same impact at 1/3 the price.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you don’t have Irish curls? Is it straighter in some areas than others when dries naturally?

Not OP but this is me. 2b on top, 3a underneath.

I find that the best product is no joke the same cheap LA Looks X-treme Sport gel all my friends used in high school. Or cheap mousse. But always cheap. The expensive stuff doesn't add anything when your curl pattern just is what it is.

This is me! I've never heard the term "Irish Curls", but this exactly my hair. And I've tried so many products and always come back to the cheap stuff - it seems to work just as well as the $$$ stuff. Now I know why!

Irish curls here. A good wavy/curly cut gets things laying nicely. Otherwise, it just looks ridiculous no matter what I do. Like a sweaty little kid waking up from a nap. I can't even straighten it because the bottom frizzes beyond all control.

I’m opposite, the top frizzes and more straight while the bottom is perfect waves, especially around my ears.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of Irish curls – just do a search on YouTube or TikTok and there’s so many videos of how to work with this kind of hair. Can’t believe I had to wait until my 40s to learn how to style my own hair lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you don’t have Irish curls? Is it straighter in some areas than others when dries naturally?

Not OP but this is me. 2b on top, 3a underneath.

I find that the best product is no joke the same cheap LA Looks X-treme Sport gel all my friends used in high school. Or cheap mousse. But always cheap. The expensive stuff doesn't add anything when your curl pattern just is what it is.

This is me! I've never heard the term "Irish Curls", but this exactly my hair. And I've tried so many products and always come back to the cheap stuff - it seems to work just as well as the $$$ stuff. Now I know why!

Irish curls here. A good wavy/curly cut gets things laying nicely. Otherwise, it just looks ridiculous no matter what I do. Like a sweaty little kid waking up from a nap. I can't even straighten it because the bottom frizzes beyond all control.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you don’t have Irish curls? Is it straighter in some areas than others when dries naturally?

Not OP but this is me. 2b on top, 3a underneath.

I find that the best product is no joke the same cheap LA Looks X-treme Sport gel all my friends used in high school. Or cheap mousse. But always cheap. The expensive stuff doesn't add anything when your curl pattern just is what it is.

This is me! I've never heard the term "Irish Curls", but this exactly my hair. And I've tried so many products and always come back to the cheap stuff - it seems to work just as well as the $$$ stuff. Now I know why!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how old are you? If you’re 40+ you’re gonna lose that natural shine and elasticity. Most women 40+ who have shiny hair are getting treatments or it’s the hair, color, etc.

30s - op

I don’t really associate wavy hair with shining… you usually get a shiny look from pulling hair taught, or naturally stick straight hair can have shine because there’s not coarseness/shape to the hair shaft. Wavy hair by nature is generally course which doesn’t look shiny. Many times when you see celebrities with long, beautiful shiny wavy hair, that hasn’t been styled naturally, they straighten then add the curls/waves back in with a lot of shine spray and product.

Less is more. I used to try all the hair products, but my hair feels softer and is less frizzy now that I basically neglect it. I wash and condition as needed (less in winter, more in summer), usually air dry but blow dry occasionally.