And if you're a 2B head, you know that you've got more texture than your looser-waved 2A sisters on the left but not as much as the 2Cs on the right. Knowing how to care for your hair is essential—and not just because you want to look presentable when you leave the house every day. But because when you figure out what works (and what doesn't), as well as factors like wash frequency and porosity, giving your tresses the TLC they deserve becomes significantly easier. 

If you want help identifying your curl type, take mbg's curl type quiz.

As if that's not enough, Type 2 hair can be fine, meaning that obvious go-to's like coconut oil or shea butter, which are fantastic for Type 3 and 4 heads, could leave you with oily locks that look greasy. Instead, you'll need to look for lighter formulations that help to quench thirsty hair without weighing it down.

So, keeping an open mind and being willing to engage in a bit of trial and error can help you figure out what works best for you so that you can create a routine that yields the desired results every time. While we can't guarantee that these tips will help you avoid becoming a product junkie, they can at least point you in the right direction: 

See also: The longer your hair, the more product you might need to use as well. And when performing a mental cost-benefit analysis in the hair care aisle, you may find that some products won't be a good investment because of this issue. 

While Type 1 and 2A heads can quickly detangle with a brush, in most cases you'll want to avoid this depending on how thick your hair is. Harrison reminds us that "using a brush on dry 2B hair can cause frizz and volume in all the wrong places." Similar to everyone else higher on the hair typing scale than you, a wide-tooth comb is going to be your bestie, and brushes should be limited to specific wet styling techniques, such as shingling to enhance your S-wave pattern. And when you do detangle, it's best to do so on wet hair. 

Excessive heat styling is bad for everyone, regardless of hair type. But as you climb up the hair type scale, relying on heat too frequently can lead to breakage that manifests as textures that don't return on wash day. But if you must use heat tools, always start with a good heat protectant. When blow-drying your hair, invest in a good diffuser attachment to avoid disturbing your waves and causing frizz. 

By using microfiber or a cotton tee, and simply dropping your tresses into the fabric and making a turban (as opposed to roughly trying to dry your strands by rubbing them with a terry cloth towel), you're not encouraging frizz. While you can completely dry it this way, you can also take it down when your hair is slightly damp. Run your preferred styling products through it, and scrunch your ends in your fingers to reinforce your wave. A blow dryer on low with a diffuser attachment is optional if you simply can't stand the idea of leaving the house with your hair slightly damp.

In truth, not even people with straight hair have to wash their hair every day. But as you move up Andre Walker's typing classification, it's definitely not recommended to indulge in daily hair washing. Tiffany Scott, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Tiffany Scott Extensions, discourages frequent hair washing as it can strip the hair of critical oils and moisture. Adjusting to an every-other-day or maybe even twice-a-week cleansing routine can help to "reduce frizz [while] moisture will keep the curls bouncy and lustrous."

And finally, those with low porosity hair have strands that also struggle to hold on to moisture because the cuticles are too tightly aligned to allow moisture to penetrate the hair shaft. Unless you're already familiar with porosity, you probably don't know which category you fit. Take this quick porosity test to check by using a strand of hair and a cup of water. 

You'll also prioritize heat-free and tool-free styling and instead, leverage finger detangling and wash 'n' go's to bring out your hair's texture and let it thrive. While the Curly Girl Method isn't always effective or realistic for everyone, if you're just starting to create a hair care routine, it's worth giving it a shot for your 2B hair. To be clear, there are also modified Curly Girl Method routines where people do use traditional shampoo sparingly or rely on cold-air-only blow-drying with a diffuser attachment. 

Type 2B hair has an interesting texture. While it's still usually fine like a 2A head, it's also incredibly thick and prone to frizziness and tangling, depending on how you care for it. So, unsurprisingly, going too long between trims means you could be encouraging split ends. And the longer you leave split ends unattended to, the more likely that you'll need a haircut rather than a trim at your next appointment. Sam Bucolo Denis of Allyoos shares that you should aim for a regular trim schedule every 10 to 12 weeks. "A great way to help natural texture and shape thrive…is to keep ends healthy and trimmed."

2B hair can be glorious. But if you're not using the right products every day, it can turn into a messy bun or hat day. Again, we can't stress enough that everyone's holy grail product is going to vary. Not only do you have to consider whether a product delivers on its claims, but you may find that the texture or scent—or the fact that it costs too much for how much product you need to use—could make it a dud. With that in mind, if you're trying to get started on building a hair care regimen that produces consistent results, consider checking out these starter picks. 

Type 2B hair is a fun texture that looks fantastic when worn natural. In most cases, all you need to do is plop or blow dry with a diffuser to bring out the best in your tresses. This texture is versatile, though, meaning that you can easily opt for a straight blowout if you prefer or even set your hair on hot rollers to create a voluminous effect. Still, heat use should be kept at a minimum as this texture can struggle with dryness and split ends if exposed to heat too often. 

Everyone deserves a good hair day. And half the battle of achieving that goal is knowing what you're working with on top of your head. Good hair starts with knowing your hair type, and your porosity level. With that knowledge, you can find the right products that will ensure you're never reaching for a hair tie or hat—unless you legitimately want to.