Last Updated on September 15, 2023 by Verna Meachum

2C hair refers to a specific type of curly hair characterized by its defined waves and some curls. It’s more defined than 2A and 2B hair types, often with the beginnings of more spiral curl patterns.

Low manipulation styles are hairstyles that require minimal handling, combing, or brushing, reducing the risk of breakage and helping to retain hair length.

Embracing 2C hair and low manipulation styles can be a game-changer for those looking to maintain the health and integrity of their natural curls.

You can achieve several low-manipulation hairstyles for 2C hair. They are:

1. Wash and Go Natural 
2. Regular Hair Buns 
3. Regular Ponytails 
4. Half Top Knot 
5. The Pineapple Updo 
6. Use Claw Clips 
7. Space Buns 
8. Loose Braids 
9. Crown Braids 

Why 2C Hair Needs Low Manipulation Styles 

Type 2C works best with low manipulation styles because the hair has a softer and smoother texture than curly types.

That means that even when healthy, it can easily get damaged with excessive pulling, which high-manipulation hairstyles tend to cause. 

Low manipulation styles also reduce and prevent breakage and frizz and allow moisture to pass down the hair strands more easily.

They are healthier for your hair and scalp and help your hair grow better. Additionally, many low-manipulation hairstyles allow you to portray your natural wavy pattern. 

9 Low Manipulation Hairstyles for 2C Hair 

Try one of these fun – better for your hair – hairstyles on your type 2C waves: 

1.    Wash and Go Natural 

This is an underrated hairstyle and works incredibly well for 2C hair. 2C is the most defined of the type 2 wavy category. And it actually looks stunning once you lean into the pattern and allow it to fall naturally. 

Wash and go works like this: 

• Wash and condition your hair as usual. 
• Add some leave-in-conditioner while scrunching it to define the waves. 
• Use gel or mousse to hold the pattern (optional). 

Your hair will only require a little spritz of water and a small amount of product application between wash days.

You don’t have to shampoo daily or wet your hair entirely whenever you need to refresh your hair before styling. 

2.    Regular Ponytails 

Ponytails are one of the best low-manipulation hairstyles. But many people take them for granted because they are considered ‘basic.’

There are so many fun ways to create a ponytail, from high ones to mid-head to low ones that sit at your nape. 

A ponytail still allows your beautiful waves to show at the tail end, and using the correct hair ties, like satin scrunchies or teleties, will hold your hair well without pulling or tugging on it, causing breakage and frizz. 

3.    Regular Hair Buns 

Hair buns are another style that many consider ‘basic’ or only good enough to wear around the house or at the gym.

But buns don’t excessively pull on your 2c hair since they are low manipulation. And there are so many fun ways to create them, like low, high, messy, tight, twirls, tucks, etc. 

Remember that buns that require hair twisting your hair means a little more manipulation. And lower buns don’t require much tightening to keep it up. That means low buns are ideal.

Here is a YouTube video with some low bun tutorials by Minimal hair.

4.    Half Top Knot 

Sticking with the bun concept, a half-top knot is another fantastic low-manipulation hairstyle for 2C hair. This means you create a bun with only the top half of your hair and leave the rest to fall naturally. And you can put the top half into a ponytail instead of a bun if that’s what you prefer. 

This option will reduce damage from over-manipulation and show your waves from the bottom half of your hair that’s left loose. The half-top knot style is an excellent way to keep your hair down and out of your face. 

5.    The Pineapple Updo 

The pineapple hairstyle is particularly common for type 3 and 4 curls in the curly hair community. But many wavy hair people don’t realize that it also works well as an easy hairstyle for their patterns. Type 2C, with more defined waves, can especially benefit from the pineapple updo. 

Since 2C hair has a softer texture than the curly types, long 2C hair can send strands into your face with a pineapple updo; simply put it into a loose bun (as if you were manipulating the scrunchie to make a ponytail, but don’t pull your hair all the way out) to avoid that. 

The pineapple style requires you to collect all your hair at the top of your head and put it into a ponytail. It is a protective style for curly types to maintain the curl patterns.

But it works wonderfully for 2C hair as a low-manipulation style for relaxing at home, working out, or going out. 

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to pineapple your hair:

6.    Use Claw Clips 

Claw clips are excellent accessories for 2C hair-low manipulation styles. You can use them to clip all or half of your hair up. You also get them in different sizes to find one that easily holds your hair’s weight and length. 

Good quality claw clips don’t tug on your hair, hurt your scalp, or pull your hair out. They simply hold your hair in whatever form you place it. It is perfect for keeping your hair out of your neck and face and even works great for full updos. 

7.    Space Buns 

Space buns would fall under hair bun styles. These are two buns on either side at the top of your head.

As previously discussed, buns are low manipulation, especially if you use the correct scrunchies. And space buns are like top knots where you can use all your hair or only the top half. 

Creating space buns means you part your hair down the middle and then put your hair into a bun at the top of your head, on each side.

They look fun and quirky, keep your hair out of your face, and don’t damage or break your 2C hair. 

8.    Loose Braids 

Type 2C low manipulation hairstyle also includes braids. Braids are beautiful and exist in a plethora of styles.

But tight braids can damage some hair textures, requiring much tugging on the strands. Loose braids are the perfect option for 2C waves. 

They don’t pull on your hair; you can do most braid styles without over-manipulating them and tugging at the roots. You can do one or a few braids to create various styles. 

Check out this YouTube tutorial for tips on how to braid hair:

9.    Crown Braids 

Crown braids sit at the top of your head – like a crown. There are different ways to do it. You can make them as tight or as loose as you like, but sticking to the concept of low manipulation to prevent damage, keeping them at medium tightness is best. 

Crown braids are a beautiful style to wear for functions or simply when you want your hair completely out of your face and neck without fixing it every couple of hours, like many other loose hairstyles.  

Here is a YouTube tutorial on how to do crown braids by Abby Smith.

Conclusion 

2C hair is wavy and can be frizzy and dry. High-manipulation can cause breakage, hair loss, and more frizz. Low-manipulation hairstyles prevent pulling at the roots and tugging of hair strands. The list of hairstyle ideas above is great for trying different hairdos while maintaining your hair’s health.