Short answer: Waves (type 2) form a loose "S", curls (type 3) twist into clear spirals. What decides it is the shape of your hair follicle — not styling or chance.
3 facts you should know
I. The flatter and more oval the hair follicle, the stronger the bend in the hair that grows out of it — that's pure anatomy and can't be changed by care.
II. Waves tend to need lighter care, curls more moisture — because scalp oils have a harder time traveling down the length when the bend is stronger.
III. Lots of people have mixed patterns: waves at the roots, curls in the lengths, or the other way around. That's normal, not a care mistake.
2 voices from the curl community
I. afrolocke.de sums it up: wavy hair is "laid-back" in terms of care, but reacts just as sensitively to sulfates and heat as curlier hair.
II. parfimo.at stresses: both wavy and curly hair tend toward frizz and dryness, because natural scalp oils travel down the twisted structure less easily.
1 question for you
Do your roots and lengths have different patterns? Then it's worth dosing conditioner differently by zone instead of using the same amount everywhere.
