Last Updated on July 2, 2023 by David Thomas
Figuring out your hair type is an essential first step in creating a hair care routine that works for you. Knowing your hair type can help you choose the right products and styling techniques to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. Here’s the ultimate guide to help you understand your hair type:
What’s your Hair Type?
To determine your hair type, you can perform a simple test. First, shampoo your hair and let it air dry without any styling products. After it has dried, look at the shape of your strands and the texture of your hair. Here are a few characteristics to look for:
- Straight hair will be uniformly straight from root to tip.
- Wavy hair will have loose S-shaped waves.
- Curly hair will have tighter curls that form ringlets or coils.
- Coily hair will have very tight curls or coils that can resemble corkscrews.
Straight Hair
Straight hair tends to be shiny and easy to manage but can appear flat or limp. It also tends to get oily quickly.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair has a natural S-shaped pattern and typically has more volume and body than straight hair. It’s not as oily as straight hair but can still be prone to frizz.
Curly Hair
Curly hair has a defined curl pattern, ranging from loose to tight. Curly hair tends to be dry and prone to frizz, but it can also be incredibly bouncy and voluminous.
Coily/ Kinky Hair
Coily hair is tightly coiled and can resemble corkscrews. It has a natural springy texture but can be very fragile and prone to breakage. Coily hair also tends to be the driest hair type, so it requires more moisture and care.
Other Factors to Consider
Texture/ Structure:
Hair texture refers to the thickness or diameter of individual hair strands. Hair textures are generally categorized as fine, medium, and coarse.
Fine hair is the thinnest of the three and can be easily damaged or weighed down by heavy products.
Medium hair is a balance between fine and coarse and tends to be the most common hair type.
Coarse hair is the thickest of the three, can often be challenging to manage, but is less susceptible to damage.
Density:
Hair density refers to the number of individual hair strands on your scalp. It’s not the same as hair thickness or texture, which refers to the diameter of individual strands.
Hair density is typically categorized into three types: low, medium, and high.
- Low-density hair means there are fewer individual strands on your scalp, which can make your hair look thin or sparse.
- Medium-density hair is the most common, with a healthy amount of strands on the scalp.
- High-density hair means there are a lot of individual strands, which can make your hair look thick and full.
Understanding your hair density is essential when it comes to choosing haircuts and hairstyles that work best for you.
For example, a style that works well for someone with low-density hair may not be suitable for someone with high-density hair. It can also affect how much product you need to use and how often you must wash your hair.
Porosity:
Hair porosity refers to the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. It’s determined by the condition of your hair cuticles, which are the outermost layer of your hair shaft. Hair porosity is typically categorized as low, normal, and high.
- Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate.
- Normal porosity hair has slightly open cuticles, allowing moisture to be absorbed and retained.
- High porosity hair has cuticles that are excessively open, causing moisture to be quickly absorbed but also quickly lost.
Understanding your hair porosity is essential when choosing hair products and creating a hair care routine.
For example, if you have low-porosity hair, you may need to use lighter products that don’t weigh your hair down and avoid products that contain heavy oils.
If you have high-porosity hair, you may need to use heavier products to help retain moisture.
Porosity Test:
- Fill a glass or bowl with room-temperature water.
- Take a clean strand of hair and place it in the water.
- Wait for 2-4 minutes.
- Check the hair strand:
- If the hair remains on the water’s surface, this indicates low porosity hair. The cuticles are tightly closed, making it difficult for water to penetrate.
- If the hair sinks to the bottom of the glass, this indicates high porosity hair. The cuticles are very open, allowing water to penetrate quickly and escape.
- If the hair sinks slowly to the middle of the glass, this indicates medium porosity hair. The cuticles are partially open, allowing water to be absorbed and retained to some extent.
It’s important to note that the hair porosity test is not an exact science and can be affected by other factors such as hair length, texture, and previous chemical treatments. However, it can give you a general idea of your hair’s porosity and help you choose the right products.
Conclusion
Once you’ve determined your hair type & condition, you can start building a hair care routine that works for you and most importantly know which products to stay away from.
For example, if you have curly or coily hair, you may want to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have straight hair, you may want to use a volumizing or clarifying shampoo and avoid heavy products that can weigh your hair down.
If you have questions or want more examples, head to my TikTok or Youtube, where I always talk about hair care.
Now, you’re ready to FIND YOUR STYLE.