We promise not to spam you. Is your hair color-treated or do you use heat tools more than once a week? Avoid using heavy products with thick oils and butters which can cause build up. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a873cc478164146f6b7114a3d8990e52" );document.getElementById("g3824c62b5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you've spend any time going down a curly girl rabbit hole on Instagram, you've heard the term, but what exactly is hair porosity? It also takes longer to dry after getting wet as it's holding all that water in; you'll also find that this hair type doesn't deal with frizz as much since water in the air doesn't affect the cuticle as drastically. You may need to deep condition weekly or monthly. if you find your curl strands hover somewhere in the middle, you have medium porosity hair. Do you feel a lot of bumps? CurlyHair.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Most "tests" of porosity just deal with how your hair floats in water, but they can be inaccurate. But remember, its normal to have more than one porosity so dont get too hung up on this. The sidebar test says I have low porosity hakr. COPYRIGHT 2023 ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING CURLY, Hair Texture, Porosity, Density | Hair Biology 101. . This hair type has a loose cuticle that opens easily and does not close as tightly as lower porosities. or an apple cider vinegar rinse. CurlyHair.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you want a full list of hair care tips, please visit our full guide to low-porosity hair. What is my curly girl curl type, hair thickness and density? Also, dont leave it in for too long. prone to breakage from being dry, over-moisturized, tangled, and weak. Let it sit for a few minutes. There is a very popular hair porosity test that involves placing a strand of clean hair in a cup of water and observing if it floats or sinks. Porosity is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. target: "#hbspt-form-1686573163000-8210751107", Squalane Oil Is the Underrated Ingredient You Need in Your Hair Care Routine. This hair also shines, but less than low porosity hair. This means your curls are going to be drier and prone to build up. It looks almost the same as when dry because the hair is not absorbing water quickly. Youve helped me tremendously while going through my curly hair journey. The classic test to evaluate your hair porosity is super simpledeceptively sobut it can help you understand your hair so much better. If the strand sinks, then it has high porosity. Your curls wont need a whole lot of maintenance to keep their moisture. Does your hair dry super fast after washing? Any of the lightweight options would work well. Twists For Natural Hair: The Simplest Protective Style, Everything you need to know about rice water, Hair with normal porosity dries within 4 to 6 hours; and. This will take you a step further in discovering your own curly girl hair routine! Required fields are marked *. Each of us with natural hair has unique characteristics that influence our curls' behavior. But it is still good to test your hair to be sure. The Wet Stretch Test The Wet Stretch Test not only allows you to determine the hair's porosity, but also helps you ascertain what's missing in the hair-whether protein, moisture, or a combination of both. SaveUltimate Guide to Hair Porosity For Curly HairTo Your Favorite Pinterest Board! High porosity hair is like a gambler that spends their winnings as soon as they get them, but still ends up with a net loss. Take care , This is so very helpful!!! Medium Porosity: The cuticles in medium porosity hair are less open, allowing moisture to enter the hair quite easily but not losing it too quickly. So we created an accurate hair porosity quiz of our own. Find your curl inspiration and everything about the Curly Girl Method here on Kurlify. If you want to start with the curly girl method, it is important that you know your hair characteristics. Since products are not absorbed easily this hair type gets buildup the easiest. Step 2: After thoroughly washing my hair, I'll style my hair upside down, soaking wet. You see so sweet and I just wanted to wish you a great new year and to please continue your much appreciated site. You know whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity now. Your hair elasticity determines whether you should use products with or without protein. I start with a shampoo and deep conditioner. Hair Porosity Tests Accuracy. This means steer clear of heavy moisturizers and oils (unless youre pairing them with heat). Let them sit for 2-4 minutes. Porosity comes in, maybe you've guessed by now because when something is porous, it is more able to absorb moisture. Use products on wet hair instead of dry hair to keep it well hydrated. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com. Or you might be somewhere in the middle, with medium porosity hair that doesnt repel or soak up water the way low and high porosity strands do. Picture an upside down pinecone to get a visual. What are your thoughts on washing your hair every day? Medium porosity hair is like the socialite who gets along with everyone and constantly has people coming and going from her place. Now What? Porosity refers to how much moisture your curls can retain. Hair porosity can change and you can have multiple porosities at once. Low porosity When your hair has low porosity it means the cuticles are tightly clamped down preventing moisture from entering the hair. "Hair porosity describes how the hair's cuticle absorbs and holds on to moisture in its poreshence, the term porosity," says hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie's. Cookies, we love them. If you havent yet, start using protein-enriched moisturizing products. Each strand of hair has a cuticle which is composed of scales that point down towards the ends of your hair. Thats why weve created the most accurate hair porosity quiz online. The elasticity test You measure the elasticity of your hair by stretching a curl and observing how quickly the curl returns. Work aroundoily hair by limiting the heavy moisturizing products you use theyll just sit on top of your barely-porous hair anyway. Whether your locs are based on curls, coils, or waves, they still need special care and specific maintenance regimens related to your texture type. Youll find that medium porosity curls need the least amount of help. Then you probably have hair with normal hair porosity. Fill the glass with water. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. It also takes longer to dry after getting wet as it's holding all that water in. portalId: 2272072, Sign up for our newsletter to get more tips and tricks, Forms a loose S very easily straightened, Forms a definite S shaped like a corkscrew, Very tight curl when stretched creates an S, Hair intentionally matted to form "ropes", Guides and resources for easy product selection, Learn how to read your hair product labels, Easy-to-make recipes for all your haircare needs, Community member favorites make up this coveted list. Part your hair down the middle. Low porosity hair likely needs less protein than other porosities so dont overdo it. I am working on a review right now but I have shared the results on my Instagram and have been using the products for a few months now. *. Hair Porosity Quiz | 5 Questions Is All It Takes! You can fight buildup by clarifying low porosity hair once a week with clarifying shampoo or anapple cider vinegar rinse. Take a loose hair and wash it with dish soap. Im a retired hairdresser and Ive really enjoyed your straightforward approach to explaining and getting to the point in your explanations. I can see very little of my scalp if I can see it at all. Sealing your hair with oils and butters can help it retain moisture. This means you have normal porosity. And of course we dont want that! I have the same type hair as you, only mine is much shorter. I thought I knew my hairs porosity based on that float test but it did not make sense because the results did not match the characteristics of my hair. Whether youre new to the curly scene or a faithful veteran, the terms hair porosity and hair density have most likely been brought to your attention. Save and try this test to figure it out! Porosity is the extent to which you absorb and retain moisture. Oils and butters are great for moisturizing but too much can be too heavy for high porosity hair. Hair that has low porosity has dense cuticles. Apply the LOC / LCO method for optimal hydration. 7 Ways to Fix Over-Toned Hair | Step-by-Step Guide, How to Use a Curling Iron With a Clamp | Step-by-Step. takes a long time to get wet, sometimes even repelling water, often looks almost exactly the same when it is wet, very prone to build up since products sit on top of the hair, prone to dryness since it does not absorb moisture like other porosities. So click 'agree' and enjoy! To understand hair porosity, you should know a bit about the hair structurespecifically the outermost layer. The less porous your hair is, the harder it is for moisture and products to penetrate. The first step being I wash my curls two to three per week. High porosity hair has beendamaged at some point. Products sit on my hair and end up looking like grease or buildup, My hair absorbs products like a sponge, so I have to use a lot of product, I don't really have either of these issues. I, too, easily tend towards over-moisturizing, then it is terribly dry again quickly, especially on the outer/upper layers. But the silver lining is that this porosity level experiences very little moisture loss. This will strip remaining hair products, oil, and dirt away to leave your hair shiny, soft, and buildup-free. Fill the glass with water. This means the hair has a harder time absorbing water, product, or even your scalp's natural oils, and you'll see buildup faster. Your hairs porosity level literally dictates what products, routines, and techniques are going to work for your hair. Porosity matters because it will affect how you care for and style your hair. Your hair doesnt absorb moisture and products quite as readily as high porosity hair, so whats left on top of strands builds up over time and dulls your hair. Now, hair porosity is a spectrum, ranging from high to low. i have tried many gels to no affect. Here's how to do it: Take a small section of hair and spray it with a misting bottle. Delilah is a trained Curly Hair Consultant and has been featured in Curl magazine, GLAMOUR, and Yahoo. Read my post about my favorite high porosity hair products for fine curly hair. It's good to know roughly where you fall on it, as it can determine how you care for and style your strands. Thanks! Your strands have low porosity. Youve probably noticed that your hair doesnt take long to air dry and only takes a minute or so to fully saturate in the shower. Chemicals, heat, and environmental factors can raise the pH of your hair high enough to lift the outer cuticle layer all the way up. Are you high, medium, or low porosity? I figured all this out after lots of trial and error. With low porosity hair, steam from the shower is helpful, so use that to your advantage." Hardges recommends using a deep conditioner in lieu of a regular conditioner as they "are thicker and more concentrated." For an extra dose of shine, "Use apple cider vinegar after rinsing out the mask to help close the cuticle. To build the best loc care and maintenance, consider the state of your curls before you loc'd them when taking this quiz. Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about new product releases, giveaways and offers. Ordered on weekdays before 14:00, delivered tomorrow *, Reachable from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 17:00, How to start the curly girl method: Steps for beginners. again! While you work on balancing your hairs pH and preventing excess moisture loss, avoid the worst sources of hair damage. To determine your hairs porosity you need to observe how quickly your hair gets wet. Sign up for your newsletter to get more tips and tricks. Now know everything about your hair properties, but what can you do with this knowledge? On the opposite side of the spectrum, your hairs cuticle layers could be very tight and preventing moisture to penetrate it. Make sure there is a distance of 4 cm between your two fingers. Conditioner may be all the moisture you need. Low porosity hairis like the Wonka factory in the Nobody ever goes innobody ever goes out era. For us non-professionals who are curious about our hairs porosity level, online quizzes or DIY strand porosity tests have been our only options to find out how porous our strands are. It's worth trying, no matter your hair woes, as it will help you care for strands more effectively. This is how you find out the porosity of your hair : Porosity is about the extent to which your hair absorbs moisture and can retain it (measured by how long it takes your hair to dry after showering is this fast or slow?). Your email address will not be published. Take a cup and fill it with water, then allow it to sit until it comes up to room temperature. Test the porosity of your hair After reading the description of the different types of hair porosity, you probably have an idea what type your hair is. I'm Delilah and here you will learn how to embrace your curls and make the switch to ethical beauty products. Here's a guide to the levels of porosity, as well as how to test the porosity of your curls. As your hairs pH level gets lower, the cuticle layer will lie down and tighten up more to prevent excess moisture loss. We help you on your way in three articles. Then do the elasticity test. does not get wet immediately but only takes a few minutes to absorb water, still looks curly when wet but the curls are stretched out a bit, can be prone to build up, dryness, and over moisturization. Low porosity hair takes longer to saturate with water and natural oils. Then your hair probably has a low porosity. Learning the specifics of your curl pattern will help you understand what styling techniques and products work best for your unique set of strands. Hair with normal porosity needs the least maintenance. Are you high, medium, or low porosity? Here's how to test your curl's porosity. I think my hair is a 2C. Take our accurate hair porosity quiz to find out how porous your hair really is! That doesn't mean you can do whatever your heart desires, howeverthere are ways to make sure your hair stays healthy. If not, now might be the time. Don't have time at the moment to try the water test, but want a quick indicator? Now you want to know for sure: which products are best for my hair and fit the curly girl method? SHARE Hair porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain water. Check out these other porosity tests here. It absorbs hair products well, does not quickly become oily or extremely dry. Deep condition regularly and use heat to help the cuticle open and absorb moisture. These . Your cuticle is tight, making it hard for water to absorb into your strands. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. Your hair likely feels adequately hydrated without you going out of your way to provide moisture. Set a timer for 5 minutes, and leave the hair until the timer goes off. This makes it difficult for moisture to enter, but also difficult to leave. Most of the hair porosity quiz results we analyzed online were completely wrong! This will strip remaining hair products, oil, and dirt away to leave your hair shiny, soft, and buildup-free. You Probably Need a Haircut is reader-supported. If you have medium hair porosity, your strands are letting plenty of water in and out for a nice moisture balance. You Need a Hair Porosity Quiz. Chemicals, heat, and environmental factors can raise the pH of your hair high enough to lift the outer cuticle layer all the way up. Wash and condition your hair with warm water, and deep condition under a hooded dryer (or hold a hair dryer over your head>. High porosity is the most common type of porosity. They hold a curl well, are easy to style, and need low amounts of maintenance. And remember to subscribe to myYouTube Channel for more curly hair tips and product recommendations. But since those floodgates are open, everything your hair absorbs is quickly lost. . Your email address will not be published. This usually makes your hair look dull and it quickly gets tangled. Quick & Easy Hair Porosity & Density Tests. If we link to any product, you should assume that well receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This makes it an easy curly hair type to manage. Your email address will not be published. I can feel the strand between my fingers, and the strand is slender, pliable. If you want to start with the curly girl method, it is important that you know your hair characteristics. To understand all there is to know about your curl pattern, porosity, density, reliable curly hair products and the best hairstyles for you, take the NaturallyCurly Texture Typing Quiz right now! If you havent yet, start using protein-enriched moisturizing products. Does your hair stay wet for a long time after washing? Porosity is how easily something absorbs liquid. })}); Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. In our three articles about hair properties you can read about curl type, hair thickness, density, porosity and elasticity and how to determine the properties of your hair. ], Glycerin Free Hair Products & Tips To Humidity-Proof Curly Hair, How To Identify Heavy and Lightweight Curly Hair Products, Leave In Conditioner For Curly Hair The 10 Best Options, https://holisticenchilada.com/high-porosity-hair-products-fine-curly-2b-2c-3a-hair/, hair is very stretched out when it is wet, often struggles with volume since the hairs can stick together and water and products weigh down the hair easily, usually dries quickly since the cuticles are more open, allowing water to escape easily, but it can also dry slowly because it absorbs so much water, and especially if you have high density hair, more prone to dryness since the cuticle doesnt seal in moisture as well as low porosity, easily over moisturized, again because the cuticle is open, and it can absorb too much moisture from products, prone to tangling because of the loose cuticle layer. Length is not really a texture type category, but from Big Chop to hip length, the length of your hair can affect your curl pattern, shrinkage and styling techniques. The tension on the top of the water can hold the hair up, giving a false porosity reading. If it sinks, you have high porosity. Your hair is typically resistant to moisture. Again, think of the number of pores/holes. However, we want you to be 100% certain. Medium hair porosity needs a steady supply of moisture to retain. A raised cuticle means your hair easily absorbs moisture and is high porosity. Unsubscribe at any time. Your email address will not be published. How should you change your hair care routine? Leave the. If your hair doesnt easily absorb moisture, you need thicker, richer creams. Working around the buildup issue is simple. This quiz focuses on how your hair behaves so it can get a more complete picture of your porosity. This is trickier with fine hair since it is already hard to feel between your fingers. Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Please do me a favor and share this post to social media, as it helps me grow my audience and spread the word about our curly hair movement! If it floats, you have low porosity. Porosity is how easily something absorbs liquid. Take a strand of clean hair (this can also be from . Your email address will not be published. In addition to porosity, we also explain everything about your curl type, hair thickness and density and the elasticity of your hair. Confused about hair porosity? A more specific test is as follows: If it sinks, you have high porosity. Some tips: High porosity hair needs a lot of grooming to get healthy. This post may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I want my curls back and i forgot how to do it! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about new product releases, giveaways and offers. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. And we know that only the best is good enough! Its impossible for me to help you through comments. The hair cuticles are raised, so that the hair can quickly absorb moisture but does not retain it. Ive used heat tools such as a blow dryer or a flat iron in the past 3 months. Low porosity hair takes more than 8 hours to dry. Be careful with heavy products which can weigh down your hair, especially if it is really thin. "The outer layer of the hair strand is called the cuticle layer. Then you can have dense hair or sparse hair. WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOUR TEXTURE TYPE ? Understand your hair porosity with our expert guide which showcases the different types, and how best to get the curls of your dreams. Keep an eye on your hairs moisture level to avoid over conditioning. Hair porosity is your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture! Now without forcing the two sides apart, how much of your scalp can you see? No idea if your hair needs protein or moisture? If your hair or strands have buildup, it will affect the results of the test (as some hair products leave a coating on the strands, which will affect the porosity). Well show you if you have high, medium, or low porosity hair. formId: "7dbe5114-703e-4037-acbe-d10b0751a06d", Youll most likely develop product build up, and will need to be clarified regularly. Causes How to test Low porosity Medium porosity High porosity Can porosity be changed? With an imbalance, your hair can be brittle, stiff, dry and / or fluffy. Even if you think you know what your hair porosity level is, you need to take the quiz. Right now, the pH of your hair is likely on the high end. If this is you, here are a few qualities that might give it away: After a shower, your hair dries very quickly. Low porosity curls do not allow moisture in or out easily. Since protein-enriched products help add protein to the hair strands and smooth the cuticle layer down, it can be a little too much on your already-smooth strands. Disclosure, Privacy Policy, & Terms & Conditions. Heat can be your best friend if you have low porosity. This is to force the curl underneath the water. This test can be challenging as the products you use can be the variable that make your results inconsistent. If it sinks to the bottom, you have high. Please read thedisclosure policyfor more details. Welcome to The Holistic Enchilada! Grasp one hair at the tip between your thumb and forefinger, and slide your fingers from bottom to top. At You Probably Need a Haircut, we believe in getting to know your strands better. With low porosity hair, it can be difficult to get more moisture into your hair to hydrate it better. Answer 5 easy questions about your hair below. Another common test is called the water test. Then there is a good chance that your hair has a low porosity. If your hair strands stayed afloat, this means that you have low porosity. Medium or normal hair porosity is a good thing and means your strands are doing their job on autopilot. You can fix this issue by switching to a. and doing weekly apple cider vinegar rinses to keep the pH low. If the strand is bumpy, that means the cuticles are lifted and there are gaps in the strandmeaning it's porous. Hopefully it is now clear what the elasticity of your hair is and whether you can best include moisturizing hair products or protein hair products in your curly girl hair routine! A tight cuticle means your hair is relucant to absorb moisture and is low porosity. Using it from your midshaft to ends in a warm shower will offer the best strand penetration. Dont put anything on your hair that wont be fully absorbed! If you hair strands sunk in the bowl of water, your hair is highly porous. First, forget everything you know about porosity and read through this whole post. Ja, ik wil op de hoogte worden gehouden en ga akkoord met de privacy verklaring. Avoid sulfates, parabens, silicones, and sodium laureth sulfates. })}); To understand all there is to know about your curl pattern, porosity, density, reliable curly hair products and the best hairstyles for you, take the NaturallyCurly Texture Typing Quiz right now! Its enough to allow a steady flow of moisture, oils, and nutrients without letting everything flood in or out at once. window.hsFormsOnReady = window.hsFormsOnReady || []; You can see how knowing your porosity level becomes important for picking out the right hair products! If your hair is in liquid limbo, aka literally floating in the middle of the glass, you more than likely have medium porosity hair. Step 1: For my signature wash-and-go routine, I follow four steps every time. Each strand of hair has a cuticle which is composed of scales that point down towards the ends of your hair. This reflects light, which usually makes the hair look shiny. No idea if your hair needs protein or moisture? The outer cuticle scales in medium porosity hair are slightly raised up. curly hair Porosity Test Hair Porosity Quiz Confused about hair porosity? Characteristics of damaged high porosity hair: How to care for damaged high porosity hair, Characteristics of damaged low porosity hair, How to care for damaged low porosity hair, THE QUICK START GUIDE TO MASTERING YOUR CURLS, How to Properly Care for Your 3A Hair [Quick & Easy! Drop in the hair and see if it floats or sinks to the bottom. Hair masks, leave-ins, and conditioners containing hydrolyzed protein will strengthen and fortify your damaged hair. You'll also love our NaturallyCurly content that specifically addresses your curl needs! Caring for curls, coils, and waves can seem overwhelming! Yes, Overconditioning Hair Can Be a Bad . Do you have high, medium, or low porosity hair? I dont feel the strand at all between my fingers. How to Do a Hair Porosity Test. There are 3 main types of hair porosity and your type is often dictated by your genetics, as well as how you treat it. I feel like I've been using the wrong products since I was under thee impression I had certain porosity hair. If the curl does not bounce back or not quickly it is a sign of too little moisture. It easily absorbs moisture and therefore is mostly likely prone to frizz. Low porosity hair takes a long time to get wet and repels water because the cuticles are almost closed. Take 2-3 strands of shed, unbroken curls. Content on this site is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used as such. The 11 Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair of 2023. Highly porous hair requires a little more effort to maintain, but its nothing a well planned hair regimen cant handle! Our content is for informational purposes only. Place the hair in a bowl of water. Discover your curl type and hair properties & the CG products that suit your hair. Theres more than one way to figure out your porosity. You've probably tried several techniques and products and been discouraged by the results. Condition your hair (let it sit for at least 5 minutes) in a warm shower to boost moisture penetration. Find out your hair porosity level right now with our accurate, fast quiz! If you have fewer holes, less water can get in, so the strand floats. Keep protein in your routine to maintain balance, but it doesnt need to be in your daily routine. We promise not to spam you. Or, we may even consider our scalp type or how thick or thin our hair is. 2009 - 2023 mindbodygreen LLC. Hair care, when you really dive into it, is complicated. i have straightened my hair for over 25 years! Your curls have natural holes and gapes in the strands, which means that while your hair can easily take in moisture, its also difficult to retain it. That's why it's so important to test yours. . Hello Demi, what a great read! Allow the curls to sit for 2-4 minutes underneath the water. Holistic Enchilada is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. But it is still good to test your hair to be sure. If you are trying to save money I recommend the Giovanni brand. A great way to figure out your hair's porosity is through a simple test that involves placing a strand of hair in a glass of water and watching how the hair reacts. Be careful with protein. Heres Why. Dealing with buildup doesnt mean cutting out healthy moisture and hydration, though. Depending on the condition of your hair, your cuticle layers could be very open allowing a lot of moisture to enter. Which of the following options best describes your hair? In healthy hair, these scales open to allow moisture in, and close to seal in moisture. Dont go blind on the results of these hair porosity tests, because not all hairs on your head are the same. Generally the curly your hair the heavier the product you'll want to use as it's harder for your natural oils to move down the hair strand, especially if you have course . Well, here's a simple way to get an idea: Simply slide a single hair between two fingers. What Are Polyquats & Should You Avoid Them? The more porous your hair is, the faster itll drink up moisture and lose it. When answering the questions, keep in mind that many of us have more than one texture, especially as we begin our journey to more natural and healthier hair. On a basic level, it's a reflection of your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Maybe youve had a sneaking suspicion that you have high porosity hair hey, that could be the reason your strands are always so thirsty and dry lightning fast but havent been able to confirm it yet. If the curl does not bounce back - or not quickly - it is a sign of too little moisture. Remember that this test is only an indication. Let's dive in, shall we? Locs are an intentional matting and tangling of the hair to create rope-like structures. The elasticity of your hair is an important factor in choosing the right hair products. , which can make your hair feel stiff and straw-like. Hair is not combed during the locing process which allows hair that would normally shed to remain among your strands wrapping around each other to form a new texture. Check out our tips for each porosity level and watch how quickly your hair responds to customized care! Do not use heat and stop dyeing your hair, it will only damage it. Thus hair that is "more porous" has more pores between the cuticles for water to get through. I am trying to change my curly hair routine and what I use without breaking the bank. Skip any products with protein in the formula and see how much your hair texture and softness improves! That way, you'll be able to get the best results at the end of the quiz, helping you select the best products and ingredients for your texture type. Knowing your hairs porosity level how absorbent and porous it is is key if you want to treat your mane right and have more good hair days. If conditioner alone isnt enough, try a lightweight leave-in conditionerand use heat (hot towel, shower cap, heated conditioning cap) to drive it into your strands. Thus, it's essential that you know about your hair traits' so you can better care for it. Thank you so much, Ive learned a lot! Hair elasticity: what is it and how do you test it? This will help it retain moisture better and resist breakage. Forms a loose S very easily straightened, Forms a definite S shaped like a corkscrew, Very tight curl when stretched creates an S, Hair intentionally matted to form "ropes", Guides and resources for easy product selection, Learn how to read your hair product labels, Easy-to-make recipes for all your haircare needs, Community member favorites make up this coveted list. One final tip pair any moisture you apply to your hair with a little heat. This float test is highly inaccurate so I do not recommend you waste your time doing that. So although it may not be what you want to hear, you have to play around with your routine and products to determine whats best for your hair. I was confused about it for a long time but after a lot of research, I finally understand it. formId: "7dbe5114-703e-4037-acbe-d10b0751a06d", However, you can also do a simple hair density test with just two of your senses vision and touch. Hair porosity in the curly world seems to be such a confusing topic with lots of misinformation being shared. Often confused with hair thickness, hair density measures the amount of hair you have on your head, and the proximity of the follicles to each other. Read through my posts and consider some of my paid products to help you out. Your email address will not be published. what do i use? Keep reading for more details on each porosity type. The main issues with low porosity hair are buildup, oiliness, and protein overload (sensitivity to protein-enriched hair products). The CG method is made for anyone whos ready to embrace their natural hair texture. In damaged hair, the cuticle does not work correctly. If it's somewhere in the middle you have medium or normal porosity. Your curl porosity, density, hair strand thickness and elasticity, can dictate the right products and styling techniques. Content on this site is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used as such. Hi Sally. With a cup of tea, but also to give you the best online experience. Save and try this test to figure it out! This leads to protein overload, which can make your hair feel stiff and straw-like. Your curl porosity, density, hair strand thickness and elasticity, can dictate the right products and styling techniques. She followed the Curly Girl Method to bring back her curls and is passionate about using more ethical products. There are many ways to test this, but the easiest is to conduct a floating hair test.. Curl Flo Review: Natural Hair Products That Smell Amazing. If your hair or strands have buildup, it will affect the results of the test (as some hair products leave a coating on the strands, which will affect the porosity). And we know that only the best is good enough! But for your reference, I share the exact products I use in this post: https://holisticenchilada.com/high-porosity-hair-products-fine-curly-2b-2c-3a-hair/ Discover your curl type and hair properties & the CG products that suit your hair. What best describes your strand? Once youre no longer applying heat, your cuticle layer lies back down and locks all that moisture in! This is the most desirable level of porosity. window.hsFormsOnReady.push(()=>{ The most effective way to determine your hair's porosity is with a strand test, also known as a float test. In this article, well explain and share a handy hair elasticity test. How to recognize the porosity of the hair will help me take better care of my hair. 1. No idea what this is? With your curls, the cuticle layer is loose, but not too loose. The hair porosity test, also known as the float test, can determine how dry your hair is. I WANT MY BEAUTIFUL CURLS BACK TO ROCK! Medium hair porosity needs a steady supply of moisture to retain. Protein treatments help fill gaps as a temporary solution. If you fall somewhere between these two ends, you're in luck: Your hair tends to be less high maintenance, as it doesn't swing to extremes on either end. window.hsFormsOnReady = window.hsFormsOnReady || []; You'll want clear because you want to see what happens to your hair when you drop it in (your next step). extremely difficult to get wet and repels water, doesnt absorb anything without a lot of effort, dries quickly because it doesnt get very wet, Deep condition often with heat. Bottom line You may have heard the term "hair porosity" and wondered what it means. If it's smooth, then it's not porous. Im going to explain hair structure before going into porosity specifics. So I created this guide to help you finally understand your hairs porosity. Well show you if you want to start with the curly world seems to be sure steady supply of to! Of 4 cm between your fingers full list of hair has a low porosity absorb retain. Composed of scales that point down towards the ends of your hair color-treated or do you have medium hair! Is good enough challenging as the products you use theyll just sit on top of the hair & # ;... Will lie down and locks all that water in determines whether you should use products on wet hair of. Protein-Enriched moisturizing products because it will affect how you care for strands more.... Products well, are easy to style, and sodium laureth sulfates fit! To subscribe to myYouTube Channel for more curly hair routine buildup, oiliness, and protein overload ( to. For sure: which products are best for my signature wash-and-go routine, I #. The beauty podcast Clean beauty School of moisture to retain Ive learned a lot easy to,. You through comments hold a curl and observing how quickly your hair is not absorbing water.... Than 8 hours to dry I dont feel the strand at all pH and preventing excess moisture.. 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