Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered why your hair behaves the way it does? You aren’t alone! Identifying and understanding your hair type is the first step in unlocking its full potential. Whether you’re working with thick curls, medium waves, or thin, straight locks, knowing your hair’s characteristics will help choose styles and products that make you look and feel your best! We’ll discuss how to determine your hair texture, formation, porosity, density & length below so you can better understand your hair type.
Hair Texture
Determining your hair texture is the first step to discovering your hair type. Texture is divided into three categories : fine, medium, and course. A common practice used to determine your texture is by taking an individual strand of hair and rolling it between your fingers.
- If you roll a singular strand of hair and cannot feel it, you have fine hair. Fine hair is classified as being type A.
- If you can feel it slightly, you have medium hair. This falls into the B category.
- If you can easily feel a strand of hair rolled between the fingers, you likely have coarse hair, which is classified as type C.
Hair Formation
Now that you’ve determined your hair texture, it’s time to discover your hair formation. Hair formation describes the pattern and shape of an individual strand. This can be identified by allowing your hair to dry without heat or product.
- If your hair dries with little to no bends, you have straight hair, which is classified with the number 1.
- If your hair dries with “S” shapes, or has a substantial amount of bends, you likely have wavy hair, so number 2.
- Spotting any curls or loops indicates curly hair, indicated with the number 3.
- Coils, frizziness, and compacted spirals when dry means you have coily hair, which is number 4.
Formation can be ambiguous, as not everyone will have strands that neatly fit into one of these four categories. If you feel that your hair can dry sporadically, it may be that you have B1-2 hair. Search for styling and product tips for both formations until you find the hair care routine that works the best for you!
Hair Porosity
While you will typically hear tips based on your texture and formation (1A, 2B, 3C, etc.), knowing your hair’s porosity is crucial in determining its ability to soak in moisture, which is especially important for those with curly or coily hair types. Porosity can be determined by spraying water onto a section of the hair and observing how the hair behaves.
- If you spray the hair and see droplets all over it, you have low porosity hair. This means your hair may be resistant to moisture but more prone to greasiness.
- If you see droplets initially that absorb into the hair relatively quickly, you have medium porosity hair. Your hair may maintain oil balance better and be frizz resistant.
- If upon spraying, water immediately soaks into the hair, you probably have high porosity hair. This porosity level requires more moisture than other types. Cuticle strands on high porosity hair are lifted, which can make the hair more prone to frizz if not properly moisturized.
It is very possible to have different levels of porosity on different sections of the hair, especially if you use heat on it. Using curling irons and straighteners may cause pieces or the hair to be higher porosity than others, specifically on the ends. If you find different levels of porosity on your hair, you should treat it based on the highest level that you find on the scalp.
Hair Density
Hair density refers to the number of hairs that are on your head. To determine your density level, put your hair in a ponytail and measure the circumference.
- If your hair is less than two inches around, or your part is very visible, you have low density hair. This hair type may have difficulty holding a curl and may require smaller hair ties.
- If the hair is between two and three inches, you may have medium density hair. Heat styling may hold its shape for longer
- If your hair is four or more inches in circumference while in a ponytail, or if you cannot see the scalp when parting your hair, you likely have high density hair. Styles like straightening may require very small sections and extra time to achieve desired results. You may have trouble finding hair ties that will not snap, or that only wrap around the hair a time or two.
Hair Length
Length may be the most obvious factor in determining hair type, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important to get it correct. Length can affect what type of styles are available to you.
- If your hair is ear to chin length or shorter, you have short hair.
- If the ends of the hair falls from the top of the shoulder to the armpit, you have medium length hair.
- If the hair extends beyond the armpit, the hair is considered long.
Styles like curling products or heat irons can affect the length of the hair, so it is best to determine length when the hair is air-dried with no heat or products.
Find the Best Styles & Products for Your Hair Type
Being in tune with your hair and how it behaves is critical information for those trying to establish a hair care and styling routine. If a new routine doesn’t look how you hoped, reevaluate this guide and consider products and styles for hair with characteristics you may have missed on yourself the first time. It may take trial and error, but with this knowledge, you can create a perfect hair care plan for yourself, and boast shiny, bouncing hair in no time!
