1. The Float Test for Porosity
Porosity determines your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It’s a crucial factor that explains why some products feel heavy while others seem to disappear. To test yours, start with a single strand of clean, dry hair. Drop the strand into
a clear glass of room-temperature water and watch it for a few minutes. If it floats on the surface, your hair has low porosity, meaning its cuticles are tightly sealed. If it sinks slowly or hovers in the middle, you have medium or 'normal' porosity. If the strand sinks quickly to the bottom, your hair has high porosity, with open cuticles that absorb water fast but lose it just as quickly.
2. The Strand Test for Texture
Hair texture refers to the thickness, or diameter, of an individual hair strand—not how the hair feels to the touch. The three categories are fine, medium, and coarse. A simple way to find yours is the thread comparison test. Pluck a single strand of hair and lay it next to a standard piece of sewing thread. If your hair is noticeably thinner than the thread, you have fine hair. If it’s about the same thickness, your hair is medium. And if the strand is thicker than the thread, you have a coarse texture. Fine hair often struggles to hold a style, while coarse hair can be more resistant to styling but holds it well once achieved.
3. The Scalp Check for Density
Density is all about quantity—it measures the number of individual hair strands on your scalp. You can have fine hair with high density, or coarse hair with low density. To get a quick read, look at your hair in its natural state without a defined part. If you can easily see your scalp, you likely have low-density hair. If you can see your scalp with a little effort, your density is probably medium. If your scalp is barely visible, you have high-density hair. Another easy method is the ponytail test: gather your dry hair into a ponytail and measure its circumference. Less than two inches suggests low density, two to three inches is medium, and four inches or more points to high density.
4. The Stretch Test for Elasticity
Hair elasticity is a sign of its health, indicating its ability to stretch without breaking. Healthy hair has a good balance of protein and moisture, allowing it to be flexible. To test elasticity, take a single strand of wet hair. Hold it securely and gently stretch it. If the strand stretches and bounces back to its original length upon release, you have high elasticity. If it stretches but doesn't fully return, your elasticity is medium. If the strand barely stretches and snaps easily, it has low elasticity, which often means it is brittle and may need more moisture.
5. The Air-Dry Test for Curl Pattern
Your curl pattern is the natural shape of your hair. The best way to identify it is to observe your hair when it's clean and free of any product. After washing your hair, let it air-dry completely without touching, scrunching, or towel-drying it aggressively. Watch how it settles. If it dries straight with no bend, it's Type 1. If it forms a gentle 'S' shape, it's Type 2 (wavy). If it forms defined loops or ringlets, it's Type 3 (curly). And if it has tight coils or zig-zag patterns, it's Type 4 (coily). Understanding your pattern is the first step toward embracing your hair's natural texture.
