Hair Porosity
What hair porosity is, three tests that actually work (and why the float test does not), and the routine that suits low, medium and high porosity hair.
Reviewed 1 Sep 2026
Hair Library · Category
Hair Types & Texture
The 12 hair patterns from 1A straight to 4C coily, porosity and curl types, and what each means for care.
Entries
Hair Type Chart (1A–4C)
The complete hair type chart from 1A straight to 4C coily. Find your pattern in two minutes, see what each letter means and where your type needs most care.
Reviewed 1 Sep 2026
Type 1 Hair: Straight (1A–1C)
Tell 1A, 1B and 1C straight hair apart in seconds, see what each subtype looks like on men and women, and learn why fine straight hair shows thinning first.
Reviewed 7 Jul 2026
Type 2 Hair: Wavy (2A–2C)
Tell 2A, 2B and 2C waves apart in seconds, see what each wave type looks like on men and women, and learn how to stop fine waves from falling flat by midday.
Reviewed 7 Jul 2026
Type 3 Hair: Curly (3A–3C)
Tell 3A, 3B and 3C curls apart in seconds, see how each behaves as it dries, and learn which everyday styling habits quietly pull on the hairline over time.
Reviewed 7 Jul 2026
Type 4 Hair: Coily (4A–4C)
Tell 4A, 4B and 4C coils apart in seconds, see how each behaves when wet and when dry, and learn which protective styles quietly damage the hairline over time.
Reviewed 7 Jul 2026
Curl Types (2A–4C)
Discover how to identify your curly hair type using the 2A to 4C chart. Learn the difference between waves, curls, coils, hair texture, and porosity.
Reviewed 1 Sep 2026
Key terms
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity is how easily water gets into your hair and how well it stays there. It depends on whether the cuticle scales on each strand lie flat and closed or are raised and open, and it is independent of curl pattern.
Full entry: Hair Porosity →What is a hair type?
Hair type describes the shape of the strand. The chart runs through 12 patterns, from 1A straight to 4C coily, and type is independent of porosity.
Full entry: Hair Type Chart (1A–4C) →What is Type 1 hair?
Type 1 hair is naturally straight, staying flat whether air-dried or styled. It grows from round follicles and reflects light easily.
Full entry: Type 1 Hair: Straight (1A–1C) →