How to Find Out What Type of Hair You Have (And Why It Matters)

When it comes to hair care, understanding your hair type is essential. The right products, styling techniques, and even haircut choices all depend on the unique characteristics of your hair. Yet, many people go years without really knowing what their hair type is—and that can lead to frustration, wasted money, and damaged strands.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to determine your hair type (step-by-step) and why knowing it can completely change your hair game for the better.

Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters

Think of your hair type as your hair’s blueprint. Knowing it helps you:

Choose the right shampoo, conditioner, and treatments

Select styling products that enhance (not fight) your natural texture

Understand how your hair reacts to humidity, heat styling, and weather

Create a healthy routine that keeps your hair strong, shiny, and manageable

Without this knowledge, it’s easy to use the wrong products—leading to dryness, frizz, flatness, or buildup.

The 4 Main Elements of Hair Type

When we talk about hair type, we’re looking at four key factors:

Texture (Straight, Wavy, Curly, Coily)

Density (Thin, Medium, Thick)

Porosity (How your hair absorbs moisture)

Scalp Type (Oily, Dry, Balanced)

Let’s break each one down so you can discover yours.

1. Hair Texture: Straight, Wavy, Curly, or Coily

The most well-known part of hair typing is texture, which refers to the natural shape or pattern of your strands when air-dried, with no product manipulation.

Here’s a basic guide:

Straight (Type 1)

Hair has no natural curl or bend

Lays flat from root to tip

Can appear shiny because oil easily travels down the hair shaft

Wavy (Type 2)

Forms loose 'S' shapes

Not too oily or dry

Can be frizz-prone depending on humidity

Subtypes:

2A – Fine, barely-there wave

2B – More defined 'S' wave, slight frizz

2C – Thick, more defined waves with some actual curls

Curly (Type 3)

Forms loops or full ringlets

More prone to dryness and frizz

Needs moisture to maintain curl definition

Subtypes:

3A – Loose, bouncy curls

3B – Tighter spiral curls

3C – Corkscrew-shaped curls

Coily (Type 4)

Tight curls or kinks

Can shrink up to 75% of its actual length

Requires rich hydration and gentle handling

Subtypes:

4A – Soft, defined coils

4B – Z-shaped pattern, less definition

4C – Very tight coils with minimal defined pattern

How to Find Your Hair Texture

Step 1: Shampoo your hair thoroughly and let it air dry without any products.

Step 2: Observe the natural pattern once fully dry.

Step 3: Match it to the descriptions above.

Pro Tip: Don't judge your hair type based on heat-styled or brushed-out hair—it needs to be in its natural state.

2. Hair Density: How Much Hair You Have

Density isn’t about how thick each strand is—it’s about how much hair you have on your scalp.

Here’s how to test:

Stand in front of a mirror.

Part your hair in different areas.

If you can easily see your scalp without moving much hair: Low density

If you see your scalp only with some effort: Medium density

If it’s hard to see your scalp at all: High density

Knowing your density helps you pick styles and products. For example:

Low-density hair benefits from lightweight, volumizing products.

High-density hair may need heavier products to control fullness.

3. Hair Porosity: How Your Hair Absorbs Moisture

Porosity affects how your hair handles moisture, products, and treatments.

Low Porosity

Water beads on top of the strand

Hair resists moisture but holds it well once absorbed

Products tend to sit on hair without absorbing

We recommend to start

SEEN Discovery Kit - Fragrance Free - Non-Comedogenic & Sulfate-Free Hair Set- Dermatologist-Developed - Safe for Sensitive, Eczema & Acne Prone Skin

SEEN Discovery is also Fragrance FREE

Normal Porosity

Absorbs and retains moisture easily

Less prone to frizz or buildup

We recommend this affordable option

Routine Wellness Anti-Thinning Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Thinning Hair

Biotin DHT Blocker Women & Men - Color Safe Shampoo for

Hair Loss & Healthier Hair - Coconut & Vanilla (Pack of 2)

High Porosity

Absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast

Often caused by damage (heat styling, color treatments)

We use and recommend Briogeo Products to start your hair journey. They're also affordable

Superfoods Matcha, Apple + Kale Hair Pack, Supports Healthy, Balanced Hair and Scalp

One Way to Test Your Hair Porosity:

Take a clean strand of shed hair.

Place it in a glass of water.

Floats: Low porosity

Slowly sinks: Normal porosity

Sinks immediately: High porosity

4. Scalp Type: Oily, Dry, or Balanced

Your scalp health is just as important as your strands. Here's how to figure yours out:

How to Test:

Wash your hair and don't use conditioner on the scalp.

After 24 hours, observe your roots:

Oily scalp: Greasy and flat

Dry scalp: Flaky, tight, or itchy

Balanced scalp: Neither oily nor dry

Understanding your scalp type helps you pick the right shampoo and treatment.

Common Hair Type Combinations

Many people have a mix of traits! You might find you have:

Wavy (2B) hair with high porosity and an oily scalp

Curly (3C) hair with low porosity and a dry scalp

Straight (1A) hair with medium density but sensitive to frizz

Identifying your personal hair "profile" helps you create a customized, effective routine.

How to Care for Your Specific Hair Type

Once you know your type, here's a quick cheat sheet:

Hair Texture Recommended Care Straight Lightweight products, volume-boosting shampoo, dry shampoo for oiliness Wavy Frizz-control creams, leave-in conditioners, minimal heat styling Curly Hydrating shampoos, curl creams, deep conditioning treatments Coily Heavy moisturizers, butters, oils, protective styles

Porosity Recommended Products Low Porosity Lightweight liquids, avoid heavy butters/oils Normal Porosity Balanced routine, deep conditioning every 1-2 weeks High Porosity Rich creams, oils, protein treatments

Scalp Type Recommended Care Oily Clarifying shampoo, light hydration at ends only Dry Moisturizing scalp treatments, avoid sulfates Balanced Gentle shampoos, regular scalp massage

Final Thoughts: Your Hair Type Is Unique to You

Finding out your hair type isn’t about putting yourself in a rigid box—it’s about understanding how your unique hair works so you can love it, care for it, and style it in a way that brings out its natural beauty.

Hair care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Once you know your texture, density, porosity, and scalp type, you can make more informed choices that result in healthier, stronger, shinier hair.

And remember: your hair type can evolve over time! Factors like age, hormones, health, and lifestyle changes can all impact your hair, so it’s always a good idea to reassess your routine as needed.

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