Sis, let’s be real: half of us grew up thinking “grease it and go” was the only hair care strategy we needed. The other half were stuck in front of the mirror with too many products, wondering why the “holy grail” everyone swore by left us looking like we lost a fight with humidity. The truth is, until you know your hair type and porosity, you’re basically throwing products (and money) at vibes. Let’s change that.


Step 1: Figuring Out Your Hair Type

The natural hair community talks about numbers and letters like it’s algebra class—2A, 3C, 4B—but it’s not as complicated as it seems.

Type 2 hair is wavy with loose “S” shaped waves. It’s usually fine and can get frizzy quick.

Type 3 hair is curly with spirals or ringlets that range from loose curls (3A) to tight corkscrews (3C).

Type 4 hair is coily or kinky with tight, small curls or zig-zag patterns. It ranges from defined coils (4A) to fluffy and tight textures (4C).

Here’s the kicker: most of us don’t fit neatly into one box. You might be rocking 3C curls in the front and 4B coils in the back. That’s normal, and it means your routine may need to flex for each section.
Step 2: Testing Your Porosity

Step 2: Testing Your Porosity

Porosity is just a fancy way of saying how well your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture. Forget the labels for a second… this is where the magic happens.

The easiest test is the Float Test. Take a strand of clean, product-free hair and drop it in a glass of water. If it floats, you have low porosity, which means your cuticles are tight and your hair resists moisture. If it sinks slowly, you have medium porosity, the balanced sweet spot. If it sinks fast, you have high porosity, which means your cuticles are open and moisture goes in and out quickly.
What Your Porosity Means for Your Routine




What Your Porosity Means for Your Routine

Low porosity hair struggles to absorb product, so it often feels like creams and oils just sit on top. Lightweight leave-ins, gentle heat to help products penetrate, and steam treatments are key.

Medium porosity hair is like the chill cousin—it loves balance. Regular deep conditioning, water-based moisturizers, and the occasional protein treatment will keep it thriving.

High porosity hair absorbs everything quickly but loses it just as fast, like a cup with a crack. The best approach is to layer products using methods like LOC or LCO, use richer creams and butters, and seal the cuticle with cold water rinses or apple cider vinegar.