How do you determine your hair properties?
To find the right CG Method products for your hair, it's crucial to first understand your hair's characteristics . Don't worry, it doesn't have to be complicated.
The properties we look at are:
- Porosity – How well does your hair absorb and retain moisture?
- Hair thickness – Is your hair fine, medium or coarse?
- Hair Type – Do you have straight, wavy, curly or frizzy hair?
Knowing these properties will help you better assess which products your hair really needs. Think of the right leave-in , gel , or nourishing hair mask ✨
👉 Want to delve deeper? Then read our comprehensive blog post about hair properties, where we explain everything step by step.
👉 Want to know right away? Take our 3-question curl test and see which products are right for your hair. It's that easy!
What is porosity and how do you determine it?
Porosity refers to the condition of the hair cuticle and how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. This can be influenced by genetics, hair coloring, and heat use (straightening or curling irons).
🔬 Porosity under the microscope: Low porosity hair has smooth, closed cuticles, while high porosity hair has open and raised cuticles.
Low / Medium porosity
In low to medium porosity hair, the hair cuticles lie flat and close together. This means that:
✔ Moisture has difficulty getting in and out of the hair.
✔ This hair type is usually healthy and not damaged .
✔ There is a greater chance of product build-up .
💡 How do you know if you have low/medium porosity?
Have n't fully dyed your hair in the past 2-4 weeks or bleached it for 6-8 weeks ? Don't use a straightener or curling iron ? Then you probably have low or medium porosity .
🛠 Tips for low and medium porosity:
✅ Use light hair products without too much oil. If you do use oils, choose light ones and apply them sparingly.
✅ Apply products to wet hair and not to dry hair, so that your hair stays well hydrated.
✅ Small proteins are suitable, but do not use too many .
✅ A heat cap can help to temporarily open hair cuticles, so that hair masks are better absorbed.
High porosity
With highly porous hair, the hair cuticles are open, allowing moisture to be quickly absorbed, but also to evaporate quickly.
This means that:
✔ Her hair needs more product , because it is quickly absorbed.
✔ Hair becomes frizzy, tangled and feels dry more quickly.
✔ Hair breaks quickly if not cared for properly.
✔ This often occurs with dyed, bleached or heat-damaged hair .
💡 How do you know if you have high porosity?
Have you dyed your hair completely in the past 2-4 weeks or bleached it for 6-8 weeks ? Do you use a straightener or curling iron ? Then you probably have high porosity .
🛠 Tips for high porosity:
✅ Use nourishing products such as hair masks.
✅ Reduce the use of heat and chemical treatments. Products like Olaplex 3 or Curlsmith Bond Rehab Salve can help with recovery.
✅ Choose thicker creams to properly hydrate the hair.
✅ High porosity needs protein , preferably high protein in hair masks and leave-in conditioners.
How thick is your hair?
The thickness of your hair is classified into three categories: fine, medium, or coarse .
🔎 How to test your hair thickness?
- Fine hair : Can you barely feel the hair between your fingers? → Fine hair
- Medium hair : Do you feel the hair, but not very clearly? → Medium hair
- Coarse hair : Can you feel the hair well and clearly? → Coarse hair
🛠 Product advice per hair thickness:
- Fine hair → Use lightweight products .
- Medium hair → Lightweight or slightly richer products, depending on your preference.
- Coarse hair → Handles richer, thicker products better.
What is your hair type?
There are many different hair types, from straight (type 1) to curly (type 2-3) and kinky (type 4) .
In general the following applies:
✔ Wavy hair (type 2-3a) → Works better with lighter products.
✔ Curly and frizzy hair (type 3b-4) → Could use more hydration and richer products.
Which products suit your hair type?
✏ Write down your hair features :
- Porosity: Low / Medium / High
- Hair thickness: Fine / Medium / Coarse
- Hair type: Type 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
📌 Product selection based on porosity:
Do you have low/medium porosity?
✅ Shampoo & conditioner → With or without protein.
✅ Hair mask → Small protein recommended.
✅ Leave-in → Small protein or no protein.
✅ Gel → With or without protein.
Do you have high porosity?
✅ Shampoo & conditioner → With or without protein.
✅ Hair mask → High protein recommended.
✅ Leave-in → High protein recommended.
✅ Gel → With or without protein.
Want to learn more about protein and hair care?
Want to know how long your hair stays highly porous or what protein you need? Then read the blog about protein .
Now that you know what your hair properties are, you can start looking for the right products .
🔎 Use our handy product filter to quickly find what you're looking for! For example:
✔ Mask with high protein
✔ Lightweight leave-in conditioner
📦 Want an easy start with CG products? Check out our starter kits !
Hopefully, this has helped you get started! 😊 Any questions? Feel free to send a message via chat, the contact form , or email advies@curlcandy.nl .
