What’s your Hair Type?

In a recent survey we did with our social media followers, 62% of those asked did not know what hair type they had and 63% of you did not know what shampoo to buy for your hair type.

So let me help you to figure out your hair. Once you know your hair type, you can then choose the products that will best work with your hair type and you will notice the benefits instantly.

Here’s 5 simple tests you can do to help you know more about your hair, which is your first step in finding your perfect products….

1- Hair Diameter:(Width of hair strand)   

Hold a single strand of your hair between your thumb and index fingers OR place a hair strand next to some sewing thread.

-If you can barely feel the strand between your fingers or if your hair strand is thinner than the thread, you have thin/fine hair.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/moisture-rich-shampoo/

-If you can feel the hair strand slightly between your fingers or if your hair is the same or similar thickness to the thread, you have medium hair.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/hydrate-shampoo/

-If you can distinctly feel the hair strand between your fingers or your hair is just as thick or thicker than the thread, you have thick hair.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/ultimate-cleanse-shampoo/

2 – Porosity (Your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture) 

This test is simple, just grab a glass of water and a hair strand and immerse your hair into the glass.

– If the hair strand sinks to the bottom, you have high hair porosity. This means that your hair is more prone to damage. It probably gets frizzy and rough easily. Your hair may also dry quickly after you wash it. A high number of pores in the hair cuticle results in high porosity. When you have highly porous hair, it craves hydration.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/nutrizone-ricca-rich-nutrition-shampoo-250ml/

– If the hair strand floats in the water and not at the top, your hair has normal porosity. This hair type takes in the correct amount of moisture. After washing it, your hair feels wet, but not tacky. It does not require a lot of maintenance and can hold any hairstyle effortlessly. Hair with normal porosity is less prone to damage.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/color-wow-color-security-shampoo-250ml/

– If your hair strand floats on the surface, you have low hair porosity. This means, your hair takes a long time to dry. Your hair cuticles have fewer pores, which minimize your hair’s capacity to absorb water. The water tends to remain on the surface of the cuticle, and products used often get settled on top of your hair rather than sinking in. After a hair wash, your hair stays wet for long hours and feels tacky.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/keratin-complex-keratin-care-shampoo-400ml/

3- Levels of Oiliness (On Scalp & Hair)

To do this test, just wash your hair, leave it a couple of hours and grab some blotting paper or even a tissue. Press the paper or tissue against your scalp, especially near the crown of your head and behind your ears. Check your results:

• If you are left with a heavy greasy patch on the paper/tissue you have oily hair and scalp. And will need to wash your hair very regularly (every day or 2).

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/equilibro-greasy-scalp-shampoo-250ml/

• If there is very light evidence of oil, you have a normal scalp. You don’t need to wash your hair as often (once/twice a week)

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/bellessere-hair-and-body-shampoo/

• There is no oil deposited on the tissue. This indicates a lack of hydration meaning you have dry scalp and may only wash your hair once a week.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/purrezza-scalp-with-dandruff-shampoo-250ml/

• If there is oil deposited on the tissue from only specific areas of your scalp, it indicates combination hair. You will need to use specific products to combat this scalp type.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/benessere-sensitive-scalp-250ml/

 

4 – Hair Elasticity (How much a single hair strand can stretch before returning to its normal state)

One of the most important factors when looking at hair health.
For this test, you need to pluck a wet hair strand and stretch it as much as you can. Depending on the results, your hair elasticity can be categorized into one of three types.

• If your hair strand stretches a long way without breaking immediately, it indicates high elasticity. This means stronger hair. Hair with high elasticity (when wet) can stretch up to 50% of its original length before it breaks. Often, coarse hair is highly elastic.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/nutrizone-light-nutrition-shampoo-250ml/

• If your hair stretches to some extent before breaking, it indicates medium elasticity. This is the most common hair type. You can strengthen your hair using professional hair masks and hair oils.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/structure-complex-shampoo/

• Hair that snaps almost immediately after stretching has low elasticity. This is the weakest hair type and should be treated gently and cared for with the correct products.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/olaplex-no-4-bond-maintenance-shampoo/

5 – Hair Pattern (How to identify yours)

• Straight Hair – Stays straight and rarely holds a curl or wave. It typically lies flat from the roots to the tips. Its texture is soft and silky, and it is usually extremely shiny. It does not possess any curls or waves and is often fine in texture, it can also tend to be oily at the root.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/volume-shampoo/

• Wavy Hair – Neither straight nor curly. It falls somewhere between the two. In wavy hair, you can observe a slight curl pattern at the lower end of your hair. It can hold hairstyles very well. Its texture can vary from fine to thick and scalp is often normal to dry.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/nourish-shampoo/

• Curly Hair – If your hair follows an ‘S’ pattern, you have curly hair. This hair type has definite curls that sometimes fight against straightening. It has higher density compared to wavy and straight hair. It is more prone to frizz and can get tangled quickly. Curls can vary from loose to tight and scalp is often dry or combination.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/disciplina-silkiness-and-control-shampoo-250ml/

• Kinky Hair – If your curls resemble a “Z” Shape, you have kinky hair. It may look coarse and rough but is actually quite fragile and soft. It is easily prone to breakage and damage if not cared for. Kinky hair has high density with extremely tight curls that can be soft, wiry or extremely wiry.

Recommendation: https://plushhair.ie/product/nuova-fibra-strength-and-protection-shampoo-250ml/

So now you should have a much better idea of your hair type and any problems or issues that need to be addressed. We would love for you to let us know your results, then we can help you to find your perfect haircare routine that is bespoke to you and your hair and scalp needs.

Check out our social media and keep an eye on our website for more posts to help you get to know your hair better.

If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.