Cooper Delivered · Hair Lab · Hair Types
Understanding Your Hair Type: Texture, Porosity, Density & Ritual Care
Your hair is not random.
Hair type, texture, porosity and density are not beauty buzzwords — they are clues.
Once you understand them, you stop fighting your hair and start supporting it.
Why hair terms actually matter
In the salon, I watched people spend hundreds of dollars trying to “fix” hair that simply needed a different approach.
More products.
More heat.
More stripping.
More frustration.
Living slower on the block taught me something different:
Hair usually does better with the right ritual — not more product.
Once you understand your hair properly, routines become lighter, simpler, and less wasteful.
Hair type: your natural pattern
Hair type refers to your natural curl pattern.
Type 1 — Straight
Oils travel easily, so roots may feel oily quickly while ends stay flat.
Ritual: focus on scalp cleansing and lighter conditioning.
Type 2 — Wavy
S-shaped patterns prone to frizz or limpness depending on humidity.
Ritual: alternate between detox and hydration support.
Type 3 — Curly
Spirals and curls needing moisture, slip and reduced friction.
Ritual: hydration cleansing and gentle detangling.
Type 4 — Coily
Tight coils that are naturally more fragile and prone to dryness.
Ritual: moisture retention and gentle handling.
If you are unsure where to begin, start with:
How to Use a Shampoo Bar.
Hair texture: strand thickness
Texture describes the thickness of each individual strand.
- Fine: lightweight, easily weighed down, often oilier
- Medium: balanced and generally easier to style
- Coarse: stronger strands but often drier and rougher
Fine hair usually prefers lighter routines.
Coarse hair often benefits from deeper hydration and slower washing.
The thicker the strand, the more support it usually needs to stay soft.
Hair density: how much hair you actually have
Density refers to how many strands exist on your scalp overall.
- Low density: scalp more visible
- Medium density: balanced coverage
- High density: lots of hair, often requiring more rinse time
High-density hair often traps product more easily, especially around the scalp.
This is why proper rinsing matters more than most people realise.
Hair porosity: how your hair drinks water
Porosity describes how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
Low Porosity
Tight cuticles. Products often sit on top of the hair.
Warm water and lightweight hydration usually work best.
Medium Porosity
Balanced absorption and retention.
Usually responds well to consistent routines.
High Porosity
Open or damaged cuticles. Hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it fast.
Hydration and sealing become important.
Quick porosity test
- floats = low porosity
- sinks slowly = medium
- sinks quickly = high
Ingredients that support different hair rituals
Ingredients are tools — not magic fixes.
- Rosemary Oil: scalp balancing and circulation support
- Castor Oil: helps seal moisture into dry ends
- Keratin: protein support for damaged strands
- Biotin: associated with strength and fullness
- Sebum: your scalp’s natural protective oil
Learn more in our:
Eco-Beauty Glossary
and
Ingredients Library.
How to wash your hair like a hairdresser
- Wet the hair properly first
- Lather shampoo in hands or onto scalp directly
- Focus cleansing on the scalp, not the ends
- Massage gently instead of scratching
- Rinse longer than you think
- Apply conditioner mainly to mid-lengths and ends
- Finish with cooler water if preferred
Most hair issues come from:
- overwashing
- under-rinsing
- too much product
- wrong product placement
Your hair is part of your lineage
Hair patterns are not trends.
Coils, curls, waves and textures often carry through generations.
Your hair tells part of your story — climate, ancestry, environment, and adaptation.
Your hair is not a problem to solve. It is something to understand.
Build your ritual from understanding
Once you understand your hair properly, routines become less overwhelming and more intentional.
Better rituals usually begin with less confusion.