Wash hair with a gentle shampoo and let it air-dry without products
Observe the natural curl pattern: straight, wavy, curly, or coily
Check strand thickness by feeling a single hair: fine, medium, or coarse
Assess density by looking at how much scalp is visible: low, medium, or high
Test porosity by placing a clean strand in water and noting whether it floats, sinks slowly, or sinks quickly
Notice how quickly hair dries after washing
Observe how hair reacts to humidity, frizz, and styling
Compare root volume and overall body
Determine elasticity by gently stretching a wet strand and seeing how far it returns
Identify scalp oiliness and how often hair becomes greasy
Review how hair holds curls, waves, or straight styles
Use the curl pattern chart to match the closest type if needed