Wash your hair and let it air-dry without products
Check your curl pattern
Straight hair: no bend or wave
Wavy hair: loose S-shape
Curly hair: defined ringlets or spirals
Coily hair: tight curls or zigzags
Check hair strand thickness
Fine hair: thin strands
Medium hair: average strand width
Thick hair: wide strands
Check hair density
Low density: fewer strands on the scalp
Medium density: moderate amount of hair
High density: lots of strands on the scalp
Check porosity
Low porosity: water beads up and products sit on top
Medium porosity: hair absorbs and holds moisture well
High porosity: hair absorbs water quickly and dries fast
Check scalp oiliness
Oily scalp: roots get greasy quickly
Dry scalp: scalp feels tight or flaky
Normal scalp: balanced oil production
Check shrinkage
More shrinkage usually means curlier or coiler hair
Compare how your hair behaves when wet and dry
Observe frizz level
High frizz can indicate dryness or high porosity
Look at how well your hair holds styles
Note whether your hair tangles easily
Identify your hair type by combining curl pattern, strand thickness, density, and porosity