You better not be putting this on your hair 👀

Hey beauties! So, you've heard about low porosity hair, and maybe you suspect you have it, but you're not quite sure? Or perhaps your hair feels like it's just not absorbing anything, even after you've tried different products? Trust me, I've been there! Understanding your hair's porosity is the first step to truly transforming your hair care routine. How to Easily Figure Out Your Hair Porosity at Home: One of the simplest and most common ways to check your hair porosity is with the Water Test. Here’s how I do it: Get a clean strand: After washing your hair, take a single strand of hair (it's best to use one that's fallen out naturally, not pulled). Make sure it's free of any product. Drop it in water: Gently place the hair strand into a glass of room-temperature water. Observe for a few minutes: Watch what happens over 2-4 minutes. If it floats on top: Congrats, you likely have low porosity hair! This means your hair cuticles are tightly closed, making it hard for moisture to get in, but also hard for it to escape once it's in. If it sinks slowly to the middle: You probably have normal porosity hair. Your cuticles are balanced, allowing moisture in and out easily. If it sinks quickly to the bottom: You likely have high porosity hair. Your cuticles are raised or damaged, easily absorbing moisture but also losing it just as quickly. Knowing this test result is a game-changer! Now that you know whether you're dealing with low porosity, let's talk about more ways to 'feed' it properly beyond just the right oils. Beyond Oils: More 'Food' and Care Tips for Thriving Low Porosity Hair Building on the idea of using the right oils like grapeseed, jojoba, argan, pumpkin seed, sweet almond, and baobab for their lightweight, fast-absorbing properties, there are other crucial steps I’ve learned for keeping my low porosity hair moisturized and healthy. Clarify Regularly: Because products tend to sit on top of low porosity hair, buildup is a common issue. I make sure to use a clarifying shampoo every 2-4 weeks to gently remove any residue. This helps subsequent products penetrate better. Use Heat for Deep Conditioning: This tip changed my deep conditioning game! Since low porosity cuticles are tight, a little heat helps them lift slightly, allowing your conditioner to truly penetrate. I often sit under a hooded dryer or just wrap my hair in a warm towel after applying a lightweight deep conditioner. Water-Based Products are Your Best Friend: Look for leave-in conditioners, stylers, and even regular conditioners that list water as their first ingredient. Heavy creams and butters (like the shea butter mentioned earlier) often just sit on the surface, leaving your hair feeling coated but not hydrated. Apply Products to Damp Hair: I always make sure my hair is thoroughly damp, almost wet, when applying leave-ins and oils. This ensures the water is locked into the strand, and the lightweight oils like jojoba or argan can then seal that moisture in. Layer Lightly: Instead of piling on one heavy product, I prefer to layer lighter products. A light leave-in, followed by a few drops of a beneficial oil like grapeseed or pumpkin seed, and then maybe a lightweight gel for styling, works wonders. Avoid Silicones (or use them wisely): While not all silicones are bad, some can contribute to buildup on low porosity hair. If you use them, ensure regular clarifying. By combining these care strategies with the right lightweight oils, my low porosity hair has gone from feeling perpetually dry and greasy to soft, hydrated, and bouncy. It's all about understanding what your hair needs and providing it with the right 'food'!