Hair Acting Up? It’s Time to Get Personal with Porosity

Hey gorgeous gals, it’s ya girl Holly Haircare! 💁‍♀️✨

I’m back in your browser with another juicy read – so grab your scrunchies, pour yourself an oat milk latte (or wine, no judgment here), and let’s get into it.

Today, we’re talking about something that sounds like it belongs in a Year 13 science exam but is actually so important for your hair health: 💈Hair Porosity💈. Yep, it’s a strange word, but trust me, babe, once you understand it, your haircare game will level up faster than your fav TikTok trend.

Hair porosity is basically how well your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture, and that’s a huge deal. Why? Because it affects everything: how your products work, how your hair styles (or refuses to), and why you might be feeling like your ends are dry no matter how many oils you slather on. 😩

Once you know your porosity, it’s like unlocking the secret cheat code to your best hair ever. You’ll stop wasting money on products that don’t vibe with your strands and start giving your hair exactly what it actually needs.

Alright, so let’s break it down…

So, what the heck is hair porosity?

Glad you asked. It comes down to your hair cuticle – that’s the outermost layer of your hair strand, kinda like the protective roof tiles of a house. Depending on how tight or spaced-out those "tiles" are, moisture either gets in easy-breezy... or not at all.

Key things to know about porosity:

Absorption: How fast your hair slurps up water and products (we love a thirsty queen).

Retention (will it ghost you or stay loyal?): How well your hair holds onto that juicy hydration.

The cuticle’s role: She’s the bouncer at the moisture club. 
– Super tight = low porosity (moisture’s waiting in line). 
– Open-hearted, a little chaotic, full of love (and frizz) = high porosity. 
– Well-balanced queen = medium porosity.

The 3 Hair Porosity Types (aka your hair's personality)

Think beachy vibes and “I woke up like this” energy.

👑 Low Porosity:
Cuticles are tightly packed. Moisture's like, “let me in!” and your hair’s like, “passcode please.” Harder to absorb, but once it’s in, it stays put. You’ll notice: Slow drying, product build-up, sometimes feels like products just sit on top. Your vibe: Lightweight products, warm water to open up the cuticle, and a good ol’ sulphate-free cleanse now and then.

💁‍♀️ Medium Porosity:
Cuticles are chill – not too open, not too tight. Just right. Moisture comes in, hangs out, doesn't overstay its welcome. You’ll notice: Hair behaves. You lucky thing. It styles well, holds moisture, and doesn’t need too much fuss. Your vibe: Keep it balanced – don’t overdo the heat or colour, and your hair will love you back.

🌪 High Porosity:
Cuticles have gaps – think wide-open doors. Moisture rushes in but escapes just as fast. Cue: frizz, dryness, and tangled drama. You’ll notice: Hair dries in a flash, feels dry even after washing, frizzes up in humidity. Your vibe: Moisture-rich, protein-packed products. Deep conditioning is your BFF. Rinse with cool water to help seal the deal.

So... how do I figure out my porosity?

I gotchu. Try these fun lil tests at home – not 100% guaranteed, but definitely helpful:

 The Float Test:
Drop clean strands of hair in a glass of water.
If they float = low porosity
Sink like a stone = high porosity
Chill in the middle = medium porosity

The Strand Test: 
Slide your fingers down a strand of hair (root to tip).
Bumpy = high porosity
Smooth = low porosity

The Spray Bottle Test:
Spritz a small section with water.
Water beads up = low porosity
Instantly absorbs = high porosity
Takes a sec, then absorbs = medium porosity

Now let’s talk TLC – how to treat each type 💅

💧 Low Porosity Hair
Loves: Lightweight leave-ins, warm water, gentle heat when deep conditioning.

Leave-in: Redken One United – a lightweight multi-benefit spray that hydrates without heaviness.
Shampoo: Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo – gently removes buildup so moisture can get in.
Deep conditioning with heat: De Lorenzo Essential Treatments Equilibrium Mask – add gentle heat for best results.

Avoids: Product overload (she gets weighed down fast).

💧 Medium Porosity Hair
Loves: A bit of everything – balanced moisture + protein.

Shampoo & Conditioner: Olaplex No.4 & No.5 – great for moisture + protein maintenance.
Mask: Pure Fusion Complex Bond Repair Treatment – perfect for strengthening without overdoing it.
Styling: Color Wow Dream Coat – seals in moisture, adds shine, and protects without buildup.

Avoids: Too many chemical treatments (she will change).
Tip: Maintain the good vibes with regular trims and minimal heat styling.

💧 High Porosity Hair
Loves: Deep conditioners, thick creams, oils, and protein-rich formulas.

Leave-in: Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother – bond-building, creamy, and frizz-controlling.
Treatment: K18 Molecular Repair Mask – a game-changer for damaged, porous hair.
Oil: Moroccanoil Treatment – adds shine, seals moisture, and protects from frizz.
Styling Cream: Evo Liquid Rollers Curl Balm – hydrating and smoothing for curls or waves.

Avoids: Heat overload and harsh weather without protection.
Tip: Rinse with cool water to help those cuticles lie flat and lock in the good stuff.

🛍️ Let’s Go Shopping: Curly Girl-Approved Ranges I’m Loving

Because no blog is complete without a little retail therapy, right?

💛 Brands We Love (And Our Favourite Products)

No, hair gloss isn’t damaging, most formulas are designed to reduce the appearance of damage. However, like any hair colour product, it’s important to choose the right formula and follow the instructions carefully for the best results. If you’re getting a gloss in the salon, your colourist will guide you on how often to return for maintenance. For at-home treatments, be sure to follow the product instructions closely.

How Often Should You Gloss Your Hair?

Most hair gloss treatments last around a month, you’ll need a touch-up every four to six weeks if done in a salon. For at-home glosses, you may need to use them more frequently, depending on how quickly your colour fades. Glossing can also help preserve your hair colour, especially when used with colour-safe shampoos and conditioners and by washing with cooler water.

Hair Gloss vs Hair Glaze: What’s the Difference?

Hair glosses and glazes differ primarily in how long they last. Glosses are semi-permanent, typically lasting a month, while glazes offer more temporary results, usually around one to two weeks. Both add shine, smooth hair, and enhance colour, and both can be done at home.