Curlsbot
CurlsBot thinks you have: Normal Porosity Hair Guide and Best Products

Normal porosity hair has a healthy cuticle layer that allows for balanced moisture absorption and retention. This type of hair is generally easier to maintain and style.

Retake Porosity Quiz

Characteristics

  • Requires minimal time to get wet and dry
  • Holds styles well
  • Takes color treatments well
  • Maintains healthy shine
  • Products absorb well without buildup

Care Tips

  • Maintain balance with regular conditioning
  • Use a variety of products as hair can handle most types
  • Regular trims to maintain health
  • Protect hair during heat styling
  • Deep condition occasionally for maintenance

Build Your Routine

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1. Cleanse

Choose your cleanser based on your needs

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Use shampoo, clarify monthly. Can use cowash occasionally.

clarifying shampoos

Heavier shampoos meant to remove long-term buildup from oils, products, and hard water. Meant to be used occasionally, as they are much stronger than regular shampoos.

Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
CGM
Brand: Bounce Curl

A shampoo that clarifies without stripping your hair.

Curl Reset Detox Shampoo
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith

This shampoo was recently reformulated to remove not just product buildup, but also mineral buildup from hard water.

Mud Pie Clay Clarifying Treatment
CGM
Brand: Ecoslay

shampoos

Cleansers that remove buildup and oil from your hair. Essential for low-porosity hair and should be used on other porosity types at least occasionally.

Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo
CGM
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl
Energizing Shampoo
CGM
Lightweight
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper

Like all Curl Keeper products, this shampoo has a low pH, which helps to keep the hair cuticle closed and prevent moisture loss.

Essential Moisture Cleanser
CGM
High Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith

2. Condition

Choose your conditioner based on your needs

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Use conditioner every wash and deep conditioner every 1-2 months

conditioners

Products that add moisture and help detangle hair. Almost everyone needs conditioner!

Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
CGM
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl
Big Energy Conditioner
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Cream Conditioner
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper

deep conditioners

Intensive treatments that restore moisture and repair damage. Essential at least weekly for high porosity hair and good for all porosity types occasionally.

Double Cream Deep Quencher
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith
Banana Cream Deep Conditioner
CGM
Brand: Ecoslay
Deep Conditioning Treatment
CGM
Brand: Jessicurl

3. Protect

Choose a product that helps protect your hair

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Use a leave in or cream as needed

leave ins

Light conditioners that stay in your hair to provide ongoing moisture. Most important for high-porosity hair. May weigh down low-porosity hair.

Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner
CGM
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl
Hydrate & Plump Leave-In Conditioner
High Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith

This has a small amount of isopropyl alcohol, which we mark as caution, but as it's towards the end of the ingredients list so it's unlikely to be harmful for hair.

Rice Pudding Leave-In Conditioner and Moisturizer
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay

creams

Rich moisturizers that help define and shape curls, and provide a barrier to protect against moisture loss. Essential for high-porosity hair. May weigh down low-porosity hair.

Avocado & Rose Oil Clump & Define Cream
CGM
Humidity Resistant
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl
Light Hold Creme Gel
CGM
Humidity Resistant
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl
Weightless Air Dry Cream
CGM
Humidity Resistant
High Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith

4. Enhance

Choose a product that helps enhance your curls

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Choose either a gel or custard

gels

Styling products that provide hold and definition. Useful for all porosity types.

Curl Keeper® Original Liquid Styler
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Wash and Go Flaxseed Gel
CGM
Humidity Resistant
High Porosity
Brand: CurlMix
Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith

custards

Thick styling products that provide moisture and definition. Useful for all porosity types.

Curl Defining Styling Souffle
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Brand: Curlsmith
Orange Marmalade Flaxseed and Aloe Curl Definer
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay

CurlsBot note: This is the main styling product I use on my own hair- Melissa

Gelebration Spray
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Jessicurl

Technically not a custard, but serves the same purpose

5. Seal

Choose a product that helps seal in moisture, some gels from the previous step do this so if you already used a gel meant to seal, skip this step

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Use a foam, oil, or spray

oils

Optional finishing products that can help seal in moisture. Best for high porosity hair.

Light Oil
CGM
Brand: Bounce Curl
Bonding Oil
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith
Moonshine Hair and Body Oil
CGM
Brand: Ecoslay

foams

Light styling products that add volume and definition without weight. A great option for low-porosity hair.

Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith
Lemon Drop Styling Foam
CGM
Humidity Resistant
High Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay
Curl Boosting Hair Mousse
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Herbal Essences

sprays

Optional finishing products that can help seal in moisture and lock in styles.

Hair Spray
CGM
High Porosity
Brand: Bounce Curl

6. Accessories

Choose your accessories

For normal porosity hair, we recommend: Optional accessories

accessories

Useful items for anyone with curly or wavy hair.

Universal Diffuser
Brand: Bio Ionic

Turn any hairdryer into a diffuser with this attachment

Define EdgeLift Brush
Brand: Bounce Curl

The Define EdgeLift Brush is a unique brush that helps define your curls/waves

Volume EdgeLift Brush
Brand: Bounce Curl

The Volume EdgeLift Brush is a unique tool that helps you create voluminous curls/waves

Volume Root Clips
Brand: Bounce Curl

These clips are specially designed to help you create volume at the roots of your hair

Curl friendly soft headbands
Brand: By the creator of CurlsBot

These headbands are made by the creator of CurlsBot from soft, stretchy fabric that won't snag or pull on your curls. They're perfect for keeping your hair out of your face and creating lovely styles that won't damage your hair.

Pop-Up Curl Diffuser
Brand: Curl Keeper

Great for travel though I've used it at home for years because it's so easy to store

Curly Girl Microfiber Super Absorbent Anti Frizz Hair Towel
Brand: Curly Girl Store

Help your hair dry faster and reduce frizz with a microfiber towel.

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