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

Low porosity hair has a tightly bound cuticle layer, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft. This type of hair is often resistant to treatments and can be prone to product buildup.

Retake Porosity Quiz

Characteristics

  • Takes a long time to get wet and dry
  • Products tend to sit on top of hair rather than absorb
  • Resistant to chemical processes
  • Prone to product buildup
  • Often appears shiny when healthy

Care Tips

  • Use heat or steam to help products penetrate
  • Focus on lightweight, easily absorbed products
  • Regular clarifying treatments to remove buildup
  • Apply products to damp hair to improve absorption
  • May better tolerate sulfates than other porosity types and even benefit from them

Build Your Routine

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1. Cleanse

Choose your cleanser based on your needs

clarifying shampoos - Every 2-4 weeks

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
Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith
Mud Pie Clay Clarifying Treatment
CGM
Brand: Ecoslay

shampoos - Every wash

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.

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.

Full Body Weightless Cleanser
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith
Chai Latte Hair Cleanser
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay

2. Condition

Choose your conditioner based on your needs

conditioners - Every wash

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

Big Energy Conditioner
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Cream Conditioner
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Tropical Coconut Conditioner
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Suave

deep conditioners - Weekly

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. Enhance

Choose your leave-in or cream

leave ins - Every wash

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

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

4. Hold

Choose your styling product

gels - Every wash

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
Jello Shot Curl Defining Gel
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay
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

foams - Every wash

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
Low Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith
Curl Boosting Hair Mousse
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Herbal Essences

custards - Every wash

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

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

Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion
CGM
Humidity Resistant
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Jessicurl

6. Accessories

Choose your accessories

accessories - As needed

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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