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CurlsBot thinks you have: Mixed Porosity Hair Guide and Best Products

Mixed porosity hair has different porosity levels throughout the hair shaft, often with more damaged or porous ends and healthier roots. This can be caused by heat or coloring damage, or from having long hair (the ends become more porous due to everyday wear and tear). This type of hair requires a balanced approach to care.

Retake Porosity Quiz

Characteristics

  • Greasy roots and dry ends
  • Uneven drying time throughout hair
  • Can be prone to both buildup and dryness
  • May require different products for different sections

Care Tips

  • Use lighter products near roots and heavier ones on ends
  • Section hair when applying products to target different needs
  • Protect the ends with a pre-poo when shampooing or clarifying
  • Deep condition focusing on the ends
  • Consider protein treatments for the ends

Build Your Routine

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1. Cleanse

Choose your cleanser based on your needs

For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use pre-poo on ends, then shampoo on roots and gentler shampoos/cowashes on ends. Clarify every 2-3 weeks.

pre-poo

These products are meant to be used before washing to help protect your hair from stress and damage.

Bond Curl Rehab Salve, Bond Building Strength Treatment for Weak, Damaged Hair
CGM
Brand: Curlsmith
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
CGM
Brand: The Ordinary

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.

Full Body Weightless Cleanser
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curlsmith
Chai Latte Hair Cleanser
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Ecoslay
Smooth As Silk™ Deep Moisture Shampoo
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Giovanni

An excellent low-pH (~5 protects against frizz) shampoo at a great price.

cowashes

Gentle, non-lathering cleansers that clean without stripping natural oils. Use these for daily wash if you have high-porosity hair.

We don't have any items in this category yet, please contact us if you have suggestions

2. Condition

Choose your conditioner based on your needs

For mixed 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!

Big Energy Conditioner
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Cream Conditioner
CGM
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Curl Keeper
Curl Conditioner
Lightweight
High Porosity
Low Porosity
Brand: Sachajuan

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 mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use a leave in or cream on the ends

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.

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

A lightweight leave-in that prevents your hair from getting dry

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.

We don't have any items in this category yet, please contact us if you have suggestions

4. Enhance

Choose a product that helps enhance your curls

For mixed 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
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

custards

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

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 mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use an oil, serum, or moisturizing spray on the ends and a foam or spray on the rest of your hair

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
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.

We don't have any items in this category yet, please contact us if you have suggestions

6. Accessories

Choose your accessories

For mixed 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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