{"id":94515,"date":"2026-09-25T16:07:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T06:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/?p=94515"},"modified":"2026-09-25T16:07:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T06:07:14","slug":"hair-porosity-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Check Your Hair Porosity (and Why It Matters)"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-136546 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getblys.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hair-porosity-test-blys-hero.png\" alt=\"Minimalist Blys wellness graphic: flowing dark brown hair with high porosity curves across a warm cream background beneath the orange \u201cblys\u201d logo, creating a calm, elegant mood.\" width=\"1100\" height=\"764\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hair porosity describes how easily hair absorbs and holds onto moisture, and testing it at home takes about ten minutes with nothing more than a glass of water and a strand of your own hair. Standing over a glass of water squinting at a single strand of hair is a deeply unglamorous science experiment that somehow still delivers properly useful information.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_Is_Hair_Porosity_and_Why_Does_It_Actually_Matter\" >What Is Hair Porosity, and Why Does It Actually Matter?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#The_Basic_Science_Behind_It\" >The Basic Science Behind It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Low_Medium_and_High_Porosity_Explained\" >Low, Medium, and High Porosity Explained<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#How_to_Test_Your_Hair_Porosity_at_Home\" >How to Test Your Hair Porosity at Home<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#The_Float_Test\" >The Float Test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#The_Slip_Test\" >The Slip Test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Other_Everyday_Clues_to_Notice\" >Other Everyday Clues to Notice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Being_Honest_About_the_Tests_Real_Limits\" >Being Honest About the Test&#8217;s Real Limits<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Product_Matching_by_Porosity_Type\" >Product Matching by Porosity Type<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_Low_Porosity_Hair_Actually_Needs\" >What Low Porosity Hair Actually Needs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_High_Porosity_Hair_Actually_Needs\" >What High Porosity Hair Actually Needs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Medium_Porosity_The_Relatively_Easy_Middle_Ground\" >Medium Porosity: The Relatively Easy Middle Ground<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Porosity_Also_Affects_How_Gloss_Treatments_Take\" >Porosity Also Affects How Gloss Treatments Take<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Layering_Products_the_Right_Way_for_Your_Porosity\" >Layering Products the Right Way for Your Porosity<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#The_Liquid_Oil_Cream_Method\" >The Liquid, Oil, Cream Method<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Adjusting_the_Method_for_Low_Porosity_Hair\" >Adjusting the Method for Low Porosity Hair<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Why_Porosity_Affects_More_Than_Just_Everyday_Products\" >Why Porosity Affects More Than Just Everyday Products<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Color_and_Chemical_Treatments_Process_Differently_by_Porosity\" >Color and Chemical Treatments Process Differently by Porosity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Its_Possible_to_Have_Mixed_Porosity_Across_One_Head\" >It&#8217;s Possible to Have Mixed Porosity Across One Head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Building_Porosity_Awareness_Into_an_At-Home_Routine\" >Building Porosity Awareness Into an At-Home Routine<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#How_do_you_test_hair_porosity_at_home\" >How do you test hair porosity at home?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Can_hair_porosity_change_over_time\" >Can hair porosity change over time?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_is_low_porosity_hair\" >What is low porosity hair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_is_high_porosity_hair\" >What is high porosity hair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Are_there_everyday_signs_of_porosity_besides_the_float_and_slip_test\" >Are there everyday signs of porosity besides the float and slip test?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Is_the_hair_porosity_float_test_scientifically_accurate\" >Is the hair porosity float test scientifically accurate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_products_work_best_for_low_porosity_hair\" >What products work best for low porosity hair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#What_products_work_best_for_high_porosity_hair\" >What products work best for high porosity hair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Does_hair_porosity_affect_how_color_treatments_turn_out\" >Does hair porosity affect how color treatments turn out?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Can_porosity_be_different_at_the_roots_versus_the_ends\" >Can porosity be different at the roots versus the ends?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Is_curly_hair_usually_higher_porosity_than_straight_hair\" >Is curly hair usually higher porosity than straight hair?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#How_do_I_find_a_stylist_who_actually_tailors_treatments_to_hair_type\" >How do I find a stylist who actually tailors treatments to hair type?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Does_hair_porosity_affect_gloss_treatments_too\" >Does hair porosity affect gloss treatments too?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Whats_the_correct_order_to_apply_products_based_on_porosity\" >What&#8217;s the correct order to apply products based on porosity?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/#Get_a_Hair_Treatment_Session_at_Home\" >Get a Hair Treatment Session at Home<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Hair_Porosity_and_Why_Does_It_Actually_Matter\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is Hair Porosity, and Why Does It Actually Matter?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding what porosity actually measures makes every product recommendation that follows make a lot more sense.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Basic_Science_Behind_It\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Basic Science Behind It<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porosity comes down to how tightly or loosely the outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, is packed together. A tightly packed cuticle resists moisture getting in or out, while a more raised, open cuticle lets moisture pass through much more easily in both directions. Genetics, chemical processing, and everyday heat styling can all shift how open or closed that cuticle actually is over time, which is why porosity isn&#8217;t necessarily a fixed, unchangeable trait for life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Low_Medium_and_High_Porosity_Explained\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low, Medium, and High Porosity Explained<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low porosity hair has a tightly sealed cuticle that makes it properly hard for product to actually absorb, often sitting on top of the hair instead. High porosity hair has a more open, sometimes damaged cuticle that absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/mobile-hair-stylist-curly-hair\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curl pattern is one of the more common real-world examples of this<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since curly hair often runs higher in porosity than straighter types, partly because natural scalp oils struggle to travel down a curled strand the way they would down a straight one. Medium porosity sits in between, generally absorbing and retaining moisture without much drama either way, which is honestly the easiest porosity type to work with.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Test_Your_Hair_Porosity_at_Home\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Test Your Hair Porosity at Home<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying every trending hair product on the internet without knowing your own hair&#8217;s actual porosity is how a bathroom shelf fills up with expensive bottles doing absolutely nothing useful.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Float_Test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Float Test<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drop a clean strand of shed hair, not one pulled directly from the scalp, into a glass of room-temperature water and watch what happens over the next few minutes. Hair that floats at or near the surface for a while generally points to low porosity, hair that sinks quickly points to high porosity, and hair that sinks slowly, settling somewhere in the middle, points to medium porosity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Slip_Test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Slip Test<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a single strand and run your fingers from the tip toward the root, feeling for texture along the way. A smooth feel suggests a tightly sealed, low porosity cuticle, while a rough or bumpy feel suggests a more raised, high porosity cuticle catching against your fingers as you go.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Everyday_Clues_to_Notice\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Everyday Clues to Notice<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hair that takes a long time to get fully wet in the shower, or that seems to repel water at first, often points toward low porosity, while hair that soaks up water almost instantly and also dries unusually fast afterward often points toward high porosity. Neither of these everyday observations replaces an actual test, but noticing them over time adds a bit more confidence to whatever the float or slip test suggests.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Being_Honest_About_the_Tests_Real_Limits\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being Honest About the Test&#8217;s Real Limits<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The float test is an actually useful starting point, not a clinically validated diagnostic, and product buildup or residue on the hair strand can throw off the result, sometimes making even high porosity hair float when it shouldn&#8217;t. Testing a freshly washed strand, and maybe repeating the test once or twice, gives a more reliable read than trusting a single float on a strand that hasn&#8217;t been properly cleaned first.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Product_Matching_by_Porosity_Type\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Product Matching by Porosity Type<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing the actual porosity type turns product shopping from guesswork into something considerably more targeted.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Low_Porosity_Hair_Actually_Needs\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Low Porosity Hair Actually Needs<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low porosity hair treats most leave-in conditioners the way a bouncer treats a fake ID, unimpressed and not going to budge. Lightweight, water-based products applied to damp hair absorb more easily than heavy creams or butters, which usually sit on the surface and build up over time instead of actually sinking in. Applying heat during deep conditioning, a warm towel or a hooded dryer, helps the cuticle lift slightly and lets product actually penetrate instead of merely coating the surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_High_Porosity_Hair_Actually_Needs\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What High Porosity Hair Actually Needs<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High porosity hair absorbs product with real enthusiasm and then loses it just as fast, like a houseguest who shows up early and leaves before dessert. Richer creams, butters, and oils applied after a water-based product help seal in the moisture that would otherwise escape quickly through the more open cuticle. Protein treatments also usually help here, since they can temporarily fill gaps in a more damaged or raised cuticle structure, supporting stronger, more resilient strands between treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Medium_Porosity_The_Relatively_Easy_Middle_Ground\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium Porosity: The Relatively Easy Middle Ground<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium porosity hair generally responds well to a fairly standard routine without needing heavily specialized products in either direction, absorbing and retaining moisture at a reasonably balanced rate. This doesn&#8217;t mean medium porosity hair needs zero attention, just that it&#8217;s the porosity type least likely to punish a slightly generic product choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Porosity_Also_Affects_How_Gloss_Treatments_Take\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porosity Also Affects How Gloss Treatments Take<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-gloss-treatment-how-long-does-it-last\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long a gloss treatment actually lasts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> partly comes down to porosity too, since a gloss sits differently on hair that absorbs product quickly versus hair that resists it, a detail to flag to a stylist before booking one specifically.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Layering_Products_the_Right_Way_for_Your_Porosity\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layering Products the Right Way for Your Porosity<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The order products go on matters almost as much as which products get chosen in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Liquid_Oil_Cream_Method\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Liquid, Oil, Cream Method<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying a water-based liquid first, followed by an oil, then a cream, helps lock in hydration for porosity types that struggle to hold onto moisture, particularly high porosity hair. Reordering this sequence, or skipping the initial liquid step entirely, often explains why a properly good product still isn&#8217;t delivering the result it should.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adjusting_the_Method_for_Low_Porosity_Hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjusting the Method for Low Porosity Hair<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low porosity hair sometimes does better with lighter layering, skipping the heavier oil or cream step entirely, or applying products to damp rather than fully dry hair, since a lighter approach avoids the buildup heavier layering can cause on a cuticle that&#8217;s already reluctant to absorb much at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Porosity_Affects_More_Than_Just_Everyday_Products\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Porosity Affects More Than Just Everyday Products<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porosity doesn&#8217;t just affect a daily routine. It also affects how hair responds to professional treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Color_and_Chemical_Treatments_Process_Differently_by_Porosity\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Color and Chemical Treatments Process Differently by Porosity<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/what-is-balayage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Color and lightening treatments like balayage process differently depending on hair porosity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since more porous hair usually absorbs color faster and can sometimes lift or process more dramatically than expected. Mentioning known porosity to a colorist before a color service helps them adjust timing and product choice accordingly, rather than assuming every head of hair processes at the same rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_Possible_to_Have_Mixed_Porosity_Across_One_Head\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s Possible to Have Mixed Porosity Across One Head<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porosity isn&#8217;t always uniform across an entire head of hair, and testing a strand from the ends versus a strand closer to the root can sometimes produce noticeably different results, since ends are older, more processed hair that&#8217;s had more time to develop damage or openness than newer growth closer to the scalp. Testing a couple of strands from different areas gives a more complete picture than relying on a single strand alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_Porosity_Awareness_Into_an_At-Home_Routine\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building Porosity Awareness Into an At-Home Routine<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/at-home-hair-care-between-appointments\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple hair care habits between professional appointments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> land differently depending on porosity, since a routine built for low porosity hair can actively work against high porosity hair, and vice versa. Adjusting an existing routine once porosity is actually known often solves a problem that&#8217;s been blamed on the wrong product for months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing your own hair&#8217;s actual porosity turns every future product choice, and every conversation with a stylist, into something considerably more informed than guessing based on what worked for someone else&#8217;s completely different hair type.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/how-provider-ratings-reviews-work\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Checking a stylist&#8217;s reviews<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for mentions of tailoring treatments to specific hair types gives a better sense of who actually pays attention to detail like this, rather than applying the same approach to every client regardless of hair type.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mentioning known porosity when booking a color or treatment service helps a stylist plan the appointment properly from the start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/app.getblys.com\/new-booking\/?utm_source=website-blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=hair-porosity-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a Hair Treatment Session at Home \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_test_hair_porosity_at_home\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you test hair porosity at home?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drop a clean, shed strand of hair into a glass of room-temperature water. Hair that floats generally indicates low porosity, hair that sinks quickly indicates high porosity, and hair that sinks slowly indicates medium porosity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_hair_porosity_change_over_time\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can hair porosity change over time?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, genetics play a role, but chemical processing and regular heat styling can also shift how open or closed the cuticle becomes, so porosity isn&#8217;t necessarily fixed for life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_low_porosity_hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is low porosity hair?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low porosity hair has a tightly packed cuticle that resists moisture absorption, often causing products to sit on top of the hair rather than actually sinking in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_high_porosity_hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is high porosity hair?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High porosity hair has a more open or damaged cuticle that absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it quickly, often needing richer products to help seal moisture in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_everyday_signs_of_porosity_besides_the_float_and_slip_test\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there everyday signs of porosity besides the float and slip test?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, hair that takes a long time to get wet in the shower often points toward low porosity, while hair that soaks up water instantly and dries unusually fast often points toward high porosity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_hair_porosity_float_test_scientifically_accurate\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the hair porosity float test scientifically accurate?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s an actually useful starting point instead of a clinically validated test. Product buildup or residue on the strand can throw off the result, so testing a freshly washed strand gives a more reliable read.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_products_work_best_for_low_porosity_hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What products work best for low porosity hair?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lightweight, water-based products applied to damp hair, along with heat during deep conditioning to help the cuticle lift slightly and actually absorb product.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_products_work_best_for_high_porosity_hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What products work best for high porosity hair?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Richer creams, butters, and oils applied after a water-based product to seal in moisture, along with occasional protein treatments to support a more open or damaged cuticle structure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_hair_porosity_affect_how_color_treatments_turn_out\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does hair porosity affect how color treatments turn out?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, more porous hair usually absorbs color faster and can process more dramatically than expected, so mentioning known porosity to a colorist helps them adjust timing and product choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_porosity_be_different_at_the_roots_versus_the_ends\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can porosity be different at the roots versus the ends?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, ends are older, more processed hair that&#8217;s had more time to develop damage or openness than newer growth near the scalp, so testing strands from both areas gives a more complete picture.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_curly_hair_usually_higher_porosity_than_straight_hair\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is curly hair usually higher porosity than straight hair?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, yes, partly because the curl pattern makes it harder for natural scalp oils to travel down the length of each strand, leaving the cuticle more prone to dryness over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_find_a_stylist_who_actually_tailors_treatments_to_hair_type\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do I find a stylist who actually tailors treatments to hair type?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Checking their reviews for mentions of tailoring treatments to specific hair types gives a better sense of who pays attention to detail like this, rather than applying the same approach to every client.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_hair_porosity_affect_gloss_treatments_too\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does hair porosity affect gloss treatments too?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, a gloss sits differently on hair that absorbs product quickly versus hair that resists it, so mentioning known porosity to a stylist beforehand helps them adjust the treatment accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_correct_order_to_apply_products_based_on_porosity\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the correct order to apply products based on porosity?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The liquid, oil, cream method generally works well for high porosity hair needing to seal in moisture, while low porosity hair often does better with a lighter approach, sometimes skipping the heavier oil or cream step entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_background&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#faf1eb&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;3%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;3%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; shape_type=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_a_Hair_Treatment_Session_at_Home\"><\/span>Get a Hair Treatment Session at Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=&#8221;jumbo&#8221; open_new_tab=&#8221;true&#8221; button_style=&#8221;regular&#8221; button_color_2=&#8221;Accent-Color&#8221; icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; text=&#8221;Book Now&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/app.getblys.com\/new-booking\/?utm_source=website-blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=hair-porosity-test&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text] Hair porosity describes how easily hair absorbs and holds&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1920,"featured_media":94516,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Test and Check Your Hair Porosity at Home | Blys","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Not sure whether your hair is actually low porosity hair or high porosity hair? A simple hair porosity test settles it at home in about ten minutes.","footnotes":""},"categories":[443,445],"tags":[649],"reviewer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-94515","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blys-for-clients","8":"category-self-care-101","9":"tag-hair-porosity-test"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Test and Check Your Hair Porosity at Home | Blys<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not sure whether your hair is actually low porosity hair or high porosity hair? A simple hair porosity test settles it at home in about ten minutes.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Test and Check Your Hair Porosity at Home | Blys\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Not sure whether your hair is actually low porosity hair or high porosity hair? A simple hair porosity test settles it at home in about ten minutes.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blys\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/getblys\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-25T06:07:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hair-porosity-test-blys-feature.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"940\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"646\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Diwash Shrestha\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@getblys\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@getblys\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Diwash Shrestha\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Test and Check Your Hair Porosity at Home | Blys","description":"Not sure whether your hair is actually low porosity hair or high porosity hair? A simple hair porosity test settles it at home in about ten minutes.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Test and Check Your Hair Porosity at Home | Blys","og_description":"Not sure whether your hair is actually low porosity hair or high porosity hair? A simple hair porosity test settles it at home in about ten minutes.","og_url":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/blog\/hair-porosity-test\/","og_site_name":"Blys","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/getblys\/","article_published_time":"2026-09-25T06:07:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":940,"height":646,"url":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hair-porosity-test-blys-feature.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Diwash Shrestha","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@getblys","twitter_site":"@getblys","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Diwash Shrestha","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94515"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94517,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94515\/revisions\/94517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94515"},{"taxonomy":"reviewer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviewer?post=94515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}