Curl Pattern The natural shape of your hair. Curl pattern is determined by your hair follicles. Hair Type How to Identify 1 (straight) Your hair has no curl at all. 2 (wavy) Your hair bends slightly, but does not curl. 3 (curly) Each individual strand holds an “S” shape, even when unstyled 4 (coily) Each individual strand holds a “Z” shape. Coily hair will always return to its curled shape, even if you stretch it all the way out. Density: Measurement of how many strands of hair cover your head Hair Type How to Identify Thick You don’t see much or any of your scalp at all after parting your hair. Medium You can see some of your scalp after parting your hair. Thin You can see a lot of your scalp after parting your hair. Texture/Diameter Measurement of the thickness of individual strands Hair Type How to Identify Thick The strand of hair is thicker than a length of regular sewing thread thread. Medium The strand of hair is about the same thickness as a length of regular sewing thread. Thin The strand of hair is thinner than a length of regular sewing thread. Porosity The ability of your hair to absorb and retain water Hair Type How to Identify High Your hair feels wet and sticky/clumpy after washing and toweling it. Medium Your hair feels wet, but not sticky after washing and toweling it. Low Your hair feels almost dry after washing and toweling it. Oiliness Measurement of the amount of oil in your hair Hair Type How to Identify Oily There is an oily residue left on a tissue pressed into your hair. Medium There is a trace of oil on the tissue. Dry There is nothing at all on the tissue. Combination There is no oil from one spot, but a lot from another spot on your scalp. Elasticity Measurement of how much your hair can stretch and return to its natural state Hair Type How to Identify High You can stretch a strand of hair a long way before it breaks. Medium You can stretch the strand a little bit before it snaps. Low The strand snaps as soon as you begin to stretch.