Hair Porosity Test & The Right Routine

A 5-minute test battery + 3 targeted routines.

TL;DR: “Porosity” = how easily your hair absorbs and holds water.

• Low porosity → tight, water-resistant cuticle: use warmth, light layers, clarify gently.

• Medium/normal → balanced: maintain with weekly mask + light oil finish.

• High porosity → raised cuticle/leakage: richer conditioners, cool rinse, seal with oils/serum.

  Below: quick tests, how to read them, and step-by-step routines with products from Ifran Beauty.

Friendly note: Hair varies by section (front vs nape). Test a few strands. If signals conflict, follow the routine matching the majority of your hair or mix per zone.

What is hair porosity (and why it matters)

Think of the cuticle like roof shingles. Tightly closed shingles = water gets in slowly (low porosity). Raised or chipped shingles = water rushes in and escapes quickly (high porosity). Your porosity guides application order, product weight, and wash cadence—so routines actually work instead of sitting on top or vanishing by noon.

The 5-Minute Porosity Test Battery (skip the myths)

You’ll see the “float test” online (drop a strand in a glass of water). It’s hit-or-miss. Use these three practical tests instead:

1) Slip test (strand glide)

• Take a clean, dry strand.

• Slide fingers from ends toward roots.

  Feels ultra-smooth/slippy → low porosity.

  Feels slightly textured → medium.

  Feels rough/snaggy → high.

2) Mist test (water beading)

• Mist a small section with water.

  Beads sit on top → low.

  Beads sit then absorb → medium.

  Absorbs instantly, looks wet fast → high.

3) Dry-down timing

• After a normal wash, air-dry a small section.

  Takes ages to wet & ages to dry → low.

  Average wetting/dry time → medium.

  Soaks up fast, dries fast → high.

If two of three point to the same result, that’s your working porosity. Re-test seasonally or after big color/heat changes.

The Right Routine by Porosity

A) Low Porosity (repels water; product sits on top)

Goals: open the door gently (warmth/steam), keep layers light, prevent buildup.

Weekly plan

• 2×/week wash days
  1. Warm rinse to start (opens cuticle slightly).
  2. Condition mids→ends.
  3. Butter-Me Mask 1×/week with warmth (wrap with a warm towel or shower steam, 5–10 min).
  4. Cool rinse briefly to smooth cuticle.
  5. Finish: a drop of Velvet Hair Serum on ends.
• Detox/clarify: Teatox Scalp Toner every 2–3 weeks to reset product/mineral buildup.
• Pre-wash oiling: Optional & tiny—1–2 drops of Wonder Oil on ends only.

Application rules

• Thin layers: leave-in → serum (drop size) → maybe a mist.
• Use heat with masks, not after serum.
• Avoid heavy butters daily; save for mask day.

Shop the routine

• Butter-Me Mask (with warmth)
• Velvet Hair Serum (micro-dose finish)
• Teatox Scalp Toner (light reset)
• Hair Fragrance (mid-lengths to ends only)

B) Medium / Normal Porosity (balanced in/out)

Goals: maintain balance; protect from heat/UV; keep frizz down.

Weekly plan

• 2–3×/week wash days
  1. Shampoo as usual.
  2. Butter-Me Mask 1×/week (no heavy heat needed).
  3. Condition ends lightly on non-mask days.
  4. Wonder Oil pre-wash once weekly (few drops + 3-minute scalp massage; double-cleanse to remove).
  5. Velvet Hair Serum pea-size finish.

Extra care

• Teatox Scalp Toner every 3–4 weeks if you use lots of styling products.
• Cool rinse for polish; diffuse on low.

C) High Porosity (soaks fast, loses moisture fast)

Goals: reduce “leakage,” add slip, seal the cuticle, minimize rough handling.

Weekly plan

• 2×/week wash days
  1. Pre-poo: 3–5 drops Wonder Oil through mids→ends (detangle with fingers).
  2. Gentle shampoo; avoid harsh sulfates daily.
  3. Butter-Me Mask 1–2×/week (focus mids→ends; 10 min).
  4. Cool rinse 10–15 sec to help lay cuticle.
  5. Layer & seal: leave-in → Velvet Hair Serum → 1 drop Wonder Oil scrunched on the very ends.

Extra care

• Teatox Scalp Toner monthly (don’t over-detox).
• Microfiber towel / T-shirt blot; avoid rough towels.
• Keep heat low; let hair cool before final touch-ups.

Shop the routine

• Wonder Oil (pre-poo + end seal)
• Butter-Me Mask (twice weekly if very porous)
• Velvet Hair Serum (seal & shine)
• Kits & Bundles (build a cost-effective “layer & seal” set)

Ingredient cheat-sheet (pick what fits your porosity)

• Humectants (pull in moisture): glycerin, honey, panthenol
  • Great for medium/high; use sparingly in very humid climates for low porosity.
• Emollients (soften/condition): lightweight esters, botanical oils
  • Low porosity prefers lighter, smaller amounts; high porosity likes richer layers.
• Film-formers/protein (fill gaps, add strength): hydrolyzed proteins, amino acids
  • Helpful for high porosity; go light/occasional for low.

Special cases & local notes

• Hard water / mineral buildup: If water is hard where you live, rotate a chelating wash monthly and definitely keep Teatox Scalp Toner in the mix.
• Mixed porosity: Many have low at the roots, high at the ends. Treat roots light; ends richer (oil/serum).

Quick Routine Cards (save/share)

Low Porosity – “Warm & Light”

• Warm rinse → Condition → Butter-Me Mask (with warmth, weekly) → Cool rinse → Velvet Hair Serum (drop) → Optional Teatox every 2–3 weeks.

Medium Porosity – “Maintain & Polish”

• Wash → Butter-Me Mask (weekly) → Wonder Oil pre-wash (weekly) → Velvet Hair Serum (pea-size finish) → Teatox every 3–4 weeks.

High Porosity – “Layer & Seal”

• Wonder Oil pre-poo → Gentle wash → Butter-Me Mask (1–2×/week) → Cool rinse → Leave-in → Velvet Hair Serum → 1 drop Wonder Oil on ends → Teatox monthly.

Shop Your Routine

• Hair Routine Collection – shop by goal
• Kits & Bundles – ready sets for each porosity
• Wonder Oil – pre-wash & sealing
• Butter-Me Mask – weekly deep care
• Velvet Hair Serum – lightweight shine & frizz control
• Teatox Scalp Toner – smart detox cadence