The match-maker

Curl × Porosity Cross-Reference

Two strands of the same curl pattern can behave completely differently because of porosity. Find your row, find your column, and get the routine that finally clicks.

Curl Type	Best Porosity	Top Product Picks	Routine Focus
Type 1A Straight	low medium	• Briogeo Scalp Revival Shampoo • Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo • Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance	Clarify weekly with a chelating or charcoal shampoo.
Type 1B Straight	low medium	• Ouai Detox Shampoo • Amika The Kure Bond Repair Mask • Living Proof Full Shampoo	Clarify weekly with a chelating or charcoal shampoo.
Type 1C Straight	medium high	• Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo • Olaplex No.4 & No.5 • Moroccanoil Hydrating Mask	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 2A Wavy	low medium	• Bumble and bumble Surf Foam Spray • Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel • DevaCurl No-Poo Original	Clarify weekly with a chelating or charcoal shampoo.
Type 2B Wavy	medium	• DevaCurl Wave Maker • Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer • Ouidad Playcurl Wave Creator	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 2C Wavy	medium high	• Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly • DevaCurl SuperCream • Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Smoothie	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 3A Curly	medium	• DevaCurl B'Leave-In Miracle Curl Plumper • Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel • Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydra-Gel	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 3B Curly	medium high	• Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk • TGIN Twist & Define Cream • Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-in	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 3C Curly	medium high	• Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream • Pattern Curl Mousse • Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 4A Coily	medium high	• Pattern Beauty Heavy Conditioner • Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-in • TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask	Cleanse 1–2x weekly.
Type 4B Coily	high	• Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend • Pattern Strengthening Hair Serum • Camille Rose Curl Maker	Pre-poo with oil before every wash to reduce moisture loss.
Type 4C Coily	high	• Melanin Haircare Twist-Elongating Style Cream • Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter • TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-in	Pre-poo with oil before every wash to reduce moisture loss.

Low Porosity

Tight cuticle, water beads on top.

Matches: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A

Medium Porosity

Balanced cuticle, easiest to manage.

Matches: 1C, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A

High Porosity

Open cuticle, drinks moisture and loses it fast.

Matches: 1C, 2C, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C