Why the Cup Test Doesn't Work to Test Hair Porosity

[@diane9489]

The easiest way to know one’s porosity is how long it takes when you wet your hair for the water to soak in. Doing the cup test my very thin fine hair sat on top for days - I foolishly thought I then had low porosity hair. Meanwhile in the shower the instant water hits my hair it’s soaking wet. There is a video of a woman at a salon washing someone with real low porosity hair - the hair repelled the water and it took quite a while of running the water through the hair for the hair to get wet. Now THAT is low porosity hair.

[@ashlynwade9191]

thank you for this that makes so much sense

[@violetblythe6912]

Good idea but there is a spectrum though too. Mine repels water but it's not as extreme as some I've seen. Trying to spray your hair wet is also a good way to test this. It takes a LOT of spraying for my hair to feel even remotely damp. It does take up to 10 sec for my hair to be fully wet in the shower, but I've seen it take almost a full minute for some. I think mine is somewhere between low and medium.

[@nancybass1962]

So glad God led you to this hair journey. I have learned so much from you about my wavy curly hair. I love that you look at all the science ( so I don’t have to!) thén you make it easy to understand . The very first videos I found went way too much into the science and just confused me.

[@SwavyCurlyCourtney]

Thank you so much!!

[@anneliesed]

What did you use for your hair for this video? It looks terrific.

[@perfectfifths6407]

Hi Courtney! I enjoy your videos so much. Such helpful information delivered by a sweet, fun personality 😊Among other tips and tricks, I've started washing my hair upside-down because of your videos. It makes it so much easier to get through my hair (it's pretty thick) to the roots. I've also started using a hairdryer for the first time because of CGM, and I was wondering, do you need/use any heat protection when hover and pixie diffusing? I've never used any heat on my hair, and so I've been a little hesitant about pixie diffusing especially, since the heat source is directly touching the hair 😅 However I don't recall seeing/hearing you mention heat protection specifically in any of the videos I have watched. Thank you for sharing all your wavy-curly-haired discoveries. You're my favourite wavy/curly channel that I've found! I especially love how you remind us that we are all "fearfully and wonderfully made" individuals ☺

[@tarajacks]

Thank you SO much for releasing this video! This is quite educational and I do see this misconception a lot. Over on reddit in the wavy and curly subs, a lot of misconception is thrown around and personal bias is used. I would love to see the published articles you've come across on your research so the rest of us can fully immerse ourselves too.

[@VengefulAngeI]

Thank you for sharing this info. It drives me nuts every time an influencer recommends the cup test🤦🏽‍♀️ Unfortunately, I know it's going to keep happening. Just the other day i saw a very popular influencer recommend & demonstrate the cup test, and I was shocked because she's usually a great source for info.

[@hgbigl]

Your hair looks so good in this video! What products did you use?!

[@cutebubbles2007]

It is true that we might even have different porosities in our hair. I went to a curly hair salon some years ago and the stylist told me that my hair was high porosity because how quickly it gets wet (she did this when spraying water on my hair) also I have personally felt that my hair absorbs product very quickly another sign of high porosity hair. I know this is not scientific but it can help.

[@NintenJon64]

I’ve found my best results happen when I really take the time to scrunch different hair products in thoroughly with my low porosity hair. When hair starts to bounce after the application of conditioners or styling products in the shower, that is when I know it is happy and doesn’t need any more scrunching as it has absorbed all of those ingredients. 😊

[@FaceItGrace]

One of the best deciders of porosity is damage, whether by heat or chemicals. I'd taken a break from dyeing my hair when I found out I didn't just have poofy straight hair. Now I'm trying to grow out the bleach damage I got when I had it highlighted earlier this year. I want to get highlights again but definitely won't get it bleached any time soon. I didn't just make that decision on a whim, it was a pretty low porosity before and I had deep conditioned and used bonding products every week for a month before then. I'd like to see you try reverse washing if you haven't already in a Pantene one brand wash day! I notice plenty of people like Pantene now compared to ten years ago.

[@dena-mo118]

Such great information. One less thing to worry about for sure. 🙂

[@SwavyCurlyCourtney]

Very true!

[@EstherK06]

I totally 💯 agree! My hair porosity (medium was my best guess) has not helped me choose a technique or product. I have coarse, long hair. Hard hold and volume is what I go for.

[@jmvinva]

Brand for you to try - Chris Christensen but for your dog! Kinda pricy, but the Clean Start clarifying shampoo will change your dog grooming game. Removes residue and gets the coat really really clean. My BC & Aussie get washed with this & it gets rid of build-up from conditioners on their coats. The Ice on Ice spray gets rid of matting. I learned about this brand from a person who shows Aussies. It goes to what you are talking about with formulation & needs.

[@ceystal]

I did a hair analysis with lemma labs about two year ago. I would say my results were really good

[@MewsView]

"All the hold always. All the time. The more hold, the more better." 😂😂😂 I am right there with you. I must have the crunchiest of casts for a "successful" wash day. And since I'm an afternoon styler + sleep in the cast, I spend half my day walking around the house with crunchy curls. But it means I get to stay on the curly side of wavy/curly for longer.

[@simplycurlyde]

What about spraying/misting water on clean, product free hair? I tried it with the front section of my hair,where it's grey, and the water droplets just sat on the surface "forever". When I squeeze it, it becomes almost dry.

[@sharonchancey8938]

My hair is 100% bleached blonde to cover all the gray 😊

[@MyLadyGodiva]

I did try the cup test last summer and it was ridiculous. It floated on my, then chemically straightenen and, coloured hair...

[@chandragray8186]

Mine is super fine, but it did sink nearly to the bottom. We live in a dry climate, however I know my hair dries really fast. Air drying without product, takes less time than blow drying with product. I also know a good amount is now white which adds to that.

[@chandragray8186]

I just like using what works for me. I know that my hair likes a protein mask more than a regular hydrating mask. I like lighter weight products that are also moisturizing. Strong hold from my gel, for my fine waves.

[@ti3658]

So - what do us incredibly fine haired people do? :(

[@user-kf2bl1om6c]

I literally just had tested for porosity and was surprised to find out that what I thought was my low porosity hair, is actually high porosity! 😮

[@SwavyCurlyCourtney]

Ohh interesting!

[@dkb2375]

Generally speaking, if your hair is colored/highlighted/damaged, it's higher porosity, right?

[@SwavyCurlyCourtney]

Yes that is the general consensus! 🤗

[@mhuhn776]

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; my body doesn’t make/use collagen normally. Can this make my hair come out high porosity despite the fact I have virgin hair? It seems like it would…

[@victoriaxa]

💕💕💕