Mixed Porosity Hair Guide and Best Products
Mixed porosity hair has different porosity levels throughout the hair shaft, often with more damaged or porous ends and healthier roots. This can be caused by heat or coloring damage, or from having long hair (the ends become more porous due to everyday wear and tear). This type of hair requires a balanced approach to care.
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Characteristics
- Greasy roots and dry ends
- Uneven drying time throughout hair
- Can be prone to both buildup and dryness
- May require different products for different sections
Care Tips
- Use lighter products near roots and heavier ones on ends
- Section hair when applying products to target different needs
- Protect the ends with a pre-poo when shampooing or clarifying
- Deep condition focusing on the ends
- Consider protein treatments for the ends
Build Your Routine
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1. Cleanse
Choose your cleanser based on your needs
For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use pre-poo on ends, then shampoo on roots and gentler shampoos/cowashes on ends. Clarify every 2-3 weeks.
pre-poo
These products are meant to be used before washing to help protect your hair from stress and damage.
Bonding Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Repairs bonds, prevents split ends, and reduces breakage by 70% while improving detangling by 90% after one use
Bond Curl Rehab Salve, Bond Building Strength Treatment for Weak, Damaged Hair
A protein-rich bond-building treatment that targets all 3 hair bonds to repair, strengthen, and reduce damage—formulated specifically for curls
No. 3 Hair Perfector
A pre-shampoo treatment to repair and strengthen hair from the inside out
clarifying shampoos
Heavier shampoos meant to remove long-term buildup from oils, products, and hard water. Meant to be used occasionally, as they are much stronger than regular shampoos.
Clarifying Shampoo
Remove buildup from products, pollutants, and hard water with this salon-grade clarifying wash
Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
A strong, sulfate-based cleanser designed to deep-clean the scalp and hair, removing product buildup, oils, and residues.
shampoos
Cleansers that remove buildup and oil from your hair. Essential for low-porosity hair and should be used on other porosity types at least occasionally.
No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Uses Olaplex’s bonding technology to gently cleanse, strengthen, and add shine while repairing damage
Hydration Shampoo
Replenishes dry, thirsty hair with a medium cleanse and a touch of protein for added bounce
Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
A strong, sulfate-based cleanser designed to deep-clean the scalp and hair, removing product buildup, oils, and residues.
cowashes
Gentle, non-lathering cleansers that clean without stripping natural oils. Use these for daily wash if you have high-porosity hair.
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2. Condition
Choose your conditioner based on your needs
For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use conditioner every wash and deep conditioner every 1-2 months
conditioners
Products that add moisture and help detangle hair. Almost everyone needs conditioner!
No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
A highly concentrated conditioner with Olaplex’s bonding technology that repairs hair prone to damage or dryness
Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner
With only 7 ingredients and no oils, this conditioner is ideal for those with low porosity hair.
deep conditioners
Intensive treatments that restore moisture and repair damage. Essential at least weekly for high porosity hair and good for all porosity types occasionally.
Healing Moisture Moi Moi Hair Masque
A rich, hydrating masque to restore extremely dry, brittle hair.
Hydration Mask
Amazonian oils and protein-bonding sugars that deliver deep hydration for revitalized, shiny, and smooth hair
Omega 9 Hair Mask
Moisture and low protein penetrate deeply to strengthen, soften, and hydrate hair from root to tip
3. Protect
Choose a product that helps protect your hair
For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use a leave in or cream on the ends
leave ins
Light conditioners that stay in your hair to provide ongoing moisture. Most important for high-porosity hair. May weigh down low-porosity hair.
Slip Detangler
Loosens knots, adds moisture, and locks in color without buildup or dullness
No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Shields hair from pollution and protects against heat damage while adding satin shine and reducing static and tangles
Rice Pudding Leave-In Conditioner and Moisturizer
creams
Rich moisturizers that help define and shape curls, and provide a barrier to protect against moisture loss. Essential for high-porosity hair. May weigh down low-porosity hair.
Bounce Styling Cream
A versatile styling cream that delivers bouncy, defined, shiny, and hydrated hairstyles in one step.
Curl Passion Curl Perfectionist
Tames frizz, enhances natural texture, provides light hold, and contains protein for added strength
Curl Talk Curl Cream
Defines curls, seals in moisture, controls frizz, and adds shine for bouncy, polished curls
4. Enhance
Choose a product that helps enhance your curls
For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Choose either a gel or custard
gels
Styling products that provide hold and definition. Useful for all porosity types.
No. 10 Bond Shaper Gel
A humidity-resistant gel with flexible hold that fights frizz, hydrates, and strengthens curl bonds
Gelebration Spray
Technically not a custard, but serves the same purpose
custards
Thick styling products that provide moisture and definition. Useful for all porosity types.
Gelebration Spray
Technically not a custard, but serves the same purpose
Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion
A unique liquid gel that moisturizes with natural film-forming humectants and helps enhance and define curls
5. Seal
Choose a product that helps seal in moisture, some gels from the previous step do this so if you already used a gel meant to seal, skip this step
For mixed porosity hair, we recommend: Use an oil, serum, or moisturizing spray on the ends and a foam or spray on the rest of your hair
oils
Optional finishing products that can help seal in moisture. Best for high porosity hair.
Neem Plant Silk Serum
A styling serum formulated to add softness and silkiness to dry, rough hair and protect from heat damage.
No. 7 Bonding Oil
Lightweight oil that adds shine, reduces breakage, controls frizz for 72 hours, and protects against heat up to 450°F
A Walk in The Sun Luxury Hair Oil
A lightweight, hair oil that locks in moisture (without the grease), unlocks beachy waves, and uplifts your shine.
foams
Light styling products that add volume and definition without weight. A great option for low-porosity hair.
Mousse Def Texture Foam
Light to medium-hold curl mousse that is great for creating curl definition
Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
A lightweight foam helps build volume and provides humidity protection
sprays
Optional finishing products that can help seal in moisture and lock in styles.
Spray Gel
Spray gel that delivers the hold of a gel with added definition, volume, and shine—made with gentle, natural ingredients
Pamper My Curls All-in-One Moisture Mist
A lightweight, oil-free mist that moisturizes and refreshes curls without weighing them down