"What's my curl type?" is the wrong first question. The right question is what's your match — the combination of pattern, porosity, density, and UK climate that determines what works for your specific head. This is the curl-archetype guide that pairs with our AI Hair Analyser, with 8 named personas and a full product stack for each.
Why "what's my curl type?" is the wrong first question
Curl type tells you a third of the story. The other two-thirds:
- Porosity — determines whether your products can penetrate.
- Density — determines how much product you need.
- Climate — UK humidity changes which ingredients help vs hurt.
Two 3B heads can need completely different routines if one is low-porosity and one is high-porosity. The chart-only approach hides the variables that actually matter.
Take the quiz now
Our AI Hair Analyser takes 30 seconds and identifies your full match (pattern + porosity + density + climate-adjusted product picks). Upload a clear photo of clean, damp hair with no product. The analyser returns a personalised diagnosis.
How the quiz works
The analyser combines:
- Visual pattern detection (curl loop diameter and frequency).
- Density estimation (strand count per cm² visible in photo).
- Porosity inference from texture cues (frizz pattern, sheen, end thickness).
- UK postcode-based climate input (water hardness, average humidity).
The result is matched to one of eight curl archetypes — each with a 5-product Zenvy stack and routine cadence.
The 8 curl archetypes
1. The Loose Wavy Lowporo (2A-2B + low porosity)
Wavy with a tendency to go limp. Build-up is your enemy. Use lightweight stylers, clarify monthly. Stack: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream, The Doux MOUSSE DEF, Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying.
2. The Defined 3A Mediumporo
The textbook curl-care routine works perfectly for you. Stack: Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner, Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel, SheaMoisture Curl Smoothie.
3. The Volumous 3B Highporo
Gorgeous wet, frizzy by lunchtime. Bond builders + sealing oils. Stack: Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab, Innersense I Create Curl Memory, The Doux Silent Treatment.
4. The Tight 3C Lowporo
Water beads on your hair. Heat-conditioning is essential. Stack: Innersense Hairbath, Camille Rose Curl Maker, Ecoslay Orange Marmalade.
5. The Soft 4A Highporo
Defined coils when wet, frizzy and dry by Day 2. LOC method, weekly protein. Stack: Oyin Hair Dew, Camille Rose Almond Jai, Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab.
6. The Cottony 4B
Z-pattern, prone to single-strand knots. Protective styles essential. Stack: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Conditioner, Oyin Boing!, Bounce Curl Satin Bonnet.
7. The Resilient 4C
Tightest pattern, highest shrinkage. Heavy moisture + sealing. Stack: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, UFD Supercurl Miracle Moisture Creme, The Doux 808 Base Gel.
8. The Mixed-Pattern Head
Multiple patterns across the head (looser at front, tighter at back, etc). Routine: identify your dominant pattern (where most of the hair sits), product-shop for that, adjust quantity by section. Most heads fit this archetype somewhat.
Full routine for each archetype
Each of the 8 stacks above translates into a full wash-day routine. The AI Hair Analyser gives you the matched 5-product stack and the wash-day instructions for your archetype.
Edge cases
- Mixed types: Identify dominant pattern. Use that as your base routine. Adjust amounts by section.
- Post-partum changes: Hormonal shifts can move you from 2C to 3B (or vice versa). Re-take the quiz quarterly during the first year postpartum.
- Post-colour shifts: Colour treatment commonly raises porosity. If your routine stops working after a colour appointment, your archetype likely shifted to a higher-porosity version.
Save your result
Take the AI Hair Analyser quiz to find your archetype and get matched products delivered to your inbox.
FAQs
How accurate is the AI Hair Analyser?
It's directional — pattern detection is accurate within one Walker subcategory. Porosity is inferred from visible cues, so cross-check with a float test if uncertain.
What if my hair doesn't fit any archetype?
Most heads fit a mix. Pick the closest archetype as your base routine, then adjust based on what you observe in your hair over 4-6 weeks.
Can my archetype change?
Yes — pregnancy, menopause, post-COVID, colour treatment, and major life changes all shift archetype. Re-take the quiz every 6 months or after significant changes.
Do I have to buy the recommended stack?
No — the recommendations are starting points. Use them to understand what your archetype needs (texture-building vs moisture-sealing vs bond-building) and shop accordingly.
Why does the AI need a photo?
Visual pattern detection requires it. We don't store photos — they're processed in real-time and discarded.
Take the AI Hair Analyser now or browse all curl types.
Author: Emma Rusby, Founder of Zenvy Beauty.
