How to Determine Your Hair Type: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Sylvana Janssen

Every hair type tells its own story

We often describe our hair using terms like dry, oily, curly, or fine. But did you know that your hair type is more than just its texture? It’s a reflection of your unique inner balance, your dosha, your lifestyle, your diet, and your stress levels.

At AZEȲA, we believe that truly understanding what your hair needs begins with knowing who you are, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.

This guide will walk you through how to recognize your Ayurvedic hair type and care for it in a way that suits your nature. Because when you understand what your hair needs, you’re not only giving it shine but also calm and balance.

Why Knowing Your Hair Type is So Valuable

If you don’t fully understand your hair type, choosing the right care can be challenging. You might switch shampoos, try countless serums, and still feel frustrated because nothing really works. Sound familiar?

By linking your hair type to your dominant dosha, you can simplify your hair care routine, making it more effective and natural. And this approach works in the long term.

Step 1: Observe the Natural State of Your Hair
Do this on a day when you let your hair dry naturally, without any styling products or heat.
Pay attention to:

• Texture: Is it straight, wavy, or curly?
  

• Thickness: Does it feel fine, medium, or thick?
  

• Elasticity: Does it break easily or stretch smoothly?
  

• Shine: Is it dull, matte, or shiny?
  

• Oiliness/Dryness: Does your scalp feel tight or oily?

Take note of this to use in step 3.  

Step 2: Check Your Scalp
Your scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. How does it feel?

• Dry and flaky: Often linked to Vata
  

• Irritated or red: Indicates Pitta
  

• Oily or heavy: Often a sign of Kapha
  
  

Step 3: Identify Your Ayurvedic Hair Type

• Vata Hair: Fine, dry, brittle, prone to split ends. Low volume, sensitive to cold and wind.
  Scalp: Dry, itchy.
  What it needs: Deep nourishment, routine, grounding oils, and gentle care.
  
  

• Pitta Hair: Medium texture, prone to premature graying. Sensitive to inflammation or irritation.
  Scalp: Often warm or red, can get oily quickly.
  What it needs: Cooling, soothing, calming care and gentle herbs.
  
  

• Kapha Hair: Thick, strong, slow-growing, but full and shiny. Prone to oiliness, feels heavy.
  Scalp: Oily, sometimes itchy with heat or imbalance.
  What it needs: Stimulation, detox, lightness, movement.
  
  

Step 4: Consider Your Lifestyle
Your hair changes with your life. Stress, diet, sleep, hormones—all of these influence your hair type.

• Constant travel, irregular life and high mental activity? → Vata energy increases.
  Vata is the dosha of movement and change. If you're always on the go, skipping meals, or feeling scattered, you might notice your hair becoming drier, more brittle, or prone to breakage.

• Busy, ambitious, and focused? → Pitta may dominate.
  Pitta is fiery, and when your days are packed with deadlines, workouts, and constant decision-making, your internal heat can rise. This may lead to thinning hair, premature graying, or scalp sensitivity.

• Comfort, routine, and a slower pace? → Kapha becomes dominant.
  Kapha is stable and nurturing—but when it builds up too much, it can lead to heavy, oily hair, sluggish scalp circulation, or even buildup and dandruff.

Recognizing these patterns gives you insight into why your hair behaves the way it does, and more importantly, it empowers you to take the right steps to bring it back into balance.

Step 5: Discover Your Unique Balance
Now that you know more about the characteristics of each hair type and their Ayurvedic background, you can better align with what your hair needs right now. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. At AZEȲA, we've developed this free quiz to help you learn more about what drives you. In just a few minutes, you’ll know your dominant dosha and get practical tips on diet and lifestyle that align with your unique system and bring you back in balance.

Take the quiz

Let Your Hair Speak from Who You Are

Your hair is closely connected to the rest of you. It reflects your energy, rhythm, and self-care. By learning your hair type, you're tuning in to what your body needs, honoring your individuality, and choosing self-care that aligns with your essence. The result? Not just healthier, more beautiful hair, but a deep sense of calm, renewed confidence, and a clearer sense of direction in how you show up for yourself every day.