Curl pattern gets all the attention, but porosity and density decide more of your day-to-day. This coach establishes all four properties from how your hair behaves, then builds a routine that matches - including what to stop doing.
Pattern is the shape (straight through to tight coil). Porosity is how readily the cuticle takes water in and lets it out. Density is how many strands you have. Width is how thick each strand is. A fine, high-density 3b head and a coarse, low-density 3b head want almost opposite products, which is why pattern alone never explained your results.
Drop a clean strand in water and watch what it does. Time how long your hair takes to soak in the shower. Look at how much scalp shows when you part it dry. Roll a strand between your fingers against a piece of thread. None of this needs a salon, and together they narrow the routine dramatically.
High porosity wants sealing and protein; low porosity wants heat to open the cuticle and lightweight product that will not sit on top. Fine, dense hair drowns in butters. Coarse, low-density hair laughs at mousse. The coach turns your four properties into wash frequency, product weight and drying method rather than a shopping list.
Is the 1a-4c system reliable?
As a shorthand for pattern, yes. As a complete description of your hair, no - which is why this covers porosity, density and strand width too.
Can I have more than one curl pattern?
Most curly heads do. The nape, crown and front often differ, and the routine should be built for the loosest section so it does not weigh the tightest one down.
Will it recommend brands?
No. It tells you what to look for on the ingredients list and in what order, which outlives any brand recommendation.
Is it free?
Yes, and no signup is needed.