Texture, density, movement and color are characteristics, which determine the look of our natural hair. Hair texture is the size or dimension of each hair shaft. Coarse hair is springy, usually thick and strong, sometimes glossy but often wiry and lacking sheen. Fine hair is silky, usually shiny, soft and slippery.

Whether hair is thick or thin depends on it's density or the number of hair follicles one is born with. Blondes have the most, then browns, and reds the least.

Hair movement is determined by the growth pattern in the papilla, which defines the shape of the hair shaft. Straight hair is smooth and strong, whether fine or coarse. It lays flats when wet. Wavy hair has lots of movement, more when it is short. It waves more when wet. Curly hair is springy, usually coarse and strong, with a tendency to be frizzy.

The natural coloring of hair is due to the pigment called melanin, which is present in the cortex. The difference in hair color is determined by the percentage of the 4 natural pigments (black, brown, red and yellow), and the number of air spaces in the cortex of the hair.