Dictionary

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Below is a list of some of the most commonly used terms in the natural hair community. This list will be updated regular and can be used as a reference guide during your journey.

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV Rinse

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

APL

BSL

Baggy

Big Chop

BKT

Banding

Bantu Knots

Bantu Knot Out

Box Braids

Budding

CBL

Creamy Crack

CG Method

Co-wash

Denman

Essential Oils

EVOO

Fluffing

Hair Type

Humectant

L.O.C Method

MBL

No Poo

Pre-poo

Pineapple Method

Sealing

Slip

Stretched

TWA

Twist and Curl

Twist Out

Transitioning

Wash and Go

Definitioner

Wash and Go

Wash hair and apply leave in conditioner, moisturizer, styling gel and go. Also known as WNG or W&G

Transitioning

A time period when you stop relaxing your hair and start to trim the relaxed ends to eventually have all natural hair.

Twist Out

A styling technique where hair is two strand twisted with product then its let to dry overnight or under a dryer. Then it’s unraveled when its completely dry to form beautiful curls.

Twist and Curl

Technique where hair is styled in two strand twist then the ends are curled with rollers.

TWA

Teeny Weeny Afro

Stretched

When your hair is lengthened to its maximum by blow-drying, twists, braids etc.

Slip

Describes how slippery a conditioner or a detangler is. The more slippery it is, the more effective it is for detangling.

Sealing

A method used to seal moisture in the hair by using oils.

Pineapple Method

Putting your hair in a high ponytail . Done to preserve a twist out or any other style while sleeping.

Pre-poo

Prepping hair with oils so that it will not be stripped of its moisture when you shampoo.

No Poo

Washing hair with No Shampoo

MBL

Mid back length (refers to hair length)

L.O.C Method

A way of moisturizing natural hair. You start with LIQUID, then OIL, then CREAM

Humectant

A substance that helps retain moisture in your hair; for example Glycerin.

Hair Type

Refers to the type of hair you have. There are types: 1,2,3 and 4 hair types. (Click here to see detailed page)

Fluffing

A method of separating hair with fingers or hair picks to attain volume and a particular style.

EVOO

Extra virgin olive oil

Essential Oils

Refers to a large group of naturally occurring oils (For example: lemon oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil,

Denman

Refers to a the Denman (a company) series of brushes; a brush that is used widely among the natural hair community to help define curls

Co-wash

Washing your hair with conditioner

CG Method

The Curly Girl Method. Its basically a no poo method of cleansing hair. Using conditioner to clean hair.

Creamy Crack

Refers to chemical relaxers

CBL

Collar bone length (refers to hair length)

Budding

The first stage in locking. Small, young sections that will eventually grow out and mature as actual dreadlocks

Box Braids

Method of braiding where braids are done in a box pattern.

Bantu Knot Out

Created by releasing the bantu knots to create a curly hairstyle.

Bantu Knots

A styling technique that involves parting hair in sections then twisting each section on one direction creating a knot then pinning it at the with a hair pin or tucking it in itself.

Banding

A styling technique that used to stretch natural hair. It consist of gathering hair in a section then use hair bands to band hair from roots of the hair to the ends of the hair. Can be done on wet or dry hair.

BKT

Brazilian Keratin Treatment . A chemical blown out treatment to temporarily straighten natural hair.

Big Chop

Also known as BC. Removal of chemically treated hair by cutting the hair down until only natural hair remains.

Baggy

A process of covering hair with a plastic cap overnight or for a few hours for the purpose of adding moisture to hair.

BSL

Bra Strap length (refers to hair length)

APL

Arm pit length (refers to hair length)

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

Ammonium lauryl sulfate is the common name for ammonium dodecyl sulfate. It is a lathering agent in shampoo that,s very drying and can cause damage to hair. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate are used primarily in shampoos, bath products, hair colorings, facial makeup, deodorants, perfumes, and shaving preparations, but can also be found in other product formulations.

ACV Rinse

Water mixed with apple cider vinegar then used as a hair rinse. It closes the cuticles of your hair which in return makes your hair shinier,smoother and easier to manage. You can also use Apple cider vinegar to wash your hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar, otherwise known as cider vinegar or ACV, is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple must and has a pale to medium amber color. Unpasteurized or organic ACV contains mother of vinegar, which has a cobweb-like appearance and can make the vinegar look slightly congealed.

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