Curly Hair Glossary

BIG CHOP (BC)
Cutting off all the relaxed hair at once. Typically done when one wants to get rid of their damaged or chemically treated hair.


BRAID OUT
A style achieved by braiding the hair while wet or damp. The braids are unraveled once dry creating defined curls. The size of the curls vary depending on how big or small the braids are made.


CHEMICALLY TREATED HAIR
Hair that has been exposed to chemical-based products such as hair dyes, relaxers, perms, and keratin treatments.

Hair Care Recommendations

• Sulfate-free Shampoos


• Strengthening and Repairing Conditioners


• Deep Treatments and Leave-In Moisturizers


• Heat Protectant Serums

CO-WASH
A method of cleansing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo.


DEEP CONDITIONER
A moisturizing and repairing product used after cleansing. Deep conditioners are meant to penetrate the hair.


HAIR BREAKAGE
Not to be mistaken by shedding, breakage is when part of the hair strand breaks due to over manipulation and/or dryness.


HAIR CLUMPING
Combining the strands of your hair to become one bigger wave or curl. Often done when more definition is desired.


HAIR DENSITY
The amount of hair growing on the scalp per square inch. Density is classified as low, medium and high and has nothing to do with the hair's texture.


HAIR SEALING
The act of sealing in moisture to your hair, particularly the ends, with a hair oil. Commonly done as part of the L.O.C. method.


HAIR SHRINKAGE
A term used to describe the length reduction natural hair experiences.


HAIR SLIP
A term used to describe how slippery a conditioner or detangling product is. Products with more slip are best at preventing breakage when detangling.


HAIR STRETCHING
Referring to the shrinkage, stretching is styling the hair to “elongate” the curls. This can be through braid outs and twist outs.


HAIR TRANSITIONING
A term used when one stops relaxing their hair and is making the transition from chemically treated hair to natural hair.

Hair Care Recommendations

• Strengthening Shampoos


• Strengthening Conditioners and Treatments


• Heat Protectors for styling


• Moisture and Reparative Treatment Oils

HAIR TYPES
A system created by hair stylist Andre Walker that classifies hair based on the hair texture. The hair types are 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C; Type 2 being straighter and type 4 being the curliest hair texture.


HEAT DAMAGE
Occurs when excessive heat is used on the hair. Heat damages the hair shaft resulting in changing the original hair pattern and loss of hair elasticity. Heat protectant and reduced heat styling will help to prevent heat damage.


LAYERING VS. COCKTAILING
Layering and cocktailing refer to the way/order/method you apply your hair products when styling. Layering products is when you apply one product on your hair and apply another over it. Cocktailing products is when you mix two or more products together before applying it to your hair.


NATURAL HAIR
Hair that hasn’t been exposed to chemical straighteners including relaxers and texturizers.


PINEAPPLE HAIR
A style where the hair is worn in a high loose ponytail on top of your head. Commonly worn as a protective overnight style to preserve the curls.


PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLE
A style that requires little to no manipulation. Protective styles keep the ends of your hair protected as they are tucked away reducing the amount of damage the hair is exposed to. Common protective styles include braids, weaves, wigs, and buns.


SINGLE STRAND KNOTS
Small knots that feel like tiny beads along one hair strand. Single strand knots can result in breakage while styling or combing. Trying to untangle these tiny knots isn’t the easiest thing to do so many opt to trim them off or just simply leaving them alone.


TWIST OUT
A style achieved by two strand twisting the hair while wet or damp. The twists are unraveled once dry creating tight ringlets, large curls, or even waves depending on how big or small the twist are made.


WASH AND GO
A style where the hair is worn in its natural state after applying styling products. No tools nor braids or twist are done to stretch the hair.