The Natural Dictionary
Per recommendation of my readers, I have complied a list of frequently used terms and acronyms in the natural hair community. I don't know why I didn't think of sooner, especially with all my newbies around here. If you have any additional terms to add, please leave them in the comments section. I will post a quick link on the side of the page to refer to since this will be a living document.
- 2nd Day Hair = hair that looks good enough the day after styling that it can just be misted with water or have a little product added try to revive and refresh its style.
- ACV Rinse = apple cider vinegar rinse (used to clarify hair)
- APL = arm pit length
- AVG= aloe vera gel
- BAA = Big-ass afro
- BSL = bra strap length
- Canopy = the top layer of hair, which is exposed to the elements the most, and is prone to frizzing
- CJ= Curl Junkie
- Clarify = remove build-up from the hair via ACV, lemon juice, or shampooing
- Clumping = strands of hair clumping together to form bigger, chunkier curls
- CO = conditioner or "conditioner=only" as in not using shampoo
- CO wash = conditioner washing
- Condish = conditioner
- EOs = essential oils
- EVOO = extra virgin olive oil
- HEHH = Herbal Essence Hello Hydration
- HETT = Herbal Essence Totally Twisted
- ISO = in search of
- KCCC = Kinky Curly Curling Custard
- Pineapple = gathering hair gently on top of head with a scrunchie to preserve curls for 2nd day hair
- Pixiecurl diffuser method= leaving diffuser OFF, using the bowl to scrunch hair up to root, turn ON for 30 seconds=1 minute, turn OFF, and then repeat on next section of hair. Minimizes frizz and reduces the amount of disturbance on the rest of your hair while diffusing.
- PJ = Product Junkie (addicted to trying the next new, possibly better hair product)
- Plop = method of wrapping wet hair in t-shirt / microfiber towel
- Plop/plunk= Method for putting your wet hair into a towel to encourage curls (video on jessicurl's website)
- 'poo = shampoo
- no 'poo = no shampoo
- Sally's = Sally Beauty Supply
- SAO = Sweet almond oil
- Scrunch = encourage curl or apply product by gently squeezing/pushing hair upward from end toward root.
- Shrinkage = shortening of length due to curl tightness
- SL = shoulder length
- SLS = Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (surfactant found in most shampoos)
- TJ = Trader Joe's
- TWA = Teeny weeny afro
- Understory = hair under the top exposed layer
