10 Natural Hair Terms For Beginners

So you can be the smartest and most on point natural hair lady in any room.

Hair Type

Via lipstickvillain.com

Hair types are a range of hair textures from thin and straight, to coily and thick, including:

1A, 1B, 1C - Straight

2A, 2B, 2C- Wavy

3A, 3B, 3C - Curly

4A, 4B, 4C - Coily

Determining your hair texture is helpful in figuring out the right products, regimen, and styles for your hair.

L.O.C Method

The term L.O.C. stands for Liquid / Leave In Conditioner, Oil, and Cream. The L.O.C method is a natural hair regimen, used in the order LOC, and has similar variations including:

* LCO - Liquid, Cream, Oil

* LOCS - Liquid, Oil, Creams, Sealants

* LOCO - Liquid, Oil, Cream, Oil

Try these out and see which method works best for you.

Co-Wash

Via curlsunderstood.com

Short for conditioner wash, this technique skips the shampoo, using only conditioner to wash the hair. When complete, co-washing enhances hair’s moisture, leaving the hair softer and more manageable. Those who co-wash, should shampoo intermittently to clean the scalp.

Pre-poo

Pre-poo or pre shampoo, conditions the cuticles and gets the hair shaft prepared for the manipulation to follow, it can be done the night before or day of, using oils, butters, creams, or some fruits.

Deep Condition

Via pinterest.com

Deep conditioning adds moisture back into the hair after normal wear and tear. This can be done with hair masks, creams, oils or a mix, and can be enhanced with a shower cap, or plastic bag and hair wrap.

Slip

<a href="http://Kisforkinky.com&#34; target="_blank">Kisforkinky.com&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; / Via simonedigital.com

Slip is the slickness of some hair conditioners, that allow your fingers or a comb to slip through your hair strands with ease. The more slip you conditioner has, the easier and less damaging it is to detangle.

Fairy Knots / Single Strand Knots

Via public.fotki.com

Fairy knots happen when a few hair strands twist around neighboring hair strands, creating a bundle of tangled hair. As a result of dry or split ends, fairy knots usually takes place on shoulder length hair or longer, and naturals who frequently do wash and go’s.

TWA

Via onebadbeauty.com

The term TWA stands for Teeny Weeny Afro, a short afro-shaped natural hair style. The look has been seen on the crown’s of Lauren Hill, Erika Badu, India Arie, and Issa Rae.

Protective Styling

Via blacknaps.org

Protective styles, literally protect your hair from external factors like dry weather, hats, and scarves. This could be a bun, braids, bantu knots, twist outs, weaves, and any other style you can think of that doesn't leave your hair out.

Heat Damage

Via longing4length.com

Heat damage, is the negative effect caused by heat from flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers. It can possibly alter the curl pattern, and cause split ends. To avoid hear damage, be sure to use heat protects before applying heat.