Na Ha ZO’s Natural Hair Glossary – 50 TOP Natural Hair Buzz Words
NaturalHairZone.com has compiled 50 top hair buzz words that belong in any natural Hair Glossary.
Being a new natural and sometimes a seasoned natural can be daunting – especially with the acronyms and buzzwords that float around in the natural hair community.
But have no fear, the Na Ha ZO team has taken the liberty of compiling the top 50 natural hair buzz words to make your journey that much smoother.
1. FRO
Fro is short for Afro.
Every single natural knows that this is natural hair in its coily or curly gravity-defying glory.
2. TWA
TWA means Teeny Weeny Afro and means a small Afro.
A TWA is usually about ½ to 2 inches of natural hair. It is a natural hairstyle that many seasoned and new naturals rock in their natural hair journey.
3. Length Check
This is a common natural hair ritual where the length of hair growth is measured, usually after a set period of deliberate protective styling.
Length checks are done by naturals at various times in their hair growth journey. Some naturals favor length checks on their Big Chop anniversary or bi-yearly.
Doing a length check is a fun part of the natural hair journey. It allows one to monitor their hair journey and tweak the regime accordingly.
Want to grow your hair longer, naturally?
4. Length Check Shirt
This is a shirt/ top that is used to track hair growth progress.
Hair growth can be measured against points on the shirt/top and is usually in Inches or cm.
5. EL
EL means Ear Length. This is used to denote natural hair that, when stretched, grazes the top of one’s ear. It is used by some naturals to measure growth, before transitioning to a length check shirt.
6. SL
This means shoulder length – this is shoulder-length hair that grazes one’s shoulders when stretched.
SL is the most common and longest length that a number of naturals have achieved and for most naturals, real length begins past shoulder length.
This is also a marker of healthy hair as some naturals have not been able to get past this length due to unhealthy hair practices.
7. CBL
CBL is Collar bone hair. This is hair which when stretched, touches the collarbone.
This is an important milestone for most 4C naturals.
This is because it marks the eureka moment when naturals realize that their hair can flourish with correct natural hair practices.
8. APL
APL = Arm Pit Length. This refers to hair on your head that, when stretched, reaches armpit length.
This is a great marker for length and also around this time, a natural is over the moon. At this stage, most naturals have a pretty good grasp of what their hair likes.
9. MBL
This is Mid Back Length and as the name suggests, this is when natural hair reaches the middle of one’s back when stretched.
This is usually a big MARKER for naturals in the natural hair journey. A natural who has attained this length has done so through a consistent hair regime, protective styling, and being attuned to what their hair does and does not like.
10. Waist Length
Waist-length hair, as the name suggests, is hair that grazes / reaches one’s waist when stretched and is the holy grail for some naturals.
With the right natural hair practices and consistent regime over a period of time, this length is achievable for those committed to the journey.
11. Protective Styling
This is when the ends of natural hair are tucked away for a period of time, with little to no manipulation. This allows natural hair to take a nap and do its thing in peace.
Look out for our upcoming article on recommended protective styles (cornrows, wigs, dreadlocks, weaves, braids, and the like).
12. Bagging / Baggy Method
Bagging is when a shower cap or a plastic bag is wrapped over freshly washed or moisturised hair. It is then left on for a period of time to allow extra moisture to be introduced to the hair strands.
13. Greenhouse Effect
This refers to the baggy method over an extended period of time, allowing moisture and heat to be introduced into your hair strand, which has been known to facilitate hair growth.
14. Co-wash
This is when natural hair is washed with conditioner. Yes, conditioner and not shampoo!
Co-washing allows your hair and scalp to get clean while avoiding stripping the hair shaft of most of its oil. This usually happens with the use of harsh shampoos (owing to the sulfate ingredient added to it).
15. Clarify
To clarify means to cleanse the scalp with a product with a slightly acidic PH. This can be either apple cider water mixed with water or baking soda.
This is a common method used by naturals in conjunction with co-washing. It ensures a healthy scalp as well as eliminates any product build-up or scalp irritation.
16. Protein Treatment
This is when the shafts of the hair are treated, for a SHORT period of time, with products containing protein. The aim of this treatment is to strengthen the hair by introducing protein directly to the hair shafts.
Are you struggling with thinning natural hair?
There are store-bought products for protein treatments as well and naturals can make their own protein treatments using homemade products, such as rice water and egg treatments.
Time for Thicker hair, Naturally?
17. Deep Conditioning Treatment
This is when moisture is introduced into the hair shafts, using a product with moisture as the first ingredient, coupled with heat.
This treatment can also be home-bought or can be made at home with natural products.
18. Hydration
Hydration is the act of introducing moisture into your hair for extended periods. This allows hair to remain moisturised, even on days when you don’t actively introduce moisture to your hair shafts.
19. Maximum Hydration
The maximum hydration method is a natural hair care routine that aims to infuse hair strands with a maximum level of moisture. This is achieved by using a series of combined natural hair regimes.
This method is particularly helpful in dealing with dry, knotted, or frizzy hair to introduce moisture for a longer period of time.
20. Dusting
This is the process of managing split ends, through sniping a few inches off the tips of your hair to ensure that the damage does not travel further up your hair shaft.
21. ACV Rinse
This is an ACV rinse and it involves spraying diluted ACV (I part to 2 parts water) onto your scalp so as to clarify it.
This is usually done after co-wash / shampoo and is rinsed off after 5 to 10 minutes.
22. Rice water
This is a protein treatment where rice is left to ferment in a jar of water for a period of time. Then the rice is discarded and the water is used as a spritz to strengthen the strands.
Some naturals do this often however, for those with protein-sensitive hair, this treatment is recommended once or twice a month.
23. Hair Journey
This is the period during which a natural decides to consciously take care of her hair.
This is followed by good natural hair practices that don’t involve introducing any chemicals into her hair, as well as actively moisturizing hair.
24. Transitioning
Transitioning is a natural hair terminology to mean moving from relaxed or processed hair to natural hair.
This simply means that the previously processed hair will not initially be cut off. Rather, the natural will simply stop using chemicals on their processed hair and begin the natural hair journey without the Big Chop.
In essence, the natural texture is grown out, before the processed ends are chopped off.
25. Hair Porosity
Hair porosity is the extent to which your hair can absorb and retain moisture. In essence, this speaks to how much moisture your hair can retain.
26. L.O.C Method
The L.O.C method is a moisturising method used to introduce moisture into your hair. This is by firstly using a Leave-in Conditioner (to add moisture), oil (as a sealant), and then applying cream (to further trap moisture onto the hair shaft).
This method is commonly used by naturals with high-porosity hair.
27. L.C.O. Method
The L.C.O method is similar to the L.O.C method, except that the order of application is different.
Moisture is firstly introduced to the hair shaft using a leave-in conditioner, followed by a cream and then sealed off with a heavy or light oil.
This method is commonly used by naturals with low porosity hair.
Gain more insight into the L.O.C vs L.C.O debate.
28. 4A, 4B, 4C Type Hair
4A, 4B and 4C hair have less defined curls, with the hair bending at sharp angles.
29. 3A, 3B, 3C Type Hair
3A, 3B and 3C hair has more defined curls than 4A, 4B and 4C hair. Understand more on natural hair types.
30. HHJ
HHJ = Healthy Hair Journey
Healthy Hair Journey, in the natural hair community, means adopting healthy hair practices over a period of time. This means using natural hair techniques and regimes, to attain healthy hair, regardless of whether your hair is natural or processed.
31. NHJ
NHJ is an abbreviation for Natural Hair Journey
Natural Hair Journey means choosing to maintain natural (not chemically processed hair) by following natural hair techniques and regimes, as well as using appropriate products that promote the health, length and natural state of your hair.
32. JBCO
JBCO is the abbreviation for Jamaican Black Castor Oil – a staple in many a natural’s hair regime that promotes healthy hair and scalp.
33. Pre-Poo
Poo is short for shampoo and Pre-Poo means the process of introducing products to treat your hair before washing it.
This method is usually done to combat dryness that comes from shampooing one’s hair. This can be done, by for example doing a hot oil pre-poo before washing- or used to care for and nurture fragile hair back to health.
34. Plopping
Plopping is a natural hair regime that allows you to define your coily or curly hair after washing it.
This natural hair trick allows naturals to accordion their curls, by enhancing and retaining the defined spiral shape without frizz.
35. Regime
Regime simply means the routine followed by a natural in the HHJ / NHJ. Follow this link for a comprehensive breakdown of common NHJ regimes that are guaranteed to ensure hair growth.
36. Sealing
Sealing (Seal the ends) is a natural hair term to mean applying oil and /or cream to trap moisture (water or leave-in conditioner) that has been applied onto the hair shaft.
Sealing plays a major role in moisture retention.
37. Slip
Slip refers to how slippery a product makes your hair feel and is usually important when using conditioners or cream to finger-detangle natural hair.
38. W’nG
W’nG means Wash and Go. This is a natural hair regime where your hair is washed and then dried, with no other protective style but the defined curls and coils from the freshly washed hair.
39. Shingling
Shingling is a method where individual strands or bands of hair are generously coated with a layer of leave-in conditioner, with the aim of defining the curl pattern of the hair upon drying.
40. Product Junky
As in don’t be a product junky.
This term is used to mean a natural who purchases many products, that she does not necessarily use. Alternatively, if she does use them, she only uses it for a short period.
41. Pineappling
This refers to a natural hairstyle where the hair is bunched atop the head in a ponytail.
42. DIY
In the natural hair world, this means doing your own hairstyles or making your own products – so instead of relying on their parties, you take the initiative in your hair styling/product.
43. Finger Detangling
A number of naturals swear by this method, and this is when fingers are used to detangle the hair, instead of a comb or brush.
This is a preferred method for many a natural as it allows tangles and knots to be gently undone instead of ripping these out with a brush or a comb.
44. Creamy Crack
Creamy crack is used in the natural world to mean relaxers.
The word crack is used to denote a bad habit that is not good for you and an addiction to chemically processed hair that is not encouraged when pursuing the Natural Hair Journey.
45. Inversion Method
This method is used by some naturals to promote hair growth and essentially hang their heads lower than their chest.
This is done for an extended period, to ensure more blood flow to the scalp, and is akin to stimulating scalp massages.
46. Big Chop
This is used to denote the event of cutting off one’s previously processed or unhealthy hair with the aim of starting the NHJ, and committing to healthy hair practices. Starting your Natural Hair Journey?
47. HHP
HHP means Healthy Hair Practices. This means, amongst others, protective styling, co-washing, clarifying scalp, L.O.C method, L.C.O method, pre-pooing, ACV rinse, baggying and maximum hydration method, to name but a few. Click here to find our more.
48. Wrap
This means to cover one’s hair with a scarf or cap (preferably silk). The aim is to avoid the sealed oils/cream as well as moisture being absorbed onto pillows or beddings at night.
This is an important hair regime as it also avoids hair breakage or snagging, and helps maintain hairstyles for longer.
49. Oil Rinse
This is when the hair strands are coated with oil (usually heated over a bowl of water on the stove or in a microwave).
Some naturals prefer to wash out the oil before conditioning, while others use it before a pre-poo treatment.
50. Napiversary
Napiversary is a specific date used by naturals to mark when they had their big chop or the day they began consciously following a NHJ.
Sound off in the comments below, and let us know if we have skipped any new or old words that are frequently used by naturals on their NHJs.
