Hair Types
Type 1
Straight hair Types 2a, 2b, 2c Loose curls / Waves Types 3a, 3b, 3c Thicker, coily curls. Alicia Keys and Tracee Ellis Ross fall into this category. Types 4a, 4b(4c) Kinky, coily hair. 4b is the thickest. Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill fall into this category. Also check: how thick the strands are. The finer the strands, the thicker it looks in bulk. However, this is very fragile hair! |
Hair anatomy
The Cuticle - The cuticle is the thinnest layer. It is transparent and consists of overlapping scale-like cells. It protects the cortex from the elements.
Line of Demarcation - Where the natural hair and relaxed hair meet. This location can be very delicate so be very gentle when stretching. Shedding - Strands of hair with white bulbs on the root. Hair goes through a natural shedding period, so if you're taking care of your hair and it suddenly starts shedding a bit, don't be alarmed. If you are worried, try using Garlic. It helps to reduce the shedding. Breakage - Pieces of hair without the white bulb.This is the greatest reason one doesn't see length: mainly caused by poor hair care practices. |
Haircare Techniques
Prepoo – Preparing your hair prior to shampooing. You do this by adding a moisturizing conditioner or natural oils into the hair . You can do this overnight or 30-40mins before you shampoo. This helps keep the moisture in your hair after you shampoo or clarify. Prepooing helps keep that moisture in.
Co-washing - Washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. This helps to put moisture back in the hair without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Baggying – Putting on your moisturizer and then applying a plastic bag over the hair to trap the moisture in. You can either baggy your ends with a small sandwich bag or you can full head baggy with a plastic shower cap. This is very helpful treatment for those with dry damaged hair and dry ends. Protective Styling – Wearing your hair up in a style that doesn't put strain on your edges/nape and keeps your ends off of your back & protected from outside elementsi.e Buns, Clips, Pony Tails etc. Low Manipulation - Leave your hair alone! So barely manipulating your hair. The less manipulation the better which leads to less shedding and breakage which eventually leads to healthier hair. For example, Buns, Wash n Go's, Twistouts, Braids, Braidouts, Afro's etc. Deep conditioning – Deep conditioning is a nice treat for those with chemical relaxers, colored, dry, brittle, damaged hair. Deep conditioning w will help revive dull limp hair, thus giving it more strength, elasticity, moisture, softness, and shine. It is a really good way of replenishing lost moisture leaving it less prone to breakage . It's good to deep condition at least once a week. Braid-Out – Braiding your hair in sections while hair is still damp after conditioning. Air dry the braids. Once dry,unravel the braids and style. You can wear this style up to a week without touch ups. Stretching – Prolonging the time between relaxers. Instead of relaxing at 6 weeks, relax every 8, 10, 12 weeks. Texlaxed - Not letting the relaxer take completely to the point of being bone straight . Basically under-processed on purpose. Gives your hair some thickness. |
Humectants – Attract and retain moisture from the air i.e Glycerin, Honey, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol.
Carrier oil - Known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils like Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil. Moisturizing – Applying a moisture based product to dry hair without washing it out. You can use a water-based or cream based moisturizer 1-2x per day. This helps to prevent breakage and increase elasticity in the hair. Sealing – Using a natural oil to lock in the moisture after you've moisturized the hair i.e. Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. By using an oil over the moisturizer will allow your hair to stay moisturized longer. Leave-in Conditioner – A quick way of adding moisture back into the hair after shampooing/conditioning. It helps to detangle the hair leaving it soft and managable. Most leave-ins provide thermal protection for styling afterwards. Dusting - A very light trim. Cutting only 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. Good idea if you don't want a full blown trim. Deep Conditioner Glossary
Moisture Based Deep Conditioners - Mizani Moisturefuse, Keracare Humecto, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner, Keracare Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair, Crème of Nature Nourishing Conditioner, Atone Botanicals Reconstructer, Elasta QP DPR-11, Queen Helene Cholesterol, Herbal Essences Replenishing Conditioner, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner, Jason Sea Kelp, Aubrey Organics Conditioners, Joico Moisture Recovery, Elucence MB Conditioner, Jane Carter Replenishing Conditioner, Phytonectar and jojoba conditioners, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner, Pantene Relaxed and natural mask, Nexxus Humectress, Hydratherapie by Biolage, Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner, Joico Moisture Intensive Treatment Extra Conditioning Conditioner.
Protein Based Conditioners - Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructer, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask, Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner, Mane and Tail Original Conditioner, ORS Replenishing Pak, Aubrey Organics GPB, Nexxus Keraphix, Phytospecific Intense Nutrition, Motions CPR, ORS Hair Mayo. |
Hair Lingo: Abbreviations
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Hair lengths
EL – Ear Length NL – Neck Length SL - Shoulder Length APL – Arm Pit Length BSL – Bra Strap Length MBL – Mid back Length WSL – Waist Length Hair NG – New Growth BC – Big Chop Hair techniques DC – Deep Condition CW- Conditioner Wash CWC - Conditioner, Wash, Conditioner S&D - Search & Destory (Method for Triming off Spilt Ends) Slip – When the comb easily glides through the hair |
Hair Forum Lingo
BHM – Black Hair Media LHCF – Long Hair Care Forum DIY – Do It Yourself HTH - Hope This Helps ETA - Edited To Add TIA - Thanks In Advance ITA - I Totally Agree IA - I Agree SMH - Shakes My Head SO - Significant Other DH - Dear Husband DD - Dear Daughter BRB - Be Right Back BTW - By The Way IMO – In My Opinion HHG – Happy Hair Growing HHJ - Happy Hair Journey BSS – Beauty Supply Store PJ – Product Junkie FFOTD - Fab Foto Of The Day LOTD - Look Of The Day |
__Natural Ingredients
EO - Essential Oil ACV – Apple Cider Vinegar SAA - Silk Amino Acid JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVCO – Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Hair Products NTM – Neutrogena Triple Moisture MNT - Mane N Tail HE - Herbal Essences MMF - Mizani Moisturefuse. MT - Mega Tek MN - Miconazole Nitrate WRTC - White Rain Tropical Coconut conditioner CON – Creme of Nature Shampoo Ingredients (can be harsh) ALS - Ammonium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate SLS - Sodium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate Cones - Silicones |
DISCLAIMER:
The featured techniques and products are what work for me. Each head of hair and body is different. I am sharing my honest opinions and my journey to inspire and motivate others who are realising that " Black women can do GREAT things!" #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlsruntoo #allthingsthroughChrist
The featured techniques and products are what work for me. Each head of hair and body is different. I am sharing my honest opinions and my journey to inspire and motivate others who are realising that " Black women can do GREAT things!" #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlsruntoo #allthingsthroughChrist
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