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.

Cowashing - 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 sandwhich 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.

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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

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: This has to be said. These are techniques and products that I use, which work  for me. They may not work for you. Each head of hair is different. I am not advocating one product above another or being paid for any product reviews I do. I am sharing my honest opinion. I am sharing my journey to hopefully inspire and motivate others who are waking up to the truth that " Black women CAN grow long hair!"
God bless! ♥