A
ACV rinse : a clarifying rinse using apple cider vinegar
Air dry : drying hair naturally, without a hair dryer
B
Big chop : the big hair cut lots of curlies have to start their new regime
Blow out : a hairstyle achieved using heat and brushes whilst drying
Breakage : when hair snaps, due to being too dry, excessive brushing or too much protein
Build-up : when products load onto hair strands over time, not fully washing off
C
Cast : the hard, stiff structure that forms around curls when styled with certain products
CG approved : products allowed for usage within the Curly Girl Method
Clarify : the removal build up, essentially a reset for our hair and scalp
Clipping (or root clipping) : the use of clips at the hair roots to achieve more volume whilst drying
Clump : the sticking together of hair into curly sections
Co-wash : to cleanse your hair with conditioner and scrubbing of the scalp
Cocktail : several styling products mixed
Crunch : the hard cast formed after applying a product
D
DIY : Do it yourself treatment
Density : the number of hairs on your head
Detangling : removing knots and tangles from the hair gently
Diffusing : adding a cup like attachment to a hair dryer to aid in drying
Drying alcohols : ingredients with a short carbon chain that speed up drying time, but can dry hair
E
Emollients: Water Repelling ingredients that form a film on the hair strand, sealing the cuticle
Essential Oils: Highly concentrated natural oils, derived from plants
F
Finger Coiling: A curl training styling technique whereby curls are formed with your fingers in a coiling action
Fluff: A way to add volume to hair, using the fingertips to massage the hair roots
G
Glycerin(e): A moisturising ingredient found in many hair care products - a type of humectant
H
Holy Grail: Your go to products!
Hair Type: The classifications used to identify the kind of hair you have, from straight to coils
Halo Frizz: Frizz that sits on the uppermost part of your hair, forming a halo
Heat Damage: Damage caused to your hair when it is subjected to heat styling
Humectant: Ingredients that attract moisture to themselves from the surrounding environment
Hydrate: The act of moisturizing of your hair
Hygral Fatigue: Over moisturised curls!
K
Keratin: The protein your hair is made up of
L
LOC Method: A styling method involving applying leave in, curl cream and oil in that order. There are several variants of this inc.LCO, LCEG, LOG etc (E being enhancer, G being gel)
Layers: A cutting technique where different lengths are introduced to the hair
M
Moisturiser: a product that smooths the hair strand, helping to trap moisture in