Natural Hair Terminology

So you’ve just embarked on this new healthy hair journey, but you have no idea what people are talking about. TWA, APL, Pre-poo…what IS that?? We’ll break it all down for you right here and get you on board for a successful journey to amazingly healthy hair.

BC: Big Chop. What one does in order to remove the relaxed portion of hair from the natural portion. 

TWA:  Teeny Weeny Afro. Very short afro textured hair, usually 2 inches in length or less. Often worn after a ‘Big Chop’.  

NL: Neck Length

SL:  Shoulder Length

APL: Armpit Length

BSL: Bra Strap Length

MBL: Mid Back Length

WL: Waist Length

BSS: Beauty Supply Store.

Pre Poo: Deep conditioning treatment done before shampooing. Usually done with a deep penetrating oil like coconut or olive oil.

Shingling: Method used to ‘shingle’ or separate individual curls with the use of a holding product, like gel, for curl definition.

EVOO: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVCO: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Co Wash: Conditioner wash. Cleansing the hair solely with a conditioner rather than with a shampoo. 

Cones: Silicones. Chemical ingredient found in many hair products that is not water soluble.  Must be washed out with a shampoo and can cause build up. 

M&S: Moisturize and Seal. 

W&G: Wash and Go. 

Transitioning: One’s transition from relaxed hair to natural hair by letting new growth grow out to a desired length. Usually precedes a ‘Big Chop’

3c/4a/4b/4c: Refers to a hair typing system. CLICK HERE to view.

Protective Style: Any hair style that completely tucks the ends of hair out of sight and away from environmental elements.

Low Manipulation: Not to be confused with Protective Style. Low Manipulation styles require little to no handling (touching, combing, brushing, pulling, etc). Ends of hair are not necessarily tucked out of sight.