Natural Hair 101
This three-step method is often used to moisturize natural hair using Liquid, Oil, and Cream.
What is the LOC method?
This chemical treatment straightens curly or kinky hair textures.
What is a relaxer?
This oil, often found in tropical products, is known for penetrating the hair shaft.
What is coconut oil?
What is hold your breath (or brace yourself for the reveal)?
This is what you do when your stylist turns the chair around and you're silently praying the style came out cute.
What is trimming your hair?
This common myth says if you do this often, your hair will grow faster—but really, it just keeps your ends healthy.
Shrinkage might be real, but it’s also a sign of this healthy hair feature.
What is elasticity moisture retention
Before applying a relaxer, stylists usually base your scalp with this to protect it from irritation.
What is petroleum jelly (or scalp base)?
What is glycerin?
You’ll often find this ingredient in curl creams and moisturizers—it’s known for drawing moisture from the air into your hair.
The term for arriving at the salon only to sit for 45 minutes before your stylist starts.
What is “Black people time” (or “being overbooked”)?
What is catch a cold?
We were told not to go outside with wet hair because it would cause this—but hair science says otherwise.
This tool with wide-set teeth is best for detangling natural hair without breakage.
What is a wide-tooth comb?
The amount of time you’re advised to wait between relaxer touch-ups.
What is 6–8 weeks?
What is curl defining cream (or curl gel)?
This styling product helps define curls, reduce frizz, and is often used for twist-outs or wash-n-go styles.
What is a deep conditioning treatment (or hot oil treatment)?
This term refers to a service at the salon when a stylist applies a heat treatment or deep conditioner to your hair using heat.
Despite what your auntie said, using this every day won’t actually make your hair grow—it might even clog your scalp.
What is Blue Magic (or hair grease)?
This popular hairstyle involves twisting two strands of hair around each other and can be worn out or unraveled for definition.
What is a two-strand twist (or twist-out)?
What is neutralizing shampoo?
This step is crucial immediately after rinsing out a relaxer to restore the hair’s natural pH and stop the chemical process.
If your product says "sulfate-free," it's probably because sulfates do this to your hair.
What is dry it out (or strip it of natural oils)?
What is a protein treatment?
You might need this extra service at the salon if your hair is super dry, fragile, or damaged—typically followed by a conditioning treatment.
What is washing hair infrequently prevents hair loss?
This myth said that washing your hair less often prevents hair loss, but cleanliness actually supports a healthy scalp.
This term refers to when someone transitions from chemically treated hair to natural hair without doing the big chop.
What is long-term transitioning?
What is a no-lye relaxer?
Some women opt for this kind of relaxer that uses milder ingredients and is considered less harsh than lye relaxers.
What are sulfates, silicones, and parabens?
These three ingredients—often found in cheaper products—are known to coat the hair shaft, cause buildup, and block moisture.
You tip your stylist extra when they do this to your scalp while shampooing.
What is give a good scalp massage?
What is washing hair frequently causes hair loss?
This myth says that you should avoid washing your hair often, or it will make your hair fall out—which isn’t true if done properly.