Hair History
In the 1960s and 70s, this voluminous, natural hairstyle became a powerful symbol of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
What is the Afro?
This sudsy product is used to clean the scalp, but many curlies skip it in favor of "co-washing."
What is Shampoo?
Instead of a rough cotton towel, many people use a towel made of this smooth material (or even an old T-shirt) to dry their hair.
What is Microfiber?
This 4-letter word describes the fuzzy, halo-like texture that happens when hair is dry or the cuticle is raised.
What is Frizz?
Curl patterns are often categorized by numbers (2, 3, or 4) and letters (A, B, or C). Type 4 hair is usually described as this.
What is Coily or Kinky?
This 2019 U.S. law (an acronym) was created to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids or locs.
What is the CROWN Act?
This is the act of untangling your hair, usually done while it’s soaking wet and full of conditioner.
What is Detangling?
Unlike a fine-tooth comb, this specific type of comb has large gaps between the teeth to prevent breakage.
What is a Wide-tooth comb?
This style involves twisting two strands of hair around each other, letting them dry, and then "taking them out" for defined waves.
What is a Twist-out?
This term refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and hold onto moisture.
What is Porosity?
Born Sarah Breedlove, she became the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. by creating a line of specialized hair care products.
Who is Madam C.J. Walker
This acronym stands for the order in which you apply products: Liquid (or Leave-in), Oil, and then this.
What is Cream? (The LOC method)
This attachment for your blow dryer spreads out the airflow so it doesn't disturb your curl pattern or cause frizz.
What is a Diffuser?
This term describes a hairstyle where the hair is tucked away (in braids, wigs, or buns) to minimize manipulation and environmental damage.
What is a Protective Style?
These are the natural oils produced by your scalp that have a harder time traveling down a curly strand than a straight one.
What is Sebum?
Invented by Garrett Morgan (who also invented the traffic light), this chemical product was originally discovered by accident while trying to reduce friction on sewing machine needles.
What is the Hair Relaxer?
Many stylist perform this step of applying oil or a specific treatment before getting their hair wet to detangle.
What is Pre-pooing?
This specific brand of brush, often used for defining curls, features a removable rubber base and nylon pins to create "ribbons" of hair.
What is a Denman Brush?
This "fruity" term refers to gathering your curls into a loose ponytail at the very top of your head to protect them while you sleep.
What is Pineappling?
This is the outermost layer of the hair strand; in curly hair, it often stays slightly lifted, which is why the hair can feel rough or lose moisture quickly.
What is the Cuticle?
In the 18th century, these laws in Louisiana required Women of Color to wear a scarf or "tignon" to cover their hair in public.
What are the Tignon Laws?
This clarifying process typically uses an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse to remove heavy mineral buildup.
What is Detoxifying
This heated tool is a hooded cap or a tabletop version that uses warm mist to open the hair cuticle for better deep conditioning.
What is a Hair Steamer?
This technique involves "raking" product through the hair and then using the fingers to separate and "flick" the ends into individual curls.
What is the Shingling Method?
These are the chemical bonds responsible for the hair's strength; they are broken and reformed during a permanent chemical "relaxer" or perm.
What are Disulfide bonds?