Curly Hair Jargon Simplified
Curly hair comes with its own unique set of terms and phrases that can sometimes be confusing if you’re new to the curly community. Let us discover the most common curly hair vocabulary!
Pre-Wash Treatment
• Curly Girl Method (CGM)
What It Is: A hair care routine specifically designed for curly hair that avoids silicones, sulfates, and heat styling. It focuses on using moisturizing and gentle products to enhance and define curls.
Why It Matters: This method helps to maintain healthy, hydrated curls by avoiding harsh ingredients and promoting natural curl definition.
Personal Note: I do believe that avoiding silicones, sulfates, and other nasty products should extend way more than just for curly hair. It is a holistic approach to respecting our bodies, hair, and skin. It should be our natural state of approaching whatever we put in and on our bodies, skin, and hair, regardless of our hair texture and skin color.
Dive Deeper: Curly Girl Method (CGM) - Curly Girl what?
• Deep Oiling
What It Is: A treatment where oils are massaged into the scalp and hair, left on for a few hours or overnight, and washed out. It helps nourish the scalp, strengthen the hair, and lock in moisture.
Why It Matters: Deep oiling is essential for hydrating and repairing dry, damaged curls. It also stimulates the scalp, encouraging healthier hair growth and enhancing the natural shine of curls.
You can find our Pre-Wash Essentials here: Pre-Wash Essentials
Applying Products
• Sectioning
What It Is: Dividing your hair into smaller sections before applying products to ensure that every curl receives an even amount of product.
Why It Matters: Sectioning helps ensure that products are evenly distributed throughout your hair, preventing areas from being overlooked and promoting overall curl definition and hydration.
• Praying Hands Method
What It Is: This method involves using your hands in a praying motion to apply products evenly to your curls. Gently pressing the product into your hair helps to avoid frizz and distribute the product evenly.
Why It Matters: It minimizes frizz and enhances curl clumping by avoiding excessive manipulation of the hair.
• Raking
What It Is: A styling technique where you run your fingers through damp hair, distributing product evenly from root to tip, while gently separating and detangling curls.
Why It Matters: Raking ensures that your curls are properly coated with product, helping to reduce frizz, enhance definition, and maintain even curl formation. It also minimizes clumping, allowing for more natural-looking, separated curls.
• Scooping
What It Is: A method where you cup your hands to "scoop" product into your curls by gently scrunching upward. This technique works well with curl creams or gels.
Why It Matters: It encourages curl formation by lifting the curls and distributing the product evenly, while also reducing frizz.
• Scrunching
What It Is: A technique where you scrunch your curls upward toward your scalp to help enhance curl definition and reduce frizz after applying a product.
Why It Matters: Scrunching helps curls form naturally and encourages bounce by enhancing the curl pattern, especially when using gels or mousse.
• Finger Coiling
What It Is: A styling technique where you take small sections of damp hair and wrap them around your finger to create defined curls.
Why It Matters: Finger coiling helps to enhance curl definition, especially for looser or uneven curl patterns, and can be a great way to encourage natural curls to form more uniformly.
• Root Clipping/Lifting
What It Is: A technique where small hair clips are placed at the roots of wet hair to lift the curls away from the scalp as they dry.
Why It Matters: Root clipping helps to add volume and prevent curls from sticking flat to the scalp, giving your curls a fuller, more lifted appearance once dry.
• Bowling
What It Is: Bowling is a technique used in curly hair care to encourage curl definition and reduce frizz. It involves gently rolling sections of hair between your palms to form defined curls or waves.
Why It Matters: This method enhances curl formation and separation, which results in more defined, bouncy curls and less frizz. It’s a useful technique for those looking to achieve a polished, well-defined curl pattern.
Washdays
• Co-Washing
What It Is: Short for “conditioner washing,” this method involves using conditioner instead of shampoo to cleanse the hair.
Why It Matters: Co-washing is gentler on curls because it avoids harsh detergents found in other shampoos. It helps retain moisture, which is especially beneficial for curly hair that tends to be dry. It’s a great option for maintaining hydration and avoiding frizz.
Personal Note: If you're using Glowrious organic products, you’re already benefiting from the gentle, hydrating approach we advocate. So, while co-washing can be a great alternative for some, with our products, you're already on the right track for keeping your curls nourished and happy.
• Reverse Conditioning
What It Is: A method where you apply conditioner to your hair before shampooing. You condition first to hydrate and protect your curls, then shampoo to cleanse away impurities.
Why It Matters: Reverse conditioning helps protect your hair from the drying effects of shampoo by providing a moisture barrier beforehand. This technique allows your curls to retain more moisture, reduces frizz, and helps prevent breakage, particularly beneficial for fine or easily tangled curls.
Personal Note: I have never tried it though!
• LOC/LCO Method
What It Is: A styling technique used to lock in moisture. LOC stands for Liquid (or Leave-In Conditioner), Oil, and Cream, applied in that order. LCO is a variation where Cream is applied before Oil.
Why It Matters: It helps to ensure that moisture is sealed into the hair, reducing dryness and enhancing curl definition.
You can find our Washdays Essentials here: Washdays Essentials
Drying Time
• Plopping
What It Is: A technique where you wrap your wet, product-filled hair in a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel to encourage curl formation and reduce frizz while drying.
Why It Matters: Plopping helps curls dry in a more defined shape by reducing frizz and preserving the curl pattern, while also absorbing excess water without the harshness of regular towels.
• Micro-Plopping
What It Is: A gentler version of plopping where you use a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel to gently scrunch sections of wet hair, soaking up extra moisture without disrupting the curl pattern.
Why It Matters: Micro-plopping helps reduce drying time and frizz while enhancing curl definition, all without adding too much pressure or flattening the curls. It's a great step before air drying or diffusing for more controlled results
• Diffusing
What It Is: Using a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to dry curls. The diffuser disperses airflow, reducing frizz and maintaining curl definition.
Why It Matters: It helps to dry curls gently, preserving their shape and minimizing frizz compared to traditional blow-drying.
• Pixie Diffuse
What It Is: A technique where you use a diffuser attachment on a blow dryer to dry curls, focusing on a gentle, scrunched approach.
Why It Matters: This method enhances the natural curl pattern while minimizing frizz, offering a more defined and polished look.
• Lock Curls
What It Is: A technique or product usage aimed at defining and maintaining the shape of curls. This can involve using specific products or methods to hold and preserve the curl pattern. Usually, a light oil that you apply when your hair is completely dry.
Why It Matters: Locking curls ensures that the curl pattern stays defined throughout the day, reducing frizz and enhancing the overall appearance of curls. It helps in achieving a longer-lasting and well-defined curl style.
Our Products: Curly Hair Organic Lock Curls Oil
• Seal in Moisture
What It Is: Applying products to your hair to trap moisture and prevent it from evaporating. This often involves using oils, creams, or butter that create a barrier on the hair shaft.
Why It Matters: Sealing in moisture helps maintain hydration in the hair, preventing dryness and breakage. It’s particularly beneficial for curly and coily hair types prone to dryness.
You can find our Styling & Maintenance Essentials here: Styling & Maintenance Essentials
General words
• Curl Clumping
What It Is: The process where individual curls group together into larger clusters or "clumps," resulting in more defined and uniform curls.
Why It Matters: Curl clumping creates more defined, bouncy curls and reduces frizz, leaving your hair looking cohesive and healthy.
• Curl Definition
What It Is: The clarity and shape of each curl, can be enhanced through various styling techniques and products to achieve well-formed, distinct curls.
Why It Matters: Good curl definition ensures that each curl has a distinct, well-formed shape, reducing frizz and giving your hair a more polished and organized appearance. It helps showcase the natural pattern of your curls and makes your hairstyle look intentional and styled.
• Curl Pattern
What It Is: The specific shape and type of your curls, ranging from loose waves to tight coils.
Why It Matters: Knowing your curl pattern helps you select the right products and styling techniques to maintain healthy curls.
Diving Deeper: Decoding Curl Patterns
• Elongation
What It Is: Techniques or products used to make curls appear longer and stretch out the curl pattern.
Why It Matters: Elongation can help achieve a more elongated look, reducing the appearance of shrinkage.
• Frizz
What It Is: The appearance of stray or flyaway hairs that can make curls look less defined. Frizz often occurs when hair lacks moisture, is exposed to humidity, or is dried in the opposite direction of the natural hair.
Why It Matters: Managing frizz is crucial for maintaining smooth, defined curls and a polished look.
• Gel Cast
What It Is: The firm, gel-like coating that forms around curls when using styling gel. This cast is usually broken by scrunching once the hair is dry.
Why It Matters: It provides hold and definition to the curls. Scrunching it out reveals soft, bouncy curls.
• Humidity
What It Is: The air's moisture can affect curly hair by causing frizz or altering curl patterns.
Why It Matters: Managing humidity exposure helps keep curls defined and frizz-free.
• Porosity
What It Is: A measure of how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. High-porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it fast, while low-porosity hair takes longer to absorb moisture.
Why It Matters: Understanding your hair’s porosity helps you choose the right products and techniques for moisture management.
• Pineapple Method
What It Is: A technique for preserving curls overnight. You gather your hair at the top of your head and secure it with a loose scrunchie or silk scarf.
Why It Matters: It prevents curls from getting squished or frizzy overnight, preserving volume and curl definition.
• Seal in Moisture
What It Is: Applying products to your hair to trap moisture and prevent it from evaporating. This often involves using oils, creams, or butter that create a barrier on the hair shaft.
Why It Matters: Sealing in moisture helps maintain hydration in the hair, preventing dryness and breakage. It’s particularly beneficial for curly and coily hair types prone to dryness.
• Silicone-Free
What It Is: Products that do not contain silicones, which build up on the hair and prevent moisture from penetrating.
Why It Matters: Silicone-free products allow better moisture absorption and help maintain natural curl texture and bounce.
• Sulfate-Free
What It Is: Products that do not contain sulfates, which are harsh detergents that can strip natural oils from the hair.
Why It Matters: Sulfate-free products help to keep curls hydrated and prevent stripping essential oils, which is key for maintaining moisture balance.
• Wash and Go
What It Is: A simple styling method where you wash your hair, apply products and let it air dry without additional styling tools.
Why It Matters: It simplifies styling and showcases natural curls with minimal manipulation.
• Slip
What It Is: The ability of a product to provide smoothness and ease when detangling or styling. Products with good slips make it easier to comb through your curls without causing breakage.
Why It Matters: Products with good slips help detangle and reduce hair breakage, making styling much easier and safer.
• Refresh
• Glowrious
What It Is: A new term that indicates that you are taking care of your beautiful mane with Glowrious Products, enhancing and maintaining the natural beauty of your curls with carefully selected ingredients and holistic formulations.
Why It Matters: Embracing the Glowrious way means treating your curls to a blend of love and luxury. Our products are crafted with a dash of magic to make your curls pop and shine while keeping them healthy and happy. With Glowrious, you're not just styling your hair—you're celebrating its natural beauty, cherishing its unique texture, and honoring your commitment to a more ethical and sustainable hair care routine. It’s all about glowing with confidence and letting your curls sparkle with joy! Enjoy your natural Glow!
Further Readings
Do you have more questions? No problem, we have your back. Check our related blog posts: