Curly Hair Jargon Simplified - Glowrious Edition
Curly hair comes with its own unique set of terms and phrases. It can be so confusing if you’re new to the curly community. Let us discover the most common curly hair vocabulary! Curly Hair Jargon Simplified!
Pre-Wash Treatment - Curly Hair Jargon
• Curly Girl Method (CGM)
What It Is: A curly hair routine that skips silicones, sulfates, and heat. It uses gentle, moisturizing products to define curls.
Why It Matters: It keeps curls healthy, hydrated, and naturally defined without harsh ingredients.
Personal Note: Avoiding silicones, sulfates, and other harsh products isn’t just for curls. It’s a way to respect our hair, skin, and body — a natural approach for everyone.
Dive Deeper: Curly Girl Method (CGM) - Curly Girl, what?
• Deep Oiling
What It Is: Massaging oil into the scalp, left for a few hours or overnight, then washed out. It nourishes and strengthens the roots.
Why It Matters: Deep oiling repairs damage and boosts scalp health.
You can find our Pre-Wash Essentials here: Pre-Wash Essentials
Applying Products - Curly Hair Jargon
• Sectioning
What It Is: Dividing your hair into smaller sections before applying products so every curl gets attention.
Why It Matters: Ensures even product distribution, keeping curls hydrated and defined.
• Praying Hands Method
What It Is: Use your hands in a praying motion to gently press products into your curls.
Why It Matters: Reduces frizz and helps curls clump naturally without over-manipulating them.
• Raking
What It Is: Run your fingers through damp hair to spread product from root to tip while gently detangling.
Why It Matters: Coats curls evenly, reduces frizz, enhances definition, and keeps curls naturally separated.
• Scooping
What It Is: A method where you cup your hands to "scoop" product into your curls by gently scrunching upward.
Why It Matters: It encourages curl formation. It distributes the product evenly, while reducing frizz.
• Scrunching
What It Is: A styling technique where you gently scrunch curls upward toward your scalp after applying product.
Why It Matters: Enhances natural curl pattern, reduces frizz, and adds bounce
• Finger Coiling
What It Is: A styling technique where you wrap small sections of damp hair around your finger to shape each curl.
Why It Matters: Boosts curl definition and helps your natural pattern shine.
• Root Clipping/Lifting
What It Is: A technique where you place small clips at the roots of wet hair to lift curls as they dry.
Why It Matters: Adds volume and prevents curls from flattening at the scalp for a fuller, bouncy look.
• Bowling
What It Is: A technique where you put your damp hair between your palms to shape curls.
Why It Matters: Defines curls, separates strands naturally, and reduces frizz for bouncy, polished curls.
Washdays - Curly Hair Jargon
• Co-Washing
What It Is: Short for “conditioner washing,” it uses conditioner instead of shampoo to cleanse hair.
Why It Matters: Gentle on curls, keeps moisture in, and helps prevent frizz — perfect for dry curls.
Personal Note: With Glowrious organic products, you’re already getting this gentle, hydrating care
• Reverse Conditioning
What It Is: Apply conditioner before shampooing: hydrate first, then cleanse.
Why It Matters: Protects curls from shampoo’s drying effects, locks in moisture, reduces frizz, and helps prevent breakage.
Personal Note: No need for this with glowrious! I have never tried it, though!
• LOC/LCO Method
What It Is: A technique to lock in moisture: Liquid (or Leave-In), Oil, then Cream. LCO is a variation where Cream comes before Oil.
Why It Matters: Seals in moisture, fights dryness, and boosts curl definition.
You can find our Washdays Essentials here: Washdays Essentials
Drying Time - Curly Hair Jargon
• Plopping
What It Is: Wrapping wet, product-coated hair in a cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel to dry.
Why It Matters: Helps curls dry defined. It gently absorbs water without rough towels.
• Micro-Plopping
What It Is: It is like plopping, but you section your hair!
Why It Matters: Helps curls dry defined. It gently absorbs water without rough towels.
• Diffusing
What It Is: Use a diffuser on your blow dryer to gently dry curls.
Why It Matters: Dries curls without disrupting their shape, reduces frizz, and keeps curls defined.
• Pixie Diffuse
What It Is: A technique where you use a diffuser on your blow dryer while gently scrunching your curls.
Why It Matters: Boosts your natural curl pattern, reduces frizz, and leaves curls defined and polished.
• Lock Curls
What It Is: Techniques or products used to preserve curls. Usually, a light oil is applied when your hair is completely dry.
Why It Matters: Keeps curls longer-lasting and polished.
• Seal in Moisture
What It Is: Apply oils, creams, or butter to trap moisture and protect hair.
Why It Matters: Keeps curls hydrated, prevents dryness, and breakage
You can find our Styling & Maintenance Essentials here: Styling & Maintenance Essentials
General Words
• Curl Clumping
What It Is: Curls grouped into larger clusters, naturally!
Why It Matters: Well, it doesn't
• 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
• 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
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