Do you ever come across words in blogs or even on social media that you don’t quite understand? Oh perhaps you’re watching a content creator’s video and they use some hair jargon you haven’t come across yet? Whatever the situation, we’ve put together a Black Hair Glossary to ensure you are left out of hair chats no more!
Term | Example Sentence | |
Fro | Short for “Afro”, is a natural hairstyle where Black hair is combed out into a rounded, voluminous shape. | "She is rocking that fro." |
Bantu Knots | A traditional African hairstyle where the hair is sectioned, twisted, and wrapped into small coiled knots. | "I love the way her Bantu knots look so sleek and stylish!" |
Benny & Betty | A popular South African hairstyle where hair is sectioned and wrapped with wool for a neat, protective style. | "When I was younger, I always had Benny & Betty before going back to school." |
Big Chop | Cutting off chemically treated or damaged hair to start afresh with natural hair. | "After years of relaxers, I did the Big Chop." |
Box Braids | A protective style where the hair is parted into squares and braided with or without extensions. | "I’m getting box braids for summer." |
Cornrows | Also referred to as Rows, are a traditional style where hair is braided very close to the scalp in straight lines or intricate patterns. | "Cornrows have always been my go-to hairstyle for protective styling." |
Coily Hair | Hair that forms tight, spring-like curls (commonly referred to as 4C texture). | "Her coily hair pattern makes shrinkage real." |
Detangling | The process of gently removing knots and tangles from hair, often using conditioner or detangling spray. | "It's so important to detangle your hair when wet to avoid breakage." |
Edges | The hairline or baby hairs at the front of the scalp, often styled with gel or edge control. | "She always has her edges laid!" |
Fade | A short hairstyle popular among men where the sides of the hair are gradually cut shorter as it approaches the nape of the neck. | "He just got a fresh fade—it looks super clean." |
Frohawk | A hairstyle where the hair is styled into a faux mohawk using natural Afro-textured hair. | "Bathong wena, a frohawk?!" |
Locs | Short for “dreadlocks”, is a hairstyle created by allowing hair to matte and lock together over time, often associated with African and Rastafarian culture. | "She’s been growing her locs for years, and they’re finally down to her waist." |
Moisturising | The process of applying hydrating products like oils and creams to hair to maintain moisture, especially for dry or coily hair. | "Moisturising your hair is key to keeping it soft and healthy." |
Pre-poo | A treatment applied to hair before shampooing to protect from dryness during washing. | "I always use a pre-poo treatment to avoid stripping my hair of its natural oils." |
Protective Styles | Hairstyles that protect the ends of hair from damage and minimise manipulation, like braids, twists, and wigs. | "In winter, protective styles save my hair from breakage." |
Shrinkage | When natural, textured hair appears shorter due to its tight curl pattern, especially after washing. | "I have serious shrinkage— my hair looks half its length when it’s wet." |
Twist-Out | A popular natural hairstyle created by unravelling two-strand twists to define curls. | "Her twist-out came out so defined." |
Wash Day | The day dedicated to washing, conditioning, and caring for one’s hair, often a longer process for those with natural hair. | "I set aside my Sundays as my wash day to make sure my hair gets all the TLC it needs." |
Wig | A protective style where a cap of hair (often human or synthetic) is worn over the head, allowing for versatility in hairstyles. | "I love switching up my wigs—it gives me a new look without any damage." |
Wool Wrap | A technique used in styles like Benny & Betty where wool is wrapped around sections of hair to create a structured and protective look. | "Wool wraps are so neat. They give, traditional!" |
Are there other words you use in your daily life that aren’t in the glossary? Share them with us and we will grow the glossary!
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