Hair Terminology

 DISCLAIMER: I DID NOT WRITE THIS I GOT THIS FROM HAIRLISTA.COM I REPEAT I DID NOT WRITE THIS! SUNSHYNE, THE CREATER OF HAIRLISTA WROTE THIS I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD POST IT. ALL CREDITS GO TO HER 
HERE IS THE LINK( YOU MAY NEED TO SIGN UP TO SEE IT)




http://www.hairlista.com/forum/topics/hairlista-divas-intraining
 http://www.hairlista.com/
What is a HAIRLISTA (Hair-lee-staa)? HAIRLISTA is a posh name given to die hard Healthy Hair Care fans. Many women desire to become Hair enthusiasts, Hair Divas etc. since hair is an integral part of one's daily routine. A HAIRLISTA exudes Confidence, Hair and Product knowledge and Style! This site is all about embracing the HAIRLISTA within YOU!
Acronyms:

EL – Ear Length
NL – Neck Length
SL - Shoulder Length
APL – Arm Pit Length
BSL – Bra Strap Length
BSB - Below Shoulder Blade
MBL – Mid Back Length
WSL – Waist Length Hair
GHE – Green House Effect
NG – New Growth
BC – Big Chop
DC – Deep Condition
NTM – Neutrogena Triple Moisture
MNT - Mane N Tail
CW- Conditioner Wash
CWC - Conditioner, Wash, Conditioner
ACV – Apple Cider Vinegar
CON – Creme of Nature
WRTC - White Rain Tropical Coconut conditioner
BSS – Beauty Supply Store
PJ – Product Junkie
Slip – When the comb easily glides through the hair
IMO – In My Opinion
HHG – Happy Hair Growing
BHM – Black Hair Media
LHCF – Long Hair Care Forum
EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
EVCO – Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil
DIY – Do It Yourself
HTH - Hope This Helps
ETA - Edited To Add
TIA - Thanks In Advance
ITA - I Totally Agree
IA - I Agree
SMH - Shakes My Head
SO - Significant Other
DH - Dear Husband
DD - Dear Daughter
BRB - Be Right Back
BTW - By The Way
HE - Herbal Essences
HE LTR Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship
MMF - Mizani Moisturefuse.
SE MS MT Silk Elements Mega Silk Moisturizing Treatment
SE MC Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol
MT - Mega Tek
MN - Miconazole Nitrate
EO - Essential Oil
SAA - Silk Amino Acid
S&D - Search & Destory (Method for Triming off Spilt Ends)
FFOTD - Fab Foto Of The Day
LOTD - Look Of The Day
ALS - Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cones - Silicones
AOHSR - Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
AOGPB - Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner
Bumping - When you want to push/bump your topic to the top so that others can respond. It is more visible so that others can see it.

Definitions:

Pre-poo – Preparing your hair prior to shampooing. You do this by adding a moisturizing conditioner or natural oils into the hair . You can do this overnight or 30-40mins before you shampoo. This helps keep the moisture in your hair after you shampoo or clarify. Prepoo-ing helps keep that moisture in.

Co-washing - Washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. This helps to put moisture back in the hair without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

Protective Styling – Wearing your hair up in a style that doesn't put strain on your edges/nape and keeps your ends off of your back & protected from outside elements i.e Buns, Clips, Pony Tails etc.

Low Manipulation - Leave your hair alone! So barely manipulating your hair. The less manipulation the better which leads to less shedding and breakage which eventually leads to healthier hair. For example, Buns, Wash n Go's, Twist outs, Braids, Braid outs, Afro's etc.

Baggying – Putting on your moisturizer and then applying a plastic bag over the hair to trap the moisture in. You can either baggy your ends with a small sandwich bag or you can full head baggy with a plastic shower cap. This is very helpful treatment for those with dry damaged hair and dry ends. Check out my post on The Truth About Baggying.

Deep conditioning – Deep conditioning is a nice treat for those with chemical relaxers, colored, dry, brittle, damaged hair. Deep conditioning with a conditioner specifically formulated for conditions similar to the ones already listed will help revive dull lifeless hair thus giving it more strength, elasticity, moisture, softness, and shine. It is a really good way of replenishing lost moisture leaving it less prone to breakage. It's good to deep condition at least 1x per week.

Moisturizing – Applying a moisture based product to dry hair without washing it out. You can use a water-based or cream based moisturizer 1-2x per day. This helps to prevent breakage and increase elasticity in the hair.

Sealing – Using a natural oil to lock in the moisture after you've moisturized the hair i.e. Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. By using an oil over the moisturizer will allow your hair to stay moisturized longer.

Leave-in Conditioner – A quick way of adding moisture back into the hair after shampooing/conditioning. It helps to detangle the hair leaving it soft and manageable. Most leave-ins provide thermal protection for styling afterward.

Braid-Out – Braiding your hair in sections while hair is still damp after deep conditioning/co-washing. Air dry the braids. Once dry,unravel the braids and style. You can wear this style up to 3-4 days with little to no touch ups.

Stretching – Prolonging the time between relaxers. Instead of relaxing at 6 wks, relax every 8, 10, 12 wks.

Humectants – Attract and retain moisture from the air i.e Glycerin, Honey, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol.

Line of Demarcation - Where the natural hair and relaxed hair meet. This location can be very delicate so be very gentle when stretching.

Hair Type

2a, 2b, 2c
Loose curls

3a, 3b, 3c
Thicker, coily curls. Alicia Keys and Tracee Ellis Ross fall into this category.

4a, 4b
Kinky, coily hair. 4b is the thickest. Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill fall into this category.

STRAIGHT HAIR – Straight hair is classified as a 1. There is absolutely no curl pattern in the hair. It is completely straight. Straight hair is very sleek and shiny because there is no curl pattern, which allows the light to reflect off of the hair giving it a shiny finish. Some straight hair that appears dull is usually because it is damaged. Proper care is always necessary if you want beautiful healthy hair.

WAVY HAIR – Wavy hair is classified as a 2. Type 2 hair can be categorized as 2A/2B or 2C. Basically, 2A hair is fine, while 2B hair is medium. 2C hair is thick and coarse with a frizzier look. If you have type 2 hair, you have a wide variety of styles available to you. You can straighten the hair for a sleek look, or add tighter curls for a different look. The versatility can make the hairs texture look totally different. This hair type has a natural “S” curl pattern as it hangs.

MEDIUM CURLY HAIR – Type 3 hair has a tighter curl pattern. It can be categorized at 3A/3B and 3C hair. 3A hair types have a looser curl pattern, while type 3B hair has a tighter curl pattern and type 3C hair has a tightly curly look and may look slightly kinky. This type of hair has a lot of body and can be styled in many different styles. When wet, type 3 hair easily absorbs the water and shrinks quite a bit. But it is not as shiny as straight hair because the hair cannot reflect the light as easily. Type 3 hair is very springy. If you pull on it, it bounces back into its original curly state. This type of hair can sometimes be a challenge to straighten, especially 3C hair. However, if you blow-dry and use a hot comb or straightener the hair will have a smoother sleeker finish.

KINKY COILY HAIR – Tightly coiled type 4 hair is a lot kinkier than the type 2 and 3 hair types. Although this hair type is much coarser and appears thicker than other curly hair, it is actually quite fine. Type 4A hair has an “S” pattern to it, while type 4B/C hair is more wiry with a zig-zag pattern. Type 4 hair is hard to grow since it has fewer cuticle layers than the other hair types. Once brushed or combed it’s common for hair to break, leaving it shorter and easily susceptible to damage. (Note: Never brush dry curly hair as this creates frizz and can lead to breakage). An easy way to rid yourself of this damage is through proper conditioning, hot oil treatments and not putting tension on the hair daily with pony tails or styles that pull on the hair and add tension.Type 4 hair is extremely versatile and holds well on it’s own without the aid of styling products. Some common styles of this hair type are curly fro’s, afro puffs, two-strand twists, braids, straightening, cornrows and so much more.

The letters a, b and c after the number tell you how thick the hair strand is. One would think the thicker the strand the less fragile the hair. But, actually type 4c hair can be the most fragile because of the curl pattern and the dryness of the hair. Type 4c hair needs to be moisturized regularly & treated gently.

The Cuticle - The cuticle is the thinnest layer. It is transparent and consists of overlapping scale-like cells. It protects the cortex from chemicals.

Dusting - A very light trim. Cutting only 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. Good idea if you don't want a full blown trim.

Texlaxed/Relaxurized - Not letting the relaxer take completely to the point of being bone straight . Basically under processed on purpose. Gives your hair some thickness.

Shedding - Strands of hair with white bulbs on the root. Hair goes through a natural shedding period, so if you're taking care of your hair and it suddenly starts shedding a bit, don't be alarmed. If you are worried, try using Garlic. It helps to stop the shedding.

Breakage - Broken pieces of hair without the white bulb. This can be caused by too much moisture or protein. It can also be the cause of poor hair care.

Carrier oil - Known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils i.e. Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil etc. These oils can also be used to seal/trap moisture in the hair.

Clarifying - Clarifying your hair is always a good idea to remove the build-ups some products leave on your hair which can make your hair dull and lifeless. Clarifying can remove the chlorine swimmers get on their hair. A Simple clarifier i.e. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons shampoo. Lather, wait 5 minutes, rinse and condition. OR you can use 2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed into 2 cups of warm water, pour it on your hair, wait 2-3mins, rinse and condition.

Moisturizing Shampoo - Neutragena Triple Moisture Cream Lather shampoo, Creme of Nature green and red label shampoos, Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo, Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo, Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo, and KeraCare Moisturizing Shampoo.

Moisture Based Deep Conditioners - Mizani Moisturefuse, Keracare Humecto, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner, Keracare Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair, Crème of Nature Nourishing Conditioner, Atone Botanicals Reconstructer, Elasta QP DPR-11, Queen Helene Cholesterol, Herbal Essences Replenishing Conditioner, Jason Sea Kelp, Aubrey Organics Conditioners, Joico Moisture Recovery, Elucence MB Conditioner, Jane Carter Replenishing Conditioner, Phytonectar and jojoba conditioners, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask, Pantene Relaxed and natural mask, Nexxus Humectress, Hydratherapie by Biolage, Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner, Joico Moisture Intensive Treatment Extra Conditioning Conditioner.

Protein Based Conditioners - Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructer, Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Conditioner , Mane and Tail Original Conditioner, Ors Replenishing Pak, Aubrey Organics GPB, Nexxus Keraphix, Phytospecific Intense Nutrition, Motions CPR, ORS Hair Mayo.

Hair Serum - Hair serum makes the hair shiner and does not allow the hair to entangle. It protects the hair from the damages done by over exposure to sun and hair styling products.

Hair serum forms a thin protective layer on the hair strands. It returns the moisture lost due to exposure to sun, heat generated from the hair styling gadgets. It is primarily used for dry and frizzy hair, which breaks easily, or hairs that have under gone excessive chemical treatments like perming, coloring.

(Compliments of Hairlista mbr Leentora!!)Relaxing Bone Straight - Allowing the relaxer to "relax" the hair to it's fullest potential, making sure the hair strands are as straight as possible.

Relaxing Straight- Allowing the hair to get straight. But not bone straight.

Texlaxing - Allowing the relaxer to loosen the curl pattern and make it easily managable, not necessarily straight.

Texturizing - Loosening the curl pattern slightly, with no straightness at all.

Over-lapping - Applying relaxer to already relaxed hair instead of just focusing on the new growth.

Over-processed - Leaving the relaxer on too long, resulting in a bone straight/limp appearance.

Under-processed - Waves, curls and kinks are still present in the hair after a relaxer. The relaxer did not process/penetrate the hair enough.

How to prep your hair for a relaxer

First you dont want to manipulate your hair less than 3 days before the relaxer, this will cause your scalp to to irritated and its more likely to recive scalp burns.

You also want to give yourself a medium to hard protein treatment 5-7 days before relaxer, relaxing hair breaks down protein bonds. It can cause your hair to be very weak. Here are a few things you should do a 5-7 days before relaxing.
Clarify you hair
Follow up with a moisturizing shampoo
Use a medium or hard protein treatment
Then follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
I personally leave my deep conditioner on for an hour or more considering the shampoo and protein can dry your hair out.

Your hair my be dry to its important to moisturize and seal. I probably wont put any oil on my new growth when sealing because I want my relaxer to work to the best of its abilities. I will be oiling my scalp throughout the week trying to avoid putting any on my new growth.

Do not stimulate you scalp. ex: growth aids, scalp massages ect this may irritate the scalp causing relaxer burns.
Also do not comb or brush hair more than once a day, comb brush or manipulate on relaxer day or scratch your scalp on relaxer day.

Relaxer day. 
You need to base your scalp, behind your ears and around the perimeter of your hair line with oil or petroleum
You need to protect your previously relaxed ends by coating them with conditioner or oil to avoid over processing, over processing hair can cause breakage and weak strands.

Today, Monday I will be prepping for my hair for my relaxer on Saturday, I will be posting another blogs to show you how I Prep for my relaxer :)

If you have any questions just ask ill be happy to anwser! :)

Its been forever

Hey everyone I havent been on in forever im hoping to make new posts veryyy soon hopefully this weekend
:) . Cant wait to be back.

Hair Update 12/22/12

So first off, Ive been neglecting my hair. I havent moisturized and sealed for 3 days nor wore a silk scarf/bonnet and I have cotton pillow cases. If you didnt know cotton pillow cases can dry your hair out, while you are sleeping.
So I relized how dry my hair was and decided to use my moisturzing spirtz (conditioner,water,oil). My hair was super soft I then tied my scarf on my head then went to bed. When I woke up my hair was SUPER DRY usually my spritz moisturizes my hair. I tried to do a hot oil treatment but gave up cause my hair was so dry then I just took my V05 Moisture Milks put it on my hair and let it sit for an hour. When I rinsed it out I detangled put my leave in in my hair and put my hair into about 8 twists and put my bonnet on then a couple hours later, I took the twists down and bunned my hair. I should have known better, plus my last relaxer left me under processed, so basically I have underprocessed ng and 1 more inch from the past 2 months. I just wanted to keep you updated on how my hair is doing, since I've done that DC my hair is back to normal :)


Hope you enjoyed, more blogs to come :)

How I do my Protein Treatment

First I get a bowl and 1 egg I only use one egg because my hair is only shoulder length

Then I crack the whole egg into the bowl and add my oil
I am using the Africans Best Ultimate Herbal Oil

Then I use a moisturizing conditioner I will be using my aussie moist. I want to add a little moisture into the protein treatment since its a hard protein treatment

This is what it looks like before I've mixed everything up

Then I take a fork and start to mix the treatment up

 

I part my hair into four sections and slightly damp it so the treatment will go on smooth.

After Ive applied it to my whole head I leave it in for about 20-30 mintues.

When doing this treatment you MUST follow up with some type of MOISTURIZING deep conditioner NOT protein. Atleast leave the moisturizing deep conditioner in for 30 minutes minimum. Your hair WILL break like crazy and you will LOSE all your progess if you do not follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner. This is IMPORTANT! DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP!

Also DO NOT rinse out with hot or warm water you will have fried egg in your hair! No one wants fried egg in their hair. RINSE WITH COLD WATER

I hope this was helpful and I explained it clear enough, if you have a question leave a comment :)

Too Much Moisture?

Im starting to think I am having a moisture overload not 100% sure . My hair is breaking not like excessive but I know its way to much I think I need more protein . I havent really been incorperating alot of protein into my regimen for the past week or so cause Ive ran out of my ORS Replenishing conditioner . So I think I'm going to do a protein treatment with an egg, oil, and a little conditioner I dont exactly remember my last protein treatment maybe 3-4 weeks ago (I think) I think its time for another hopefully that the issue and see if the protein helps then follow up with a moisturize dc.. Ill make a post on how I mix my homemade protein treatment..

:)


How I feel lol....

Protective Style Challenge

I really want to reach my goal of grazing apl or close to it. I was thinking about doing a protective style challenge until March (My Birthday) When I will get a relaxer and a slight trim.

Here is a little information on protective styling , this information is from http://www.blackhairinformation.com
I DID NOT write this like I said this information is from http://www.blackhairinformation.com
Btw (Really helpful site check it out sometime)

Learn about the benefits of protective styling 

So what is a protective style? The clue’s in the title! It is simply a style that protects your hair, specifically the ends from all the breakage causing dangers we face every day. The point of them is  to keep the moisture in your strands where it belongs by keeping the ends intact.
Believe it or not, if your hair is about shoulder length, this is the period that it is most vulnerable to breakage. When your locks are constantly brushing against your shoulders, friction will do it’s nasty work and the clothes you are wearing, particularly cotton will sap the moisture from your ends and make them more prone to breakage. Enter the protective style, the saviour that will help you through from shoulder length to arm pit length and beyond.
Protective styles like weave extensions are utilized by longer haired ladies too. It stands to reason that if your ends are hidden then they cannot break right? So the long and short of it is that protective styling helps you retain length by keeping your ends intact. For example, twists and braids even at shoulder length would be considered protective styles as the ends are intact hence less prone to breakage.

Let’s face it however, protective styles tend to be a bit boring. Who wants to wear tight grandma curls daily and a chignon is only elegant if worn once in a while! Now the all important question; Is protective styling necessary? That’s a difficult one to answer as it really depends on the person. If you are starting with a solid foundation of good hair practices and a simple effective regimen then chances are you will already have protective styling in your styling arsenal.
If however you are more carefree, it might be wise to err on the side of caution and add a few protective styles to your regimen weekly. Who knows, you might find one that you actually like!
Whether your hair is shoulder length or longer, it’s wise to actually comprehend the purpose of protective styling. It is simply a means to keep your ends intact and not a way to wear your hair every day until the end of time. A bun worn daily may protect your ends but can play havoc with your hairline especially if worn tight. Ask yourself, what is the point of having long hair if you can’t enjoy it sometimes? Go on, show off your length and enjoy the fruits of your labour!


I will be on a 4 month protective style challenge even thought I protective style almost daily I am not going to manipulate my hair as much as I am now. By manipulating I mean I am just messing with it so much. Im not going to manipulate, basically just LEAVING MY HAIR ALONE! lol . I will start this on December 13th 2012 and end March 13th 2013. I will be sure to keep you updated! :)


A couple ideas of protective styles :


Bunning



Braids 







 Sew in's



















Wigs









And many more :) just a few ideas of some protective styles :)
Hope you enjoyed hopefully more blogs to come! :)