This page is a glossary of common Natural/Bi-racial/African American hair terms including styles and the like.
Afro- Afro sometimes known as natural is pretty much just combing or picking out your naturaly curly or 'kinky' hair. Usually shaping it into a round style.
Box Braids- A box braid is when you part your hair into multiple square 'boxes' and braid the hair inside each box.
Braid Out- A braid out is simple when you braid up your hair and when you take it out you leave it kinky/curly and go!
Condition- Applying a leave in or wash out moisturizing cream.
Cornrows- A cornrow is a braid that is kept close to the scalp. They can be done going straight back on the head or in different designs.
Co-Wash- Washing the hair with only conditioner.
Deep Condition- There a few ways that I know how to deep condition.
- Apply a good amount of moisturizing conditioner or a homemade/store bought deep condition treatment. Leave on hair for 5-30+ minutes covered or uncovered.
- Apply conditioner and cover then sit under a dryer for 20+minutes.
Faux-Hawk- A style that imitates a mohawk without cutting or shaving the sides of the hair. There are many different ways this can be done. ie. Braiding the hair to the top of the head and securing or pulling the hair into several ponytails at the top of the head going down the center.
Finger Coil- It's basically a way of defining your curls with your fingers. Time consuming, but very cute!
Fishtail Braid- A type of braiding the hair that 'looks like a fishtail'.
Flat Twist- This type of twist is kind of like a cornrow. It is simply a twist done close to the head.
French Braid- Basically a large cornrow in my head.
Mini Braids- REALLY small braids neatly parted all over the head.
Mini Twists- Typically two-strand twists (see below) that are created on a much smaller scale.
Sister Twists- A type of twist that looks kind of like a rope when done. Hence the alternate name of Rope Twists.
Slide/Slide-up Braid- A type of braid made by sliding two of the strands up.
Twists- There are different types of twists; sister, two strand, flat etc.
Twist Out- Just like a braid out but with twists! You just remove the twists apply product if you choose and rock it.
Three Strand Twist- This is a twist using three strands of hair instead of two. Is said to last longer and keep better than two strand twists, but harder to get a hang of as your hands might wanna do braids instead. :-)
Two strand Twist- A simple twist using 2 strands of hair.
