We're not entirely sure when or how it began but over the years us curlies seemed to have developed our own language. 

When you first decide to make the transition and embrace your natural curls it can feel pretty overwhelming learning all of the curly hair terms and lingo. So to help you out we've put together an A - Z glossary of the most common curly hair terms!

Don't forget to bookmark this page to refer back to at a later date.

Accordion Technique - A styling method of applying your products from root to tip with your head tilted at different angles. 

Banding - A styling method used to reduce shrinkage by stretching the hair by gathering the hair into one ponytail or several smaller ones and covered elastic bands are affixed one after the other, all the way down to the ends, of the hair.

Bonnet - A cap used to protect your curls overnight by reducing friction between hair strands, hair and the pillow and keeps them looking fresher and more defined the next day.

Big Chop - The big chop is a haircut to remove chemically straightened or otherwise permanently damaged ends in order to transition to 100% naturally curly hair in a matter of minutes. New hair, who dis?

Co-Wash - Short for "conditioner wash" is when you use your conditioner to cleanse your hair instead of shampooing. Co-washing can help hair to better retain moisture and prevents the stripping of natural scalp oils.

Clumping - Sections of hair that gather together to form "fatter", fuller, defined curls.

Day # - The number of days since wash day e.g. day two hair. 

Deep Conditioning - Using a type of product formulated with ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft and restore moisture and nutrients to the hair. Ideally used at least once a week. 

Density - The amount of hair strands per inch on the scalp and ranges from low to high.

Finger Coil - A styling method of training your curl pattern for springier curls by wrapping the hair around your finger clumping the curls together before releasing.

Fluff - Using your fingers or a pick to rake through your roots to create volume and shape.

Pineapple - A styling method when you gather the hair into a ponytail on top of your head with a loose hair tie to preserve curls for second day hair.

Plopping - Placing your curls into a t-shirt or towel after washing to let it set or dry. This gently scrunches the hair towards scalp to remove excess water without breaking the curl pattern.

Porosity - Refers to how porous your hair is. This determines how well your hair can absorb and hold moisture. Low porosity has a tight cuticle and has difficulty accepting moisture and products. High porosity has a more open cuticle and absorbs products and moisture easily.

Protective Style - A hair style that keeps your ends safely tucked away, which helps keep everything moisturized. Typically left un-manipulated for 2-4 weeks and can include but are not limited to twists, braids, updos.

SOTC - Short for "scrunch out the crunch" is a method used to scrunch out the hard cast some products leave when they dry. 

STC - Short for "squish to condish" is a method of squishing water and conditioner into the hair in place of simply rinsing out conditioner.

Twist Out - A styling method where you twist sections of your hair and then open them when they are dry. 

Wash n Go - A full wash day routine where you cleanse, condition and style without manipulating your hair with tools, braids or stretching.