CHECK OUT OUR LIBRARY OF CULTURALLY SPECIFIC HAIR AND SKIN CARE RESOURCES!

Below, you'll find a growing list of terms and definitions that will empower you with knowledge and foster a deeper connection to the needs of these children. We're committed to regularly updating this glossary to ensure we're addressing all the terminology relevant to our community.

We appreciate your help in making this glossary comprehensive. If you come across any terms we haven't covered or have any suggestions, please reach out to us at hello@cutitforward.org. Your input is invaluable, and together, we can enhance our understanding and support for children of color and their caregivers.

• Ashy: Skin in a state of dryness so extreme that it appears to be covered in ashes. Sidenote: this is completely unacceptable! Moisturizing after baths and throughout the day as needed is critical.

• Big Chop: The process of cutting or "chopping" off hair that has previously been relaxed or damaged by heat. This process typically takes place after the decision has been made to transition to natural hair. This is a big decision that can be a very emotional one that requires a lot of support.

• Braid out: A natural style that is created using three strand braid. The braids are usually done on damp hair with a product - worn overnight or for a few hours to set the style. After the hair is completely dry the braids are taken down leaving the hair with a beautiful, textured style. If the hair is still wet it will more than likely not come out right and you’ll have to improvise.

• Carrier oil: A base oil used to reduce risk of more potent, non-carrier oils irritating the skin. These oils can be used in greater quantity and are usually less expensive than their counterparts. Coconut oil is a common carrier oil used in hair products.

• Co-wash: The practice of cleansing the hair using conditioner in place of shampoo. This is not a product that Cut it Forward recommends using as it does not properly cleans the hair. Think bathing with lotion.

• Corn-rows: A style of braiding and plaiting the hair in narrow, braided rows.

• Edges: Also known as “baby hairs”, the term edges refers to the hair around the hairline. This hair is fragile and is susceptible to damage when the hair is pulled into tight styles like braids or not maintained well. Handle with lots of love and care! Once the edges are gone they are unlikely to come back.

• Edge up/line up: A haircut that grooms the outer hairline. Also known as ‘Shape up’. It is very important that this process is done with precision or you could be faced with a leaning hair line and unfortunately a lot of jokes.

• Fade: A popular type of hair cut for shorter hair styles, typically worn by boys and men. Hair at the sides and back of the head is cut low at the bottom and ‘fades’ into any length at the top. This type of cut is done by a professional barber.

• Going Natural: The process of transitioning from processed or chemically damaged hair to completely unaltered hair, embracing all natural hair care processes and products. The “big chop” is usually a part of this process.

• Hair Journey: A transitional period of time for hair when damaged hair is corrected and nurtured back to health.

• Kinky/Coily: A term used to describe the texture of one of the natural hair types. This is usually the drier, more fragile hair type that is known for it’s super tight curls. Learn more here.

• Leave-in conditioner: Leave-in conditioner is typically in a cream-based product that you add to freshly washed hair to moisturize the hair. This product serves many purposes: to nourish and moisturize the hair, prevent breakage and split ends, soften the hair, tame frizz, and aid in detangling

• New growth: Natural unaltered hair that grows from the scalp.

• Protein treatment: A conditioning treatment used to strengthen hair strands, repair and restore elasticity while preventing damage.

• Relaxer: A relaxer, also known as a perm for black hair, is a chemical treatment that straightens curly hair by breaking down the bonds in the hair shaft. This process is becoming more antiquated with the natural hair movement, but is still used by a lot of people. Relaxed hair requires a lot of TLC.

• Shrinkage: A term used to describe the reduction of the visual length of hair. Shrinkage can be caused by wetting the hair and letting it air dry or using certain products.  

• Silk Press: A contemporary hair treatment for straightening hair, meant to lock in moisture and tame or relax coarse hair into smooth, silky, and straight strands. This look is usually achieved with a lot of heat (blow drying hair then straightening with a flat iron). Doing this style too much can cause a lot of heat damage if not maintained well.

• Slip: A term that refers to how much moisture a product allows your hair to retain.  When a product has “good slip” that means it’s working well and makes the hair feel ultra moisturized. 

• Stretching: Various techniques used to maximize or elongate hair length.

• Twist out: Similar to a braid out - this is a style or texture that is created after unraveling a 2-strand twist-style. Twist outs can be very versatile depending on the tightness and size of twists, amount of moisture applied as well as the duration of time twists are left in hair.