The OC Curl Glossary - Everything You Need to Know About Curly Hair Terminology

Curly hair can sometimes feel like a world of its own, complete with its own language! To help you navigate the curly hair journey, we've compiled a comprehensive glossary of essential terms. Whether you're new to the curly hair game or a seasoned curl enthusiast, this guide will demystify the curly lingo and enhance your hair care routine.

Short for Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, a clarifying solution beneficial for refreshing the scalp, restoring pH balance, and clarifying hair strands.

A term used exclusively by the natural hair community - the act of cutting off all chemically treated or damaged hair to start fresh with natural curls, often resulting in a short, cropped style before the natural hair grows out.

Using a bowl of water to rinse off your Conditioner. Re-dip your hair into the bowl of conditioner/water mix and repeat multiple times. It creates amazing curl clumps and forces more water into the hair for extra hydration. Check out our easy tutorial here.

The firm, crunchy layer that forms around curls after applying styling products like gel or mousse, protecting curls as they dry and minimising frizz. The cast can be scrunched out once the hair is completely dry for soft curls with no crunch. Our Mega Hold Gel is designed to create a cast on the hair that you can scrunch out when the hair is dry. (See SOTC)

A deep cleaning process for hair and scalp, removing stubborn dirt, oil, and build-up to promote scalp health and hair vitality. Clarifying about once a month is especially important if you have hard water, which can cause build-up and really impact your curls.

Short for conditioner wash, a cleansing method where conditioner is used instead of shampoo to gently cleanse curls, leaving them moisturized and refreshed. This is the technique favoured by those following the Curly Girl Method. There are also some specific co-wash products which are non-foaming, conditioning cleansers like our Cleansing Co-wash. Find out more on co-washing here.

How your hairs group together to form your lovely curls - each one could be called a ‘curl clump’. Soaking wet hair is the perfect time to encourage these lovely clumps to form. We always recommend scrunching the Hydrating Curl Creme into soaking wet hair to encourage smooth clumps to form.

A curly hair method developed by Lorraine Massey to work with your unique hair texture. The goal is to achieve more defined curls and waves without damaging your hair. CGM focuses on hydration and the avoidance of potentially damaging sulfates and silicones which can be harsh on curls. Find out more on CGM here.

The natural shape and structure of curls, categorized into different types (2 for wavy, 3 for curly, and 4 for coily) based on their appearance and texture. You can see more on different curl types here.

A treatment using a rich hair mask or conditioner to deeply nourish and moisturize curls, improving hair health and enhancing curl definition. Our Deep Hydration Hair Mask is perfect for this! Check out our best deep conditioning tips here.

A styling method using a Denman Brush to define curls and create uniform curl clumps for enhanced curl definition. We love Denman Brush Styling so much we even have our own limited edition Denman D3 brush! Our Denman Brush Styling tutorial can be found here.

Simply this is how much hair you have. Hair density is the amount of individual hair strands per square inch on your head. This is different to hair thickness which is defined by the width of the hair strand itself. There are 3 types of density - low, medium and high.

• Low density hair has the least amount of strands and the scalp tends to be visible.
• Medium density hair has a balanced number of strands and you may see the scalp when the hair is parted. 
• High density hair has the most amount of strands and you may not see the scalp even when the hair is parted.

A drying technique using a diffuser attachment on a hairdryer to gently dry curls without causing frizz or disrupting the curl pattern. To master diffusing, check out our helpful tips here.

A technique where curls are wrapped around the index finger to encourage curl formation and definition, resulting in more defined curls. See how it’s done here.

The process of gently backcombing curls at the roots with a wide-tooth comb to add volume and lift to the hair. For more volume tips, see here.

A method of applying styling products by gently gliding them over curls to avoid disturbing curl definition, resulting in smooth, well-defined curls. See an example of this here using our Enhancing Gel.

A term used to describe a favorite curly hair product that works exceptionally well for an individual's hair type and needs.

Ingredients that attract moisture to the hair, helping to maintain hydration levels and prevent dryness in curls.

A shampoo that is free of sulfates but still contains gentle cleansing agents, suitable for curly hair as it cleanses without stripping natural oils. Our All Curl Cleanser is a low-poo as it’s sulfate-free and has been specially formulated to be kind on curls. See our helpful guide on how to shampoo curly hair here.

A soft, absorbent towel made of microfibre fabric, ideal for drying curls as it reduces frizz and minimizes drying time. Our Microfibre Curly Towel was our very first product and it’s still a bestseller! See why curlies love it here.

Like plopping, you use a microfibre towel to micro-plop, but you scrunch your curls with the towel to remove excess water and add definition. Cup the curls and scrunch gently to minimise frizz. We recommend doing this after applying our Hydrating Creme to form the curls.

Literally “no shampoo.” Washing your hair with a gentle alternative to shampoo, like Conditioner or a specifically formulated Co-wash to gently clean the hair and add moisture.

A hairstyle favored by many for sleeping. It involves tying the hair into a high, loose ponytail or bun to hold curls forwards so that only the underneath of the hair touches the pillow. This protects curls from frizz and friction during the night. Our Pineapple Protector helps keep your pineapple in place and protects the underside of the hair.

This is a drying method for curly hair where you gently wrap your curls using a soft Microfibre Towel or old t-shirt to enhance definition and smooth frizz. We even have our handy Towel Turban which is specifically designed for plopping curls. Master the art of plopping with our easy tutorial here.

Hair porosity is how porous your hair is, or how easily your hair can absorb and retain moisture. Your hair can have low, medium or high porosity. It can even be a mix of different porosities, for example low at the roots and high at the ends.

• Low porosity hair has cuticles that lie flat and are tightly closed, and it typically has less damage. It can also be sensitive to products rich in protein.
• Medium porosity has cuticles that are halfway open, meaning that moisture can enter the hair shaft easily but it’s also not lost easily either. 
• High porosity hair has cuticles that are wide open, meaning moisture can enter the hair very easily but is also lost easily, making the hair dry.

A method of applying styling products to create smooth curls with less frizz. Rub the product between your hands and smooth over your hair from root to tip with flattened praying hands. This is a great technique if you prefer slightly elongated curls with a bit less shrinkage.

Prepare your hair before shampooing by applying a treatment like an oil or hair mask. This protects your hair and adds moisture. It also aids in detangling and eases any tough knots and tangles before shampooing. See all the benefits of pre-pooing here.

A key component of hair that helps repair and strengthen hair strands, often found in hair treatments or styling products to enhance hair health. Our Deep Hydration Hair Mask, Curl Mousse and Heat Protect Spray are all rich in protein. Find out more on how protein helps curls here.

Hairstyles like braids, twists, or buns that protect the ends of the hair from damage.

A styling technique where after applying product to your hands, you use your hand like a comb and rake the product through your hair from root to tip. This helps to evenly distribute product and detangles the hair.

A technique to add volume at the roots while styling on wash day. Add small claw clips or curl clips in the roots of your wet hair where you want to increase volume. Then air-dry or diffuse. Remove the clips once your hair is dry. See more tips on how to add volume here.

Washing your hair every day can be time consuming and drying on the hair, so it’s good to use a refresh method on non-wash days to neaten up your curls. Try spritzing your hair with some water, then scrunching in the Volumising Curl Mousse. You can also use the Enhancing Gel or the Mega Hold Gel for a stronger hold. Check out our handy Refresh Bundle for your best curl days!

Sometimes styling products (mainly Gel) can leave a bit of a cast around the curls once they are dry. All you have to do to break the cast is to gently scrunch sections of your hair in your hands. You can also use a little Hair Oil to soften the cast and seal the curls. See more here.

The natural tendency of curls to appear shorter than their actual length when dry, indicating healthy hair with good elasticity.

Silicones are a conditioning agent. They create slip to detangle the hair and give hair a silky shine. This all sounds great, however by coating the hair, silicones can build up and block further moisture from entering the hair, leaving hair dry and brittle. They also can only be removed with sulfate-heavy shampoos which are drying on curly hair.

Protecting our curls while we sleep to reduce frizz and maintain definition. There are various methods of this, for example, a silk or satin pillowcase, or a Sleep Turban. See all our sleep solutions here.

The smooth, slippery feeling provided by conditioning or detangling products, making it easier to comb through hair without causing breakage.

A styling technique involving adding additional product to partially dry hair to enhance hold and definition, particularly useful for reducing frizz and maintaining curl shape. You can find out more here.

A method of applying Conditioner by squishing and scrunching it into the hair after cleansing, ensuring maximum hydration and moisture retention. Try STC on your next wash day with our helpful guide.

Thin, straggly curls that lack volume and definition, often caused by insufficient moisture or improper product application. See how to avoid stringy curls here.

Sulfates are detergents. There are two main ones Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate which create a frothy lather that removes dirt, oil and build-up from the hair and scalp. These ingredients are effective cleansing agents safe and suitable for most, however they can be very drying. Since curly hair is prone to dryness, we choose not to use sulfates in Only Curls products.

This is when you first start to embrace your natural curls and your hair can almost look worse before it gets better. Your hair needs time to adjust to using a curly routine, and especially if there’s any damage in the hair. Don’t give up! Your hair has been through a lot and it just needs time and patience. Check out our best tips on how to manage it here.

Wet plopping is a great styling technique for those with low porosity hair as this hair type doesn’t absorb moisture easily. To wet plop, simply add all your styling products (i.e. both Creme and Mousse/Gel) on soaking wet hair and pop up your curls in a shower cap. The shower cap keeps the hair wet as the moisture can’t escape and this hydrates your curls. Leave the cap on for 10-20 minutes and then dry your hair as normal. Find out more on wet plopping here.

Whether you're a seasoned curl enthusiast or just beginning your curly hair journey, this glossary equips you with the knowledge you need to navigate the curly world with confidence. Experiment with different techniques, products, and methods to discover what works best for your unique curl pattern and hair needs. Here's to embracing our curls and celebrating their natural beauty!

Not sure where to start with Only Curls products? Our Try Everything Curl Kit is a great way of experimenting with our products to see what's the best fit for you and your curls!