A
Abyssinian Seed Oil
Derived from the mustard plant, this oil helps strengthen and soften the hair and decrease frizz.
Alopecia
The partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it typically grows.
Argan Oil
An oil that contains fatty acids that boost hair shine and elasticity and soothes the scalp.
Avocado Oil
This oil is rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium that help hair retain moisture and boost shine .
B
Betaine
Derived from coconuts, it helps condition the hair and reduce static and frizz.
Blowout
A sleek, straight hairstyle achieved by blow drying the hair with combs or brushes.
C
Clip-ins
These are temporary extensions usually clipped onto hair at the root to add volume and/or length.
Closure
A square or rectangular-shaped artificial hair piece designed to give the illusion of a natural hairline. Commonly worn in combination with a full weave.
Co-wash
The practice of cleansing the hair using (an appropriate!) conditioner in place of a conventional shampoo. Preferred by some as a traditional shampoo alternative because it leaves more moisture on the hair throughout the washing process.
Conditioner
Hair conditioner is a hair-care product used to improve the feel, appearance, and manageability of hair.
D
Dandruff
A flaky, often itchy scalp condition. Contrary to popular belief, dry scalp is only one of its potential causes.
Deep Conditioner
A treatment to help add moisture back into the hair by leaving a moisturizing conditioner with a penetrating heat source on your hair for an extended period of time.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term (with any number of common causes) that describes an inflammation of the skin.
Dryness
A state of hair or scalp resulting from lack of moisture or inability to retain it.
E
Edge Control
A product used to tame or smooth down hair edges.
F
Fine Hair
Hair in which the diameter of each individual strand is fine. It does not refer to the actual number of hairs on your scalp.
G
Gel
Hair gel is a hairstyling product that is used to sculpt and hold hair into a particular style.
Glutamic Acid
An amino acid that increases the softness and smoothness of hair.
Glycerin
A humectant that helps pull in moisture, soften and smooth hair, and define curls.
Glycolic Acid
An exfoliating AHA that promotes scalp renewal, balances scalp sebum, and helps prevent dryness.
Goji Berry Extract
Rich in vitamins A,C, and Zinc, it helps soothe scalp inflammation and fortify the skin barrier.
Grapeseed Oil
A anti-oxidant rich, lightweight oil that adds shine to hair and helps fight frizz.
H
High Porosity
A property describing hair that absorbs moisture quickly, but doesn't retain it.
Humectants
A common moisturizing agent that attracts water and supports immediate and long-lasting hydration.
Hyaluronic Acid
A humectant that can retain moisture and bind approximately 1000 times its weight in water. It is used to support scalp and hair hydration.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
A protein rich in amino acids that helps increase moisture, shine, and volume.
J
Jojoba Oil
Similar to your scalp's natural oils, this oil helps your hair and scalp retain moisture and helps protect against split ends.
L
LOC Method
L = liquid. O = oil. C = Cream. Ideal moisture happens when you layer them in the right combination and frequency.
Lace Front
A lace or "lace front" is a hairpiece or wig in which human or synthetic hair is tied by hand to a sheer lace base, then placed over the scalp.
Leave-in conditioner
Conditioner intended to be left on hair — rather than rinsed or shampooed out — before styling.
Locs
A hairstyle created by unstraightened or unshed hair "locking" onto itself to form rope-like strands.
Low Porosity
A property describing hair that does not easily absorb or retain moisture.
M
Mousse
Hair mousse, also referred to as styling foam, is a hairstyling product formulated to protect, sculpt, and hold hair in a particular shape or style.
N
Niacinamide
Also known as vitamin B3, this antioxidant supports hydration, soothes the skin, and promotes healthy scalp turnover.
O
Oily Scalp
An oily scalp is the result of excess sebum, natural oil that is produced by the skin's sebaceous glands.
P
Pea Peptides
These hydrolyzed plant proteins promote hair health and can help strengthen hair follicles.
Phyto-peptides
These vitamin-rich peptides protect and support hair follicle health and help restore youthful-appearing hair.
Phyto-triglycerides
A fatty acid and emollient that supports barrier function to help reduce moisture loss.
Pineapple
A nighttime styling technique used to preserve styled curls and maintain "2nd day" straightened hair. This is achieved by placing your hair in a high, loose ponytail on top of the head and sleeping on a satin pillowcase to keep curls intact while you sleep.
Polyglutamic Acid
A powerful hydrator that helps enhance hair's tensile strength and address hair damage caused by bleaching.
Polyquaternium-7
A polymer that soothes and moisturizers the hair, promoting hydration and slip.
Pre-poo
The pre-wash product that detangles and preps your hair for best cleansing results, and helps subsequent products and treatments work more effectively.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics help maintain your scalp biome balance; a healthy scalp is essential to hair health and promoting nourishing, strong hair.
Protective Style
A hairstyle that keeps the ends and edges of hair tucked away to minimize styling tension and preserve moisture and growth.
R
Radish Seed Oil
Also known as daikon oil, this light emollient adds strength and shine to the hair.
Relaxer
A chemical used to permanently or semi-permanently straighten hair strands.
Rosemary Extract
Targeting the hair follicle, this extract is anti-inflammatory and great at promoting blood circulation to the scalp.
S
Saccharomyces Ferment
This is filled with amino acids and antioxidants that help smooth the hair and reduce breakage.
Salicylic Acid
A BHA that helps to keep your hair clean, promote a healthy balanced scalp, and can aid in the removal of dry skin.
Sew-in
Weave that is sewn into braids on the scalp.
Shampoo
A product used for cleansing the hair that usually forms suds and lathers.
Shrinkage
The visible length lost as hair "shrinks" in length and tightens in texture as it dries.
Squalane
A plant derived hydrocarbon that lubricates strands, locks in hydration, and supports the scalp.
Sunflower Extract
An emollient that is rich in vitamin E and helps condition the hair strand and control frizz.
T
Tea Tree Leaf Oil
An oil with antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that helps promote scalp health and address scalp flakiness.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
A natural anti-oxidant that adds shine to hair and helps balance oil production.
Triluronic Acid
A balanced ratio of different molecular weight hyaluronic acid designed for optimal performance.
Twist Out
A hairstyle achieved by two-strand twisting the hair (usually while damp or wet) then air drying or using a hair dryer to reveal a resulting "crinkly," wavy hair texture.
W
Wash-n-go
A method of styling hair while wet with a curl-defining product to allow it to dry with your natural curl pattern.
Willow Bark
Derived from the bark of the willow tree, it exfoliates to remove dirt and product buildup from the scalp.
Witch Hazel
An anti-inflammatory astringent that removes impurities and neutralizes sweat and odor.
