For anyone who is newly natural or is only just getting know their way around the online natural hair community, there are a few terms and expressions that may throw you off. Keep on checking back to this page, when you come across something that you don’t know. It will be updated as and when appropriate. This page is adapted from one of our earlier posts, Acronyms and Abbreviations.

ACV – Apple Cider Vinegar

APL – Arm Pit Length

BC – Big Chop

BSS – Beauty Supply Store

BSL – Bra Strap Length

BTW – By The Way

Co-wash – This is washing your hair with conditioner only, skipping the shampoo

CW – Conditioner Wash (same as above)

Dusting – cutting approximately 1/8 – 1/12 of an inch from your ends to maintian your hair. It can be done to search and destroy split ends or to keep up your trims. Many people consider a trim to be 1-2 inches. When you dust, you dont notice much of a difference. Most scissor happy stylists just cant understand this concept.

EO – Essential Oil

EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

HIHS – Hand in Hair Syndrome

HTH – Hope This Helps

IMHO – In My Humble Opinion

IMO – In My Opinion

IIRC – If I Remember Correctly

ITA – I Too Agree

No-poo – The same as Co-washing

NSFW – Not Safe For Work (refers to pictures or videos which may not be suitable to view in a professional environment)

PJ – Product Junkie

Slip – When the comb glides through the hair (tangle free)

TWA – Teeny Weeny Afro

TIA – Thanks In Advance