Hair Care

Doobies, Pineappling and Sisterlocks: What Natural Hair Care Really Means

Eight naturalista bloggers help us break it down

by Tiffanie Petett | 9 COMMENTS

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"It's been two years since my first BC, and although my TWA is packed with gorgeous 3AB curls, I can't help but think my transition to long hair will take little more than a protective hairstyle and pineappling."

If I spoke those words out loud in the office, I'd get at least six women staring back at me with a "WTF?" look on their face. But to me, it's like a second language -- the language of natural-hair care for many black women. I'm not just talking about cornrows or curl activators. There's an entire vocabulary that covers the process of transitioning to and maintaining natural hair -- essentially, quitting chemical and heat treatments and embracing your natural hair texture.

And when I say "process," I mean process. Natural hair isn't something you get after walking into a salon, pointing to a picture and saying, "I want this." It takes time, special techniques, products and patience -- something women with straight and untextured hair can't fathom.

But don't take my word for it. We rounded up 11 of our favorite natural-hair bloggers to tell us all about their transition and natural-hair care routines. Don't know what a doobie is? Or heat stretching? Or what 3C/4A curls are? You're about to find out.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Big Chop (BC)

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