Durag Dictionary: Waver Words & Durag Terms
Durags and hair waves are not only a modern-day fashion trend, but also are found deeply rooted in history. Durag and waving terminology is extensive, and sometimes confusing. While some people understand these words and consider the durag terminology to be second nature, for others, not so much. If you are new to the waving community, or are simply looking to get educated on the topic, you’ve come to the right place. Veeta Waves presents The Durag Dictionary, where you’ll find all the definitions you need to get a grasp on the wave process, products, styles and techniques; including the durag itself.
Durag:
Durag, or “do-rag”, is a piece of fabric worn on the head and over the hair. Functionally speaking, the durag is used to cultivate, protect and enhance hair waves (also referred to as “spinning waves”). Historically speaking,, the durag was first worn in the 19th century by Black women to help keep their hair up while working long, tiresome hours. This propagated the durag as a symbolic piece of identity to the Black community: A symbol of strength, culture and overcoming. Fast-forward a decade in time, and the durag remains relevant, largely due to its hype within the 90’s—2000’s hip-hop scene. Today the durag prevails, worn by a variety of people for its trendy fashion and functional use during the wave process. Durags are most commonly made from silky material, such as satin and polyester, as well as from velvet material. Durags help hold the hair in place and lock in moisture, while working to train the hair during the wave process. It is essential to have a high quality durag for waving. Veeta Superior durags are the best durags for the job.
Velvet Durag:
A velvet durag is a durag that is crafted from velvet, or velvet-like material, on the outside. A velvet durag should feature a silky liner on the inside such as polyester, as this material works to train the hair more effectively and maximize comfort. Velvet durags rose into popularity during the modern resurgence of the durag, thanks to their luxurious look and feel. They are ideal in colder climates, considering that velvet weighs heavier than the traditional silky material builds. Velvet is one of the most popular materials used to make durags, and it facilitates the wave process by working to lay the hair down and protect it during sleep.
Silky Durag:
Silky Durag:Silky durags are durags that are made from a silky material, such as satin and/or polyester. Very rarely are silky durags composed of only silk, or even silk at all. More often than not, silky durags are crafted from fabrics that contain miniscule amounts of silk woven into them, or simply with fabrics that imitate silk. This fabric was the first material used, providing silky durags as the OG of them all! They have been embraced by wavers throughout history and into the modern era for their shiny, smooth aesthetic and compression capabilities.
Bandana Durag:
A bandana durag is a bandana that’s folded and tied in a particular fashion in order to make it a durag. This style of durag is commonly associated with motorcyclists who wear them to save their hair from the wind. Unlike silky and velvet durags that typically are offered in one solid color, a bandana durag allows for more personal expression. Furthermore, bandana durags are fashion-forward and regularly worn as an accessory to enhance outfits and outerwear.
Durag Tail/Straps:
Durag tails, also known as “straps”, are essential to the durag headpiece because they work to tie it in place so that the hair is protected and compressed. Durag straps range from short to extra-long and double wide. For waving purposes, the longer and wider the tails/straps, the better. Veeta Superior Durags feature extra-long, double wide straps that extend 42 inches in length. A durag with longer straps is ideal because it makes it easier to tie and it allows for the durag to be tied in a multitude of ways, thus facilitating fashion and the wave process.
Crown Compression:
Crown compression is the term used to describe the compression of the durag on the hair, which is on the crown of the head. Crown compression is key to building or enhancing waves, which is why it is so important to select a high quality durag that is up for the task. Veeta Superior Durags are specially crafted for exceptional crown compression, highlighting tear-proof outside seam triple stitching to guarantee no lines are left on the forehead.
Front Tie Durag
The possibilities are endless when it comes to tying a durag, the front tie is one of them. This is done similar to how a normal durag would be fashioned, however, after crossing the straps behind the head, take the ends to the front of the forehead and tie them into a knot of your choice. (yes, there are several ways to tie a knot, so do knot stop at the classic one!) The result is a front tie durag; you’re welcome.
Side Tie Durag
There are many ways to tie a durag, and one of the ways is the side tie: Tying the durag to the side so that the straps hang from one side of the head. This tying technique is done the same way as a normal durag tie would be until the forehead wrapping stage comes along. After wrapping the straps, instead of tying them to the center, the tying placement would be to one side of the head. The result? A side tie durag, of course!
Pomade:
Pomade is to wavers as Gatorade is to athletes: essential. Pomade is a hair product that works to hold the hair and keep the waves intact for long periods of time. A high quality pomade should grip the hair effectively, allowing for high elevation styling for even the curliest of hair types. Pomade is traditionally made from beeswax, lard, lanolin or petroleum jelly, which create a shiny, firm and time-enduring hold on the hair.
Wavers:
One who waves their hair is considered to be a waver. Wavers are a community or population of people who engage in waving behaviors and the wave process in order to cultivate a wave hairstyle. The term “wavers” is inclusive of anyone who has, or is attempting to cultivate, any type of wave hairstyle, including 180, 360, 540 or 720 waves.
Waves:
Waves are a hairstyle that originated in the black community, its name referencing the way that the hair is styled in a wavy pattern that spirals out. Waves are not only a symbol of identity and pride amongst Black people, but also have become widely popular across all ethnicities and cultural roots. Hair waving is high maintenance and requires extraordinary patience and dedication to the process. Waves can be trained into 180, 360, 540 or 720 waves, but the most popular are 180 and 360 waves.
180 Waves:
180 waves, also known as “half waves” are one of the most approachable and prevalent waving styles, characterized by a combination of an army haircut with waves on the top. 180 waves only require one section of hair to take on the wavy pattern, with the waves focused on the crown of the head rather than the sides.
360 Waves:
360 Waves: 360 waves are arguably the most recognized style of waving, where the hair is waved around 360 degrees of the head, or all around the head. 360 waves look similar to a beehive, however, some wavers may choose to swirl their wave pattern from the crown; it is a personal choice . The 360 wave process involves brushing the hair from the crown and down towards the hairline from all directions, thus creating a “ripple effect” on the hair all around the head (hence 360).
“Wolfing” Waves:
Wolfing waves is the process of growing your hair out while maintaining your wave pattern, which can take anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks. Wolfing requires a longer hair length, so it is imperative that haircuts are avoided while brushing and durag-wearing are frequent in order to keep the hair laid down. The goal is to train your hair to lay down at the root, which adds depth to the waves since the hair is allowed to grow longer.
540 Waves:
540 waves are a less common waves style, where hair waves are cultivated around the full circumference of the head, but at a slant. The slant is at a notable angle to create a swirl pattern, but not as slanted as 720 waves that swirl all the way.
720 Waves:
720 waves also known as “swirl waves” are the rarest of the waving styles because it is difficult to achieve. This style of waving is distinguished by waves that go sideways, flowing downward diagonally from side and neck hairline. 720 waves are made by brushing all of the hair to one side of the head so that the wave pattern is slanted to the extent of being sideways.
Wave Check:
Wave check is a repeatedly used phrase in the waving community, and its meaning is quite literal: Check your waves! When someone says “wave check”, they are essentially asking someone who’s wearing a durag to remove it and show off their waves.
Wave Combs:
In order to cultivate waves successfully, it is vital to have a wave comb. Wave combs are brushing tools that work particularly well to facilitate the wave process. The right wave comb is dependent upon the hair type, hair texture and how fast the hair grows, so there is no “one comb fits all” for wavers. Some of the most prominently used combs for waving include Styling Combs, Styling Combs With a Handle, Rat Tail Combs and Wide Tooth Combs. Ideally, a wave comb should be constructed with durable carbon fiber, and be professional-grade.
Superior Durag:
A Superior Durag is exactly what you’ll find when you shop with Veeta. Veeta silky and velvet durags and waving products are the ultimate way to enhance and build waves while making a strong fashion statement on the go. Veeta durags are trusted by wavers across the world, and crafted with the highest quality materials for maximized comfort, wave cultivation and style. Veeta is the superior choice, offering a collection that aims to set the standards Of excellence for durags.
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