Okay y’all. I didn’t expect to be doing a hair post this week. But, I got such awesome braid-out results from my wash day this weekend, I just had to share!!! This may be my new regimen if it consistently delivers the super soft, light, defined, and shiny results that I got this time!!
But first, let’s talk about the state of my hair going into this. Dry. Crunchy. Undefined. Bushy (the bad kind, not the good kind). So, I knew I needed to do some rehab first. Therefore, I pre-pooed with an old fave combo that I seemed to have forgotten to use for a while (O_o) … Vatika Oil and Aubrey conditioner!! This time, I used Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose (HSR) conditioner as I was in need of some serious moisture versus the protein shot that Aubrey GPB would deliver. I usually mix the oil and conditioner together prior to applying. But, the HSR was an afterthought, so I ended up layering it over the Vatika Oil (I lightly finger detangled and then twisted my hair into 4 sections) and then applied my JBCO/EVOO/EO mix to my scalp.
Looked and felt better IMMEDIATELY.
I donned a plastic cap and my thermal heat turban for about an hour. Then, I left the plastic cap on and did some chores before hitting the shower about 3 hours or so later, I guess.
Now onto the dirt!!
WASHING and CONDITIONING
- Shampooed with DevaCare No Poo. Rinsed.
- Applied Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe Restorative Treatment (Gifted and then purchased. Review coming soon. Preview? LOVE at first sight!!). I smoothed it down length of hair and left it on for about 5-10 minutes. Rinsed.
- Applied Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (HE HH) to finish detangling, first with fingers, then with the Ouidad Double Detangler. Rinsed.
- Applied Sally’s GVP Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm (I forgot how good this stuff is to my hair!!).
- Donned plastic cap and thermal heat turban for about 30 minutes.
- Cooled (10-15 min) and sealed with diluted HE HH.
Next up, styling. So, I was perusing YouTube videos over the weekend and came across this one about an amazing, soft hold braid-out with aloe vera gel.
This is the thing, waaaay back in the day, I used this gel for WnGs with ho-hum results. It didn’t provide much hold or definition as far as I can recall. But, I have a huge bottle of it under my sink, because I usually mix it with my face lotion in the summer to reduce the oil slick down the middle of my face. So, I decided to break it out and give VeggieCurlDeelite’s (VCD) braid-out a go with some of my old … and new … faves!!
STYLING
- Sectioned hair into four and worked section by section.
- Applied about a marble-sized amount of Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner, smoothing and finger combing it through the length of hair.
- Smoothed about a marble-sized amount of Curl Prep Sweet Buttah (gifted) down section of hair.
- Smoothed and finger-combed a marble-sized amount (or maybe even a little more) Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel down the section, ensuring hair coated (the gel seemed to add slip and aid detangling too!).
- Placed front two sections of hair in 2 braids on each side and back section in 3 braids on each side for a total of 10 braids.
- Lightly applied a little virgin coconut oil (VCO) to ends (last 3-4 inches) and rolled on small grey perm rods covered in end paper (I set my ends not only to curl them, but to keep them smooth, discourage knots, and to “lock in” the moisture).
I tied my head down with a hair net to allow air flow, then hit the sack on an EboniCurls satin pillowcase. But, with only 5 hours and an a.m. workout, my hair did not dry in time for work on Monday morning. So, I just removed the rollers, pulled the braids into a low ponytail, and threw on a headband to get out the door. I didn’t release my hair from the braids until Tuesday morning. But it was worth the wait!!
Y’all … VCD was NOT kidding!!!! My hair was sooooo soft and silky!! I was suffering from some serious Hands-in-Hair (HIH) Syndrome!! I told at least three friends touch it, so that they could marvel over how soft it was ;)!! LOL!!! So yeah, this AVG combo looks like a keeper (I think that the DC might have had something to do with it too). Now, how it’ll hold up overnight and after daily, sweaty a.m. workouts? That remains to be seen. But, you know, I’m not expecting miracles. I may be in bun by the end of day 2. But, as long as it is still soft and moisturized, that’s okay with me!!
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Have/do you use Aloe Vera Gel to style your hair? If so, what brand do you use, how do you use it (with what other products) and how does it work for you (hold, definition, feel, appearance)?
hairscapades 
My dear, have you tried my Ancestry Hair Yogurt? It’s made with real shea butter and Jamaican black castor oil.
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No, I haven’t. But, not sure how that relates? Do you mean trying it like I used the Curl Prep Sweet Buttah?
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Looking great Shelli!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Alwina!
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Your hair looks amazing! I’ve loved aloe vera gel since my relaxed days. I’m transitioning now but i still use it to slick my hair back.. and for my face. I love aloe vera gel because it gives me a soft natural hold, unlike the helmet head that eco styler gives.
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Awww, thanks Toya! I’ve tried it to slick back my edges, but it doesn’t seem to hold me hair for that. You know, I had to think about why I had the bottle, then remembered that during the summer, I mix it with my lotion to make a lighter moisturizer that isn’t so oily! LOL!! Do you use it solo on your face? It doesn’t keep my skin moisturized enough that way and I also use the lotion for the SPF. Just wondering how you use it.
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Your hair looks reallypretty.
So, did you put the marble-sized amount on each braid within the four sections or one marble-sized amount per each of the four sections?
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Thank you! I put a marble sized amount per each of the four sections. Except, when I applied the gel, I did a little per braided section. So, I didn’t apply the “marble” all at one time to the big section. I applied a little of the gel to the smaller section.
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I’m soo excited that the aloe vera gel worked for your beautiful mane and extremly humbled at seeing my video on your site. Great information! And amazingly gorgeous hair!
Be well.
VCD
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Awwwwww!! Glad that you found the post!! Did you see it was reposted on CurlyNikki too? 🙂
Thank you and your hair is gorgeous too!! I LOVE your braid-out results!! And thank YOU for sharing your combo! Seriously … my hair was sooooooo soft and silky! I hope that I get repeat performances :)!
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It came out sooooo nice. This is probably one of the best braidouts I’ve seen you do! You made me put some aloe Vera gel in m twists today… just because. Lol
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Hi Shelli!!!!
1. I am a huge fan of your blog and hair!
Question: Do you have any videos or post(s) about how you release your braids/ twist? It is always fluffed out but still defined!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
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Hi Jamiah!!! Awwwwww, thank you :D!!! That is so sweet!! As to the video … I did one video a while back where I was releasing a twist and curl set:
https://hairscapades.com/2011/06/29/shea-moisture-coconut-hibiscus-hair-milk-smoothie-review-take-two/
As you’ll see there, I really was separating rather haphazardly and quickly.
However, for this braid out, I didn’t do anything. I just released it and shook it a little. With the smaller braids, I didn’t need to separate much. The separation is the three sections of the braids. At the most, I’ll massage the roots to cover the center part in the back and to try to encourage some volume. HTH!
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Love it! I’ve been using aloe vera gel also and experienced less frizz and softer hair.
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OMG!!!!! Shellie I tried this exact method over the weekend and released my hair this morning on my way to work (my hair takes forever to air dry!) and all I can say is superfragilisticexpialidocious… This is the best braid out I’ve ever had in my 5 years of being natural. My fine, limp curls are super bouncy and SOFT! Thank you for this awesome post it has changed my regimen completely!!!
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Awwwwww!!! That is awesome Nikki!! You know that it my go to combo now!! Anytime I set my hair in a TnC or BnC, that’s what I use ever since I posted this last year!! I love it! Glad that you do too!!
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Okay, okay…., though I embraced the aloe vera gel long ago, and even copped some Sweet Buttah at an event, I had long resisted your braid-n-twists bc I was convinced the practice would result an in overly-defined release. Now in the interim, I’ve had some of my best braid outs using the products, but my hair would often revert to looking straighter as time went on (don’t ask me why, but my hair tends to do that in conjunction with using silk scarves – go figure O_o). Anywho…. i was sick of this “sometimey-love,” so I finally caved like the Flintstones (my FAV cartoon of all time – lol), and did the dang thing last weekend. DRUMROLL – I am now on day 4 of a braid-n-twistout (you wish I WOULD get a day 4 w/o some fire station quick intervention prior to this, but I digress…), and it is HECKA defined still, I’ve gotten the bulk of the compliments in my area (trust me – I KNOW this cause da hurr is FIREEEEEEEE), and I’m feeling myself just a tad RATT NOW…!!!!!! I am SOLD, and more EXCELLENCE is still to come!!!! If you feel more nauseous when you’re out and about, get some sour patch kids as a quick fix (they helped me tremendously), and know that I’m sorry – It’s the residuals from ALL DESE WAVESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Yassssssss!!!!!!! lol!
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