Tag Archives: protective styling

Mar18

Weekend Hair: Hair Rehab and Recovery

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I’ve been keeping it pretty simple with hair lately. As you know, given daily morning work-outs, I’ve been wearing my hair in a bun. Well, between the henna/indigo residue from the prior week, the sweat from exercising and the “containment” of the bun … my hair was smelling all kinds of funky by Saturday morning!! Pee-you!! LOL!

Anywho, after my morning kettlebell work-out, I hopped in the shower … no pre-poo, no twists, no nothing, and got to work.

Wash Day Routine (Saturday)

  • Shampooed with diluted Shea Moisture Raw Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo (I have to say, I don’t feel like this gets my scalp/hair really clean. After working up quite a lather and rinsing, my hair still had a henna smell to it. So, I had to repeat.). Rinsed.
  • Finger detangled with diluted Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (went great again). Rinsed.
  • Massaged scalp with a mix of JBCO and jojoba oil.
  • Deep conditioned with a mix of Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment (ran out) and MyHoneyChild Olive You DC with honey, VCO, EVOO and JBCO (approx. 30 min. w/heat turban and 1 hour with no heat – because I had to run out).
  • Cooled and sealed with Aubrey Green Tea Cream Rinse and rinsed with cold water.
  • Applied modified Kimmaytube leave-in (1 tbsp Kinky Curly Knot Today; 1 tbsp Aloe Vera Juice; 1/2 tsp JBCO; 1/2 tsp EVOO; 1/2 tsp jojoba oil).
  • Twisted hair into 8 chunky twists.
  • Applied a mix of Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel and shea butter to roots.
  • Tied hair down with a scarf.
  • Removed scarf and released twists while my hair was still a bit damp.
  • Allowed hair to air dry without disturbing too much.
  • Fluffed hair once fully air dried.
All ready except the wet hair.
Released, but still very damp.
Air dried, side-parted and fluffy.

♦

Re-Style to Stretch (Sunday)

Working section by section for 12 sections – three in each quadrant:

  • Applied coconut oil whip to length of hair.
  • Applied Eco Styler Olive Oil gel to roots.
  • Braided length of hair.
  • Dampened hands with water and ran down length of braids to lightly wet.
  • Set the ends of top two twists on both sides of my head with grey perm rods.
  • Released after about 2 hours and fluffed.
Dry braid-out with Eco Styler Olive Oil gel at the roots and coconut oil whip to length.

♦

And, of course … I’ll be going back to the bun for the week ;).

Too bad it won't look this nice today!!

Too bad that it won’t look this nice today!!

My hair seems to be recuperating nicely now. For a minute there, it was not looking good. The kimmaytube leave-in, stretching my hair and keeping it bunned have definitely improved my sitch-ee-ay-shun!! So, I’ll be sticking with that routine for the forseeable future. I’m hoping that it’ll help me see some nice length retention too!!

Alright, lata gatas!!

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Have you had to initiate Hair Rehab this winter? If so, what have you been doing to get your hair into recovery and back on point?

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Jan18

OOTD: Tame Hair, “Wild” Outfit

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Just popping on really quickly to say, “Hey!” and show you what I was working with yesterday. *lol* So, yeah, the basic boring, tame bun is back. But seriously, buns are soooo easy and work for me! I pulled back my hair and made a bun by wrapping the hair and securing with hair pins (I’m getting the hang of those now and prefer them over bobby pins as they don’t snag and yank out strands of my hair when removed). I didn’t use anything to secure my hair into a ponytial. NO elastic; NO banana clip. Then, I just mixed a little shea butter and Eco Styler Olive Oil gel to smooth my edges before tying down with a satin scarf for the drive to work. My hair is on its last leg now and needs to be washed this weekend though as it’s been two weeks since my last washing session.

Now onto my “wild” outfit. LOL. It’s not really wild, but the title worked as the skirt is leopard. I am definitely getting my money’s worth out of this purchase. I honestly adore this skirt! It fits me like a glove and it’s just a great leopard print! I paired it with another closet fave, a structured, grey, wool blazer that I picked up at Marshall’s in 2011. I love the details at the shoulders on this blazer, and the lean cut and lapels make it so sleek. I paired the skirt and blazer with a black, blouson tank with a tie-neck, but left the ties hanging so they almost look like an open men’s tie. I finished the look off with black fishnet stockings, black ankle booties and gold hoop earrings.

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I have a full length shot on my camera, but I’ll have to upload that to my computer and add it to the post later.

Oh, and on another note, I made a new coconut oil body butter on Wednesday night!!

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It smells like chocolate!! I’ll share the recipe for this one soon. And, I plan on being a little mixtress this weekend too. Want to try a bentonite clay mask like I told you the other day and I also plan on trying my hand at making some flaxseed gel. I’ve made that before as well, but cooked the seeds too long, I think. So, the gel was too thick and viscous. Want to give it another go and see what it do ;).

HAPPY FRIDAY LADIES!!!!

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What do you have planned for MLK Day Weekend?

Jan4

Transitioning Series: Protective Styling with Braid/Twist Extensions

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Michelle_HappilyEverNaturalby Michelle of Happily Ever Natural

Hey Naturalista’s!!! Transitioning? Don’t know what to do with your hair? Want something new? That will be low manipulation? Nothing is working for you? Ready to relax it? STOP RIGHT THERE IN YOUR TRACKS!! DON’T DO IT!!! Why not put your hair away for a few weeks so you don’t have to bother it? Protective styling is your answer!!!! Protective styling is any hairstyle that helps protect the hair from over-manipulation. Also, protective styles protect your hair from extreme weather, both hot and cold, and it prevents the hair from drying out. When you protective style, you are giving your hair a “break.” Many install a protective style so that they can go days, weeks, or a few months without having to do their hair!

My Instagram and Facebook have been blowing up with many naturalistas tucking their tresses away for the winter. So why not try a protective style? You don’t have to worry about your hair … why not, right? Here are a few protective styles that you can try on your hair. If you don’t want to try them yourself, you can always find a local salon that can do many of these styles.

1. Box Braids
Yes the old school box braids are back and in full effect. They are sooo super cute and easy to do as well.

Check out a tutorial here:

2. Senegalese Twists
I LOVE THIS LOOK … one day I am going to try these on myself :). Check out a tutorial on how to do these here:

3. Havana/ Marley Twists
Now I know all of you have probably watched my Marley twist video. LOL. I SOOO am doing my hair next week like this again, so I hope you all don’t get tired of seeing them. LOL! But here is my video on how to do the Marley twists.

4. Kinky Twists
The good old kinky twists :) are super cute. Here is a video on how to achieve kinky twists:

5. Afro Puffy Twists
LOVE THESE! If my hair was shorter, I would definitely get these in a bob kind of look!! SUPER CUTE!!!

6. Spring Twists
Now I first saw this style on a fellow Instgrammers post. These are super cute too!!!

7. Nubian Twists

Before you install remember to:

1.Wash and deep condition your hair.
2.Moisturize your hair.
3. Detangle your hair.
4. Oil your scalp.

IMPORTANT!!!!!!

Now… Just because your hair is in a protective style, don’t forget you still have to take care of your hair while it’s away. :)

Daily: You must still remember to moisturize your hair: daily and/or at night. You can use a water-based leave-in, such as Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries, to spritz your hair. Don’t oversaturate it because you don’t want your hair to frizz. Also remember to oil your scalp with coconut oil or the oil of your choice.

Night: Sleep with a satin bonnet or, if you hair can’t all fit in a bonnet, with a satin scarf or on a satin pillowcase. It is important!! You want to keep your protective style looking nice.

These styles can last probably up to 2 months. I wouldn’t suggest leaving them in for longer. Leaving protective styles in for a long time can cause damage. And we don’t want that!!

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Will you be protective styling soon? What are your plans?

Dec18

Bunning Challenge Week 5: Still Straight

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A little late, but here is the recap for last week ;). My hair was still straight and I essentially wore it in a twisted ponytail or bun every day except Saturday. I continued to use Sofn’Free Nothing But Mold & Hold Wax and Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to keep my edges smooth and Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Reconstructive Elixir for softness and shine.

On Wednesday, during a late evening at work, I created this bun by wrapping a twisted ponytail around the hair elastic, tucking and pinning the ends, then spreading the twist a little to cover the elastic in the middle and securing the hair with another hair pin.

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I was so pleased because it looked so intricate from behind, but was so simple and easy to do!!

On Friday evening, I arrived home to a LOVERLY surprise!!

Threadmillgift

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My wonderful Dottie of Threadmill made me earrings and a beautiful hat and infinity scarf set for Christmas!!! You see, her shop and satin-lined hats (which was a suggestion I gave her last year to appeal to her natural-haired clientele), were featured in Essence online’s article, The Ultimate Natural Hair Bloggers’ Gift Guide.

ThreadmillessencefeatureThere are some great gift ideas in this gallery, including Dottie’s hats, of course!!

Okay, back to hair. On Friday evening, after wearing my hair in another twisted ponytail during the day, I it into a chignon.

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I slept in the bun and on Saturday in the early afternoon, I released it with plans to put my hair back into a high ponytail for an event … only to discover the prettiest waves I’d gotten from an overnight bun yet!!

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They were so deep, full and shiny … I was very pleased … except, I still had to get in the shower!! Ughh!!! But, I just clipped up my hair, threw on a satin-scarf and my terry-lined shower cap and got it done. The waves did fall a little from the confinement, but it held up pretty decently for the next part of the recap!!

A Family Holiday Dinner: “Operation Get Right” Got Stalled

Ughhhh. Yea. I didn’t work out at all last week :(. It was a rough week at work and I was at the office as late as 8:30 pm one night and didn’t get home until 7:30 pm most nights last week. And, although I didn’t eat horribly during the week, can’t say the same for the weekend. You see, we had a family holiday dinner on Saturday and the spread was RIDIC!!

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Gallery pics jacked from courtesy of my sister, Shana ;).

So yeah, completely fell off the wagon and need to get back on it *sigh*.

Oh … yeah … and you might want to know, a few other ladies and I got Jaded this past weekend!!

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But, I’ll have to tell you more about that tomorrow ;)!

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So how are you ladies wearing your hair for your holiday lunches, brunches, dinners, parties, events, etc.?

Dec7

Hairscapades Bun Challengers

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As most of you know, we are hitting the mid-point of the Hairscapades Bunning Challenge!! So, I wanted to take this time to let you know you can check out the progress of some of my fellow bloggers and challengers on their websites. And, not only will you see all of their pretty and creative bun styles, you’ll find product reviews, DIY recipes, fitness, beauty, finances and all kinds of other good stuff!!

marsimone1Marsha of Hairology (aka 24HourHair)

michelleMichelle of Radiant Brown Beauty

ReceRece of A Hair Story

christinaChristina of The Mane Objective

Jun18

May GOC Update: Adrienne (#4)

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by Adrienne of Natural Embrace

Hair
Is May over already? It went by so fast! I can’t even remember what I was doing to my hair. I know I played around with Curlformers once or twice, plus a braid out here and there, and kept my hair in mini-twists for two weeks which definitely led to a lot of growth/retention. I told myself that I would keep them in longer, but I’m going on vacation to the beach and I’m afraid of sand sticking in my hair if I keep it twisted.

When I get back from vacation, I have a blowout and trim planned for the day after my birthday. I’ll either have my cousin do some kind of braided or two strand twist updo for me, since she’s really good at braiding. Heck, I might even get her to do some kinky twists for me or maybe even just mini-twists again. I know my hair does best when twisted up and left alone (even though I love the ease and simplicity of a wash and go … but they usually lead to single strand knots). But, I get sooooo bored rocking the same style for days and days, that it’s really hard for me to stick with what my hair needs for growth and retention. I love braid outs and twist outs, but those styles don’t last long if I’m working out consistently. I sweat away all of the definition and have to start over that evening by re-twisting or braiding and that just feels like too much manipulation.

Other than that, I’ve been doing very well at applying my Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my edges and I think it’s helping a little with the thin areas. I’ve also continued to pre-poo/deep condition before my
Mudwash and my hair is staying moisturized so much longer now. I’m going to stick with it. As of June, I started taking the Viviscal vitamins so…we’ll see how that goes. I have a wedding to attend at the end of July and I really want to see some length by then. So, I really want to go into a protective style, which can last anywhere from two to four weeks, after my trim on the 22nd. But, like I said, long-term styles drive me crazy after a week. Plus, I like to steam with my pre-poo every week so … I  gotta find a style that allows me to do that.

Health & Fitness
As for working out, I’ve recently started playing tennis on the weekends with the SO and it’s been a lot of fun! We are getting a great workout in without it feeling like … work. It’s been my main form of cardio lately. Other than that, I haven’t been working out very diligently … nor have I been eating very well. As a gal that already works twelve hour days, I tacked on a few extra hours to make up for the time I’m missing on my vacation … so, really, I’ve been too exhausted to work out. And, when I’m tired, I start to get signs of a cold … so yeah, my 1.5 hours of free time between jobs has been spent taking power naps. But I do walk 30 minutes every day and I do a lot of moving around at work, so it’s not like I’m being a total sloth.

♦

Check out Adrienne’s other GOC-The Sequel posts here:

Initial Submission
April Update