Protective Styles Galore!

I'm still transitioning so wearing my hair down is not an option that I have very often, or for very long when I can actually wear it down in a twist out or similar style.  Here are some of the protective styles I've been wearing in my hair. 

I loved this bun!  I got this style from MsRosieVelt on the YT

This style was inspired by SimplYounique

 Most of my protective styles include two strand twists and flat twists.  I cannot cornrow.  I'm trying to learn, but right now I cannot.  Also, I know I threw mad shade at my hair net in an earlier post, but that net is a life saver.  I just wet my hair, add gel, slick back--which create waves and curls on the front, sides, and back, pin dow the hair that will be under the net, and add my net.  Pretty simple, yet very presentable: LIFESAVER!  I'm telling you!

A Good Twist Out Gone Bad...Then Reformed.

I thought my twist out was really cute when I first took it down.  I left the house for a few hours and returned.  Finally having the time to take a pic this is what I captured: 

At the time I thought it was cute, so I dressed for work and during a bathroom break noticed this in the mirror:

Same look?  Well, I was not feeling it anymore. But hope is never lost because I keep bobbie and hair pins on me at ALL times.  I didn't have a lot of time to perfect the look (bathroom break) but I like it much better than the pic above.

Feel free to follow, and comment with tips, ideas, whatever.  I"m off to work.  Later! : )

Curl Type Update, Length Check, Post Braids Style, Etc, Etc.

So I took those braids out that night...and ended up with this:

 

It all looks natural, no?  ((I know it's messy, but I loved this 'fro!'))



Oh, how I missed my hair.
 Thanks to the BRX spray my hair was nice and soft, and conditioned.  It was very easy to detangle my hair after removing the braids, which took a few hours.  I took a few breaks to complete other tasks I had around my room.

After I washed it, OMG, I am so tenderheaded.  I immediately thought, "how am I going to handle being fully natural?"  Saying it hurt to detangle my hair is an understatement.  I sprayed some of the sheen spray onto my hair, hoping for some relief and it worked a bit.  This is a few days old twist out.   (Don't judge me.  I finished taking my braids out at about 2 or 3 AM and I was sleepy so this half-hearted twistout was better than nada!)

Know what?  I'm not going to post the pic...not suitable.  Sorry peeps.

Aint-e-way.  I really enjoyed Mothers' Day at home with my family, especially my wonderful mother.  What I did to my hair was co-wash and detangle it and do another twist out...hey, I procrastinated because I didn't know if I wanted to twist my hair up with extension, rod it, or what...so by 3 AM the twist out was an obvious solution.  Oh, I forgot to mention I trimmed my own ends, and nearly 'trimmed' the back of my hair right to new growth length---the very thing I tried to avoid, but oh well...Needless to say I was very careful trimming the rest of my hair.  This is the twist out that I wore for Mothers' Day:

Ignore the silly kool-aid smile, just note the hair.  Thx!
















Then the twist out got old and I just pulled it back and wore a thick hair net, pinned toghtly.  I even got asked where I found the tight fitting hair net...does that count as a compliment?  Probably not.  ((Yes, I have a pic.))

But then of course that only worked for a few days.  I started to feel a little bummy so I buckled down early one morning and came up with this little diddy.  One minute I like it, the next I don't...then I do all over again.  I know one thing, I'm keeping this style until it expires.  By the way, I'm totally loving it today.

The back is just twisted up into the bang.  ((Like upside down, slanted cornrows, but twisted.))

OK, so length check:  My last length check was February 13, 2011: Here's the Happs!

I also need to update my curl texture from the same post.  I figured my curl type was 3c, 4b then, but I can see definite spiral, not zig-zag so at this time I update my curl pattern to 3c, 4a.  This is subject to change because the curl pattern is easier to detect as the hair obtains length.  My curls are tight, but they are definitely spiral, and my hair is very thick, as you can see.  I love my kinky curls!!!

Handful, unstretched

Handful, Streched

Section, Unstretched

Section, Stretched

Twist, Unstretched

Twist, Stretched

So, well that's all for now!  Til next time...

**This post was drafted on 05/16/11**

It's Time To Say Buh-Bye!

Ok, so here's a final picture of my braids because they will be gone in the next 48 hours.  I will miss them.

I can't deny the fact that the new growth is just making them look dated...these braids are near expiration.  I cherish them because I did them myself, but *sigh* I will braid my hair up again, one day.  Plus, I'll make them look even better, and improve upon what I did this time.

Update, and BRX Braid & Extension Sheen Spray

I'm still wearing my braids.  I'm still loving them, my new growth is amazing.  New growth also means that these braids days are numbered.  : (.  I'm going to miss them, and how easy it has been getting ready in the morning, but truth be told I miss my hair!  I want to see the actual difference in my natural texture's length compared to before the braids.  Then I will really be able to decide whether I want to BC or keep transitioning. 
It's getting hot!!!  Today the temperature is at 77 degrees, with a little"April Shower" mixed in.  Easter Sunday the temperature was a wopping 83 degrees.  And in SC it gets much hotter than that in the summertime.  Whew!!!  So I guess that's another pro for a BC.  We shall see.

I ran out of my Sulfur 8 Braid Spray.  I searched the hair stores, Wal-Marts, and Family Dollar.  I stopped there because I honestly didn't know where else to look.  NO LUCK.  Frustrated and feeling defeated I 'settled' for African Royale BRX Braid & Extension Sheen Spray.  Well, I am glad that I settled for this spray.  It is conditioning like the Sulfur 8 spray.  It also works to soften the hair and soothe itching and dry scalp.  While I'm partial to the Sulfur 8 spray, I'm liking the African ROyale BRX Sheen Spray almost as much. 

Peace and Blessings!!

To BC or Keep it Braided?

Hey, hey hey!!

I am still wearing my braids (and loving them), but I'm facing somewhat of a conundrum.  Initially, I thought that once my braids started to grow out I would touch up the front rows with new, fresh braids in order to keep the look and protection for at least another 6 weeks. I'm just a little freaked about the possible damage to my edges.  I DON'T WANT WEAK or BALD EDGES!!!  You know how you can see the shedded strands of hair with the white follicle bulb within the braids (btw the white bulbs indicate fairly young hair--or new hair growth), well, as much as I tried to avoid them, yes, I see a bit (minimal, but still).  So I don't know if I want to sacrifice any more of my edges for the convenience of braids.  HOWEVER, I have a  lot of new growth (3/4 of an inch) in less than 4 weeks!!  That really excites me.

What is a girl to do?  Do I take out my braids and BC, or do I re-braid the front rows and keep my braids a little longer???!!!  The only reason I'm considering a BC now is because I have approximately 3 inches of natural hair now, which I'm more comfortable with than just cutting all of my hair off.  It looks beautiful on many women who do a BC, but I don't think it will look so hot on me.  I could be wrong, but I'm afraid to find out. 

I don't know what to do.  I'll keep doing my research, and keep you posted.  A wonderful compromise would be finding a great protective style that will not stress my edges, but can also stand the test of time...I don't want to have to do my hair every week, or day...that's why I'm wearing braids. 

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?!?!?!?

Guess what I did?!

I braided my own hair!!!  I am quite proud of myself.  I learned how to braid via YouTube (of course).  Special shout-outs to all of the YTers who helped me accomplish such a feat: Truestorydotlife, AkiyiaKelly, and PureBrownSugar3380.  These ladies were amazingly helpful to me.  Check these ladies out!!! 

I still have a lot of room for improvement, but I am proud of myself.  I was aiming for the Poetic Justice box braid look and size.  I used 7 packs of hair, they are extremely long (waist length) and I didn't cut the weft.  It took me four days to braid my hair; between work, school, and events I really didn't have a lot of time to braid in one setting.  I braided the back first, three or four rows, the sides, and the front and wore it pinned up until I finished.  The first after picture shows my hair unfinished and pinned up actually.  I really like wearing braids because it takes a lot of stress out of coping with the two textures of my hair; relaxed and natural.  And braids are a protective style, so it also takes the stress off of my hair.  I see lots of new growth already and it's only been three weeks!  My goal is 6 weeks.  I've been researching over the web and most people say braids can be worn between 4-8 weeks without matting or locking, but if I can wear it for longer I will--as long as they look neat, of course. 

Remember to keep your hair well moisturized, and your scalp clean!  Water is a great moisturizer, and it's 100% natural!!!  ; )
I also use a blend of oils: tea tree, carrot, vitamin E, Coconut, and Olive oils.  Use whatever works well for your hair.  For the itching I use Sulfur8 braid spray.

BEFOREs

AFTERs