Hair Update: New Growth!

Protective Style is Key

I recently uploaded a video on protective styles and in particular focus on my favourite option: kinky twists/mini twists. I had kinky twists in for four weeks and I took them down yesterday (07/feb-05/march). Let me just say... the new growth and thickness took me by surprise! My hair feels so much thicker, and LONGER. It's like it grew like weed in the last month. And, I gave it a trim before I twisted it.

Protective style is so key! Don't take the fact for granted. And I also believe that my regimen (hot oil treatment (JBCO + oils) and avocado deep conditioning) had a lot to do with the wonderful state of my hair. My hair feels amazing. I am still surprised by how much it grew! So this protective styling/avocado thing is a thing! This year will be all about that, more avocado and more protecting, less wash and go's.

   

My go to style... The puff!

My hair is at that length where I can put it into a bun and it feels amazing. Such a easy, go-to style. My wash and go' puff is what I do daily before going to work. No gel, just water and oil/butter. It's even longer when I stretch it out with a twist-out. 

Mini twists!

 

 

Why I stopped the wig regimen

The hair journey is truly far from monotonous. I'm quite tired with how easily bored we  women can get with our hair. I think its inborn into us to be bored with a hair style after one week haha. I guess you can always have a protective hair style that can be switched up easily with accessories, whilst keeping it the same.

Why did I stop

I initially wanted to go a year with the wig regimen - in fact that's how much I loved it and was content with it. It was the most simplest regimen ever! However, I started to miss my beloved hair. I also felt like it hindered my relationships: people would compliment 'my hair' but it wasn't my hair! I know some people will say, euhh why are you worried then? I'm worried because I'm going to intern and volunteer during summer and aim to build long-term relationships. Your hair is a part of you and I feel like I want people to know the whole me. The wig is very far from how my own hair looks like in terms of size and texture. People in uni were asking me how I managed it and I had to fight myself in the dilemma between whether to lie or say the truth. Well, in front of 5 people curiously wondering about this big hair how do you say the truth? So that bugged me. Bear in mind, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the wig challenge/regimen, I only wasn't comfortable with the questions and wondering. I needed to make it easier on myself. I also did not have any problem with the size - I loved it. And who knows how big my own hair can get in the future. Honestly, I received sooooo many compliments with that hair its crazy that I would want to ditch it. However, I'll still keep it and wear it for occasions just because it looks so good on me.

Faux Bun

Hello! I watched a youtube video of the faux bun. I tried it. I loved it. It's perfect. I've been keeping bags of textured hair with me because I planned on doing long kinky twists but now I've found something great to use them for. You can clearly see the smile on my face in the previous pictures that I posted in the previous post. This bun, has been making people ask the right questions and assume the right things. I know I shouldn't care, but seeing that in a few years time, my hair will be able to bun up in the same manner with that texture - it makes me happy. People think its mine because there is literally no difference between the textures. I am super comfortable and I feel like people can really approach me. Also, I can protect/moisturise and care for my hair in the same way.

New Protective Style

 

So many girls have come up to me to ask if this was my natural hair because they thought it was. WIN! 

 

 

 

How To: WIG Challenge for natural hair

Click here for the Youtube video

 I decided to join the wig challenge for the year 2014 and hopefully last for a full year. I managed to find a really good natural looking synthetic wig by La Jay Vanessa ( my video review above). I have received soooo many compliments about this hair and how it suits me - from strangers and friends alike. I am in love with it. I only decided to buy it in the hair store when two women thought it was my real hair when I tried it on. I was like, really? Ching! Bought it in January.

Goals:

Simple: Achieve optimal growth by saying no to manipulation.

My Wig Regimen:

• Braid my hair in small sections (blog post) underneath wig.
• Wash day after 30 days. Undo braids, detangle, hot oil, wash and condition. Then back into braids.
• After 15 days, garlic and onion treatment and then co-wash to combat dryness!
• Green House Method I cover my hair with a plastic cap at night, satin scarf to wrap around and a beanie cap for extra warmth. I wake up in the morning with damp and moisturised hair. I try to do this everyday.
• Moisturise my hair every other day with my water and shea butter mix/castor oil. Castor oil is just the best oil for moisture for my hair! I've learned that my 4C hair just has a dry texture to it and there is nothing I can do about it. It's not a smooth surface so it won't reflect light and shine like straight hair.

& yes, I do miss my hair now and then. I have to keep myself from touching it but I'm good. Let me reach 2 years growth before I let it all out and surprise myself! I am too busy anyways.

Feel free to ask me any questions!

- Rose

Yay! I did my hair by myself! :D

 

 I just finished...trying not to look drained

 

Sorry, this is a late post but I've been so busy getting ready for my uni trip. I did this a week before I travelled.

Hair style: Single Twists with Xpressions

Time taken: 6 hours+ (seeing as this was my first time)

Improvement for next time:

- Jeez, I made quite a few mistakes haha but everything has to start somewhere. Practice always makes perfect.

- DO NOT CUT THE ENDS UNTIL YOU'VE DIPPED THEM IN WATER - I think I did this out of frustration and it all loosened :( I spend a couple more hours twisting them back up.

- I need to resort to my aunts to help me perfect my twists so that they can hold. But I think it's because they kept loosening at the ends. I've tried to twist the ends back up several times.

- Tighter!!! It will eventually come.

In general, they came out looking great! I am pleased with the fullness and thickness and with my determination. My mum praised me for my strongwill like, I wouldn't sleep until I got it done. I did half before I went to work, came back from work and continued it. I looked like a mess at work, I won't even lie. I know that with more practice that I can shorten the time it takes and make it look immaculate!

For next time, I want to do twists, but with afro texture. I really want that beautiful dreadlock look! I still tick to doing twists rather than braids (for now) because they are easier and quicker.

Protective Stylin' for winter

 

Hey guys!

I went to manchester for the weekend to visit my uncle and his wife. She did my hair for me! I did twists (as usual because they are the least time consuming to do and to take out) with afro kinky textured hair. I heard that the older they get, the better and more natural they look as they start to resemble dreadlocks. Can't wait?! The sections are quite big because I simply wanted a quick style that would allow me to tuck my hair away for the winter and pack it up throughout!

I know I decided not to let anyone do my hair since handling relaxed hair is very different to handling natural hair. I believe that unless the person doing your hair is a natural or knows how to care for that sort of hair in such a patient and caring manner, do not let them handle your hair LOL. Yes, lessons learned! My hair takes patience and cutting sections will need a little movement with the fingers -  It won't open up like a stage curtain. And that's fine - I KNOW my hair and I felt it would be better for me to join the crew of girls who did their own hair (about time!). I asked my aunt to teach me how to start off a single twist/braid. I know how to cornrow and braid already but not how to start it off with an extension. She also thought me how to twist neatly. CHECK OUT THE NEXT POST.

Regimen for this protective style? It's easier for me to do the green house method now! So yeah! Will be doing this every night. Planning to keep it in for a month!

Protective stylin' it out...

This is my first time doing twists WITH expressions. Normally I prefer afro textured hair because I much prefer it and it looks more like my hair. But this came out good and it went great with my outfit for my mum's birthday event celebration. My aunt told me there was the fear that it would not last because our textures are very different (my hair vs straight expressions hair) but I love it! Next time I want to try afro textured twists but this time, very long! I've seen it on a few girls and it looks awesome. The older it gets, the better and the more it starts to look like beautiful dreadlocks.

I am considering protective stylin' it out throughout the year...

Week 4 growth.

I am definitely going to do these chunky afro-textured twists again! I love them and I was brave enough to try them in red and I ended up receiving loads of compliments from strangers. Since I've gone natural, I seriously cannot not touch the straight Expressions material. I only go for afro-textured - it is similar/like my own hair texture and it looks more natural! I am in love! These took less than 1 hour to do and twists are just too convenient it's unbelievable. So yeah, twists over braids.

I am currently week 4 into the protective style and I could leave it until 6 weeks. I love my new growth:

 

I moisturise with my tiny spray bottle weekly. The humidity this summer is awesome and I found last time that when I moisturised about every 3 days my hair got dirtier much quicker. In my spray bottle is water, a few drops of my Elasta QP Leave-in conditioner and few drops of my hot oil mixture: castor oil, jojoba oil and peppermint oil. This mixture has kept my hair so amazingly moisturised and healthy!

No braids for a while...

My edges on the right have been damaged. Set back. So for a while, no braids. However, gained general thickness.

Washed and moisturised my braids!

I decided to wash my braids (scalp) week 1 into my protective styling. I am planning to keep it in for 4 weeks and I will be washing it in the 3rd week before taking them out. I mixed about 2 table spoons (measure) of Elasta QP shampoo with the same amount from my new ORS conditioner, into my spray bottle. I shaked the spray bottle until it formed into foams and sprayed on my scalp. I sprayed thoroughly around my scalp whilst massaging it in. After it was soaking I rinsed out the bottle and filled it in with water. I sprayed on my scalp and rinsed it out. I used a towel to gently absorb the water. I did this at night time so I sprayed my leave-in conditioner and wrapped up in a satin scarf to ensure quick drying. I woke up this morning and moisturised as usual. Sprayed my S-Curl moisturiser and sealed my scalp and rubbed some oil on my hair length.

I can say my hair feels very moisturised and cleansed!

Single Braids Tips! #3

If your hair has been recently chemically processed, avoid putting in braid/weave/cornrow extensions for a least a month. By then you will have some new growth to fortify the chemically treated hair, which is by nature weaker and porous, stronger more resilient hair for braid/weave/cornrow extension to be attached to.

 Make sure your hair is in good condition before embarking on putting on braid/weave/cornrow extensions. If hair is weak, brittle, breaking and experiencing excessive shedding, the braid/weave/cornrow extensions will only exacerbate the situation. We tend to see braid/weave/cornrow extensions as a way of masking or covering hair issues, so we look presentable till the issue is resolved. This is not the case, the weight and mechanical tension of the braids will only put more traumas on the hair. If there is a hair condition that is too bad to have out in public, it is better to try wigs as these can be removed every evening and the hair treated with whatever is needed, and also there is not pressure or tension applied to the hair to wear a the wig. DO NOT use glue on wigs though!


Do not apply braid/weave/cornrow extensions that are too heavy for your hair, the rule of thumb should be that the hair to be applied should be about the same amount in thickness as the hair it is to be attached to, that is to say if you section out a pencil sized amount of your hair, then your will attach hair of a pencil size in thickness to it. Also try to make the length of the extension no more than two and a half times the length of your own hair. If you want to make the length longer, then the thickness of the attached hair should be less than the thickness of the section of hair you want to attach it to, (but keep in mind though that if your hair is naturally curly or kinky and in its natural curly or kinky state, this will start to look untidy after your first wash). The reason for being careful of the size and length of the hair you attach to your hair is rather simple; you do not want to put undue strain on your hair and hair follicles, by adding too much weight for the hair to bear. This will lead to breakage, shedding and Alopecia.

Do not make the braid/weave/cornrow too tight. You do not want to sacrifice the health of your hair for style. If the braid/weave/cornrow extensions are too tight, you could end up with tension alopecia. Trichologists claim that when this type of alopecia happens to the edges and nape it is possible with perseverance to grow the hair back, but if it happens in the centre of your head this hair will never grow back. Make sure you insist to your stylist that you do not want the braids too tight.

Before braiding prepare the hair for the application of the extensions. Fortify, strengthen and build up your strands with a deep conditioning protein treatment (leave on hair for at least 20 – 30 minutes under a steamer or heat cap, or an hour if using a shower cap, towel and body heat). Follow this with a deeply moisturising conditioner, (again leave on for the prescribed times mentioned for the protein deep conditioning), one that compromises of Shea Butter and Coconut, is a good one to go with. Shea Butter for its moisturising properties and ability to seal in moisture, and Coconut Oil for its ability to moisturise hair strands and transport protein into the hair shaft.

When wearing your braids, wash your hair regularly, alternating between a light silicone free conditioner – co washing one week, and a sulphate free shampoo wash the next. This will prevent build up that can cause the hair to matt which will lead to tangles and hair breakage when you take out your braids. The best way to do this is to dilute the shampoo with water about 2 parts shampoo to one part water and put it in an applicator bottle. Wet hair thoroughly and apply the diluted shampoo to your scalp, use your finger pads to massage in gently and work into a lather, then rinse. During the rinsing the soapy water will work its way down the length of the braid and carry any dirt and oil with it.

Deep condition your hair after every shampoo wash to replace oils removed. You can use a shorter lighter conditioner treatment for after a co wash.

Seal in moisture after conditioning with a good water based moisturiser (this is moisturiser that has water as its first or one of its main ingredients).

Wrap hair in a turban with a micro fibre towel or cotton tee shirt, then when hair is no longer dripping allow it to air dry.

Oil your scalp once a week after every wash to prevent dry scalp and flakes forming. You don’t want dandruff whispering your secrets everywhere you go!

Moisturise your hair daily by misting with water, or an oil and water mix. Make sure you mist the roots as well as the entire length of your own hair with in the braid/weave/cornrow extension.

Apply a heavy moisturising butter like a Shea Butter and Coconut mix every other day after misting.

Do not carry your braids for too long, as tempting as it may be, especially when you think of the time and money spent to do them! The longer your leave the braids in the more likely you will get build-up and matting of your hair of some sort which will lead to hair loss and breakage ultimately.

When you take out your braids, remember to repeat the protein treatment, then moisturising treatment previously mentioned.

- curly2kinky

Single Braids Tips! #2

People tend to think that the moment they put braids extensions in  their hair . It will automatically grow
their hair and they don't have to do any thing else.  Truth is,  this is the best time to take care of your hair
naturally and still  wear extensions. It's pointless to wear braids for 3 months only to realize that the
situation and condition of your hair is  more or less the same if not worst, especially if the motive for
braiding is to improve the  overall well being of your hair and to take a break from all forms of hair
chemicals. I suggest the following steps to a healthy  braids wearing  and  to achieve
happiness/satisfaction  once the braids are out.

1: Chemicals - Avoid applying Individual extensions/braids in your hair at least until after 2 weeks of an chemical input. Sometimes braiders will tell you that relaxing your hair just before braiding will make your braids neater and more presentable. Truth is the neatness of your braids depends on how good the
braider is at parting the hair and more often than not, the length of your own hair. Very short hair tend to
come out of braids whilst longer hair stay put.

2 :  Before braiding - Deep condition your hair  a day before  applying the extensions. Continue to deep
condition your hair even when you have the braids  in  at least once in 2 weeks .  I suggest you use a
conditioner that is rich in protein. Use  an equal proportion of shea butter and coconut oil as deep
conditioner. (I have these products available too). If your hair is strong, though/hard I suggest you stick to
the same regimen as mine. I have vowed never to do without these two ingredients in my beauty regimen
and that includes my body/skin I am  staying strictly to shea butter because of it's moisturizing properties.
 Deep condition your hair for about 1 hour ( i normally stay longer, I deep condition when I have no where
to go so there's no hurry). Concentrates more on the root/scalp of the braids than the body it self.  Always
remember that if the foundation is weak the building will collapse .

3: Washing/shampooing - Wash your braids once in 2 weeks. This is very good for your hair as it allows
your hair to rest from the chemical contents in shampoos even though some shampoo products say they
have little chemical contents, my advice is,  it's better to be safe than sorry. Washing your braids every
two weeks will allow the braids to retain it's strength and  reduce early rough appearance. I must say that
braids is one of the very few hair styles that even when it's rough it's still beautiful. Buy a cheap old
shampoo if you must as braid extensions gulp lots of it before it lathers.

4: Coconut oil usage as hair nutrient dates back as far as the beginning of the black race in Ile-ife( the
origin of black nation). Coconut oil helps softens  yet strengthen and promotes your under growth. It also
promotes hair growth. Coconut oil  is  as strong and solid as coconut itself. An African proverb goes thus
"  Any one who breaks a coconut with his/her head will not be among the people that will eat it " That
adage is to show the extent of the power of coconut, so imaging something as strong as that fighting for
the benefit of your hair. The result is total success.

Another great ingredient to have at hand during your braiding period is unrefined Shea Butter ( Coconut
oil and shea butter are now available on our African Body Products page). This is the master of moisture
and healthy groom. There are many fake shea butter out there, please beware. Never use refined shea
butter, it's been chemically process. The Original Shea butter is cream in color and as often as many
beauticians try to tell people that shea butter can come in many shades. It doesn't. I spent 27 yrs in West
Africa and shea butter is a must have house old item over there. I grew up with shea butter and the color
has never been  other than cream . The color is Cream. The smell cannot be explained, it's close to
being odorless, yet it's not. It's not offensive at all. shea butter is all purpose moisturizer. Your skin will
thank you and your hair will rejoice.  If you don't have coconut oil or shea butter use braid sprays such as
African pride instead but get your hands on one of the ingredients above as soon as you can.  Always oil
your scalp at least 3 times a week to retain moisture and prevent flaky scalps or dandruffs.

- hadjabraids

Single Braid Tips! #1

While your hair is Braided

Be sure to Moisturize:
When hair is in braids, it often loses its moisture, making it easier to fall out. To help seal in moisture, remember to spritz hair with store bought braid sprays or a concoction of you own.
- You can create your own mixture by mixing oils like Jojoba, Olive, with water and glycerin.

Pay attention to braid BUILD-UP and NEW Growth
This usually happens when you have used too much product and your hair knots up at the roots after the emergence of new growth. At the site of build-up, simply take out old braids and re-braid, doing so often ensures your braid is always looking fresh

Remember to Wash
Just because your hair is in braids does not mean you should stop washing it. One easy way to wash your hair and maintain the style is to wash it with diluted shampoo while in the shower. Massage your scalp to release the debris, move along to the rest of your hair, and be careful not to tug on your hair too much. Don’t forget to condition your hair after washing, this can be achieved with the help of a leave-in conditioner.
Be sure to wash your braids once in two weeks, pay particular attention to the scalp.

Cover your braids before you sleep:
Whether it is a hair net or silk scarf, it is important to protect your braids from loosening while you sleep by covering it.

- bellanaija

Protective Styling: braids !

Guys, the braids I did last time were awesome, for me, and for my hair! I want them again. I am going to need a really good protective styling for the winter ''winterising my hair'' and for the holidays too! Keeping my hair protected is key and braids make me feel more natural. No more weave. I tell everyone. I shall be doing black and some wine red braids, since I did brown highlights last time. Let's see how it goes :D I am going to search up ways to keep my hair in good condition while in braids. I don't want to buy braids  sprays, products etc. from the shop but I would rather make my own braids hair care treatments. Braids will help me retain length and growth. One thing I would never do though, is do micro-braids (too much risk!), I will be doing thick braids, about the same thickness as my hair.

I just did my hot oil treatment and conditioned my hair so that it will be in good shape before the braiding.

Lisa will be doing my single braids for me today before we head up to my uni christmas party!