Braid Out And A Note On Being DIY [PICS]

I took down my mini-twists yesterday and my hair is finally loose again. In preparation for a wash and deep conditioning, I doused it in my diy Shea butter mix and plaited it in a random mix of 6-8 different-sized twists and braids. However, after looking at a dozen and one Youtube videos on crochet braids, I decided against washing and deep conditioning my hair (I had already washed it while in twists two days prior to the take down, anyway) and redid my hair into 6  braids to stretch out the hair evenly in preparation for crochet braids, instead. I later decided to add perm rods at the end of  each braid just in case I wanted to rock a braid out for church (which I did today; Oh the compliments I received!) It would be the last time seeing my hair out and about for at least two months so today was my chance to “play”. If the crochet braids don’t work, I’ll go back to mini twists, which weren’t that bad of a protective style. I plan to start installing the crochet braids tomorrow…if I can just get to cornrowing my hair right. It is really hard getting someone to cornrow my hair. I am very particular with my hair (e.g., I don’t blow dry nor do I use combs/brushes), and then there is the fact that I have a lot of it.

What are crochet braids?

Awesomeness. Pure awesomeness. At least, I hope that’s what they’ll end up looking like when I’m done.

I don’t want to give anymore details. I wanted the crochet braids to be a surprise, but I got so excited about them so I gave myself the permission to gab just a little. 😉

Anywho, my hair today; it’s not as defined as it was earlier this morning but I still like it:

Right side

Left side

Back

Full frontal. 😉

 

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A note on being DIY (Do It Yourself)

My mom wants me to bottle and sell the products I make, since I pretty much am diy (do it yourself). I am diy partly because of my limited resources and mostly because I avoid silicones; almost every freakin’ store-bought hair product has silicone and I’m not talking about the “good” water soluble kinds, either. I can’t afford super expensive shampoos and conditioners, but being diy is super fun and you can fix things to your personal preference (for example, I noticed that prolonged and obsessive use of grape seed oil gives me serious elasticity to the point where I was getting worried and that henna kind of reverses it; I still use grape seed oil, but in moderation now). The best part of diy is that my build-up has decreased dramatically and my hair is a billion times shinier. However, I’m pretty sure there are company-made products that work well and are safe for optimal hair health. Last week, I used my boyfriend’s shampoo and conditioner (Aveda Shampure line) and they were divine (and silicone-free)! Don’t knock the big industry hustle, my friends. Just know your ingredients!

Cornrows As A Protective Style

Once upon a time, I used to get my hair cornrowed every week and it was the best thing ever. Now, I think I will go back to it. I was contemplating getting large Senegalese twists, but the thought of having heavy long extensions weighing down on my poor edges turned me away from the idea quickly. Until my edges fully recover, I will try to avoid added hair/weave on my head.

So now I’m thinking of doing cornrows every two weeks. I, personally, really suck at doing my own cornrows (or anyone’s cornrows, for the matter) so I will be utilizing the help of a family member. I’ll babysit her kids on the weekends if she cornrows my hair every two weeks. Of course, these braids will never see the light of day – mainly because I want them to be medium/small-sized and ultra basic, which, to me, I think is not particularly age-appropriate; it brings me way back to my childhood years.  (I did wear some cornrows publicly in college, but they were large and I only had two rows; the braider didn’t know how to French braid so we had to settle on cornrows.)

Rather, I’ll be wearing my lace wig or head wraps/scarves. I will see if I can hold on to this protective style until December, when I decide whether to press or not. It’s pretty hard for me to hold on to a protective style for long (i.e. mini twists/braids, which I’ve learned are way too tedious for me hence the reason why I haven’t brought them up in my blog for months), but I have some confidence I will stick to cornrows! It’s way too easy to maintain and I won’t even be the one to braid them. 🙂

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Bringing in the New Year and other minor updates

So the goal this week is to start my mini braids before the semester gets intense. The length check that I promised will also be up; it just won’t be in video form because I’m having trouble with Windows Movie Maker acknowledging the video format from my smartphone. I just don’t have time for that. Pictures will have to suffice. Anyway, I’m BSL. Frustrating…but considering those really thin ends, I’d rather be a full BSL than a scraggly MBL. I have a before and after pic of the trim, too, for you to judge for yourself.

I hope I can wake up early enough tomorrow morning to wash my hair before my 11:30 am class. I am determined to start the mini braids tomorrow evening and have them done by the weekends. My last mini braids took 19 hours practically uninterrupted , with a few short  breaks lasting no longer than 15 minutes  included. For this mini braids session, I’m doing it piecemeal to account for the classes and other responsibilities I have. I will also make the mini braids a little bigger than last time and make a real effort to part the hair and have it look neat. I’m a little concerned regarding washing my hair tomorrow morning as I don’t use a blow dryer (I air dry) and this New England weather is not being nice at the moment.

Anywho, welcome to 2013! It will be another great year for hair-growing. Here’s to my 4-6 inches I hope to gain! 🙂

Protective Style: Mini Braids

So last Friday after Thanksgiving I braided my hair hoping it would look something like this. Far from it! It looked (and still does look) a hot mess. However, I’m back on campus and I have no time to diddle daddle on my hair so I’m leaving it as is until winter break in three weeks. To make it look less horrific, I’m keeping it up in a bun.

I will be returning to this style after the break, though. But before then, I have a hair appointment to press my hair on December 22nd. I genuinely don’t want to straighten it but I do want to have a clear starting point for length checks to put up in my blog. My next straightening appointment will not be til May for graduation and that’s it for most of 2013 until Christmas comes again.

Pics of mini my braids. These pics were added on after the initial posting of this entry on Dec. 2, 2012. Here, my braids are damp after a wash and condition. I originally braided my hair on Nov. 23rd.  Like I said, they don’t look so hot.

Left side

Right side

 

Top view

 

For upkeep, I co-washed my hair with Suave Cucumber Melon Splash Conditioner yesterday. After I blotted my hair with a towel, I added Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner and ORS Lock and Twist Gel. I plan to do this 2-3x a week.

 

Products Used for Shampoo/Deep Condition Before Mini Braids (11/23/12)
All the UBH products I used belong to my mom.

UBH Cleansing Shampoo

UBH Deep Conditioner

UBH Creme Moisturizer

UBH Silky Spray Moisturizer

 

Products Used Yesterday for Co-Washing and Mini Braid Upkeep (11/26/12)

Suave Naturals Cucumber Melon Splash Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner

ORS Lock & Twist Gel