Hairstyle: French Braids with Pompadour

PICTURE HEAVY POST.




So, this weekend I finally tried something new with my hair and I like it! In a past post, I mentioned that I wanted to try some french braids and I found a video on YouTube showing how to do a french braid style on short and coily natural hair. Initially, I intended to just to the french braids but, then I got an idea in my head to jazz it up a bit.

While at church, this cute little girl had her hair braided up but, she had a section left out loose. So, I thought to myself it would be cute to french braid my hair and leave enough hair for a bang (a twisted-out bang). So, I braided the hair, left a section loose for a bang, and twisted that section up. I tied a scarf over the braids to smooth it out and then I put a satin bonnet over my entire head. When you first put the Giovanni Deep Moisture leave-in on it leaves a white frothy residue. But, what's great about it is it disappears and soaks into the hair. (I used to be nervous about that residue.) Notice the residue is disappearing.

The next morning, I took the twists down for my bang. However, I just wasn't really feeling the bang with the entire look. So, I had to think of something quick because I needed to go to work. It was then that I came up with the idea to pin it up for a pompadour. And I liked it!

What I really love about having the pompadour instead of the bang is that it is now a complete protective style. With the bang out, I would have still had some of my hair exposed to the harsh winds of the coming fall/winter. And even though it is still hot outside, I have been practicing/trying-out new protective styles for the coming months.

Here's what I did:
1. I co-washed my hair with Suave Coconut Naturals.
2. I took my wide-tooth comb, took small sections of my hair, and detangled my entire head.
3. I deep conditioned for 15 mintues with the Suave Coconut Naturals.
4. I then applied my Giovanni Deep Moisture Leave-in conditioner generously.
5. I then divided my hair into five sections. (2 in the back, 2 on the side, and 1 in the front for a bang/pompadour.)
6. I first braided the side sections.
7. I then braided the back sections and pulled the tail-end of those side braids into the braids in the back. (I really need to start YouTubing this but, I digress)
8. I then took that front section and individually twisted it.
9. I tied my hair up for the night and put a satin bonnet over the entire thing.
10. The next morning I took the twists down, seperated them just a tad.
11. I then divided that section into 2 sections and pinned them back.
12. Lastly, I crossed over those tail-ends in the back and pinned them up.
13. And you're done! I know it seems like a lot of steps but, trust me this style is too simple.
Bonus pic: This is the amount of shed hair I had once I detangled.