Apologies and Hairstyles

First off, I must apologize for my lack of consistent posting. I have been uber busy around here. Let me give you the deets. I am a crocheter and a knitter. So, every year around this time I find myself procastinating on projects until about the end of November. By this time, its crunch time. So, I find myself knitting and crocheting whenever I have any free time. And I haven't been having much free time. You know how it goes in December. Christmas parties, Christmas activities, Christmas programs, etcetera, etcetera. Therefore, I haven't been doing much to my hair...

I wore the previous cornrow style for about 1 1/2 weeks. Then, I started hating how old and dirty it was getting. So, I made plans to take down my hair and do it on Saturday. Needless, to say Saturday was busy also! Shopping, Dinner outing, shopping. So, when I got home it was about time for me to hit the sack. But, I took the time out to take down my style, finger detangle, and put in some chunky braids. The next day I wore my hair in a high bun with a swoop. Again, I made plans to wash my hair but, that night was busy, and so was the next, and so was the next...

Because I hated wearing my hair out for those 3 days--especially in that style because it was tangle city--I decided to do a quick protective style until I actually had time to dedicate a full day to my hair.

Below are the pics of my high bun style (inspired by the oh-so-lovely MeechyMonroe) and my cornrow/twist protective styles:

The High Bun

Cornrow/Twist Style

Hair Today: Side Swept Cornrows

I haven't been doing anything major to my hair. I've been keeping up with the protective hairstyles. I put this style in after washing my hair with Shea Moisture (review coming), co-washing, oil rinsing, and deep conditioning. I like this style and I have had it for about a week now.

Note: I did re-do the front braids after about 4 days.

Oh protective style, how I love thee...

Life has been going on. Forgive me for my lack of consistent posting. I'm trying to get better.

However, nothing much has been going on with my hair. I have been sticking to my Fall/Winter hair regimen to a tee. And I've gotten so spoiled by protective styling.

See, this past weekend we went to Destin, Florida (Absolutely gorgeous place BTW!!!). I wanted to wear my hair out. Now that I think about it, I don't think that was the best style for the being next to the water. So, I took down my cornrows from the style in the previous post, finger detangled, and re-braided using Jamaican Mango Lime, Water, and EVOO. The braid out came out pretty cute. My hair has grown so, I wasn't used to it being that big...or maybe I just wasn't used to seeing my hair out. I wore the hair out for 2 days and couldn't take it anymore. I braided it right back up.

You all know how my hair does. Once its out, I have tangles galore!

I must admit that I was so happy to go back to my protective style. Once you put the style in--especially braids--all you have to do is moisturize, oil, and go. I just love the ease of protective styling :-)

OAN: I will post pics of my "out" hair from this past weekend. And I will post pics of the cornrow style I have been rocking this week later on. I haven't been having my camera with me :-/

Hair Today: Cornrows with Center Part

So, I have been wanting to try this style for awhile but, I was a bit hesitant. Usually, center parts don't compliment my face. However, I really like how this style came out. I feel the parts could've been straighter but, it is what it is.

Here's what I did:
1. Co-washed my hair with V05 Moisturizing Milk in Peach
2. Oil rinsed using 50:50 mixture of EVOO and EVCO
3. Deep conditioned for 30 minutes with V05 Moisturizing Milk conditioner
4. Rinsed out and began to style
5. I applied Suave Naturals in Coconut as my leave-in
6. I then created a center part in the middle of my comb using the rat tail end of a comb
7. I put 5 cornrows on each side of my hair.
8. Once finished, I spritzed my hair with EVOO/water mixture, applied EVOO, and covered my hair for the night
9. The next morning I two-strand flat twisted the hanging pieces and led them to the back of my hair. I then bobby-pinned it in place.

Hair Today: High Bun

Yesterday, taking down my twists and finger detangling took entirely too much time! So, I simply put my hair in 6 jumbo braids, covered my hair, and went to bed. This morning I had no idea what to do to my hair. I did know I wasn't going to wear my hair out and I wanted to protect the ends of my hair. I was playing with the idea of doing a headband pin-up. But, just the thought of a headband on my hair the entire day annoyed me. So, I decided to try a easy high bun since it worked so well with the twists in my hair.

It worked like a charm! This style was soooo quick and easy.

Here's what I did:
1. I took down the braids---my hair was somewhat stretched.
2. Using my fingers and hands only I pulled the hair up into a high ponytail.
3. Using an ouchless band, I wrapped it around the hair twice. (Yall know I can't stand tight ponytails)
4. Using bobby pins, I pinned the hair under to create a bun.

No products, brushes, or combs were used.

Tonight, I will be washing and re-braiding my hair...

Hair Today: Two-Strand Twists

Yesterday, I took down my cornrows and two-strand twisted my hair. Even though the twists aren't that small it took me about 8 hours to put them in. I used Fantasia IC Olive Gel to put the twists in. After the twists were in, I oiled my scalp with EVOO, I oiled my hair with EVCO, and I sealed my ends with a shea butter/EVCO mixture.

I plan on keeping the twists for 2 weeks. I will then take them down, wash, and cornrow my hair.

Hair Today: Cornrows

As you know from my Fall/Winter Regimen I plan on keeping it simple this year and alternating between two-strand twists and cornrows. This is the week for cornrows. So, I plan on keeping this style in for 1 week. I will then take it out and two-strand twist it.

Yesterday I did the following:
1. Finger detangled
2. Individually braided hair in big sections (about 8) to wash
3. Shampooed hair with Giovanni Direct Moisture shampoo (I used their new Eco Chic line and I don't like it.)
4. Followed up with an oil rinse of 50:50 Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
5. Co-washed with a Dollar General cheapie conditioner. I deep conditioned with the same conditioner for 30 mintues.
6. Took braids down, applied Suave Naturals in Coconut as a leave-in, and cornrowed.

This morning I:
1. Took off my satin scarf/bonnet
2. Pinned the ends under

Hair Today: Twisted High Bun

Yes. The title is correct.

I'm wearing my hair in a bun and I used an ouchless band to put it up. Shocking. Yall know I have a fear of pulling my hair back but, this band is putting no pressure whatsoever on my hair or edges. It's so light I can barely feel it. I plan on wearing this style on and off (not that often) because I don't want the hair to become weak or break wear the band is located. Tomorrow, will be an updo day...

[I may record a quick tutorial of this style tonight.] UPDATE: The video for this hairstyle can be viewed {HERE}

Fall/Winter Hair Regimen

It's that time of year again. This year, I'm keeping it oh-so-simple.

Below is my hair regimen plans for the Fall/Winter:
1. I will wear a full cornrow style for a week. This will help the hair stay detangled and give it a slight stretch.
2. I will take the cornrows down and then, put in two-strand twists.
3. I will wear the two-strand twists for about 2 weeks in various hairstyles (i.e. buns, updos, pin-ups, flat twisted)
4. I will take the twists down after the 2 weeks. I will then detangle, shampoo, oil rinse, co-wash, deep condition, and rinse.
5. I will then cornrow the hair back up and repeat the regimen.

**I will be spritzing my protective styles with my water-based mixture every day or every other day. I plan on applying EVOO, castor oil, or EVCO to my hair everyday. I plan on sealing my ends every other day with shea butter/EVOO mixture.

Simple huh? Well, that's it ;-)

Hair Today: Cornrows leading to low Bun

Yes. I pulled my hair back using an ouchless band. I put it on loosely so, there is no pressure on my head. Yesterday, I wore the hair pinned up but, I didn't feel like bobby pinning the hair today.

Moving on to the hairstyle...I washed my hair and then I put 5 large cornrows in my hair as you can see. Instead of braiding the hair to the end, I twisted it. Just another quick, easy, and simple protective style ;-)

Hairstyle: Cornrow/Twist Low Pin-Up

So, yesterday I decided to do my hair. I actually had plans to do a twist updo and I started on Monday. However, I started at 4:30 pm and by 10:30 pm I wasn't even done with half of my head. So, I just pinned my hair up for work.

The next day after work, I decided to do a cornrow/twist pin-up. I like how it turned out.

Here's what I did:
1. I parted the hair in sections first--7 rows in the front.
2. I then parted a section in the back to two-strand twist later.
3. I finger detanged each section before braiding or twist it up. I also spritzed each section with my Water/EVOO mixture.
4. Then, I cornrowed the front and twisted the ends so it could blend with the back section.
5. I then two-strand twisted the back section.
6. Finally, I pinned it up!

I recorded a video tutorial of the hairstyle which can be found {HERE} .

Hair Today: French Braid Pin-Up (Day 6)

On Friday night I co-washed my hair, oil rinsed, deep conditioned, and styled it. Because I have been so busy moving and packing up my apartment, I didn't feel like trying nothing too major with my hair. So, I went to the trusty french braids. I wore the hair in french braids for the first 5 days. And this morning I took the ends of the braids down and pinned it up for a new look.

I finally moved everything out of my old place and now I just need to unpack the many, many, many boxes I need to. So, the next style I do will probably be a fast style also. I will try to record a tutorial for you all.

This is Day 6 hair so, you notice that its getting kind of fuzzy looking. But, it is what it is :-)

Hair Today: Large Cornrows in front and Large Twists in back

So, yesterday I decided to wash my hair and treat it to some tender, love, and care since that was my first free night of the week. So, I co-washed my hair with V05 Tea Therapy conditioner. I then oil rinsed my hair--leaving the oil in for 3 minutes. I then deep conditioned my hair with Suave Shea Almond conditioner for 30 minutes. I was then ready to style my hair. Whenever I style my hair wet, I like to use Suave Naturals in Coconut as my styler.

The style I did was simple but, for some reason took about an hour to finish. I put four large cornrows in the front and slanted them to the side. I then put large twists in the back.

My hair is thanking me for the moisture. Even though, I spritz my hair every other day with a water based mixture, oil my hair, and seal my ends my hair still needs that special treatment that can only be obtained through a good wash, oil rinse, and deep condition.

Hairstyle: Side Cornrows and Large Twists

So, I am officially over my "lazy hair" so, last night I took down my french braids and low pin-up and proceeded to do my hair. I had no idea what I was going to do but, I just went with the flow and came up with this style. I really like this style. And it didn't even take long.

The video tutorial can be found {HERE}.


Here's what I did:
1. I cornrowed the side front section of my hair and twisted the end of the cornrow.
2. I then proceeded to put in large twists in the remaining hair. I used no product.
3. I pinned to front section and back side section.
4. And voila you're done!

Future Hair Plans...

So, I have been re-thinking my regimen (especially for the summer) and I have decided that I will start rocking more protective styles such as twists, braids, etc. The reason for this is that my hair is just getting too long and tangles are occuring more frequently. I mean they occur like crazy. And though I do have patience with my hair, I just don't want to have 2-3 day styling sessions with my hair. I have realized that I have a significant decrease in tangles whenever I rock styles such as twists. So, that is what I will be doing.

I'm not saying I won't ever wear my hair out but, I really do think that I will just rock my hair in "out" styles on very special occasions.

I am excited about rocking my protective styles. I plan on putting in some medium sized twists this weekend after I detangle, wash, co-wash, etc. I will continue to keep you posted and post pics of the hairstyles that I try with my medium sized twists. Maybe I should call them "midi twists"...

Hair Today: Twist Updo

So, I am still rocking the set of twists that I put in my hair last Monday. I haven't done anything special to them except wear them in an updo.

Right now, I am just enjoying being lazy with my hair. Each night or morning I oil my hair and pin it up. I decided that I am going to fully wear this hairstyle for the entire 2 weeks. So, I will probably just play in some more hairstyle options with this set of twists. The twists just started to get a slight frizz to them about a day or so ago. But, I really don't mind...it is what it is.

The weather has been so NICE in Alabama. We have been having temperatures in the late 60s - 70s for the past 2 weeks. Really, I could have worn my hair out during this time but, I decided to continue to rock my protective hairstyle.

I Have Been Spoiled...by protective styles

So, this past winter/fall I have been wearing my hair in protective styles. And I must admit that protective styles come with a number of perks.

Here they are:
1. I never have to worry about my hair brushing rough fibers.
2. My hair is tucked away so, I am not picking in it constantly. (Yeah, I have "hands in hair" syndrome)
3. I have little to no fairy knots when the hair is in protective styling.
4. Sleeping and covering my hair at night is a breeze. When I wear my hair out, it gets difficult to tuck it under my satin bonnet--I know I need something on a larger scale.

Because of these perks, I immediately put my hair back into a protective style. It was nice to have an "out" style for that brief period but, I'm back to the twists. I wore my hair in the side swept twist-out for 3 days, which was longer than I intended. However, we traveled this past weekend and I didn't have time to do it. But, last night I sat down and put some medium size two-strand twists in my hair and wore an updo today.

So yeah, I have definitely been spoiled by protective styles. I wonder how my hairstyles are going to go in the warmer months. We shall see...