Hairstyle: Loose Twists

On Friday, I saw this post on Urban Bush Babes on how to do loose twists. I thought the style was so cute! I didn't plan on putting the loose twists in my hair and I had planned on doing mini twists. But, I got started on my hair at 6:00 pm on Sunday so, I knew I didn't have time for mini twists. I finished the loose twists at 2:00 am. So, this hairstyle took about 8 hours.

I used my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Eco Styler Olive Gel to put in the twists.

I absolutely love how they turned out. It's like I get the instant volume that can usually only be achieved on 2 week old twists. Now, this style may not be for you if you like your twists to look defined. And the shrinkage with loose twists is out of this world. But, I love this style nonetheless and I think I have found my staple Spring/Summer hairstyle.

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: 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}

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: Large-Sized Twist Updo

So, my hair was in dire need of a good washing. Yesterday, I shampooed with Giovanni Deeper Moisture shampoo, I then co-washed with Suave Professionals in Almond, I then followed that up with an oil rinse of castor oil and EVOO, I then deep conditioned for about 30 mintues with the V05 Tea Therapy, and I then styled my hair.

All week, I have been yearning to try this hairstyle on MeechyMonroe's site. I think she looks simply elegant and gorgeous with this look. So, I have been feening to try out this style. I must admit my first three attempts (from memory) for trying out this style sucked. I realized that I could no longer do my twist updos how I did them with shorter hair. So, I had to get on her site and read the directions for the style. Then, the updo came out pretty nice. I like this. And I absolutely adore large twists.

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!

Let's Talk About Two-Strand Twists

It is now going on 4 weeks that I have been rocking two-strand twists. And I am really enjoying it. I definitely need to update my hair regimen for you all. I just thought I'd do a quick post telling about the perks of two-strand twists.

1. Less manipulation of the hair. When my hair is in two-strand twists I am not manipulating the strands as much as "out" styles. Of course, I do try out different hairstyles but, I could never do that many styles to my "out" hair without stressing my fine strands.

2. Versatility. Two strand twists are so versatile. I have tried so many hairstyles (which I love to do) and I am able to do them with the twists still in my hair. I can just wear the hair down, side swept, in two-strand flat twists, updos, and so much more.

3. Less tangles and fairy knots. The initial reason for my wearing two-strand twists has been to decrease the amount of tangles and fairy knots I was experiencing. Especially, from wearing my hair "out". My hair is growing and getting longer, which is a good thing but, the downside of this is more tangles. Now, I simply take down my twists and finger detangle during the process. I then detangle using the damp/dry method. And my detangling sessions are going by so much faster!

4. Length retention. Now, I don't know how to test this theory because I would have to compare the current growth of my hair to the growth of the past. And I really don't do length shots or length checks. However, I can understand the reasoning behind two-strand twists leading to length retention. Simply because it is a protective style, which means less manipulation of the hair. Also, when wearing the twists in updos the ends are protected.

Hair of the Week: Medium Sized Twists

So, this past Saturday I put in some more twists. This time I did them about medium size. It took about 6-7 hours. I have really been enjoying trying out new styles with these twists. Also, I have a new favorite hairstyle--the two strand flat twists leading to a low pin-up.

So, I am debating on curling the twists this weekend for a new look but, I'll see how I feel. And I may film it...

*as you can see, I have mainly been rocking updos*

Hair Today: Invented Updo

the front still looks pretty much like a regular updo I've done w/mini twists...

check out those huge twists in the back...

So, remember my rant in the previous post? Yeah. So, I didn't finish taking down my mini twists yet. So, today I'm rocking some sort of random updo that I pinned up.

I finished taking down the back of my hair and I put that section in jumbo twists. And the front in still in the mini twists.

Therefore, to camoflage the hair (even though its not really camouflaged) I pinned it up in this updo. I think I did a decent job considering what I'm working with.

So, here's to the invented and temporary hairstyles that we all have to use at some time or another. #bobby pins are my friends#

Being Realistic...

So, I have been dreading--absolutely DREADING--taking down these mini twists. The task seems so daunting--and it is. My sister and mother kept saying "I feel sorry for you" and "That's going to take forever" as I was attempting to take down my hair.

In my mind, I was going to dedicate a night to taking down my hair. However, I started the take down process on Monday night, continued Tuesday night, and I still have some more twists to take out. I wasn't realistic when I was putting in the twists. For some reason, I felt that it would take 8-9 hours and I would be done. However, it took 16 hours.

So, I have come to the conclusion that I need to be realistic when setting hair goals. No, its not going to take one night to get these mini twists out of this head. And I may not get them all out tonight. But, I do know that I am going to work diligently to get them out. I am so looking forward to washing my hair, doing an oil rinse, deep conditioning it, etc.

Have you ever set hair goals and had to be realistic that it just wasn't going to happen?

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"...

Hairstyle: Roll and Tuck leading to a Side Pony Tail

Hello, ladies. I just wanted to share with you all this fast and simple hairstyle I achieved with my mini twists.

Playing Around with My Mini Twists

So, even though I haven't had these mini twists in that long I have tried a few hairstyles. I will try to keep posting video tutorials of the many hairstyles I plan on doing with these twists. Below are a few pics of styles I have tried so far...

 This is the hair completely pinned up.

 This is the hair all swept to the side.

 This is the back view of the hair all swept to the side.

This was the hair with the side rolled and pinned to the side.

I'm really enjoying playing around with my mini twists and I have a few more ideas floating around this head of mine. 

Hairstyle: Mini Twists

This was my hair on Day 1.

I was headed to church as was too tired to try a style so, I just wore them down.

So, my plans didn't go as I had intended them. I wanted to put the mini twists in on Thursday night. However, I ended up starting on Friday night, worked for 3 hours, then got tired. Then, I tried to continue on Saturday morning but, I ended up going shopping and to the movies with Auset. *I rocked a turban that day since I had some hair out and some twists in*

So, by the time we got home at around 6:00 pm I was DETERMINED to finish my hair. My determination was so strong that I ended up pulling an all nighter. I finished my hair at 7:30 am. Talk about dedication.

So the total time for these mini twists was about 16 hours!! For this reason, I'm thinking that mini twists will now become a once a year routine.

Why so long? Simply put, I ended up putting them in much smaller than my last set, my hair is a little longer, and I still had some detangling to do.

But, I finished them and I am SO pleased with the results...

This is my hair today. I don't know how I came up with this pin-up. It just sorta happened.