Protective Style: Phase 2

Hello All!

I am now in Phase 2 of this Totally Tucked Challenge!

I'm back to the braids....or Kinky Twist. :)

I had my hair out for about 2 weeks which gave me time to wash and condition my hair and prep for it to be re-braided.

This issue that most people run into when doing braids as a protective style is that they don't give their hair time to breathe in-between their installs. Which ultimately leads to hair loss along your edges and nape. I have an example that literally made my stomach drop:

     I walked into the African braiding shop and was asked to sit until someone could start my hair. I surveyed the other chairs just to see about how long my wait would be.
     There was a lady that was getting micro braids removed from her head. The stylist AND the client were both using a rat-tail comb snatching the braids out in what seemed to be the most unpleasant experience. Once the hair was undone they took her in the back to "wash" her hair. (No detangling, deep conditioning, no TLC.) They brought her back to the chair in less than 5 minutes and began to blow dry her hair...again no detangling, no heat protector, no TLC.
     After they blow dried it they immediately put cornrows in her hair to prep for a crochet braid style. I couldn't watch anymore because I was sure at that point my mouth was wide open.

Long story short....your hair needs time! No one knows your hair like you do. I took the last two weeks to give my hair a break before being handled again. My hair is very strong so a little TLC goes a long way.

I got kinky twist this time around. Something different that I haven't had in a while. They are shorter in length which I like a lot because the long hair was annoying especially after having it in for 3 months.

If all goes as planned I won't being seeing my hair until August! I won't be doing many updates being that my hair will be braided up but I will definitely keep you guys informed of anything interesting.

Thanks for reading!

AR

Twist-Out Results

HOLA!

I have been anxious to do a twist-out on my hair and Sunday I think I had a fairly successful go at it!

I co-washed my hair on Tuesday and did some mini twist all over.

 I used Eco Styler Gel and Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Curl Defining Pudding.

These two did great holding my twist in place but I'm sure when my products run out and I am ready to restock my cabinet I will try new things.

These were the results:

I can't complain for this being a first-timer lol.

Now time to protect my hair again...stay tuned.

AR

1st Natural Length Check...

I realized that I had not done any kind of length check since I did the big chop. So here are some (not so good) pics of where I am right now.

 Front: 2.75"

 Right Side 2.5"

Left Side: 2.5"

Nape: 2.25" *NOT PICTURED*

The shrinkage is real! But I think this is a good start for a big chop.

These are just some bonus pics from the wash that I did after I twisted my hair up.

 

Happy Hair Journey!

BIG CHOP!!!

You read that correctly! I did the big chop! May 3rd, 2015 at 10:15pm EST.

After taking my hair down last week I hadn't really decided on a day of when I would actually do my hair. My plans for wash day went left when I decided to have a random wash day on Friday night.

I did prepoo my hair and washed with shampoo and conditioner.

I hadn't cut my hair immediately. Instead I did some twist all over to help with detangling and to allow for a protective style until I decided on my next move.

I fell in LOVE with this picture! My curls are so defined and seeing how thin the ends were let me know that whenever I decided to cut my hair it would so much fun.

Well that decision came much sooner than I anticipated. Rule #1: Never leave Aneesah alone in the bathroom with a mirror, great lighting, and a pair of scissors...unexplainable things are bound to happen. :)

Here is my big chop story:

Sunday evening after church and visiting with family I was sitting on my couch going through online coupon blogs and watching TV with my boyfriend. Once again I was playing with different sections of my hair and it felt so weird because the ends were straight and dull while my roots were really thick.

I got up and went to the bathroom and started to soak each section with warm water and started cutting...and cutting...and cutting some more.

My boyfriend finally screamed from the living room "What's my baby doing!?"
I said "Oh nothing just cutting my hair off."
He said "Oh gosh babe."
While my boyfriend isn't into short hair he is 1000% supportive of letting me take on this adventure.

So supportive that he cut 75% of my hair for me!  I couldn't ask for better results.

While I haven't seen my hair all the way out in an afro, I am instantly hooked by the twists that are now able to stay intact without unraveling.

I AM OFFICIALLY NATURAL!!!

7 months post relaxer... 1 day NATURAL!

Free At Last!!

Hello all!

The day finally came! I took out my Senegalese Twist after having them installed for 14 weeks! That is a huge stretch for me considering I usually leave my braids in for 6-8 weeks at a time.

I have TONS of growth from leaving my hair braided up. I am going to finish cutting off the texlaxed/relaxed ends of my hair to get the full effect of my curls. That is the most exciting part for me.

I have not dedicated a day to pamper my hair yet considering I am working multiple jobs and currently house shopping.

Looking at my schedule I will probably prep my hair for washing on Sunday evening. This will be a 2 day pre-poo with an EVOO and coconut oil mix. I will leave this on my hair under  a saran wrap until Tuesday.

Tuesday I will apply a cheapie conditioner to my hair and let is sit for 30 minutes and follow with a cleansing shampoo. After the cleansing shampoo I will deep condition with a very thick and rich moisturizing conditioner mix (haven't decided on what it will be). I'll do an oil rinse using EVOO and then detangle and trim my ends.

I'll definitely have to keep my spray bottle handy so that I can spritz my hair prior to twisting it up.

I haven't decided if I want to get braids right off or if I want to wait until next month to get it rebraided.

I'm just winging it for right now. What I do know is I will be getting Kinky Twist this time around!

Stay tuned for pictures!

AR