Updates!

Hey All!

Sorry for the delay in posts! I just got back from my cruise so before that time was very limited.

Updates on my hair:

I did my final mini chop on January 26th. I only did a mini chop because I knew I wanted to have senegalese twists installed and didn't want to risk my braids falling out from being too short as mentioned in previous posts. So I don't have very much relaxed hair remaining at all.

After I remove these braids I am going to a natural hair stylist to completely chop my hair off and then have another set of braids installed for another 3 months.

My focus for this year is to simply grow my hair back out. And in order for me to do that in a way that is healthy I am planning to leave my hair in braids for the entire 2015 year. That's right! The "Totally Tucked Challenge" is under way. I am going to experiment with crochet braids, nubian twists, kinky twists, box braids, and twists in order to have my hair protected. I am seeing growth already in the 3 weeks that I have had these twists installed so I am looking forward to seeing the growth in May when I take them down.

I have struggled this past week with oiling my scalp due to a severe sinus infection but I am back up and running and will be dedicating these next few months to Operation TLC!

I have joined challenges on Hairlista to keep me encouraged as well as to get insight from other ladies dealing with similar issues. If you haven't visited the website head over now and create a free profile and dive into the wonderful world of hair care!

www.hairlista.com

Thanks for reading!
AR

Week 17 of 26 Week Stretch...

I just finished week 17 of my 6-month stretch!


Lots of new growth! I took a few snapshots to show the growth…

About 1" of new growth in a month!

17 weeks post relaxer!

The regimen that I have been using with these braids has been very minimal. 

I cowash the braids every 7-10 days. I use a spray bottle to moisturize my new growth. It contains an oil, water, and conditioner. I still use castor oil along my edges.

I typically wear the braids in ponytail but the style offers little to no manipulation within itself.

The only con that I have run into with these braids is the nape of hair has grown so much that I have had to take down an entire row so the fake hair doesn't cause damage to my real hair.

Overall I am pleased with the growth and the upkeep.

Inversion Method Results..

Hello All!

So I did the inversion method this past week and I was able to see 1/2"- 3/4" of an inch of growth in some areas. I am pleased with these results and can't wait to do it again in July.

The only downside to doing the Inversion Method in box braids was the itchy scalp.

I used my Scalp Relief Recipe to help with the itchiness but I noticed when I left my hair pinned up in a bun it didn't itch as bad. (Strange…)

Overall I think I got good growth!

Now I need to increase the amount of moisture because my roots feel dry. I will probably deep condition my hair my hair this weekend. If I figure out a good way to accomplish this I will write a post about it.

Thanks for reading.

Inversion Method

I started doing the Inversion Method this week.

The dates that I plan to do this method will fall from 6/17/2014 through 6/23/2014. 

It is easy to do the Inversion Method with my box braids because it helps to moisturize my new growth as well as increase growth without worrying about tangles.

I will do a cleansing wash and deep conditioning treatment on Monday. 

I have about 1/4 inch of new growth currently so after this week is up I will give you guys the results!

Stay tuned.

Week 15 of 26 Week Stretch

Hello All!

I am coming up on the 15th week of my 6-month stretch!

It has only been a little over a week since I had my box braids installed and the braids are doing great. I am reaching that point where my scalp is extremely itchy. During this time I get antsy and get the urge to take down my braids. However, I have been researching different home methods to ease the itching.

I tried a spritz last night on my scalp that I found to be relieving but I think I will only spritz my hair with the mixture one or two times per week.

My Scalp Relief Recipe



 2 parts water

1 part witch hazel

A few drops of peppermint oil

I sprayed this mixture directly to my scalp only and almost instantly it was soothing and the itching ceased.

So far I have no complaints just making sure my hair remains moisturized in these braids...

Here's to another great week!!

 

 

15 weeks down...11 weeks to go!

 

6-month Stretch is a GO!!

That's right!

I am going on my second 6-month stretch of my hair journey. With me already being 13 weeks post I am at the halfway mark and I have the experience to successfully stretch for another 13 weeks.

My current protective style is box braids! Love, love, LOVE them! They are medium in size which will allow for easy take down with little to no damage and I will be able to oil my scalp and hair generously.

I started the JBCO method on my edges which I found to be great during my last braid installation. It's just a personal idea that I came up with which I'm sure other women have done as well. I simply applied JBCO from day one of the install as a preventative measure to reduce any hair loss that may come with the braids along my edges and it worked great. When I took my last install down my hair was moisturized and my edges were still there.


I love the idea of a long-term protective style at this point of my stretch and I can't wait to see my growth at the end of the 26 weeks!

13 weeks down…13 weeks to go!

13 weeks post...

Hello All!


I am coming up on the 13th week of this stretch. I still have no certain plan of doing another 6-month stretch but for now I am at the halfway point and I am doing pretty good.

I have experienced a little more tangles so far during my wash days but nothing I can't handle. Patience and moisturizing conditioners are saving me right now.

I prepped my hair tonight for a box braid install tomorrow. It consisted of doing a cleansing wash using Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo and Curl Care Nourishing Conditioner.

I deep conditioned a couple of days ago using Shea Moisture's products but my hair still felt like it needed more umph to it.

I let my hair towel dry for about 15 minutes then parted my hair in four sections. I lightly applied jojoba oil to my roots and ends as my heat protectant and proceeded to blow out the roots of my hair. This allows for the braiders to manage my hair better and hopefully reduce damage.

My hair feels soft and moisturized so these braids should be a great install. Leaving them in for 6-8 weeks should be a breeze. By then I will be 16-18 weeks post relaxer!

I keep learning new techniques but overall protecting my hair is what is important.

Cheating on My Hair: Long-Term Protective Styles

So I have been in these box braids for almost 4 weeks (Tuesday).

And what I have come to learn about long-term protective styles is the fact that I miss MY hair.

I miss the washing, deep conditioning, and all around TLC that I give my hair. With that I have decided to take the braids out and get back to the basics of MY hair.

I think wigs are the all around best option for me so I will do some research and get wig closet stocked so that I can add some versatility to my hair without any full time commitment.

I feel like I'm cheating on my hair with these braids lol.

If any of you are on a healthy hair journey you can relate to this love-hate relationship with long-term protective styles! :)

And with that I am....

12 weeks down...14 weeks to go!!! 

Wash Day in Box Braids

Hello all!

I did my first wash in my braids on Saturday. Very successful might I add and I wanted to share my experience and hopefully be a help to someone reading this post about caring for the braids.

Once in the shower, I spent about 10 minutes just massaging my scalp with warm water to help remove some of the dirt before applying my conditioner. 

Then I applied a small amount of conditioner only to my fingertips and massaged it in small sections until my entire scalp was covered. I then took the length of the braids and coated them with conditioner and left it on for about 20 minutes. 

I rinsed it all out and towel dried as much of the water as I could.

Then I immediately coated the length of my braids with EVOO and oiled my scalp with my EVOO mix. This was to make sure my hair was moisturized and prevent any unnecessary dryness.

Once my hair was about 95% dry I spritzed my Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-In Conditioner over my entire head.

My braids feel moisturized and I count that as a plus considering how drying they can be without proper care.

Thanks for reading!

ASR

Week 9 of 26 week Stretch

Yes! I am a third of the way into my stretch and I'm actually doing really well.

Of course last week I got my box braids installed so I am in this protective style for a few weeks.

There really isn't much of an update aside from the fact that I oiled my scalp last night with the EVOO mix and used my moisturizing spritzed. With these braids I will be able to knock out 10-14 weeks of my stretch without worrying about my hair too much.

Of course I will still be washing, conditioning, moisturizing, and sealing these braids but my ends being exposed won't be an issue.

So here's to week 9!


                                   

9 weeks down...17 weeks to go!

                                      

Box Braids/ Sew-In: Hair Care

These are a few tips that I found very useful for me in terms of prepping for a braid or sew-in installation as well as care for the duration of having a long term protective style.

1. Wait 2 weeks after you have received a chemical treatment before you install any braids or a sew-in. When you apply a chemical treatment you are weakening your hair strands and immediately doing an install will cause extreme breakage or hair loss.

2. Do a good protein treatment and moisturizing deep conditioning treatment 1-2 days before your install. This will put that protein and moisture balance into your hair strands prior to the installation.

3. NEVER BRAID BREAKING OR DAMAGED HAIR! Too many times people think the solution to damaged hair is hiding it under braids or a sew-in. This is a recipe for disaster when you take down your install. Correct any damage before putting braids or sew-ins into your hair by conditioning and trimming any dead ends.

4. Don't braid your hair too tightly. Braiding hair too tightly will cause hair loss along your edges and nape. Ensure that the braids are secure without excess pull.

5. Alternate between a protein and moisture spray. Again, keeping the protein and moisture balance is imperative even though your hair is hidden. Spritz your hair 4 days with a moisturizing spray and 1 day with a protein spray.

6. Lightly seal hair with an oil. This is the same as moisturizing and sealing your hair. Find an oil that will light enough not to create build up.

7. Oil scalp as needed...not daily. You don't want to create build up on your scalp because you won't be washing your hair as often since it is under braids.

8. Shampoo and condition every 7-10 days. Once a week is enough to shampoo/condition your hair. Any more than that will of course create frizz. If you choose to still deep condition it is recommended that you dilute the products with water to help with the process of rinsing all of the product out.

9. Cover hair with a satin bonnet. Treat your installs like you would treat your real hair. You wouldn't go to bed with a scarf so why would you go to bed without one since you have an install?

Hopefully these tips will help you to retain as much length as possible with your installs!