Moving On...

Well the crochet braids did not last nearly as long as I wanted them to :(

Between missing my curls and the hair coming out I knew it was going to be much of a challenge to keep up with this "low manipulation" style. So I opted to take my hair down and prep for a different protective style.

On the up side I had a GREAT twistout as a result and my hair seems like it's growing really nicely.

I think I am going to try a quick-weave next because I won't have to worry about any hair being left out and it will be under a wig cap so my hair will be protected...stay tuned...

AR

Crochet Braid Install

Hello All,

I got crochet braids installed yesterday and I am SO excited about having this style done on my hair because I have seen others do it and it comes out beautiful.

In addition I was a little burned out on taking care of my TWA. Due to the fact that it is at a really awkward length I haven't worn my two-strand twists out by themselves. So I have run out of beanie options because I don't like wearing beanies often in the office because it's not as professional as I would like it to be.

In preparation for this installation I did a deep conditioning treatment using the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque w/ Sea Kelp & Argan Oil and Olive Oil. I let it sit on my hair for 30 minutes and did a cowash with Giovanni's Tea Tree Conditioner. The tea tree is cleansing and soothing but the conditioner leaves moisture in my hair.

I did a few granny plats to allow my hair to dry before braiding. This will let my hair stretch some more.

I decided to use the the Freetress GoGo Curl hair as my hair for this install.  I chose to do black and brown mix on my hair to add a little flair. The stylist did a GREAT job taking care of my hair and the results were amazing.

She added braiding hair into my hair which will allow for this install to last a little longer than I anticipated. With proper care I imagine I can keep this in for 6-8 weeks depending on frizz and tangling.

Here are the results:

 I am getting used to the look because it is a very bold look for me. Otherwise I am happy with the outcome and can't wait for more crochet braid installs.

Thanks for reading!
AR

2-Month Update & Length Check

Hello All!

Coming with another update.

I officially hit 2 months on July 3rd.

As many of you know I had my hair in kinky twists as a protective style. Originally I had planned to keep my hair braided until about August 3rd. Well coming back from vacation I was getting restless with the twists and were ready to take to them down....so I did!

I am so geeked! I have gained more length in the last 2 months and that is such a great feeling.

 Freshly washed hair; no products added

 Left Side 3"

 Front 3.25"

 Right Side 3.25"

 Nape 3.5"

Wash Day

I took my hair down late Monday night. Tuesday I used for a wash and deep conditioning day. I washed with Carol's Daughters Black Vanilla Sulfate-Free Shampoo and deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I did a oil rinse using extra virgin olive oil. (LOVED THIS).

Once out of the shower I lightly oiled my hair with grapeseed oil because it isn't as heavy as the olive oil. For my twistout I used the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Eco Styler Gel. I haven't seen the results yet but my twists are holding much better this time around.

What's next?? I am going to have my hair crochet braided as a protective style. I have seen so many people achieve this look and it looks really great. I want all of my hair braided and I want it just about APL in length. So my hair will be taking a breather until August 6th. This gives me plenty of time to prep my hair and play in my curls! :)

Stay tuned for more updates and thanks for reading!

ASR

1-Month Natural Update

Hey all!

Yesterday marked my 1-month BC-versary. :)

The month flew by and because my hair is in a protective style I cannot see what growth I have gained in the month.

I'm honestly not one of those people who check week-to-week or month-to-month for growth because I don't think you can see much change in such a short time unless you are tracking the use of a growth aide.

I don't plan to take my hair down until August so by then I will have a great update!

Just keep watch for random info to be posted through this phase of my protective style challenge!

Happy Hair Growing!

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!