A Trio - Hair of the Week (HOTW)

Another week is upon us and another protective style upon my head. This one is also pretty simple and is reminiscent of the single cornrow. Take a look-see:

Protective style - HOTW - A trio

How To:

My Go-To Products & Techniques While Short-term Protective Styling

Am I ODing with the protective styling posts yet? I know, once I'm into something I'm all in! Plus, there's just so much to discuss re PSing. So today we delve once again into my product stash, and find out what I've been reaching for during the last month of weekly protective styling, as well as a few techniques which I use regularly. Let's start on wash day, shall we?

Products

All Night Week Long - How to Make Your Protective Style Last

Naturals have been doing it since forever. Many of them set their style on wash day and maintain it until the next wash rolls around. It is bomb for length retention since it allows you to both protective style and reduce manipulation.

protective styles

I love long-term protective styling! I really do. It's a great way to take care of your hair with ease and it's awesome when you just need a break. But I decided to forego the wig as a means of protective styling and there is no way for me to get braids (with extensions) or a weave installed in these parts, so my next best is to utilize styles that last in the mid-range time frame, i.e. 1-2 weeks at a time.

You may have already encountered my HOTW posts. This is where I create a style at the beginning of the week and wear it throughout. There is no restyling and especially NO combing. Therefore, these styles are great for both increasing protection and reducing manipulation, result? super duper length retention! Below the Waist length here I come lol

I admit, finding a decent style that will hold up through a week's worth of...life, may not be the easiest. So, here are a few tips to help you accomplish this task:

Love Potion - Simple Hand and Strand Moisturizer

We're in the depths of winter and with that come dry hands, feet and hair.

I have only ever found one product that I loved for moisturizing my hands and that was the Soap and Glory Hand Food. It left my hands feeling really moisturized without a 'lotion-y' after-feel and too strong a smell. It was gifted to me by a friend who went on vacation to America and so I am unable to get my hands on it now. I have tried so many others but nothing left my hands feeling the same.

EVOO to go

Benefits of Protective Styling other than Length Retention

We all know that protective styling is king when it comes to length retention. But there are several other reasons to jump on the PS wagon:

1. You can wear lip gloss, no seriously
   

The Braid Parade - HOTD (W)

My hair just would not cooperate last night. After little less than an hour I gave in and went for something basic. This is what I ended up with...

Braided perimeter + braided bun

Using Protection - Arming Hair for Heat Styling

I've been talking a lot about heat in the last few posts (find them here and here). But no discussion about heat-styling is ever complete without mentioning heat protectants. As with any category of products, there are a mountain of options out there to cater to your whim and fancy. For the sake of brevity, I will speak on my methods in this post and of course you can chime in in the comments section about how you do things in your neck of the woods. Let's go.

L-R: LottaBody setting lotion, Nioxin Thermal Bliss, Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer,
Elasta QP Design Silk & ORS Thermal Protect and SHine

The way I use heat protectants depends on whether I'm using direct heat versus indirect heat.

Staying on the Straight and Narrow - Maintaining Straight Hair

Let's continue on the straight hair topic. This is a follow up to my previous post about achieving straight hair.

During my very first stretch on my new hair journey, I diligently took care of my hair and new growth. I was enjoying the fact that I was on my way to long healthy hair. I stretched for 8/ 9 months, but during month 7, I got really curious about the length I was (or wasn't) achieving. I pulled out my flat-iron! I can't remember right now if I blow-dried as well, but I know I used the comb-chase method and a lot of heat protectant, a lot! When I straightened, the excessive heat protectant made my hair look thin and stringy but I was pleased with the length. 

8 months into my HHJ/ 7 months post

Exploring Your Options - Ways to Achieve Straight Hair

I mentioned in this post that I used quite a bit of heat during my vacay to keep my hair straight for the sake of manageability and ease. By 'quite a bit' I mean 3 times! That may or may not seem like a lot to some, but for me it is. This is so because I rarely use heat during the course of a regular month. As a matter of fact I usually go 3 or 4 months without it.

Needless to say, I was very cautious during the process of creating straight hair. That is, I did a protein, used heat protectants, and used low heat with few passes, but that's a whole 'notha post. The point of this one, is to discuss ways to get your hair straight and keep it that way (at least for a while) while using heat.

You Got Me Twisted - HOTD

I say HOTD, but it's more like my HOTW; hair of the week.

Since I'm not long-term protective styling with wigs, my aim is to keep each style for a week without redoing it, so as to limit manipulation. Last week I did a simple single cornrow of my entire head, and accessorized with head bands. I was pleased that it lasted throughout sleep, work-outs, and everything in between. So this week I decided to try again, but with something different to break up the monotony.

This week's style is an up-do of sorts.

How to:

If You Like it Then You Shoulda Put a Rinse on it...? - Clear Rinsing

I rambled about my interest in clear rinses before. I shared with you some of the benefits and reposted some testimonials from a few bloggers. The time has finally come for me to try it out.

I did the rinse on the wash day following my relaxer. I skipped it on relaxer day for a few reasons: I didn't have much time and I didn't plan on styling my hair properly. I simply air-dried and went on my merry way. I wanted to see the full effects of the rinse so I wanted to wait until I was able to style properly.

I started the following wash day with a coconut, EVOO, and grapeseed oil hot oil/ pre-poo treatment. I followed that with a mini clarifying wash with ORS (to fully remove any relaxer that may still be present, although I highly doubt that), then I deep conditioned with ORS HaiRepair Nourishing Conditioner (light protein), followed by a moisturizing DC with Queen Helene Cholesterol creme (ginseng) to be on the safe side. **You may remember I struggled with protein overload a little while ago ad I don't want to risk that agin. I think it's important to have the moisture/ protein balance on point as the clear rinse will 'lock' your hair in it's current state.** Finally, I cooled and sealed with Tresseme Moisture Rich conditioner and then did my clear rinse.

Relaxing with yo' Girl - Update

Hey guys! This is just a quick relaxer update. 

I relaxed on Dec 17th (I already posted the relaxer process, if you missed it, click here ). I have already rewashed and styled my hair (yesterday). I also did a clear rinse - review coming up in short order. 

Below is my hair now after being flat ironed. (I am not a huge fan of my flat-iron, the max temp is quite low and it doesn't give me hair that is as straight as I'd like.) As it turns out, my hair was not relaxed as bone straight as I first thought. It seems that only the very front (near the hairline) is straight, which I can deal with as it makes sleek styles that much easier. One thing I noticed and don't like is the multiple textures. It caused a bit of tangling (or maybe it's because I didn't spend enough time on the actual relaxer day to properly detangle). I may look into correcting this issue at a future date if it continues to bother me. OK let's get to the pics.

Results

12/17 relaxer results

Birthday Flex - HOTD

Happy birthday to meee! lol

I had work today (booo!), but I still tried something different and fun so I wouldn't feel just ordinary on my fave day of the year lol. 

Just a simple style which took only a few minutes, but I kinda like it. Take a peek...

birthday hair

OK, You Win - Relaxer Day

When relaxer day actually rolls around (and some wash days too) I totally wish I was back home with someone to do it for me or at least help. Oh well, I have no choice so let's get down wit' da get down.

How I did it:

the arsenal

Step 1 - gather accoutrements:

timer, gloves, cape, clips and pins, relaxer, EVOO,

products to be used after relaxing (Aphogee 2 minute, ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, Queen Helene Cholesterol, Roux Porosity Control)

*There is no comb, sprush or other application tool listed, as in the interest of moving as quickly as possible, I will be using my gloved hand to apply

Celebrity Crush - Hair Style File {Lashontae}

I know it's not #WCW, but this girl has some gorgeous hair on her which always has me drooling! Whether she's rocking it straight, in a bun or just some good ole cornrows, her hair always looks fierce and fab!Check her out:

CORNROWS/ BRAIDS

Checking Me Out - HOTD2

Stretching relaxers is great, but being 19 weeks post can make it really difficult to style your hair. You may be tempted to break out the flat iron more often because the new growth can be something special!  But you don't have to! Below is a pic of my hair today, which is a kind of go-to style for me. 

Flat twist w/ bun - 19 weeks post

Wham Bamn Thank You Ma'am - Quick and Easy Wash Days

We all hate those ultra long wash days that healthy hair journeys seem to bring. Some of us even go longer than we'd like without washing because the process is just too tedious and time-consuming. If this applies to you, stayed tuned. I've got your fix coming right up. Below are some things you can try to shave some time off your eternal wash days.

How Could I Live Without You?? - 5 Hair Must-Haves

There was a question in my Liebster award post about the products I would want with me if I were stuck on a desert. I gave it some more thought and came up with the 5 products that I absolutely can't do without. Check 'em out:


1.

natural oils

5 Hair Mistakes I Made That Stayed!

On any journey you are bound to make a few mistakes. Luckily, some of those blunders can lead to unexpected results, and the creation of new hair habits which can take your hair journey to the next level. Here are a few of mine.

Sleep in it - Pros and Cons of Overnight Deep Conditioning

There are mixed feelings in the healthy hair world about deep conditioning overnight. Some advocate for shorter periods of deep conditioning with the aid of heat, while others say they get great results from it. Let's dissect it.

Pros: