Straight Hair Update (Part 2) - Length Check & Trim

This is a follow up post to part 1, where I shared my recent flat iron experience with you.

In this post I show my current length, ends and my trim.

 

flat-ironed hair pre-trim (Nov 2014)

 

So after straightening I saw that I was badly in need of a trim. so I got my sister to do it for me. Instead of going for the straight across, blunt look, we went for the U-shaped trim.

Straight Hair Don't Care?! (Part 1)

So contrary to the plans I had to go 6 months without heat, I took a blow-dryer and flatiron to my hair at roughly the 5-month mark. I had a funeral to attend and I didn't think my usual care-free curls were appropriate, nor was I in the mood to rock a bun!

hair in a ponytail after the wind got me!

Setting Things Straight - Wash day 6/20 {12 weeks post}

I started off by finger-detangling with water (the products I've been using lately seem to be reactivated with water, leaving my hair super soft without any added products) and then deep-conditioning with a plastic cap for about 2 hours. I used a mix of deep conditioners (Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Masque & Restorative Conditioner + Aussie 3 minute Moist & Organics Hair Mayo for a kick of protein ).

 

 

Curly vs. Straight - Not Another Relaxed Debate!

We've seen it time and time again, the natural versus relaxed hair debate. I love both forms. As most people may know, I am chemically treated but love natural hair and intend to go (back) natural at some point. This post is actually geared towards my texlaxed girls in an effort to share my experience, and to hear about yours, regarding people's reaction to how you style your hair.

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.

Quickie - Stylin on em

Christmas is in the air, and relaxer day is coming up for many of us relaxed ladies who want easy, breezy, beautiful hair for the holidays. So today's quickie is a short and sweet video from SistaWithRealHair. She's a naturalista who often rocks straight hair. In this video she shows us 11 gorgeous styles to do on straight hair. Take a look:

Quickie - Bouncy Flat-ironed Hair

FLAT-ironed hair should not mean FLAT and lifeless hair, right?! Unfortunately, sometimes it does, especially when there is just too much product involved.

TIP: Do protein and moisture treatments PRIOR to shampooing when you intend to straighten your hair. This leaves it nourished but weightless, bouncy and full of body!

XOXO,

Abbi

Bendy, Straight or Somewhere in Between - Hair Typing

There are a number of means by which one can classify her hair type by scrutinizing the diameter of the strand and how tight or loose the curl is. There are various systems, charts, and guides. Check out some of the examples below.

Turn on the Heat - Direct Heat Styling

Although low manipulation and protecting styling are integral parts of any regimen, every now and then a girl wants to let her hair down, literally. And while she can do so using braid-outs, twist-outs and the like, she just wants something more. A straighter, silkier, sexier look. ENTER THE BLOW DRYER AND FLAT IRON.These heat styling tools will allow you to go from kinky, coily, curly or wavy to straight in minutes... well, maybe hours.

Cautions: