What to Do When You're Stuck in a (Hair) Rut

There are times in every journey when one may get bored of the normal, everyday, monotonous routine. On your HHJ, you may get tired of going through the pre-poo, shampoo, condition and style, hamster-on-a-wheel-type cycle, particularly if the end result is always the same - a braid-out, top-knot, twist-out or wig. But there are several things we can do to break out of this rut:

• 1. Give your hair some oomph with some color. A new look in the form of color may be just what you need to get excited again. If you are natural, then feel free to experiment with semi-permanent and permanent color. My relaxed ladies however, should be more cautious, opting instead for rinses, henna dyes or hair chalk.

• 2. Get a trim or even a chop. Seeing your hair at its healthiest by getting even, blunt ends may inspire you to show it off more, and all the compliments and double-takes will leave you feeling happier about your hair. A chop may take things a step further as it is more noticeable and a better way to shake things up.

• 3. Change up your style. If you're curly, go straight and vice versa. When you're tired of your go-to style, the answer is obvious - go the opposite route. If you're the braid-out babe, break out the flat-iron (but don't forget your heat protectant!) and if you have to have heat, give some heatless styles a whirl. Or perhaps go natural? hmmm

• 4. Are you a DIYer? A no-brainer is to book yourself a salon appointment. Nothing says relaxation and rejuvenation like a head massage at your favorite salon. And what's more, you routine is completely taken care of by someone else (in a fraction of the time it takes you) and you'll end up with a fab new do as well. Win win win! (Do your research though! There are plenty of salon horror stories out there!)

• 5. Try a fun protective style. When the rut is so deep that you just can't be bothered to do anything at all, get a cute, fun protective style. Not only will this change up your look, but it will give you time and space away from your tresses, allowing you to miss your hair, making the reunion that much sweeter.

 

What do you do to get out of this phase? 

 

 

Twist & Curl - Total Fail

Hey there!
Happy Monday.
 
I took down my faux locs at exactly the 3-week mark and had a wash day, during which I decided to try my hand at a twist & curl. Here's how the styling process went:
 
 

The prep

 

 

I detangled and sectioned my hair into 5: 4 around the perimeter and 1 in the middle. So far so good.

 
 

The install
 



injured me in the middle

 
 
I moisturized and sealed  did the LOC method: the L being my damp hair, O - my oil mix & C - Ettenio's 24-7. I then parted off 1/3 of my first section and flat-twisted the hair. I two-strand twisted about 1/2 way down and then twined the rest of the hair (as if about to do a bantu knot), and put my perm rod on. Here's where things started to go left: on the 2nd twist the perm rod tried to injure me lol. I should've seen the signs but I kept it pushing.



The finished install

 
 I didn't have enough perm rods, so I stuck about 3 flexi rods in there.



The take down




Not a happy camper

I used Ettenio's seal and shine to reduce frizz. Little did I know that was the least of my problems lol. The rod curls stayed, but not as tight as I'd like. There were a few damp elongated ones due to my shower. And the ends were a bit tangled. I should've continued the 2-strand twist all the way to the ends.
 
 
The save

Needless to say, I had to rally back on an up-do. The headband tuck was the style of choice.


I guess twist-outs are just not my thing. I'm definitely on the braid-out side of life.

As my mom would say "stick to the evil dat u know" lol.

Enjoy your week dolls!

 

 

 

Refreshing our Minds on Relaxer Stretching + Video

Hey there!

I am currently just about six months post and I got to thinking about the whole process of going without a relaxer for long periods and so I made a video compiling my thoughts.

How about a refresher on relaxer stretching? Yes?

Check out this video on what I deem the pros and cons of stretching.

I also included some tips on how to have a successful stretch.

 

How many weeks post are you??

 

 

 

My Faux Locs

 Hey there guys!

I'm coming here today to share with you my new protective style.

These are DIYs which were installed about a week go.
The method I used is Senegalese twists + wrapping said twists.
I used 4 packs of kanekalon for both the twists and the wrapping as they are quite big.

 

It took quite some time to execute this style. I started on Tuesday afternoon and ended on Wednesday afternoon with the obvious breaks for sleeping, eating, a little tv watching etc etc.

 

I had a tough time with it because the wrapping part was not as effortless as it seemed on the net and sealing the loc was no easy feat. I don't know if it's the hair I used or what, but I probably wouldn't do this style again. Plus I did them a little too tight... I'm hoping for the best come takedown time lol

I must say that I was in love with this style on the girls I saw prior to my install and I thought I would love having them, but I'm just like meh...

I like it in a bun and pretty much no other way lol. So that's how I've been rocking it.
I do like that they are low maintenance and not too heavy though.

 

 

As with my other long-term protective styles, I'm aiming for 3 weeks. I think I'll make it.

Ps. One of my inspirations...

  
 
 

Have you ever tried faux locs?

 

 

 

 

Removing my Braids & Detangling my Post-cornrow Hair

Hey there guys!

After rocking my braids for exactly three weeks, I felt it was time to remove them.

The process takes the following format:

• Moisturize
• Loosen braids
• Detangle

I also added a fourth step - the pre-poo.

It is all laid out for you in this video.

I love this style and plan to revisit it soon.
But before that, I have a different protective style for y'all to see!!

Have you been protective styling like I have??