‘Tis the Season To Protective Style: Senegalese Twists Edition

Oh how I LOVE to change up my hair!!! I’ve always been a natural who is a fan of braids, twists, locs, short hair, and yes wigs and weave (aka accessories)! It’s fun to change up my look whenever I want and not give a care about what other people have to say! I installed Senegalese twists for the very first time back in July right after I returned from the Essence Festival. You can find that post here. It was extremely hot wearing them during those warmer months, but now is the perfect time to do a protective style such as braids/twists. Below are some frequently asked questions.

FAQ’S:

  1. What kind of hair did you use? 100% Kanekalon braiding hair. They also have a brand called Expressions where you don’t have to use as many packs and you can use the “pulling method” to make the hair stretch.
  2. How much did the hair cost? $1.99 a pack
  3. How many packs did you use? Approximately 11 (my twists were waist length)
  4. Did you wash them? I did not wash them, mainly because I didn’t keep them up long enough. However, I did use a spray bottle (water, coconut oil, JBCO oil, and a little conditioner) to spritz my scalp and my hair in twists daily. I also spritzed my scalp with peppermint oil and olive oil after my workouts.
  5. How long did it take? Approximately 11 hours (it was my first time, my second time was close to 8 1/2 hours)
  6. What’s your nighttime routine? I pulled my twists back in a ponytail and slept with a stain cap. sometimes I’ll put a scarf around my hair and wear the cap.
  7. Were they tight? Not at all. I never install twists, braids etc tight around my edges. It’s almost that looseness after the tightness has worn off after most braiders install them ( if that makes sense).
  8. What do you use on your scalp? I use Organic Root Stimulator body and hair spray or DAX (Vegetable oils w/ Lanolin) Pomade, and JBCO (around perimeter) when needed.

Chunky Senegalese Twists

In between this time…I decided I wanted to take them down and I wanted to try long kinky twists with Marley hair. I’ll post about those soon. I reinstalled them again in September. I really love these twists, they have so much versatility!

Semi-chunky Senegalese Twists

I took this set down, because I was preparing for my first 10K with Black Girls Run! in Atlanta. They were too heavy to be running in and it was HOT. I guess I should’ve thought about that before I did them — which is why I decided to wait to do them in the cooler months. I am planning on doing my very first installment of box braids this Winter! I’m excited about that. Be on the lookout for those!

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below!

~A

Something Every Naturalista or Fashionista Should Have

I love turbans and headwraps and I’m constantly looking for new fabric or scarves to add to my collection. They are perfect for ANY day, and for some — those not so great hair days. As for me, I love them on any hair day! Whether you are a natural with locs, braids, TWA, or if you have a long weave, a relaxer, or a short do…headwraps and turbans are a great accessory!

Here are A FEW WAYS I wore them:

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My Line Sister and I at the Essence Music Festival 2012! Getting photographed on the PINK carpet feeling like a million bucks!

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Here’s another pic with a better view!

This is one of my thrifted finds I wore as a turban! I also rocked it here as a headwrap!

Colorful Turban

And even one of my favorite style icons, Tracee Ellis Ross, rocked one recently! She tweeted:

XX,

A

|Thrifty Thursday| Everything Tribal

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I thrifted this jacket about three weeks ago from the Salvation Army! I absolutely love the print. I have a huge LOVE for anything Tribal! This African-inspired jacket was beautiful in color, bold, and comfortable — with shoulder pads and all!

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I paired it with my Royal purple pumps I got on clearance from Target (aka Tarjayé) for $8! I couldn’t pass them up!!!

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A closer look!

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Close up of jacket

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I found this fringe bag back in the Spring at Rue 21!

I’m so ready for the weekend! I plan on going on a beauty haul and doing a little thrifting!

xx

My Summer Senegalese Twists

I’m back from my awesome trip in New Orleans, where my hubby and I attended the Essence Music Festival for the very first time! We had an absolute BLAST! Of course you know TONS of pics will be coming soon! Well me being me, craving a new look with my hair, I was ready as soon as I got back! I did loc extensions back in the Winter — took me 18 hours might I add — and I really didn’t want to do those again just yet. Well…

I’ve been saying for the past year that I was going to get Senegalese twists. I wanted something on this style for my next trip, so I decided to give them a trial run and have them completed in the Summer like I planned. I didn’t just get them, I did them myself! *pats self on back* I really LOVE the way they turned out! So perfect for Summer! They are semi-chunky, waist length, and took me about 10 hours.

Here are a few pics:

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Here is better lighting.

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I ridiculously love these twists and they have become an instant favorite! If you’re looking for something fun for Summer like twists, braids, etc. Clutch has 3 Braid Styles to Try This Summer! Check it out here!

Turban Tuesday – Colorful is Wonderful

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I decided to wear a beautiful headwrap today! I absolutely LOVE the colors! It’s bright with a fun pattern! I love colorful patterns!!! :)   One thing I love about this scarf is how huge it is! I can create all types of wraps or even wear it as a top or accessorize my neck. I found it at the thrift store a while back. You won’t even believe it…$1.00!!!! I love thrifting and saving money so as soon as I saw this baby…I had to scoop it on up! It will be accompanying me to the Essence Music Festival so I can wear my hair up when I get hot! This will definitely be one of my Summer go-to’s! I love it!

Natural Hair & Health Expo 2012

I attended the 1st Annual Natural Hair and Health Expo at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center (Birmingham, AL) on Sunday. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I wanted to check it out. I arrived 3 hours after it started. It was so packed and I was told it was thinning out. I walked in to the smell of fried hair and hot curlers! O_O lol So serious. They had hair dryers, curlers, everything…it looked like backstage of a Hair Show! I even saw a cash bar in a back room hidden.

There were various classes, vendors, speakers, entertainers, stylists, and more. Some of the exhibitors were: Urbanbella, Natural Girls Rock, MiBellaZija International, Design Essentials, Nahbila’s Essentials, Debra’s Eye Lashes, The Lock Oasis - just to name a few! I met one of the representatives for MHE Magazine out of Atlanta, GA. It is the only natural hair magazine available to date.

I didn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked. It was so much going on…but here are a few pics from the event:

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Me with my Soror/Friend from Kurlylicious. Check out her blog! 

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Natural Girls Rock Gear!  

 

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A representative of Zija International sharing her story! I had to stop by the booth and get some info.

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Dr. Mia Cowan of MiBella Wellness Center was there.

Check out her site here.

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All in all, it was a cool event. Hopefully, next year it will be bigger and better.

Until next time Naturalistas and Friends!

~A

Fierce Friday: Loc’d Up Edition

Can you believe it!?!? I FINALLY DID IT!!! I’ve been natural 6 years and I wasn’t quite sure if I was ready to take that step to permanent locs. So for about a year now, I’ve been contemplating getting loc extensions. Well the time has come! With a little research and true DEDICATION and INSPIRATION…I did! This is not an easy task. It took me 17 1/2 hours and a lot of breaks! I still can’t believe I did it my dayum self! I am very proud of my achievement. I have considered locking my hair for quite some time, but I change my hair A LOT. However, this is a great protective style and a great way to change up your look!

Here are few pics!

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Top View

One of my creations lol

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Back View

 

Wearing my colorful, vintage jacket that I thrifted. You can read more about it here!  

 

I plan to revisit them again probably in the Spring/Summer, in hopes to keep them longer. Your first time is always a learning process, so the next time will be even better. I am a natural that LOVES changing my hair! Wearing the same look (for me) is boring! Besides, variety is the spice of life!

Have a  Fierce Friday and a fantastic weekend!

~A