Category Archives: Protective Styles

‘Tis the Season To Protective Style: Senegalese Twists Edition

Posted in Natural Hair, Protective Styles by

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

My Summer Senegalese Twists

Posted in Natural Hair, Protective Styles by

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!

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

Marley Braids Return This Fall

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Just in case you missed my Marley Braids over the Summer, don’t worry they’ll make a comeback soon. It’s a really fun, easy way to wear my hair and keep it protected. I used the crochet method and it didn’t take me long at all. I don’t know where you live, but I’m in the South and errrr…ummm it gets pretty cold and I like to stay warm! That includes my scalp!  These braids are amongst many things I will do to my hair this Fall/Winter!

Y’all know I can’t keep still when it comes to my hair. I MUST change it up…OFTEN! I don’t know why I didn’t blog about my second installment back in August, but I did take pics. Anyhoo…Enjoy!

Twisted and Styled: Each time I get a different result

  

What’s All This Fuss About Naturals Wearing Weave?

Posted in Natural Hair, Protective Styles by

I just recently participated in a Tweet Chat about naturals wearing weave and the question was asked: How do you feel about naturals wearing wigs, weaves, extensions, etc.? I’ve been discussing this topic with other naturals for some time now. It wasn’t until I recently read some comments, that I felt the need to discuss it openly.

Angela Simmons recently tweeted this pic:

Just took my weave out.. Look how long my hair grew. Its so thick !! http://yfrog.com/kesnvgwuj

When I saw this pic, I didn’t think of just the fact that she took her weave out…but the fact that her hair was so beautiful and her excitement of her hair growth and thickness! So why is it so hard for so many naturals to embrace weave? Does that make someone ‘less natural’ if they decide to wear it? And what about wearing weave as a protective style? (Which is what I do frequently!) I’ve done it all: two-strand twists, Marley braids, full/half wigs, tree braids, sew-ins you name it! Now don’t get me wrong, if it’s just NOT for you…that’s totally understandable.

My concern is when ‘some’ naturals make other naturals feel like there’s this PRO-NATURAL MOVEMENT…and don’t you DARE wear weave!!! (Notice I said ‘some’, not ‘all”). It’s as if they carry picket signs that say, “If your hair is not kinky, curly,twisted, fro’d out, or in bantu knots you CANNOT ENTER!” Lol But seriously…why bash or say negative things about the naturals who choose to wear it? All of those styles are LOVELY, but there are many reasons women decide to wear weave, wigs, extensions,etc. For me, I LOVE to change my hair! I also wear it as a protective style to protect my hair from the Summer Heat and humidity. In addition, I workout 4-5 days a week and it is a challenge to try to style my hair most days. I refuse to let hair be a reason for me not to workout! Now…it’s nothing for me to rock my wash-n-go, twist out, bantu knots or fro! I go with what works for me.

Many choose weave as an option for the versatility of styles! Some may want their hair straight and don’t want to damage it by adding heat, others may like the low-maintenance factor, and others may not want to chemically alter their hair with color and they use extensions. I know in cooler months, a half/full cap is a nice accessory to warm up that scalp! lol Whatever the reason, no one should make you feel that you are ‘less-natural’ because you do.

It was my decision to become ‘relaxer-free’ and I have been just that for five years and counting! I will never regret the day I decided to stop putting chemicals on my hair! Not to mention, the whole sitting in the salon for 5+ hours…I don’t miss one bit!

Blogger Ashley on weave:

There’s always some sort of controversy when questions about being natural enough, or what is considered “natural” causes. Not saying this is one of those cases. But, whose place is it if an individual agrees, approves, likes what another woman does to her hair? Let’s promote unity for natural HEALTHY hair no matter what route the natural takes.

We should ALL be free to be who we are! Grow it, fro it…Leave it, Weave it…or go get your creamy crack fix if that’s what you want! Live by the words “I Am Not My Hair”, embrace what makes you feel good about you, and know that YOU are beautiful!

 

 UPDATE:

Here’s an awesome interview by Curly Nikki with Kita and Mo from the T.O. Show as they talk about hair, reality tv, and business.

 A’jaé

Hello Sunshine: Heat Take A Back Seat!

Posted in Protective Styles by

After a hot weekend and Memorial Day in the park, my hair started to get frustrated with me. The heat in the South is almost unbearable! I decided to co-wash my hair before going to Jazz in the Park and twisted it into bantu knots to let it air dry. The heat was still too much! I did twist outs, wash-n-go’s, and rocked my fro all week, but I knew my hair still needed more protection. I got that ”hair itch” and wanted to try something new with my hair. I was going to do two-strand twists, but I decided to try out the Marley braiding hair with no idea what I was going to do next! I got home and decided that it was WAY too much hair to be trying to twist! I wanted something quick and easy. I decided to do the “tree braid” method and…Voilà!!! I was happy with my results and what I love about the hair is that it looks so natural! I love the diversity of styles that I can wear as well. There are a few pics below to see different styles.  I’m so excited about other protective styles I have in mind to prepare for this HOT Summer! It’s times like these that make me LOVE being natural even more! There is no excuse to be and stay FABULOUS!

Blog you later my PBN’s!

XoXo

~A’jaé

UPDO