Wash n' Go Part 2: Eco Styler - Olive Oill

I am so late posting this. Last week I tried another wash n' go using Eco Styler - Olive Oil. Although I used a tad bit more gel than needed, I was in love with the results. The best part of the whole experience is I managed to get second day hair.  I could not believe it. Now, if I can find a way to make it last 3-4 days, I'll really think I'm doing something.

Here's the videos:

Hope you enjoy.

Wash n' Go Part 1: Conditioner only

Since the weather is starting to get warmer, I want to revisit the wash n' go. I haven't worn this style in almost a year, when my hair was drastically shorter. At the time I was doing a true wash n' go. Meaning I did all detangling, product application, and styling in the shower. Since my hair is longer, I'm on a quest to find a technique that will give me great results with minimum knots and tangles.

The first technique I used was the conditioner only method. Not to be confused with the Tightly Coily method. I did not follow Teri's instructions. If you are not familiar with her technique, check out Tightly Curly. Anyway my video is below. Tell me what you think.

Banana Clip on Twist Out

Flexi rods on Braids

 

I finally put the flexi rods in my hair. Honestly, the results are very similar to the perm rods on the two strand twist. Anyway I really like this look a lot better. Now I feel like my time was not wasted. The video is attached below:

Protective Style Challenge Update

Immediately after posting my last entry, I began to put individual braids in my hair. I put a little evoo through out my hair mainly concentrating on my ends prior to braiding. I did not use any other products. It took me 3-4 hours to get these results:

 

I honestly was not very happy with the results because it doesn't look as full as I would have hoped. My husband said he liked it, but I just wasn't feeling it on me. We were on our way out shortly after I finished, so I really didn't have time to figure out how to fix it so I settled for this:

Yes, I spent all that time on these braids just to pull them back into a bun. I was highly upset with myself. 

Yesterday, I had a few errands to run, so I clipped my hair up like this:

I'm still not a happy camper. So today, I'm going to do conditioner-only wash (co wash) with Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Conditioner. Then I'll roll my braids on my favorite styling tool...flexi rods. Hopefully a little curl will give me the illusion of fullness I desire. I spent too much time putting these braids in not to enjoy them.

I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow with the results.

28 Days of Protective Styles

I'm on a personal challenge to protective style for the entire month of February. In my opinion a protective style is any style in which your hair is protected from harmful elements such as the cold weather, direct heat, rubbing on clothes, and etc. These styles include buns, mini twist, individual braids, cornrows, wigs/weaves.  This month, flat ironing, wash 'n gos, and puffs are definitely a no go for me. The only way I will be able to wear a twist out, braid out or bantu knot out is if I immediately bun or pin the hair up.

Although my ends will be protected it still is very important for me to keep my hair moisturized and sealed. Currently I'm trying various moisturizers and leave-ins but my sealants of choice are shea butter and extra virgin olive oil (evoo) depending on my mood and/or hairstyle.

Right now, my hair is in the high bun pictured above. I did not use heat to get the sleek look. I stretched my hair with flexi rods.  Either tonight or I'll be putting individual braids in my hair for the next two weeks. I'll be posting challenge updates periodically throughout the month.

Live...Laugh...Love

Jill Scott & Alicia Keys Inspired Hair Style

 

So after I did my banana oatmeal hair treatment last night, I was bored and surfing the web checking out celebrity hairstyles. I ran across two hairstyles that truly spoke to me so I decided to style my hair. Before I get into what I did let me show you the lovely ladies that inspired me: Jill Scott & Alicia Keys.

http://thirstyroots.com/jill-scott-hairstyles.html

http://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/celebrity-hair-styles-extremely-curly-13.html

                                       

 Tools Needed

• Spray bottle with water
• Rattail comb (for parting)
• Rubber bands to secure twist (optional)
• Flexi rods
• Eco Styler Gel (holding agent of choice)

Steps

1. Separate the section you want to twist or braid. Secure the remaining hair out of the way with a hair clip or ouchless band.
2. Twist or braid this section in whatever design you choose. Secure each twist/braid with a rubber band.
3. Roll the remaining hair on flexi rods. Be sure each section is wet and apply holding agent before using rods.
4. Let hair air dry over night or sit under hooded dryer.
5. Remove flexi rods and separate curls.

*Curls will loosen as hair style ages.
*If you want a tighter or smaller curl try a straw set or coil out. If you want a more of a wave or crinkle try a braid/twist out. You can also do a wash and go if you prefer your natural curl pattern.

Styling Two Strand Twist

So I've had my hair in twist for two weeks now. I don't think I've had this much fun with my hair in a while. The styling options for twist are limitless. I put together a short slide show of some of the styles I've tried over these two weeks. Some of them I really liked, others were complete failures...but hey, you win some, you lose some, but you live to style another day...lol. Corny right, I know, but I couldn't care less. Enough rambling, on to the video. Hope you enjoy.

Perm Rods on Two Strand Twist

Bantu Knot Out on Two Strand Twists

Maintaining Straight HairPart 2: Flexi Rods

Last night I set my previously straighten hair on the blue and orange flexi rods. I said a silent prayer this morning to the hair gods for good results. I was definitely pleasantly pleased. Flexi rods have become my hair's new best friend. Check out the youtube video for results.

Mantaining Straight HairPart 1: Cross-Wrap

I've had my hair straight for 4 days now. I've been maintaining with the cross-wrap technique that I learned from several youtubers.  Wrapping my hair this way has resulted in very little reversion. It came out kind of flat this morning, but I'll be using flexi rods tonight to bring it back to life. I'll probably be in buns or updos all next week.  Any way enough rambling. Check out my cross-wrap video below.

Quarterly Length Check

 

I finally straighten my hair a couple days ago. As expected I am full shoulder length, with about 1.5 inches to get to APL. My goal is to be BSL by the end of 2011, so I'm really going to be protective styling like never before. I plan to use direct heat only for my quarterly length checks. Hopefully less heat will aid in my retention this year.

Official Length Check, Full Shoulder

Check out my youtube video for my straighten hair.

Chunky Twistout!

Last night I set my hair in ten large twist and rolled the ends on blue flexi rods. My hair was damp and all I used was Smooth 'n Shine Hair Polisher.

I also uploaded a YouTube video. Hope you enjoy.



Southern Tease Bun

Last night I fell asleep without my satin bonnet, I know, that's a big NO NO, but it happens.  Needless to say, my curls from the bantu knot out was in total disarray.  So I decided to do my version of the Southerntease bun, but place it slightly off center to the right. I really like how it came out.

BANTU KNOT OUT

Last night I put about 15 bantu knots in my previously straighten hair that was staring to revert. First I moisturized my hair with Palmer's Moisturizing Hair Milk. Then I put a dab of shea butter on each section before knotting.

Front View

Left side

Right Side

Back View

Before taking the knots out today, I covered my finger tips with a little olive oil. I find that this keeps the frizz to a minimum.  Here are the results.

Front View

Left Side

Right Side

Back Side

I really like the way this came out.

Live.Laugh.Love

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