Summer, Braids, and My Plan To Get Past That 8th Month Hump....

Happy Sunday Lovelies!


Temperatures in Eastern NC have soared well into the 90s and you know what that means: summer is officially here!! If you've followed this blog for a certain amount of time, you know that the summer months for me generally mean braids, braids, and more braids. This summer is no different. With the temperatures being set on Hell's Furnace, I just didn't feel like being bothered with my hair on a daily basis. So, I began my search for a hair braider here in Greenville.

A random side note here: one of the sucky things about moving (I moved to NC about 10 months ago) is finding stylists that you can depend on. Back in Birmingham, I knew exactly were to go for any of my hair needs. Being in Greenville, reset the stylist clock so to speak. After a (not so) exhaustive search, I found a braider who I will probably go to fairly frequently for my braiding needs (check out her page here).



Anyway, on Thursday, I washed my hair, followed up with a protein treatment and DC, and blow dried my hair on low heat. Then for the next 10 (yes, 10!) hours, I proceeded to get my box braids installed using Xpressions hair. Check 'em out!

Daily upkeep will be fairly simple. I will be using Oyin Juices N Berries as my braid spray to moisturize my braids and (if necessary) will be using Curls Control Paste to slick down my edges (my baby hair NEVER gets braided up. I value my edges thank you very much). For cleansing, I will use ORS Herbal Cleanse for my scalp and a quick cleanse of my braids weekly. I plan on washing my braids using the methods described in this post but I'm still trying to figure out the frequency since I don't want my braids to frizz. I plan on putting my braids in a bun and other cute styles but I am currently wearing them down because I don't want to put too much tension on my edges right now (side note: I know a lot of women like to immediately put their braids into a bun. Please don't do this. It causes a great amount of tension on your hair. Give it a few days. *PSA over*)

The plan is to keep these in for about 2 months (which should take me through most of August). Around that time, I should be at or close to 8 months post--the month when I said 'eff it' to transitioning before. Following braid take out, I'll do twist outs for 2 weeks, then get my hair cornrowed so that I can wear my Tammy half wig for a while. If I can make it past month 8 still feeling 'whatever' about relaxing, I will schedule my first transitioning chop. This plan should take me to the end of 2015 and to 1 year post-relaxer. As you can see, I'm feeling pretty excited about this part of my hair journey. I am so anxious to see my hair's natural texture and to see how my hair will thrive without the presence of a relaxer (especially my crown!). I am already seeing what my natural hair responds to compared to my relaxed hair (lots of moisture vs. lots of protein) and I am so excited about sharing all of this with you!

Anyway, what are your summer hair plans? Let me know in the comments below!!

February 2-6, 2015 Look of the Week (LOTW?): Halo Braid

This past week, I did not feel like doing too much to my hair. I just wanted a simple style where I could remove my scarf in the morning and go! Enter the halo braid. It was pretty easy to do. Following my wash session last Sunday, I blow dried my hair and got to braiding! Braiding tends to take a while for me because I braid so hard and my hands tend to get tired mid-way so I took more than one break! However, once the braid was set and pinned, I was good to go! In the mornings, I would put a little Hicks Transformation Edges down and would be done with my hair for the day.

Take a look!

What Have I done To My Hair Now...

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

Last week I was sitting. Sitting and thinking. Sitting and thinking that I still didn't want to manipulate my hair on a daily basis. When I finally took my box braids out last month, I decided that I would just rock a half wig, leaving my own hair braided, until I got another relaxer. Turns out, I didn't even feel like doing that. I have serious lazy hair spells every now and again.

So, I decided that I would braid my hair up again. However, this time I wanted to try Havana twists. What's more, I decided to put them in myself. You guys have to understand, this is a big step for me. I have never done my own installation of any type of braid. After making sure that my hair was clean and conditioned, I spent about a half day or so looking at Youtube tutorials on how to install Havana twists and got to work. Two days and six packs of Marley hair later, I had my style. I am hoping that I can get a month of wear out of these twists, then go on to relax my hair in October (which will be my third and last relaxer for 2013). Anyway, enough of my ramblings, check out my style!

My Box Braids: One Month Later.....

Happy Sunday lovelies!


So, it recently dawned on me that I have had my box braids for about a month now! Time sure flies when you're having fun, I guess. Anyway, I just wanted to update what my hair looks like one month into the washing every week (with a stocking cap, of course) and the somewhat daily styling thing. As you can see, my braids themselves still look good....but I have an explosion of new growth going on! I can definitely tell that these braids are going to be ready for the heave-ho by month 2. I hope that my retention is only matching my new growth so that I can reach MBL by the end of the year.

Check it out!

Look of the Day (7/23/13): Box Braid Up-do

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

Well it's another rainy and stormy day here in B'ham and I am back with yet another look for the day. I'm finding that box braids are more versatile than I initially thought them to be. In the past, I would either wear my braids down or in a ponytail....not too much variability at all. This go 'round, however, I am having more fun with braids and styling them in the most random of ways. Although I tend to change up styles frequently (I get bored easily), I hope that it can help some of you guys who have or plan on getting box braids in terms of styling. I also hope you guys see that you don't have to have the extra long braids in order to have a cute style.

Yesterday, as I was perusing Youtube, I came across this video for a box braid updo posted by The Kris Bliss. I figured that my hair was long enough to replicate the style...so I did. I'm liking this style so far...it's edgy and CUTE!! I just may keep this style in for a few days.

Check it out!

Look of the Day (July 22, 2013): Gibson Tuck w/ Braids

Happy Monday lovelies!

I'm back with my look for the day for, well, today. Let me just say, I had a very long day. I participated in an education outreach activity in Atlanta (2 hours away from me), so I had to wake up at 4 this morning so that we could get to Atlanta at a decent hour. Since I was halfway sleep and knew that I would be dealing with children all day, I wanted a style that kept my braids out of my face and was not necessarily a bun. Enter the Gibson tuck. I have done this style a few times on my own hair but never with braids. Thankfully, the style worked and I had a cute style in 3 minutes!

Check it out!

Look of the Day (July 19, 2013): Braided Crown

Happy Friday lovelies!

I have to admit...I get bored with my hair very easily and right now it's taking everything in my to keep these braids in my hair. So every now and again, I have to jazz my hair up a bit. Today is no different. I got tired of wearing my hair in a high bun every day and I just so happened to catch a glimpse of one of the articles in the magazine Glamour where they were talking about this braided crown hairstyle. I took one look at the hairstyle and figured that I could do that with my braids so I did. I like it so far (especially since it still keeps the braids out of my face and off of my neck). I also like the look of it...it just has more oomph to it than it does with my regular hair. Anyway, I'm rambling....check out my style for the day!

Wash Day: July 13, 2013

Hey lovelies!

I know that this particular wash day post is super late but things have be hectic around here as of late. Anyway, I really wanted to get this wash day post up so that I can show how I wash my hair while it is in braid extensions. There is this horrible, horrible myth going around that you can't wash your hair while it is in braids (for some people this is 2+ months..so yeah). I'm here to say that a) that's disgusting and b) you can! One way that I typically keep my hair clean while it is in braids is to use ORS Herbal Cleanse. I find that when I'm pressed for time, this is the perfect way to ensure that my hair and scalp remains clean. Another method that you can use to really clean your hair is the stocking method. It is a great way to clean your braids without them getting frizzy or resulting in one or two of your braids slipping out.

So let's get to my wash day!

First, I diluted my Shea Moisture Moisture Retention shampoo in an applicator bottle (you can use a spray bottle if you want). I don't use exact measurements...I just wanted to make sure that there was more water than shampoo (tan bottle on the right). Diluting your shampoo makes the whole wash process easier and minimizes any build up you can potentially get from the shampoo. I then got a separate applicator bottle and diluted JessieCurl Deep Conditioner (had a sample just hanging around) with water (white bottle on the left).

I then placed a pair of old stocking on my head and tucked my braids underneath the cap.

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Next, I took my bottle of diluted shampoo and saturated the stocking cap with it. I then proceeded to 'scrunch' the cap a bit (moved my fingers like I was washing my own hair) and produced a nice lather. I added a little water every now and again (I did this part in the shower) when I felt I needed it. When I was finished, I rinsed the shampoo from the cap (see pictures below).

I was in the mood to DC, so I grabbed my bottle of diluted deep conditioner and saturated my stocking cap with it. I then placed a plastic cap over the stocking cap and DCed using a heat cap for an hour or so. Afterwards, I rinsed the DC from the stocking cap and removed the stocking cap from my head.

Finally, I sprayed Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave in on my hair/ braids and let my braids fully dry. As you can see, my braids aren't frizzy and I didn't lose any braids in the process. What's most important, however, is that I washed my hair! Don't let anyone tell you that you have to let your hair be STANK and dirty just because you have braids! You can keep your hair clean...you just have to be a little creative! :)

Look of the Day 7/12/13: Side Bun...with Braids

Happy Friday lovelies!

I'm here with a quick hit (and I do mean quick) since I am preparing for a committee meeting this afternoon. Since I am making a presentation today, that high bun I have been rocking is a tad bit informal. So, I decided to bring the braids down and rock them as a side bun. I love that this style still keeps the braids out of my face yet looks professional enough that it isn't distracting.

Anyway, check it out!

Look of the Day (July 8, 2013): Braid Bun

Happy Monday lovelies!

I'm here with a quick post about how I have been wearing my braids from the moment I was able to pull them up into a ponytail: a bun. Since my own ends are essentially out, I was worried about what effect that would have on them if I constantly wore my braids out. Not willing to take the risk, I decided that I would just bun my braids and call it a day. So that's what I did: I turned my protective style into a protective style...and I love it! Since my braids aren't the longest braids in the world, it took some doing (and a LOT of bobby pins!) to get my hair into a decent sized bun. However, I was able to accomplish my mission and pretty much just tie my hair up in its bun state at night to avoid the ordeal of putting my hair in a bun everyday. Either way,I am absolutely digging this style!

Check it out!

Wash Day: June 28, 2013

Or 'The Wash Day Where I Prepped My Hair For Braids'

Happy Monday lovelies!

Last week, I was informed that between now and September, I have a TON of things to do to get ready for my dissertation defense. So I had to make the executive decision to put my hair away in the meantime. I know that I will not be too focused on the day to day styling of my hair during this time so I figured that box braids would be the way to go (same thing happened when I was taking Medical Neuroscience during my second year. I was constantly in class or studying and my hair became the least of my worries. I sure did put my hair in kinky twists. Yep.). Since I plan on keeping them in until September, the braids will give me one less thing to worry about and keep my hair nice and protected.

Every time I get braids, I follow a routine to prep my hair for braids, which is outlined in The Awkward Stage's Guide to Prepping Your Hair For Braids. This wash day, I just basically took care to clarify my hair with KeraCare Sulfate Free 1st Lather Shampoo, did a second lather with Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo, did a protein treatment with GVP Hair Reconstructor, DCed with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose, sprayed in some Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave In, and blow dried my hair to stretch it. On Saturday, my braids were installed. Three and a half hours later, I had my new low maintenance protective style:

Currently, I am keeping my hair/braids moisturized with Bee Mine Juicy Moisturizing Spritz (which I actually like as a braid spray. Maybe they should market that spritz as a braid spray and not a general moisturizer.). I oil my scalp with coconut oil when the mood strikes me and I will detail how I wash my hair while braided in a future post.

So, tell me what you think! Are the box braids a yay or a nay?