Style Post: Unravelled Crochet Havana Twists

After 3 weeks of using my curly wig, I decided it was time for a new look. So my new protective style is unravelled crochet havana twists. I simply re-used the     Xpression Naomi boom twists I used here. I washed the twists with warm water and shampoo and spread them out to dry before installing them.

How I Prepared My Hair:
Prepoo: ORS Replenishing Conditioner + Hairveda Sitrinillah
Shampoo: Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Shampoo (lathered twice)
Conditioner: Alberto VO5 Sun-kissed Raspberry with Chamomile Balancing Conditioner (Left on for 5 minutes and rinsed out with cold water)
Leave-in Conditioner: Profectiv Megagrowth Daily Leave in Strengthener, sealed with Grapeseed oil.
Air-dried, detangled and applied Cantu  Shea Butter Creamy Lotion for Natural Hair just before braiding up my hair. I also oiled my scalp with my oil mix.

My braid pattern and installation method was just the same as when initially installed the naomi boom twists. The only difference between the hair styles is that I unravelled each twist after installing all.

I looove eeit! I really do. This style is a keeper. I'm following my usual protective style regimen. It is important to take care of one's hair and not abandon it while underneath/in protective styles. I spray my hair with diluted Lusters' S.curl Curl Activator Moisturizer and oil my scalp once in 2 - 3 days.


Who else loves crochet hairstyles the way I do?

xx,
Bee

Crochet Havana Twists Protective Style Update

This post is to bring you up to speed on what I have been doing to my hair so far and how my current protective style is holding up.

I've been trying to moisturise my hair and oil my scalp at least once in three days. "Trying" because sometimes I get busy and totally forget. Still I ensure I moisturise more than once a week. I moisturise by spraying Luster's S.curl curl activator moisturiser and I oil my scalp with my mix which mostly contains castor oil and coconut oil. I also added some drops of tea tree oil to my s.curl to prevent/reduce itching.

I have washed just once since I installed the crochet havana twists.
Wash day recap:

• I poured warm water directly on my scalp to dampen it. Then I applied diluted Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo to my scalp following the partings of the cornrows. I rinsed it out and repeated the process.
• I then applied Motions Protein Reconstructor (this works as a balanced deep conditioner for me, left it in for about 5 to 6 minutes. Then I rinsed out thoroughly with cool water. Note that I also focused on the cornrows when applying the deep conditioner not the extensions.

• I squeezed out excess water from the twists and wrapped up a soft towel. I removed the towel after about 1 hour and applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener and HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter to the my hair and scalp respectively. I blow-dried on low heat till the cornrows were 80% dry. I sprayed some S.curl and left it to air dry.

I have had the crochet havana twists in for exactly three weeks now. The style is still looking so good as you can see in the photos below. The twists are holding up quite well despite the cheap price (700 naira per pack). People! cheap does not always mean bad or sub-standard.

However, I prefer keeping my protective styles in for just 3 weeks. Any longer, the tangles, knots and especially matting would drive me crazy. Hence! my crochet havana twists will be coming down any moment from now. I plan to re-use the Naomi Boom hair (twists) for an unravelled havana twists style on a later date.

Relaxer/Texlax prep washday coming up next.

How do you maintain your hair while in protective styles?

xx,
Bee.

Style Post : Easy and Pocket-friendly DIY Crochet Havana Twists

So KLP of SavingOurStrands guessed right! I installed crochet braids after my last wash day. Crochet braids are my second favourite protective style after wigs. So this time I decided to do Crochet Havana twists but on a budget. I had always wanted to install crochet twists, havana twists preferably but each I put off by the availability in Nigeria and the cost when you eventually get them. Havana twists currently go for about 3000 per pack and you would need 4 packs or more. That's at least N12,000 for a full head excluding shipping cost.

I was so happy and excited when I read a post by Leeznijis on African Naturalistas about Havana twists (Naomi Boom) made by Xpression. They are readily available and very pocket - friendly.

I found them in a beauty shop in my area. 700 per pack and I bought 3 packs, making a total of N2,100. Each pack contained 2 sets of twists and each set had 12 or 13 twists. So, you would get a total of 24 to 26 twists per pack.

1 set of twists  (12 individual twists)

Preparation
Read how I prepared my hair HERE

Installation

• I moisturised my hair with Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion.

• I parted my hair from ear to ear and held the back section with a ponytail to keep it out of the way.

• I made 9 cornrows in the front section while putting into consideration where I wanted my parts (middle and left side).

• I continued with the front cornrows into the back. I joined two front cornrows to make one in the back especially where I wanted my parts. I made 6 cornrows in the back.

• Using my latch hook I installed the twists. It took me about 1 hour and 30 minutes and I ended using 2 and a half packs ( about  60 twists in total).  

If you need a proper tutorial on how to self-install crochet braids, please check youtube. There are several videos that would help.

Here's the final look and I'm seriously loving it. I've been getting loads of compliments.

What do you think ladies? you like? Would you try this?

Xx, 
Bee

Related Posts:
Crotchet Box Braids: 13 weeks Post Relaxer Touch-up
WashDay Post : Protective Style Prep