I decided to do this post because I have not been putting up wash day or style posts. You might not really know what I've been upto with my after my unravelled crochet braids and texlax update. I get bored easily with my hairstyles, so I tend to change them pretty often if I can. Here is a recap of my protective styles between August and now.
When I saw KLP @ SavingOurStrands' knotted updo a while ago, I made a mental note to try it out someday. The day finally came on my last washday. I was not even sure it would look good enough for me to leave it as my protective style for the week. No harm in trying right.
Of course I had to make my hair clean and conditioned first.
Deep conditioned on slightly damp hair with ORS Replenishing Conditioner for 20 minutes with heat.
Shampoo'd with Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo.
Conditioned for 5 minutes with Alberto VO5 Herbal Escapes Sun Kissed Raspberry with chamomile extract Balancing Conditioner.
Tshirt-dried for about 30 minutes, sealed with Grapeseed oil, applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener, detangled in sections and air-dried.
I oiled my scalp when my hair was dry and followed the pictorial below
I love love love this updo, so easy and quick to do but looks intricate and complex. I also love the fact that the ends of the hair are well tucked away. This updo has come to stay in my look book. It's my numero uno lazy protective style for now.
If you have never tried it you should. Check here for a more detailed tutorial.
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.
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?
I thought to share with you all the protective style I rocked last week. I decided to go for a style that would keep my ends tucked away since my previous hair style (Twist-out) left my ends hanging and rubbing on my shoulders/clothes. A video I had watched on Black Hair Information came to mind. I searched for it, watched and decided to try to replicate it.
Trust me, it was easy-peasy, took me about 10 minutes including the time it took to twist up the extensions. I used about one and a half pack of Xpressions extensions. I will definitely do this again, I loved the fact that my ends were nicely tucked away. Please watch the video below if you would love to try it.
