Yarn Braids Reviewed

Oh.My.Gosh! Removing the yarn braids was the worst process ever! I can not even pretend that it was not that bad. It took me 2 evenings and 1 day to put them in and it took about the same amount of time to take them out. I saturated some sections with Suave Tropical Coconut conditioner and when removing those braids, they would slide out when I got close to the roots. For the braids that I did not saturate with conditioner, I would have to un-braid carefully all the way down to the root. I opted to use conditioner all over just to make the job go a little bit easier.

Final Thoughts

Other than the installation and the removal I absolutely adored the yarn braids. The ease of being able to get up and go in the morning was lovely. 

On Long Hair
At this point, I assume that yarn braids would be a lot easier for someone with a shorter length because you could cut off the excess yarn and will not have to un-braid much of the length. The length of my hair did not allow me to cut off much for fear of accidentally slicing off some hair that I actually want to keep.

Maintenance
I have a satin pillowcase so I did not wrap them up at night, I just pulled them into a high ponytail so that they would not interrupt my sleep.

At least twice a week I would sit under the hair steamer for 15-20 mins to restore moisture to my hair and scalp. Once the braids were removed I noticed that my hair from the roots down to about 8 inches was very soft and had a nice sheen. The last few inches felt kind of hard and dry. I did not do a good enough job with keeping the ends of my length moisturized. Note: Keep the entire length moisturized to prevent breakage.

I washed the yarn braids with no problem and to decrease the chances of that dreadful mildew-like smell I washed my scalp and rinsed the braids early in the day. I used a nozzle on the top on my shampoo bottle to ensure that I only got the shampoo on my scalp and lightly massaged the scalp under running water. Then I let the suds run down the length when I rinsed. Basically, I did not shampoo the length. I cared for the braids similar to they way I care for my husband's locs.

Styles
I did not expect my style options to decrease with the yarn braids because I sought out the styling options of ladies with locs like BronzeGoddess01 & Chescalocs. The only thing that kept me from doing more styles was time. After installing the braids my scalp was sensitive to movement of the braids for about 1 day. Any longer than that and that would have been a sign that I braided to tightly. I did not have any redness and no "hair bumps" from tension so I did them just snug enough.

So, will I do them again?  Probably not, because of the amount of time that it took to put them in and take them out. If I ever cut my hair shorter I will definitely do yarn braids again.

If you are transitioning, have a TWA, or just a shorter length and you are looking for something affordable and lasting to do to your hair - I recommend yarn braids. It cost me a total of $2.50 to achieve this style that lasted a little over 1 month and could have possibly lasted even longer.





Hmm,......Did I miss anything?

Roller-set Review: Week 2

I am going to be up front and honest - I am cheating on the roller set challenge today (don't stone me!). This weekend is my 10yr high school reunion and I really hate going out with straight hair. I feel prettier with curls - don't we all?

So this afternoon I am going to shampoo, condition, and twist set my hair. Tomorrow (Saturday) I will do my routine deep condition and roller set. So it's not really an entire day - just a night :)

As for week 2 of this challenge, I continued to wear my hair in protective styles and even brought my hats out of their summer hiding place. I also think that I have discovered a new favorite style - two simple cornrows.

Monday →Friday

Each night I oiled my ends, detangled, and slept with a 1-2 braids. Each morning I styled my hair in a bun with the exception of Wednesday. Under the hat my hair is wrapped. Thursday night I slept in the two cornrows that are in the last picture. I am loving my hang time ;)

Next week it is likely that I will oil my ends less frequently and wear the cornrows more often throughout the week. I will continue with my scalp massages because they felt great.

Hair Diet Summary

Well June is over and I made it the entire month without silicones or sulfates. My hair feels fabulous!

During the month of June, I used:

Dudu-Osum Herbal Shampoo

Giovanni SAS, 50:50, and TTT

Kimmaytube Leave In Conditioner (with Giovanni Direct leave in)

Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave in

I also did a henna treatment during the month of June.

The verdict:

The combinations of these products left my hair feeling soft and moisturized. I experienced less itching with my scalp and my shedding also decreased (strange??). My hair was also more manageable and easier to style. I am very satisfied and would recommend the use of natural/organic products to anyone.

I looked at my product stash last night and debated about repurchasing many of the items on the shelf. I am thinking that I would love to only use the products listed above or the ones that fall into the natural/organic category. This will require a complete re-haul of my stash. My non-natural/organic products far outweigh the amount of natural/organic products that I already own.

ugh....I need some coupons

Castor Oil Challenge: OVER!!!

Did you stick to it? How did it go for you?

My scalp looks and feels awesome!!! My roots are so soft and moisturized. This challenge has taught me that my scalp needs love too and that Castor oil is a great moisturizer. As a result, I am not retiring this to the shelf. I will continue to use Castor oil when needed but especially after shampooing/co-washing.

Comparison pics are coming (My laptop is feeling a little under the weather) ...I will update this post. In the meantime - I am curious about challenge feedback from others. Please share.

**updated 04/10/10**

I really wish I had and knew how to use one of those super cameras - the ones that can capture your skin cells, LOL.

I am so impressed with the outcome of using Castor Oil. I will probably not use it 2-3 times a week anymore but I will definitely continue to use it and incorporate using it on my ends. If I get the same outcome on my ends that I did on my roots, I will be a happy camper.

Typically after washing my hair, when I part it for a style, I would encounter some flaking. I am no longer seeing that. Also, when styling my roots are now the easiest portion of my hair to separate. I am also noticing some shorter hair all over but I know it is not breakage because I have been watching my breakage and shortage. These pieces are about 1 -2 inches all over. I believe they are those itty bitty length hairs that would never grow - because I don't see those anymore. I feel like growth was encouraged. However, it could have been th regular massaging that result from applying the Castor Oil. I usually do not pay any attention to my scalp (neglect) much less apply product to it on a regular basis.

The more I think about it, I just may make this a consistent part of my cold weather regimen and use occasionally in the warmer weather.

Oh, and I have a TON of Castor oil left...I thought my hubby would help me use it up. Oh well....it will last.

Castor Oil Challenge Weeks 6-8

Been slacking with posting on this topic...mainly because things have been pretty consistent for a few weeks

My scalp looks and feels great and my root are so soft. I can't believe the difference that I am feeling.

Only few more days in March and this challenge is over. I am already proud of myself for sticking with it this long. I tend to lose interest, get bored, and stop things.

On April 1 I am going to have spa day with my hair and that includes:
Pre-poo

Shampooing the scalp and length

a long DC

and a roller-set

I am also contemplating a henna treatment

Castor Oil Challenge Weeks 1-3

I wanted to do weekly summaries but, I have been so distracted by and busy with school....can't wait until it's all over and done with.

End of Week 1:

I noticed that my scalp did not feel as dry as it usually does and that was great. I started the first week with oiling my scalp using my fingers twice a week.

End of Week 2:

I decided to up my oiling to 3 times a week just because it feels so great and the oil absorbs so fast and so well. As long as I am not feeling like an oil slick I am okay with more than twice a week. My scalp was still feeling great. After washing I didn't not have any flaky dryness after my hair dried. Yes!

End of Week 3:

This week has been weird. My scalp has been sore and itchy in only one spot (the crown). The itchiness is normal for me - one day I hope to figure out the cause. So I added a few drops of tea tree oil to help with the itching. This may also be due to stress because this week has been sorta hectic. When I was in undergrad and I would get really stressed my hair would start graying at a fast rate and my shedding would increase. I thought I would losing my hair but it stayed thick and I didn't have bald spots. I try to relax when I feel myself getting stressed but that is not always easy. I am hoping to get a break sometime this weekend, hopefully after I am done with my papers for school.

How is the challenge going for you?