P.S.C Feedback session

Protective Style Challenge 

Feedback session no.1 ...

source: naijacoils tumblr

Happy Sunday folks

I wasn't quite sure how to structure this post, because I intend on doing future feedback sessions aka check ins on youtube. So this is just a brief post outlining how i've found my protective style and any hiccups that i've encountered so far.

Before- In my weave maintenance 1 post I suggested washing your weave/braids once a week or once every 2 weeks

After- I now wash my hair every two weeks only, because more than this means I have to straighten my hair more often, due to the extreme texture difference between my 6 months post hair and the weave

Before- I thought it was ok to use my olive oil moisturising cream as a moisturiser for my weave

After- This product is way too heavy and makes the weave greasy. After washing I now only use leave-in conditioner and Pantene serum to style the weave.

Other:

- In the case of itchiness I focus on patting or rather than scratching, using my finger to rub the itchy area.

- I have been doing bantu knot outs to achieve waves rather than using heat

x edF

Coconut oil times 4

Most of you know how much i love coconut oil.

 It's the one oil i have used consistently throughout my hair journey that has always given results.

 Along the course of this journey i have learned that oils just like makeup and food, also have quality categories.

 Coconut oil can be bought in so many forms, and i'm pretty sure i've used just about every type. I've stepped up on the coconut oil ladder, but nevertheless coconut oil has been good to me all in all. Just like when u finally decided to indulge in a harrods slice of bana cake and never want to return to the asda brand, so have i found my love for extra virgin coconut oil specifically. 

So what are the main types of coconut oil?

RBD

(Refined, bleached and deodorized)

RBD coconut oil is in most cases made from Copra (dried kernel of the coconut)

The Copra goes through a hydraullic process whereby the oil is extracted. The final product is crude coconut oil. Any form of crude oil is not suitable for consumption because it contains contaminants, therefore the oil has to be refined and filtered.

It has no smell or taste.

***

HYDROGENATED

Hydrogenated coconut oil has a higher melting point unlike virgin and rbd which using melt faster given warmer temperatures.

Hydrogenation is a process whereby unsaturated fats are combined with hydrogen in a catalytic process. It is a chemical process.

Hydrogenation transforms some of the unsaturated fats into trans fatty acids which can be linked to coronary heart disease. 

FRACTIONATED

Fractionated coconut oil has the longest shelf life. It's processing involves removing its long chain fatty acids from the oil so that only medium chain fatty acids are left.

and finally...

EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

No doubt the best form of coconut oil, this is coconut oil in its purest form. EVCO is extracted from the actually coconut meat and not Copra. There are no chemical processes involved in the extraction of EVCO. It has the natural coconut scent and flavour and can also be used for cooking. EVCO melts immediately when touched.


x edF

A week in weave

I've been rocking my weave for almost a month now and the struggle not to use heat has definitely meant i can't wash once a week. I'm now washing once every two weeks, and if i do get the urge to wash which i have! I separate my left out hair from the weave, and just wash the weave.

I absolutely love this weave and look forward to my next install in July where i will be using 3 packs of hair instead of 2, for a fuller look. Here are some pictures of a very special wedding, I went for side curls... the weave held up really well.

x edF

Weave/Braids: Ultimate Know How

Now that the protective style challenge is in full swing i've received a few emails about the do's and don'ts of protective styling and hair care especially for weaves and braids. 


Here are my top tips:

1- Pre weave/braids

-Get rid of those split ends. Split ends do not mean an extreme cut, they simply mean getting rid of the weakest ends of your hair that have split. What's more you won't have to worry about them for a while once they are being protected, which in the long run means you can finally retain hair length.

-Do a protein treatment/ protein deep condition before having your hair done. This ensures your hair is extra strong and ready for manipulation when your protective style is being installed.

2- Braids/ Braid patterns

-Speak up. Do not be a victim of tight hair. There is definitely a point of equilibrium when hair is tight enough and neat without being overbaringly tight. Tiny raised hair bumps all over your head are usually a sign of extra tight hair. You can always soothe this with an aloe vera spritz.

-For those on the protective style 6 month hair challenge or who always have their hair in  weave; alter your braid pattern. This does not mean completely changing the pattern, but variation will allow your hair to have a break and cause less stress on your hair.

3- Weave wars- a dollar short?

Being the saver that I am it took a while for me to embrace the cost of what you call that 'good weave'. Now having splurged all I can say is cheaper hair = more tangles and less wear and more expensive = tangle free...long lasting

4- Hair Treatment

This applies mainly to weaves. Before this install I had a highly unanticipated blonde moment. I washed my hair whilst in weave and used black hair products and wondered why the hair was so hard! Moral of the story... stick to your hair culture!

Brazilian, peruvian, indian hair should not be treated in the same way you treat your own hair. Invest in hair products that suit your weave type.

Most weaves simply need a dose of leave in conditioner to make them smooth and silky and a squirt of serum to give them the slight sheen that most of us desire.

The styling products that i'm currently using are Paul Mitchells leave-in conditioner and pantene serum. This duo works perfectly in giving my weave body, smoothness and a touch of needed shine.

5-Scalp care investment

-Nozzle heads-

Many people struggle to oil their scalp when in weave or braids. The best investment i have made whilst wearing my weave is in a point tip nozzle head bottle. This allows me to apply oil directly unto my scalp without having to use my fingers and without worry of oils spilling unto my weave and making it greasy.

6- Hair washing and deep conditioning cycle

I believe very strongly in keeping your hair clean when wearing weave or braids. I strongly dislike the idea of unwashed smelly 8 week old hair. The smell isn't for me. What's more my hair thrives when it is clean. Product build up clogs your scalp pores.

Deep conditioning your hair gives it lustre and adds to your hair health, giving it the needed moisture and strength it needs whilst kept away.

7- Resting phase

Give your hair a break! Having your hair re-done a day after taking it out= extreme manipulation. At this point your hair is susceptible to thinning. Giving your hair a week's rest prepares it for initial manipulation from your next install.

For more on how to care for your hair when in weave or braids check out these posts:

weave maintenance 1

weave maintenance 2

weave maintenance video

x edF

Be back soon

Hey guys,


just to say i haven't forgotten the blog! Im submerged in exam revision so won't be blogging for another week. 


Wishing all students the absolute best with exams


x fi

Protective Style Challenge 2011 video

Weave Installed & Challenge Ready

Evening guys...

Hope you've all got a busy and productive week ahead. I'm finally all geared up to go for our 6 month Protective style challenge, mind you i have been protective styling since and even before the initial challenge began, but this weave is so on point i can't help but be excited! There will be no weave taking out due to itchiness... this weave is just perfect! If anyone wants a weave hook up after the summer then Dayana is your girl!

Just for info i have mentioned the benefits and ease in having a horizontal braid pattern but we decided to go for a vertical pattern because of my hair parting options and also because i was ensured that this was the best option to ensure that my cornrows would lie very flat (my biggest fear is a bumpy big weave). Being the picky hair person that i am i can say, the spacing between wefts is more enough for me to easily access my scalp!

So here are the picks:

Final look

P.s I'll post many more pictures once exams are out

x edF

Gabrielle Union loving her tresses!

I love when celebs post pics of their hair sans weave, a fresh relaxer etc etc. You just have to love twitter!

P.s Miss Union is natural! She hasn't had a relaxer in almost ten years. This look is achieved by blow-drying and also straightening the edges of her hair.

source

x edF