Flat Ironing my Natural Hair.

Hi Guys!!!!

I know right? Long time! Hopefully I will be able to post on a regular schedule beginning next year.
I have been wanting straight hair for a while now so I decided to look around for stylists close to my school (Fresno, CA) who can do press and curls. I didnt have luck with my search because the individuals I found (only 2) were either over booked or didnt have any quality pictures to show me. Overbooked chick is interested in bartering braids for styling so yay! Will have to think of something super technical when this barter takes place though because braids take way longer than a press and curl. Just saying :)

Anywhoos decided to DIY lol. I figured I have to learn this anyway. Press and curls to me are a waste of money on naturals because it starts reverting quickly. The only benefit I see is getting a trim or cut which I desperately needed.

I washed my hair with heads and shoulders shampoo and conditioner then used all the products on the right.

My Process

After washing my hair with H&S, I:

• conditioned it with the ever straight Brazilian keratin therapy conditioner. I left that in for about two hours until it started drying up then rinsed it out. 
• I parted my hair into 4 big sections 
• Applied Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine anti frizz serum to all four sections
• Blow dried my hair
• Used the ever straight Brazilian keratin therapy flat iron spray before I flat ironed each section

  

  After Conditioner vs After Blow rier

  

  Flat Iron vs Curling Wand

  I havent been paying much attention to my hair while at school. It was dry and severely split (imo). I cut the crap out of it lol. 

Next year, I am going to work on getting my hair back to being healthy and will worry less about length. 

I just wanted to share, good and/ or bad.

Thanks for reading.

Tosin A. V.

One Minute Box Braid Updo

MY LOOSING BATTLE WITH ROCKING MY NATURAL HAIR.

Hi Guys,
I took my previous style out and during that time, I started to contemplate giving my hair another chance. I had nice growth and am now at armpit length (yay!). Although I still have a year or two to reach my ideal length, its looking promising. I also realized that I get more growth with weaves vs. braids.

So far, so good.

Anywhoz, detached the weave, used non sulfate shampoo, conditioner and coconut oil (for my hair, I think less is more). Here is my growth below.  My hair is obviously blow-dried.

Later that evening, I decided to do bantu knots (no twists) on the dry hair. At first, it was GLAMOROUS but below are pictures that depict day 1 and day 2.

My Day 2 hair is looking like fat and unkempt dreads smh

Kinda messed up because I liked the look a lot. Finally have a comfortable curly hair look naturally but I already knew I would have a "birdnest" situation going on Day 2 if i didnt retwist.

SO

GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS?

WEAVE TIME !!! 

YAY! lol

I really love my natural hair but I cant deal with the high maintenance. Another thing that I noticed with my hair is that whenever I am manipulating it to keep the curls nightly or whatever, my hair doesnt grow as fast. So I guess these weaves will do for now.

Well thats my rant/ Hair update. I hope you guys are having a better time.

Have a great hair day :P

Tosin A.V.

~~~~~KEEP BE-WEAVING~~~~

HAPPY JULY 1ST!

July is my favorite month! My birth month :P

School refuses to give me any free time but I am very excited about my new accomplishment. I braid hair and weave has been something I have avoided (I do not know why). All my clients would beg me to learn and friends would ask me to practice on them but I wasn't interested in learning.

Expression Crochet Braids

Recently, my hair just started annoying me, so much so that I was considering getting a texlax (I know!) So I decided "she" needed to go on time out. I did crochet braids with expression hair and it started making me crave long "STRAIGHT" hair.

I ordered some hair from Ali Express Brazilian curly 16"closure, 18" 20" 

and 22" bundles. As you can see, the hair on the top is "kinkier" than the bundles so I couldn't use that hair (For the moment).

Ali Express Brazilian Curly

I had already taken the crochet braids out and remember I hate my hair right now? :/

I had no choice but to use a U-part wig I made back in the day and a closure from my "Naija" hair bought from All Virgin Hair.com based in Atlanta. I am proud to say I THINK I CAN DO WEAVE NOW lol. I love it!

So.........

Braider and weave-ologist?
(is that what they call it?)

Lol Sike.. STUDENT.

See you next time I come up for air, 

Tosin A.V.

Hair Experiment for Emi :)

Hi All! 

A friend from high school hit me up about 3 weeks ago and asked about latch hook/ interlock/ crochet extensions. These are extensions where braiding (bulk) hair is interlocked (basically knotted) along the braid which would eventually lead to a full look that appears like a faux weave/ braid combo (In my opinion). 

I was interested because now that my hair is in between shoulder and back length, I cant braid my hair in "pick and drop" styles. I think the interlocking is a good alternative.

However this was a challenge because the last time i did interlocking on a client was like 3 years ago. So I was thinking about how I was going to do it on myself. I love a challenge so I did it!

What I Used

Interlocking Tool: Used to feed the extension underneath the braid

Ebay sells this for $2.69 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261372086618?lpid=82) but I got it from my beauty supply store for a little more than a dollar so check there first if you are frugal like myself.

FreeTress Cozy Deep Curl (#2 and #4) Comes in 20inch packs

This costs $5.99 both on websites and in my local beauty supply but found it on this website for $ 4.24

http://www.wigtypes.com/freetress_synthetic_braid_cozy_deep_20.php?gclid=CNre9KrGm74CFYdrfgodyagAgw

So the discussion Emi and I had was on the closure look. Well here are my results. {Personal fail :( }

 I do like the look but I will try this style again with expression hair. I plan on braiding tighter and with a little attachment to have more hair to lock into. I plan on updating with results on the esthetic look as well as how my hair tolerates the added traction.

Until then, I will own this do!

Later :)

PREVENTING BREAKAGE AND MAINTAINING GROWTH WHILE IN BRAIDS.

Hi Guys!
I am almost constantly in braids and people always ask me how I prevent breakage. I started braiding my hair by myself with fake hair (kanekalon, synthetic mixes, etc) when I first moved to the States and realized popsi wasn't going to deal with the exorbitant prices involved. However, it was around 2010 that I started caring for my hair. After several experiments with several clients and myself, this is the routine I use to prevent breakage equaling consistent growth.

• Hair treatments and deep conditioning before braiding.
• Install braids on damp hair (no blow drying).
• Depending on hair length, adjust the heat of water used for dipping: After braiding with extensions, the extension is dipped in hot water to seal the ends and to make extensions look neater. If you have very long hair that will be dipped along with the extensions, do not use boiling water or avoid dipping your own hair if possible.
• Be careful with your edges: If your edges are hanging on for dear life, leave them ALONE and gel them down.
• Every week or as you feel your hair is dry, use a spritz bottle with oils and/or leave in conditioner to dampen your hair to retain moisture.
• Never ever manipulate your hair when it is dry EVER.
• Be careful with all the new fashionable ways people wear braids these days. Some will break your hair certainly (especially the ones that pull the edges too tightly).
• How much parted hair is your extension attached to? I know this is hard if you are not a hair dresser. Just make sure large and really long extensions are not attached to little parts of hair. Be mindful of this with Marley, Havana braids and most especially loc extensions.

I got my hair braided in Nigeria and was in love with my braids (I did not want to take them out). I got them done on Jan 12th and took them out on March 13th (My record time for leaving braids on in my LIFE!) I followed the steps aforementioned.

Naija Braids in its Prime

Prep for Braid Takedown

Length Check

Current Hair State

Braids are an awesome way to protect our own hair from the elements. When done right, it can grow hair quite efficiently. In contrast, when done in the wrong manner, it can accelerate hair loss. Communicate with your hairstylist to make sure they are not pulling on too tight and be careful with your edges.

Take care,

T.A.V.

MIAH'S HAIR REGIMEN.

Hey guys.
Initially, I wrote that I will be using my daughter to show natural hair care. I braided her hair over the weekend and will post the steps I used.
A little about miah's hair: It has never been cut and is 7 years old.

Products Used

I used a spritz bottle with water and wet her hair.  

I took her previous hair style out 

Shampoo 

The remaining are in pictures :)

Deep Conditioner

After this step, part hair into 4 sections and comb from end to root. To do this I grasp her hair to provide some tension then gently use a wide tooth comb to detangle from section to section.

RINSE

Apply Coconut oil
Allow hair to air dry

Quick length check...niceness :)

Protective Braids

There you have it! It is definitely a labor of love the longer the hair is but it is so worth it. When I am braiding, I start on damp hair most times because it minimizes breakage with manipulation.

I hope this helps somewhat, till next time

Tosin A.V.