Posts Tagged ‘protective hairstyles’

So I decided to go with the messy bun this week. It didn’t work out so well. Although I felt quite fine today, I constantly received questions about whether or not I was sick or comments saying I looked tired. Being that the only thing that changed was my hairstyle, I am choking this up as a loss. Being that I am practicing full hair disclosure, I am still posting the pics. I am still thinking about what will happen tomorrow. Maybe I can do something to jazz this up some.

Here is a list of great protective styles. I found it on LHCF and thought it would be great to share as I am taking on this challenge!

SLEEK & SIMPLE (for long hair, some for short/med hair):
– Bun
– Bun w/ Chopsticks
– Bunned pigtails
– Chignon (http://z.about.com/d/beauty/1/0/f/E/chignon7.JPG)
– French Roll/Twist
– Braided Coil Updo (http://www.hairstylescut.com/articles/holiday-updo.htm – scroll to Beyonce)
– Roller/Flexirod/Curlformer set & Clip up the hair
– Flamenco (http://www.longlocks.com/flamenco.gif, http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)
– Elegant Gibson (http://www.longlocks.com/elegantgibson.gif,http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)

SINGLE-TWISTING IT:
– Bantu Knots (http://images.inmagine.com/168nwm/rubberball/rbv013/rbv0130053.jpg)
– Finger / Comb Coils (for short natural hair)(http://www.naani.com/contents/media/dreamypisces029.jpg,http://www.naani.com/models/photos/a0/98/66/a098662b826cd94.jpeg)

DOUBLE-TWISTING IT:
– Twisted Ponytail
– Twisted Ponytail into Bun
– Chunky Twists
– Tiny Twists
– Flat Twists (http://www.aolcdn.com/aolnews_photos/0d/07/20050426160009990011,http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f323/phillyflower/DSC01452.jpg)
– Senegalese Twists (http://www.braidsinc.com/gallery/senegalese1.JPG)
– Kinky Twists
– Spring Twists
– Gypsy Twists (scroll down: http://www.khamitkinks.com/twists_locs.html)
– Baby Curl Twists (scroll down: http://www.khamitkinks.com/twists_locs.html)
– Loc Extensions (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd85/mushiyasmith/0150-921-davadreadupdo.jpg)

BRAIDING IT:
– Single Braided Ponytail
– Single Braided Ponytail into Bun
– Double Braided Bun (http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)
– Box Braids (w/ real hair)
– Box Braids (w/ extensions)
– Individual Braids (extensions)
– Micros (not too tight though)
– Cornrows (w/ real hair)
– Cornrows (w/ extensions)
– Plaits
– One French Braid
– Two French Braids
– French Tuck (http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)
– English/Dutch Braids (http://www.longlocks.com/how-to-braid-hair.htm,http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/Braiding_Tips.htm)
– French/English/Dutch Braid(s) (w/ extensions)
– Victorian (http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)
– Edwardian Braid (http://www.longlocks.com/hairstyles.htm)
– More braided styles: http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/Braiding_Tips.htm

MIX N MATCH:
– Cornrows in front; Twists in back
– Cornrows in front; Box Braids in back
– Cornrows in front; Bun in back
– Flat Twists in front; Twists in back
– Flat Twists in front; Box Braids in back
– Flat Twists in front; Bun in back
– Bantu Knots in front; Twists in back
– Bantu Knots in front; Box Braids in back
– Bantu Knots in front; Bun back
– Braids into Bantu Knots (http://www.worldofbraids.com/upload/page_files/58.jpg)
– Twists into Bantu Knots

COVER IT UP:
– Cornrows under Wig
– Weave / Sew-in
– Micros / Sew-in Combo
– Lace Front / Lace Wig
– Phony pony
– Phony puff
– Cornrows under HeadWrap (http://cornrows.co.uk/patterns/wrap01d.jpg)
– Bun under HeadWrap

A straight phony pony is what I decided to use for my first week of protective styling. This is a Milky Way drawstring ponytail that I purchased from the beauty supply store for $9.99. It can be used on long or medium length hair. As long as you can pull your hair into a ponytail, this will work. I washed and conditioned my hair and used Eco Styler Gel to create a high ponytail with my hair. I tied my hair down with a silk wrap in order to get the hair to lay as flat as possible. In the morning, I placed the ponytail over my own ponytail and pulled the drawstring. I continue to add a small amount of gel and wrap with a silk wrap each evening before bed.

Today is my day to wet my hair and place the ponytail again. I am trying to moisturize every 2-3 days. Avocado oil is on deck as my sealer this week. Aussie Conditioner will be used as my co-wash. No shampoo needed since I am only shampooing once a week.

I haven’t been drinking as much water, so I will try harder to get that in the remainder of this week. So far, I miss my hair, but I haven’t experienced any overwhelming urge to wear it out.