Posts Tagged ‘protective styles’

So I am always looking for new styles for Kaycie that will last a week or longer and take a short amount of time to do. I hate doing hair daily because I love my sleep in the morning 🙂 I am not great with cornrows because I am horrible at parting and I am slow beyond belief. Despite these shortcomings, I decided to try the braided bun. It came out ok and it took me about 1.5 hours to complete. Hopefully it lasts the week.

Things Learned:

1. Part beginning at the top and proceed around clockwise.
2. Determine the middle if the head ahead of time. All braids should be done towards the middle. It may be helpful to part ear to ear to begin with.
3. Stick with whatever spot you chose as the middle. Don’t try to braid hair in the middle of the bun if you happen to choose the wrong spot. It doesn’t look better than just braiding to the wrong spot.

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

So towards the end of the week I did begin to have that overwhelming urge to wear my hair out. I was really missing my curls which have been housed up in this bun for days now. I am truly dedicated to this challenge so I decided to find a compromise. The answer I found was BANGS!!! My hair is too long for real bangs and I refuse to cut, so I decided to part the very front of my hair, wet and moisturize with oil, and braid it into two small braids. I took this out in the morning for a nice wavy curl and set them to the side for side bangs. This partially satisfied me. However, the curls came out so nice I continue to wonder what would happen if I did my entire head. There will be time for that after this challenge 🙂

So there is 113 days until the 1st day of Summer. I don’t know about others, but Summer brings extra stress to my hair. I swim so the chlorine and the lack of time to spend on my hair (due to being out and about) causes problems. Being that I just finished with the blond fiasco, I am not looking forward to dealing with unhealthy hair again. Also, having 2 inches cut set me back in my hair growth challenge.

Having said all of that, I am going on a 113 day challenge. This will be extremely difficult for me as I am in loooove with my hair. I like different styles and I like for it to be wild and loose! To tackle the different styles, I will be trying all different types of buns, phony ponies, and any other protective styles I find through research and my own creativity. For wild and loose, I will allow myself one weekend a month with loose hair. I know I wouldn’t survive cold turkey 🙂

My action plan is as follows:

• Protected styles worn throughout the 113 days. Ends will be hidden in all protective styles. My hair will only be worn out on special occasions which will be limited to 1 weekend out of a month.
• Weekly shampoo with a sulfate-free shampoo (most shampoos can be drying).
• Weekly deep treatments with olive oil, honey, and conditioner.
• No direct heat applied to hair except for the 8 week salon visit for a trim.
• I will measure hair every 4 weeks to track progress. This will be done on stretched hair from a braid or twist out.
• Moisture applied to hair every 3 days. Moisture will be sealed with Avocado, Olive, or Coconut oil.
• Follow a healthy diet and exercise program (P90x/Turbo Fire Challenge)
• Drink 8 glasses of water daily.

Starting Length – front/middle 9.5 inches, back/nape 6 inches

Who’s with me?? Let’s get this started. We can do it!

Protective Style - Doughnut Bun

Protective styles are styles that keep your ends shielded from the various weather elements (wind, rain, snow, sun, etc.). These styles require no direct heat and no additional manipulation of the hair outside of the original styling. If done correctly, protective styling can to help retain moisture, prevent split ends and breakage, and cause less stress to the hair from constant combing, brushing, and styling. These styles are particularly useful for people with shoulder length hair. Once the hair is shoulder length, the ends of the hair tend to brush against clothing which causes a great deal of breakage.

There are many benefits to wearing protective styles. One major benefit is healthier, longer hair. Hair is healthier and can grow longer due to the fact that the hair is protected and not manipulated daily. Another benefit is the ability to spend less time on the hair on a daily basis. Protective styles usually require one styling day and the styles usually last anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. True protective styles can also result in a reduction of acne that often results from hair and hair products coming in contact with the face. Lastly, some people just enjoy the look and the variety of protective styling options.

True protective styles keep the ends completely hidden. Examples of these styling options include:

• Buns
• Weaves
• Wigs
• Braid Extensions
• Phony Ponies
• Tucked styles
• Bantu Knots

Some consider low manipulation styles protective as well. While these are not truly protective styles because the ends are often exposed, they do require no direct heat and little to no manipulation which results in healthier hair and greater hair retention. These styling options include:

• Twists
• Twist outs, Braid outs, Bantu Knot outs
• Braids
• Coils
• Shrunken Fro
• Rollersets
• Pinned Up Styles

It is important to remember that even protective styles can cause damage if not done correctly. It is vital to be very careful whenever handling your hair, even if you are only handling it every so often. Never pull the hair and pay close attention when detangling. Many protective styles, such as twists will require extensive detangling when it’s time to remove them.

Also, while buns are considered the ultimate protective style, there are some things to take into consideration when choosing this style. First, consider the length of your hair. If your hair is a length that the ponytail holder will sit on the ends of your hair, buns may not be the best style until the hair grows out more. Secondly, hair needs a break even when in a bun. Switch up the style every so often. At least, switch the location of the bun. Breakage can result if the bun is worn in the same location every time.

Protective styles are fantastic styling options and promote healthier, longer hair. They look great, are easy to create, and give us a break from daily hair styling.