So I’ve totally neglected my blog for the last week or so. Oops! I actually forgot I had a blog LOL! I have a new responsibility now with blogging regularly and I just need to get used to posting regularly. I’ve been working on my design site, interacting with a fabulous network of bloggers (more on this later), connecting with new business, apartment hunting (more on this as well) and just enjoying life in general….oh and taking my braids out. MY CURLS ARE BAAAACK!
Now if you’ve been following me for the last month, I introduced myself with Box Braids. It was a protective style that I decided to rock to give my hair and myself a much needed break. I had them in for about a month and figured it was time to take them babies O-U-T, out! They actually held up pretty well considering I washed and conditioned them, which brings me to the point of my post.
Now the last time I had braids was about a year or so ago. I get braids just about every year. Every year I get them installed and after taking them down, my hair is always a HOT MESS! I mean I totally understand the fact that braids suck the life out of your hair if not moisturized regularly, but goodness, my hair looked and felt like a living tumbleweed. I dunno if they even live, but it felt wrong. LOL. This time was different tho! Why? Well I actually took the time to make sure my hair was hydrated! How? I did a watered down rinse of my oh so fav Shea Moisture ORGANIC Coconut & Hibicus Curl & Shine Shampoo. Yes GAWD, then I just massaged gently in some of my Aussie Moist Conditioner (one of my staples). I also made my own braid spray. I just don’t like those greasy braid sprays in the store, so here is what I concocted:
DIY Braid Spray
- Fill 4oz Spray Bottle
- 1/4 Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
- 1/2 Infusium Repair & Renew Leave-In Treatment
- 1/4 Avocado Oil
- Fill Rest With Water
I sprayed this around the perimeter of my head daily AFTER spraying water first, then the crown area ever other day. I made sure to massage gently to ensure this penetrated my scalp. It felt so good and soothing to my scalp. I’m sure you can add an essential oil to combat the itching that drives you nuts when you have braids. I only leave my braids in for a month at a time, because my hair starts to smell weird even AFTER I’ve washed it, and I have fine curly hair, so it looks mad fuzzy.
Anyway, I spent until 3:30AM taking down my braids and woke up bright and early to wash and deep condition. My hair wasn’t super dry when I took my braids down. GLORY! I also noticed I had A LOT of shed hair, which freaked me the heck out LOL. It always does, but I still have a GRIP of hair, and this is normal so…I am ecstatic with how great my hair feels; I think I need a light protein treatment though. I didn’t want to add any additional stress to my hair today, so I opted for a wash n’ go. I use Kinky Curly Knot Today & Kinky Curly Custard, and a little Eco Styler Gel for ALL of my wash n’ go’s. The pics above are me on my way to go meet another client!
How do you take care of your hair while it’s in a protective style? Do you have any homemade concoctions? Do you do wash n’ go’s?
Ohh, a fabulous network of bloggers. Humh, who are they? They sound *sings* fabulous. I’m going to try this braid spray. Thanks for sharing.
LOL!!! These girls called the BLM Girls. I am soooo distracted with all of our wonderful threads over there, I forget I even have a blog. Let me know how the braid spray works. I use that spray whenever I need some extra moisture with or without the braids.
Def needed this post… Will go to Target and buy an empty spray bottle tomorrow!
Thanks a bunch!
Alexandria B.
P.S. You look beyond fab in these photos… Makes me wish I had wash n go hair, lol.
You’re so welcome. Let me know how it works for you. You can adjust the amounts of oils based on your texture and moisture needs. Thank you! :).
Thank you for this! I’m in a 8 month relaxer stretch and I am deciding between another sew-in or box braids for my next protective style. I’m leaning more towards the box braids! #BLMGirls
girl OMG! It’s been a couple of days, and I think the braids broke off my hair. I think no matter now much moisture you use, if you’re hair is braided too tight, you’re bound for breakage. With that said, just be careful with whomever is going to braid your hair and make sure that your hair is properly moisturized before you get a weave or braids installed. ugh I’m so unhappy right now :(.
thx for braid spray….I always wondered abt having alot of shed if you haven’t combed your hair for a week or so. I notice I shed alot if I don’t comb. Lately I’ve been wearing human hair clip ins and OMG I Love Love Love. I cornrow 5 braids ear to ear and clip in the 7 piece. leaving some front and edges out. I Love this mainly because I can take out every nite. Thx for the blogging girl Keep it up
Hi, I was googling natural braid sprays and found your blog. I am a colored natural, wearing two hand twists right now, getting braids next. When I googled the infusium, I discovered they now make a color defense line, so Im going to use that for my spray. Thanks!