I'm not proud of my actions---or rather inaction. I haven't washed my hair in two weeks. I really don't have a good reason---I'm just loving the ease of straight hair. Detangling is super fast. I can actually use a comb. Styling is uber easy. But just because my hair is straight---it doesn't mean that I'm wearing it down everyday. Here are 3 of my favorite updos on my straightened (newly) natural hair:
The Headband Tuck-
I totally love this look because it literally takes NO TIME to pull together. Plus all you need is a cute headband!
How To:
- Detangle, moisturize, and seal your hair.
- Create a side or center part.
- Put on a headband.
- Pull your hair back in sections and tuck into the band covering the elastic. Repeat on reminaing sections.
- Pick apart and fluff.
High Bun with a Side Swept Bang-
Perfect for a little after-the-gym-glam. I'm actually excited that my bun is still full after the chop.
How To:
- Detangle, moisturize, and seal your hair.
- Create a heavy center part for the bangs. Section off.
- Pull the rest of your hair up into a super high pony tail. Secure with an elastic.
- Wrap the ends of the pony tail around the base of the elastic. Secure with hair pins.
- Swoop bangs over to one side and secure ends with a hair pin.
Dutch Braid Pin Up
I wore this style for 2-3 days. The older that it got the more romantic and causal it started to look.
How To:
- Detangle and moisturize your hair.
- Split
from ear to ear then create a side part. Create a large dutch
braid on each side braiding to the end of each section.
- Tease the crown of your hair for volume.
- Using small sections, create finger curls, rolling up instead of under, then use a hair pin to secure.
- Repeat until all of hair is pinned up.
I'm deep conditioning my hair as I type this! I promise that you'll get a "real" shampoo-condition-style report next week!
How was your #washdayexperience?
Besitos!
KLP
I can't believe that it's been 6 months since the last time that I straightened my hair! I'm utterly flabbergasted. Once a upon a time, I used to flat iron daily---then I cut back to weekly---now I'm down to three times a year. I think that it's safe to say that my hair is benefiting from much less direct heat but I'm actually excited for the change!
Straightening my hair is a tedious process. So, I have a love/annoyed relationship with my straight hair. Detangling is most of the annoyance. I ditched my combs for finger detangling this year, so I find that when it's time to straighten, I have to combat tons of tiny single strand knots. I work slowly---probably toooooo slowly trying to be gentle and use a little less manipulation. It's definitely a 2-3 hour labor of love. Here's how I straighten my hair:
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- Pre-shampoo- I started by fully detangling using my fingers and slathering each section with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner. Pre-shampooing with conditioner elongates my curly roots which makes everything else on wash day easier.
- Shampoo-
Next, I hopped into the shower for 5 minutes to rinse the conditioner
completely. I clarified with KeraCare
1st Lather Shampoo to remove build up and then once more shampoo with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo to get my hair squeaky clean. Clean hair = light bouncy straightened hair.
- Extreme Deep Condition- Next, I deep conditioned with Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner then put my hair into 6 loose bantu knots, covered with a plastic cap and let it sit for a few hours. In hindsight, I should have sat under my hooded dryer or heat cap to help the conditioner penetrate more effectively.
- Leave ins- After I fully rinsed each section, I wrapped my hair in a cotton t-shirt to remove some of the water. Then I applied a little It's 10 Miracle Leave In then Chi Silk Infusion. Then I finished by cool air tension drying with my Solia Blower.
- Flat iron- I coupled my Ferrum Iron with a Sedu Carbon Flat Iron Comb to do the comb and chase method as I flat ironed my hair in 1/4' sections. Two passes were enough to get my hair smooth and super straight. But it still took forever to do.
The Results:
My hair has body and is soooo soft. I've never been able to say either in the past when I was flat ironing weekly.It's actually voluminous. And I LOVE IT! My bangs are still thriving hoovering between BSL and MBL. By my ends definitely took a hit from my detangling debacle a few months ago. This straightening session was totally bitter sweet.
I gave myself about an inch trim as I flat ironed and slightly rolled the flat iron around the ends for my feathered wavy Christmas Eve look. I promise length check pictures are coming down the pipeline. But now---it's time for me to go sing happy birthday to Jesus, celebrate, and enjoy my minions/hubby!
Merry Christmas chicas!
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