[Hairstyle] 3 Ways to Style Kurly Klips | The #WashDayExperience

Steps on soap box

*clears throat*

screams:

KURLY KLIPS ARE THE WORLD'S MOST VERSATILE PROTECTIVE STYLE EVER!!!!

(Kanye mic drop)

*giggles hysterically*

I'm not dramatic tho! Ha-ha! I guess that I'm just two steps past obsessed with my Kurly Klips. Please please please tell me that you're not bored to pieces reading about them!

My actual #washdayexperience's have been pretty boring. I follow my usual regimen. (You can find it here.) Then I put my hair in a bunch of random twists. At the least, I have 6 or 7 twists; At the most, I have 20 or so. It really depends on how much time I want to devote to the twisting process. I pull the twists back into a low pony tail then arrange the Kurly Klip wefts into whatever style I'm going for that day.

Which is why I say that Kurly Klips are the most versatile protective style ever. The styling possibilities are literally endless. Any style that I can do on my real hair, I'm pretty sure that I can do with my Kurly Klips.

Here are a few ways that I've been styling these bad boys over the last few weeks:

Side Swept Curls

Two bundles of Kurly Klips give this look it's fullness. Using clip-ins of varying lengths gives it a cascading layered affect. I used one set of the shoulder chic and one set of the mermaid length clip-ins from the My Fro collection. Here's how I did it:

1. Create a deep side part.
2. Install several two clip wefts using the "Reverse Clip" Technique shown here.
3. Unravel a very small section of your hair to blend and disguise the wefts.
4. Using hair pins, secure the opposite side of your hair back across your hair. Fluff and go!

Quick tip: This style is an 8/10 on the BIG hair scale. So, if you're not comfortable with BIG hair, then it's not for you.

Warning: Wait until you are comfortable with blending your hair with the clip-ins before attempting this style, otherwise you might not get the desired look. In other words, you'll look like a hot mess. I'm just keeping it real with y'all.

Pompadour

Again two bundles of Kurly Klips give this look it's BIG BIG hair look. This style is completely protective as no hair is left out. Here's how I did it:

1. Install your clips as usual.
2. In the bang area, install several two clip wefts horizontally to your hair line using the "Reverse Clip" Technique shown here.
3. Shape and smooth the hair in the bang area back, forming a pompadour then secure with hair pins.
4. Smooth back the sides and secure with pins for a tighter look. 

Quick tip: Twisting your hair into very large twists under the clip ins is the secret to this look. If you install the clips correctly, using the reverse clip technique, the volume from the clips creates the illusion that the clips are actually growing from your hair.

Warning: This style is extremely editorial. It's big. It's bad. It's fabulousness is off the charts. So, it's not really a "go to the store or run errands" type style. I mean, unless that's your level of daily fabulousness. If so, WERK IT GIRL!

Angled Fringe

I adore this angled fringe because again, you don't need to blend any of your real hair with the clip-ins. Plus it's beyond adorable. Here's how I did it:

1. Create a side part. 
2. Install your clips as usual. 
3. Pull the bang area towards your face, gently form the hair into a roll. 
4. Secure the very end of your rolled fringe to the side. Fluff your hair and go. 

Quick tip: The key to this look is volume and lots of it. So don't be afraid to go bigger. Use as many hair pins as you need to secure the fringe area. Just make sure that your fringe is very "plump."

Warning: This style is sure to become a favorite. You probably won't want to wear your KurlyKlips any other way!

Which style do you like the best? How was your #washdayexperience?

An InLinkz Link-up

The Best Products For Your Natural Hair This Fall | The #WashDayExperience

This fall I'm continuing on my quest to revitalize my curls and I'm also focusing on keeping my hair uber moisturized yet strong. In my part of the world, fall pretty much denotes our rainy/hurricane/flood season. Which basically means that I need to keep my hair up, ends tucked, and enjoy the humidity before the air gets cold and dry.

Here are 5 products that are making sticking to my basics a whole lot easier. A few, you've seen before and I really do owe you a real review on the others. Until then--here are my fall favorites:

Trader Joe`s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner ($3.99) www.traderjoes.com

One of the most exciting things about our move last year to the beach was that THERE'S A TRADER JOE'S NEAR! #happyfeet I've had Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle conditioner on my try before you die list forever and I'm sooooo glad that I tried it. I've been using it to co-wash my twists after really sweaty workouts. The tea tree and peppermint refreshes my scalp and I find it really soothing to the areas of my head that are a little irritated from the clip-ins. At $3.99---It's easily my new favorite co-washing/pre-shampoo treatment for the fall.

Related: The Best Co-Washing Conditioners Under $10

Kurly Klips Clip-In Extensions ($179-199) www.kurlyklips.com

I just can't say enough about these clip-ins! The install is a breeze, it actually looks natural, and it lets me have loose hair without damaging my real hair! They are definitely an investment but totally worth it! If you're not really about that "not having access to your real hair while in braids, weaves, or extensions" life---then Kurly Klips are your solution.

Related: How I Protect My Hair Under Kurly Klips | The #WashDayExperience

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Co-Wash Conditioner ($11.99) 

I really wanted to love Shea Moisture's Co-wash conditioner on my real hair but I just couldn't. It just wasn't quite moisturizing enough to use on it's own without having to follow it up with another conditioner. BUT using it on my Kurly Klips has been a DREAM. It's pretty for detangling and gives the clip-ins a fantastic scent.

Related: How I Wash My Clip-In Extensions 

 

Camille Rose Curl Maker ($22.00) 

Curl Maker is hands down one of my 2015 favorite products----and it's only September y'all! It's multi-functional. I use it to smooth my edges. I use it in wash and gos I use it to curl my ends when I do a twist out. It defines my natural coils perfectly, leaves my hair moisturized and offers a medium hold. I've even used it on my Kurly Klips to refresh the curls. #winnerwinnerchickendinner

Related: That One Twist Out That Was EVERYTHING!

L'Oreal Advanced Total Repair Extreme Reconstructing Conditioner ($4.99)

I don't want to over moisturize my hair, so every two weeks or so, I like to use this conditioner as a pre-shampoo treatment on my hair. I love how thick, rich, and creamy the consistency is. Plus, it's full of ceramides and proteins that strengthen the hair. The price is totally right for me...but it does have mineral oil in it. So, be careful. 

Related: How I Use Protein To Grow My Hair

What products are you loving this fall?

Besitos!

KLP

Natural Hair Length Check 2015 | The #WashDayExperience

I just realized that I haven't done a length check ALL YEAR! Why didn't one of y'all tell me! *smh*

You see, the thing is that I've only ever done "straight hair" length checks. Always after a fresh relaxer and a good trim.

But---the problem with this logic, now that my hair is completely curly---I have NO desire whatsoever to straighten my hair. I don't wanna blow it. I don't feel like flat ironing it. I just don't wanna. *Pouts and crosses arms*

The likelihood of me straightening my hair any time soon is extremely low. So, today---I'm bringing you curly haired length checks via ruler! *the crowd goes wild* Ha-ha! (Ain't this better than a boring ol #washdayexperience anyway!?!?)

I washed and deep conditioned my hair per my usual routine then applied my leave ins and grabbed a ruler.  My bangs area is the shortest at 7 3/4". Which didn't come to me as a surprise. I had to snip the most from this section when I trimmed a few weeks ago. I also know that my bangs grow slower than the rest of my hair. The left and right sides of my hair are 9" each. While, my left nape is 8" and my right nape is 9".

The biggest shocker to me was how much healthier my hair looked. My ends aren't as frizzy and my hair looks moisturized from root to tip. My guess is that getting back to basics (deep conditioning with heat and co-washing at least once a week) is actually improving the health of my hair. I also suppose that the Jamacian Black Castor Oil on my scalp and ends is helping too.

I'm not gonna make any promises but I do hope to do another length check later this year (maybe on the anniversary of my BIG CHOP eh?). Then I'll actually have a good reference point.

How was your #washdayexperience? When was the last time that you did a length check?

An InLinkz Link-up

2 Ways To Install Clip-In Extensions Without Leave Out | The #WashDayExperience

Headband Technique

I think that the most important part of a long term protective style whether it be braided extensions, weave, or wigs, is that it actually protects your real hair AND doesn't cause damage. I mean---the last thing that you really want is to have nasty breakage to deal with when you're trying to grow out your hair.

The cool thing about Kurly Klips is that the chances of breakage are pretty slim. You don't have to blend your real hair with the clip-ins to get a natural look plus there's also no stress on your edges. I know I know---it sounds a little too good to be true---but I promise---it's legit.

Headband Technique

Thanks to Lana's (the genius owner of Kurly Klips) amazing YouTube videos, I figured out two ways to install my Kurly Klips without leave out.

Headband Technique

What you'll need:

• Two sets of Kurly Klips. I used one set each of the Shoulder Chic and Mermaid length from the My Fro collection. I like using two different lengths to create a blunt full hemline and increase the volume. Volume is your friend when you're not leaving out any of your real hair. It helps hide the wefts plus---its cute!
• 2-3" head band ( I use Goodie Ouchless Hair Wraps)
• Hair ties
• Hair pins

Reverse Clip Technique

 Here's how I install my Kurly Klips without leave out:

1. First, I moisturize and seal my real hair. (Click here to see what I use and how I do it) I pull it back into a low pony tail and secure any shorter sections with hair pins.
2. Starting with the Shoulder Chic clips, place 3 clip weft from ear to ear about an inch above your nape.
3. Place the 4 clip Shoulder Chic weft next.
4. Next place three of the 2 clip shoulder chic wefts side by side.
5. Then,  place the 4 clip Mermaid length weft. 
6. You'll have a small area remaining at your crown. You can fill this area my adding your remaining 2 clip wefts horizontally using the headband technique. Just hide the wefts with a simple headband and fluff the hair. OR...
7. You can use the "reverse clip" technique to create an invisible part. First, snap a Mermaid 2 clip wefts backwards at the edge of your part. The volume makes the clips appear to be growing out of your scalp. (Hello AWESOMENESS!) Repeat until you fill in your crown area.

Reverse Clip Technique

Here's a video for my visual learners!

So what do you guys think? Which no leave out method do you like the best?

How was your #washdayexperience?

An InLinkz Link-up

How I Protect My Hair Under Kurly Klips | The #WashDayExperience

One of my biggest fears in getting a long term protective style was that I was gonna neglect my real hair underneath.

I'm lazy. 

I'm forgetful. 

Totally absent minded cloud chasing----ohhh what's that over there...

*wanders aimlessly for several minutes*

Wait...what was I talking about?

{Regroups for a sec}

I felt like if my hair was out of sight. Then it would be out of mind.

So I'm trying to force myself to still care for my hair---even tho I don't have to touch it every day--if I don't wanna.

Here's my plan to protect my hair while I'm rocking my Kurly Klips:

#1: Remove the clip-ins EVERY night.
It's disgustingly easy to set these bad boys and forget it. I'd be lying if I said that I never slept in them before. (Sorry Lana! I know that you're not supposed to sleep in them; I was beyond exhausted!) But I can't make that a habit.

#2: Massage my scalp.
I'm not sure if its because my scalp is tender. Or if I'm just not used to having anything attached to my hair but I will admit that there are areas of my head where the clips caused a little soreness. So at night, I gently massage my scalp with a little Jamaican Black Castor oil and try to remember to place the clip a little further away from my scalp

#3: Moisturize and seal my real hair.
Under my clips, my hair is in a set in about ≈ 20 two strand twists. So, I mist my hair with a Aloe Vera, glycerine spritz from root to tip, then apply a small amount of Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner focusing on my ends. I usually seal with my DIY Hair Butter, but---because I want to really keep my ends protected from the exposure to the friction from the clip-in---instead I'm sealing with Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Then I pull all the twist back into a low pony tail and cover with my scarf.

#4: Co-Wash (as needed).
I workout just about daily, so I rinse my twists with warm water every 3-4 days. After my water rinse, I follow my same nightly routine by misting with my aloe vera concotion, applying a small amount of conditioner then sealing with JBCO. Thanks to my trim a few weeks ago, my ends actually stay twists throughout this process.

#5: Deep Condition once a week with heat.
Not washing my hair weekly simply is not an option for me. I plan to follow my usual regimen, shampooing once a month and deep conditioning with heat every week.

#6: Nourish my leave out.
If I plan to use a little of my real hair to blend the tracks,  I still mist with the aloe vera concoction and apply a little conditioner, but instead of using JBCO to seal my ends I use a dab of hair butter and Camille Rose Natural Curl Maker. I really need to review Curl Maker so that I can properly gush about how great that stuff is, but just know that if you want a fantastically defined twist out---this stuff is your winner winner chicken dinner!

I'm hoping to stick to my clip-ins for maybe 2 months (unless I get bored), then access my ends. In the meantime, I'll be sharing all about how I style them, blend my hair for a natural look, and my 3 favorite ways to install them.

How was your #washdayexperience?

Share all the dets with our hair obsessed tribe below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Unboxing Your Kurly Klips

HEATED doesn't even begin to describe how I felt when I unboxed my Kurly Klips.

I gotta keep it 100 with y'all.

I was not impressed.

I straight thought Lana, the genius Kurly Klips creator, had slipped me the okie-doke.

Just as I was about to send her a nice/nasty gram. I figured that I should do some due diligence and figure out why my clips looked NOTHING like the models on the website.

And as usual, YouTube had all the answers. (I'm still wondering why I EVEN went to college. YouTube knows eeevvveerrryyyttthhhaaannnggg...)

When you first open your My Fro collection, it will be big. REALLY REALLY BIG. A little crazy looking. Not at all what you expect. And, if you wear it straight out the box, it will not blend. But, if you like the mentally detrangled about to snap look then you straight BUT if you don't...

Fresh out the box

All you have to do is add some water. 

I deleted my nice/nasty gram and sent Lana an OMG girl this is the ish gram.


Here's how I did it:

1. Rinse the wefts one at a time with warm water. 
2. Because my natural hair is crazy fluffy, I didn't want my extensions to be too defined. So I only finger detangled the very ends of my clips just to clump the curls. 
3. After rinsing each weft, I ever so gently squeezed the excess water in the sink, then hung the wefts on a hanger to drip dry. (You can also lay them flat on a towel to dry.)
4. (Optional) Apply a very lightweight leave in conditioner or curl enhancing product to only the ends of the hair to define each weft. 

 BUT KEEP READING, there's more...

After a wash and light finger detangle at the ends

Be crazy careful with how much product you use and how you detangle the curls. The more product that you use, the more defined your clip-ins will be. Now, if you want really defined curls---a braid out texture---then go to town with your paddle or denman brush. But, like I said, my natural hair is extremely fluffy, therefore the voluminous appearance of the clips works for me. Volume will also help you if you only purchased one set of clips, it will help you with blending/covering the tracks and less manipulation will increase the longevity of your purchase. (Because this ish ain't cheap!) If you over define your curls, I'm gonna be real with you, the volume is virtually impossible to re-create.

So it's that simple. Take the hair out of the box, rinse it with a little water, define the curls to your liking, then let dry.

Soon I'll share the 3 ways that I install these suckas in 10 minutes or less!

Besitos!
KLP

Meet My Kurly Klips | #The WashDayExperience

After months of agonizing, weeks of drooling, and tons of Pinterest stalking, I've finally figured out what long term protective style I think that I can actually commit to AND pull off!

So, here's what y'all know: I'm anti-long term protective style. I love my buns, braids and updos but sometimes a girl wants a little more oomph! I adore braided extensions. I live for a natural looking wig. Sew-ins are crazy versatile.  But nothing in me wants to sit for 6+ hours to get my hair braided. I don't want to spend the time looking for a stylist to give me a realistic looking sew in. I Youtube'd "DIY Wig" and got about 75,100 results. *sweet baby Jesus* overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe it! That's not a learning curve that this chica wants to ride....

My problem is that I love having access to my hair. The thought of not being able to play in my curls whenever I want to makes me stupid sad. And this is where my Kurly Klips come in!

Kurly Klips are naturally kinky curly clip in hair extensions. They are made from 100% human hair BUT have been steam processed to resemble natural curl patterns. Think sew in weave then replace the sew with clip. So that means...

- No stylist/cousin that went to beauty college/kitchen beautician...
- No intricate no way in the world that I can do braiding patterns...
- No closures--dye this--seal that...
- No marley/havanna/remi/yo mama/hakuna matata braiding hair
- I can take it out when I want...
- I can put it in when I want...
- It actually looks like it's growing out of my scalp
- PLUS it only takes 10-15 minutes to install and style?

Girllllllllllllll

I almost lost control!

Lana, the genius creator of Kurly Klips sent me the 4oz Shoulder Chic Fro Clip-Ins and the 4oz Mermaid Fro Clip-Ins to give a test drive.

Once I took the hair out of the package.

I was scurreedd.

LOOK at all that HAIR!

Not my usual running late to the bus stop/post office/commissary/play ground/workout look. But it was perfect for my bestie boo, Keyda's wedding!

See Related: Just Married! Congrats Keyda & Mark!


Here's how I pulled off this look:

Deep Condition- Matrix Hydrasource Conditioner + Almond Oil
Leave Ins- Almond Oil + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner + DIY Hair Butter + Camille Rose Curl Maker

I'd been wearing my hair in my Two Strand Twist Updo, so I pulled it down, misted with a little water then applied Matrix Hydrasource Conditioner to my hair root to tip in a couple of sections, detangling in the process. I sealed in the conditioner with a little almond oil, then covered with a plastic bag. To kick my conditioning up a notch, I sat under my heating cap for about an hour.

See Related: My Natural Hair Regimen

Afterwards, I hopped into the shower, rinsed each section thoroughly and re-twisted. I let a cotton t-shirt absorb the excess water from my hair and applied a little almond oil. Then, I applied my leave ins: Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner + DIY Hair Butter + a dab of Camille Rose Curl Maker and twisted my hair in about 20 sections. The process took about an hour. I pulled the damp twists back into a ponytail, covered with my scarf and let them dry overnight.

The next morning, I installed 7 of the mermaid and 2 of the shoulder chic clip ins for this voluminous look. I unraveled a few of the twists from the front of my hair to help cover the clips, applied a little aloe vera gel, then twisted it back and secured with hair pins.

Yes. I will give you guys all of the dets on how I installed the hair, how I wash it, how I style it, etc etc etc. But for now, just know that I LOVE these clip-ins! I was too busy running here and there + partying at Keyda's wedding so I didn't get any shots of she and I together, but I did snap a few full length pics of me, my weave, and my dress!

What do you think? Can I pull off ALL of this hair or does it look to wiggy?

How are you rocking your hair this week? Feel free to share with the rest of our hair obsessed tribe!

An InLinkz Link-up

[Life] Just Married! Congrats Keyda & Mark!

I bet you guys are wondering...what happened to my hair obsessed partna in crime MK? Well..she's been crazy busy because now she's a MRS!

Her wedding was literally one of the most beautiful ceremonies that I've ever attended.

Because their love was as radiant as the sunset.

And It was crazy fun.

Totally Keyda & Mark style.

Authentic. Genuine. Sincere.

But of course, her hair game was on point too!

 
With a classic swirled double halo braid into a neat bun topped with a Haku Lei.

Ho'omaika'i 'ana Keyda and Mark!

Did You Win The Jessicurl Giveaway? (Plus Coupon Code!)

I wish that I could pull an Oprah...

You get a Jessicurl Confident Coils Collection gift pack. And you! And you! EVERYONE gets one!

*le sigh*

But I only have one gift pack to give away this month. I guess that a girl can dream right?!?

The winner of the August giveaway is: Khaya of Pocahontas' Hair Secrets!

If you didn't win, don't worry. You can get 15% Off Any 8 oz. using my coupon code: SOSHAIR15. {Expires 2/29/2016. Can not be combined with any other offers. Includes collections}


Besitos!
KLP

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Tutorial] Two Strand Twist Updo For Natural Hair

I thought about sharing my uber boring #washdayexperience with you---but then I remembered that I owed you guys a tutorial on this delicious Two Strand Twist Updo!

It's definitely one of my favorite protective styles as of late. I love it because it keeps my hair stretched, my ends protected, and it's perfect for any occasion. I wear it to the gym, running errands and I even wore this style to my partner in crime MK's wedding! (More about the wedding and how beautiful MK was later!)

 

Anywhos, this style is actually very very simple and is perfect for neck length or longer hair.

1. Divide your hair ear to ear then create a side part.
2. Two strand twist the smaller section above your ear
3. Divide the larger section into 3 or 4 smaller sections then two strand twist it above your other ear.
4. Next, divide the back section in half. 
5. Gently rake one half towards the front of your air just above your ears
6. Join the back half with your previous twist by (you guessed it!) twisting it. 
7. Pull the twist back cross your head.
8. Secure across your head with hair pins.
9. Repeat on the opposite side by gently raking the back half of your hair forward and twisting.
10. Pull the twist back across your head 
11. Secure with hair pins.
12. If your hair is short like mine, just take the remaining twists from your bang area and use hair pins to connect it to the other twists.

Polish the look by smoothing your edges with little edge control. (My favorite is Chi Twisted Fabric) Then cover with a satin/silk scarf to tame flyaways.


I usually wear this style for several days at a time. At night simply over with a satin scarf. In the morning, I unpin each section, moisturize and seal if necessary then pull it all back again.


So what do you think? Would you give this style a try?

How are you rocking your hair this week? Feel free to share with the rest of our hair obsessed tribe!

An InLinkz Link-up