I know I have not posted in a bit, but I was busy doing these waist length braids I have been wanting to do. My long term goal is WL so I figured dealing with braids this long would be good practice!
Originally I was going for the "Poetic Justice" braids- Janet Jackson wore them in the movie, but mine came out much much thinner.
It took forever- I braided my hair on and off from this past Saturday, until 4am this morning. I used a billion packs of hair. 4-5 some got tangled, so it is hard to say the exact amount used. The type of hair I used is Kanekalon (Kanekalon is a synthetic flame retardant hair- will not burn, so it you can heat style it. ie curling iron) , and the brand I used is Outre, color 1B. Now this braid of hair is super wispy. Too wispy in fact.
It was also was a bit rough, so I did a few cuts handling this hair. It also tangles a lot, it could be the way I handled the hair, but I found it to be very tangly. I paid $1.99 at a local BSS (Beauty Supply Store).
I did not prep it really, just used it straight out of the package.
To prep my hair I did a protein treatment of Egg, Mayonnaise, mixed with Olive & Coconut Oils. I left the mixture in for about an hour without direct heat, with a shower cap. I meant to follow up with Queen Helene Cholesterol Conditioner for moisture, but time got away from me, so I just let my VO5 Moisturizing Milks Strawberries & Cream Conditioner in the shower for a half hour or so.
After that all I did was run some Shealoe through my hair, and called it a night. I started braiding Friday, but did not start for real until Saturday. I went out that day and had a great time out with DH at the Caribbean Festival, then came back home to start up again.
By far this has been the longest amount of time it has taken me to finish braids, but then again these braids are by far the longest I have ever had. I wish I had time frame, but I am pretty sure it took more than 10 hours.
When finished I had to boil some water in a pot, and dip my ends in a few times, take them out carefully, cradling with towel, squeezing them, and re-dipping, until I got the desired results- straight ends.
Oh and I encountered a few tangles, and I had to cut a strand of hair out. Yes, I cried, but I am glad I did not give up, I am super happy with the results.
Here is where I started from...
More than halfway through...
Finished product!
I love them! Since they are so long, I do not see myself shampooing, or doing it very often, so I will have to invest in a dry shampoo. I plan on keeping these braids in until labor day, if I can help it.
I made a last minute purchase for something to use on my scalp for the duration I will have braids, it is Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil.
It is mostly natural and it smells pleasant, best of all I do not have an allergic reaction to it. I will use it for a while before giving a true review on it.
I am deciding on whether I should start using my Hairfinity (A Vitamin mixture that helps promote faster growth) or not, I want growth, but not too much, because I do not see myself retouching my roots.
Anyway, this is what I have been up to as of late. Hope you guys like the braids, or at least it encourages you all to try braiding or twisting your hair at home!
~Naomi
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