Rebraiding Waist Length Individuals/Box Braids/ Update

Hey All!

I have been missing you guys! I know it has been a minute since I have given you all an update. I still have the braids, in fact I rebraided them.

After about the 3 week mark, my new growth really started to come through. Though new growth is a great thing, I hate seeing it when I have braids. It looks so, unkempt. I knew I wanted to keep them for 2 months so I decided to rebraid so they will look decent for the latter portion of my time with them. I have already made my halfway point with them.

At first I only planned on doing my hairline, and the few braids that are at the middle part. Come to find out, I am super paranoid, and thought that you would be able to tell I have new growth still, so I decided to do my whole head. I did it at my own leisure, probably over the course of a week and a half (lol). It really went quicker this time though, if I did it straight through I am sure it only would have been a matter of a couple of days.

My only complaint, or gripe if you will, is that my braids are much thinner. While rebraiding the hair would form tangles and knots, and it would thin out the hair from the original strand or braid. I am really missing the thickness of my braids. What I am happy about is I somehow learned how to braid tighter, like there was some actual tension after I put a braid in.

It could be that I had acrylic nails on at the time when I put my first set in. Who knows? Either way, I am glad I am finished! I will not be doing it again, if I get more new growth, oh well.

 Here's how my hair came out.

I have yet to wash my hair, I am hoping to get my hands on Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) Herbal Cleanse Dry Shampoo. I hear it works well for those with braids, and I think it will be better than saturating my hair or using actual shampoo, in the past I have experienced a lot of build up trying it that way. Should I use it, I will be doing a review.

I have also heard of people using an applicator bottle, and diluting  a shampoo of their choice, most likely the clarifying kind, with water and applying it directly to the scalp.


As for oiling my scalp, I have rarely done that. I originally brought Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil, but I have not because for one, I was home (NYC) for 3 weeks, and left it home, and two, I am terrified of build up. I have used it on my skin though, and I love it. Once I get my scalp clean I will get back to using it on my scalp. I will be doing a review on that as well.

I plan on taking my braids out anywhere between the 12th-21st of September. Pretty much on one of those weekends, before my birthday, which is the 27th of September.

I want to straighten my hair then, but I think that would be too much stress for it, so I think I will roller set it, and save flat ironing for my 2 year natural anniversary on the 16th of October.

Just wanted to give you all an update, and let you guys know that y'all were missed! I promise I will be posting a lot more often when these braids are out!

~Naomi

Drying Yarn Braids

After washing my Yarn Braids yesterday, it took about 12 hours for them to dry fully. I washed them at noon yesterday and they were done drying around midnight.

So for those of you who have yarn braids, or are looking to get them, they do take quite some time to dry!I would definitely set a wash day on a day when you have no other plans. I

had to ring my braids out multiple times to get water, as the yarn was trying to retain the moisture, which is a good thing, but not to the point where they're heavy and full of water. Even after doing that they stayed damp throughout the day.

I am sure the length and amount of yarn you used has something to do with the drying time as well.


Just wanted to give you all an update!


Naomi~

Washing Yarn Braids

A process that I was dreading......turned out to be quite simple!


Prior to shampooing I oiled my scalp with my Lavender JBCO mixture, and then coated my braids, concentrating on the top half (where my hair is) with Soybean Oil (Vegetable Oil). I did so by oiling my braids in sections. I made four sections and when I was done with one, I would twist it, and put the length of my twist on top of my head.

It was hard to balance, but I repeated with the other three sections, and then made a bun on top of my head by tucking the ends, and securing with an elastic band. Like so...

I put on my satin scarf, and bonnet, and then went to bed. I decided to wash in the shower since it would be the easiest.

I let the water run over my hair, and then washed my hair in for sections, three times each. Using about a quarter size of Suave Professionals Shea & Almond shampoo. (The hair got sooo heavy!)

The first two times I concentrated on my roots, rubbing with my finger tips (not scratching!) rinsing after each wash, the third time, I focused on the hair, by using both my hands and rubbing the hair between both my palms, and then rinsed.

Since I did not plan on deep conditioning, I followed with putting Suave Professionals Shea & Almond conditioner on my roots, and the top half of my hair, as this is where my real hair is. I then twisted my hair in sections, as I did to prepoo, and tucked the ends and secured with a elastic band.


 I did not keep time, but I am sure the conditioner stayed in my hair for about 10-15 minutes. I rinsed with cool water, and then rung my hair out.

I then oiled my scalp with my JBCO mixture, and then sprayed my hair with my leave in (diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie & Castor Oil).


To keep my hair out of my face I took the front sections and braided my hair, and left the back loose. It is still pretty wet now, so I am going to have to ring it out some more, but I want leave it down so it can dry fully. Here is how it looks...

It actually was an enjoyable experience. It felt nice to let water touch my scalp again! I'll be doing this process every two weeks, until I take these braids out.


Anyway, just wanted to share my experience with you all!


Naomi~

(Yarn) Braid Regimen

Hey all!

I am loving my braids so far! I have been experimenting with styles here and there, which I have yet to take a photo of! I will make sure to do next time.

Lately my favorite style so far is a high bun.

Anyway, my regimen so far.....


-Moisturize 4x a week (Using diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner with Home Health Castor Oil)

- Wash 2x a month (Have yet to decide on shampoo)

- Deep Condition 2x a month (Have yet to decide on dc)

-Oil scalp 1x a week (Using a mixture of Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Home Health Castor Oil)



I have yet to wash or deep condition my braids, which is why I have not set products for them. I have never deep conditioned my hair while it is in braids, so I am nervous about doing so. I may baggy with oils overnight, in place of deep conditioning.

Either way, I want to ensure my hair gets moisture while in braids, as I want it to grow! However, I do not want to get product build up, which is why I do not oil my scalp too often, and am weary of deep conditioning.

I will be washing my braids and I also want to do a moisturizing treatment next weekend, so I have some time to think about whether I will be deep conditioning or baggying. I plan on keeping my braids for 7 more weeks, and I will be rebraiding my edges in time for Christmas, so they will look fresh for the holiday!