Soft Waves on Relaxed Hair

One of the biggest hair trends for Summer 2014 was beachy waves. As a free-spirited person myself, I kinda wanted that style as well. It gives a very relaxed, effortless look, and can literally be used with every outfit. 

So can us relaxed girls have beachy waves too? Yaaaa, ofcourse! It's as simple as it gets. I achieved this style by doing flat iron curls in my hair. I also sometimes use the outer surface of my curling iron, or use a curling wand.  I did curls in different directions so that when they fall it looks, well, effortless. For the front pieces especially, I would curl them backward or away from my face to frame the face.

It's really that easy. If you're not familiar with curling with a flat iron, I'd suggest you start practising because it's so easy and fun. I usually don't put a holding spray in my hair after curling just because I prefer looser curls. However, using sprays are optional. 

Soooo, give it a try and see if you like the result. And remember practise makes perfect. 

Til Next Time. Xoxo, Shanz

Intense Protein Treatment!

Protein is necessary to maintain hair health. The strands of your hair are made up of protein. Therefore, it's crucial that you apply protein treatments to hair that has been coloured, chemically treated, damaged, dry and brittle. Even if you don't experience much damage,  it's still important to provide the hair with that extra 'oomph' once in a while. 

Egg protein treatments are one of the best in its category. I recently tried it and was absolutely amazed with the result. Yes, I know it seems gross that you're putting a slimey egg on your hair. I had the same impression, but having tried it I must admit that I'll be incorporating it into my monthly hair regimen. 

What You'll Need:

• 1 egg
• 2 tsp Coconut oil
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise

Method: Whip the egg generously, then mix in the other ingredients. 

It's a very simple and quick procedure. Also note that you don't have to use Coconut oil. You may use the oil or oils of your choice. As well, Mayonnaise can be replaced by or used in addition with your favourite conditioner. The measurements obviously can be adjusted to suit the quantity of product you wish to make. 

Honestly, once all the ingredients are mixed in the idea of applying egg to your hair will be of little importance. In fact, the texture of the whipped egg acts as a binding agent so that the mixture does not run off your hair so easily. And it actually smells good! Thanks to the honey and coconut oil. 

Egg protein treatments are Great for restoring the hair before and after chemical relaxers, as well as, when using braids. Braids are in fact a very popular protective style in the Caribbean. Both naturals and relaxed women use braids in order to grow out their hair or just for the style of it. If you're someone who wears braids often, I'd strongly recommend doing egg protein treatments before installation and after take down. 

Because it's such a strong treatment, I'd recommend using it once a month, or once every few months. Reason being, too much protein can cause breakage as well. Be mindful of that. And make sure to do a conditioning treatment immediately after.  Throughout the month, it's advisable to do less intensive protein treatments every other week, or as needed. It's important to know your hair and know what it needs. 

Til Next Time. Xoxo, Shanz

Casually You.

Casually You. by trinishann featuring black flats

I Was Spoiled!

Ok, so I know I mentioned in my personal description that I'm absolutely opposed to braid-outs and twist-outs. But! You wouldn't believe it. I'm so hooked on it right now! 

I can't even believe it myself, but it's true. I got spoiled by my first real braidout. I had tried it before but was never fond of the look. My hair was much shorter at the time, so that could probably account for my disinterest in the look of it. 

On my recent relaxer (November) I had decided to try more braid-out styles in order to protect my freshly relaxed hair. I wanted to do this because I realized I was experiencing a lot of breakage leading up to that date. Yes, I used to flat iron my hair religiously every week, once a week on my wash day. However, it's so hard to upkeep my hair when new growth comes in. At the hairdresser's, she told me I had indeed reached bra-strap length (my goal) but due to breakage and the need to level my ends, I allowed her to give me a professional trim. So currently, I'm just a little further than armpit length. I'm not bothered by that, I like when she trims my hair, and I'd much rather have a head of healthy strands root to end.

Enough of that now. I washed my hair a week after relaxing (Yes, I need to, I get a lot of buildup). Then attempted my first braid-out. I applied my products, parted my hair into four sections, and gently detangled and braided each section. I let it air dry overnight. Oh My Gosh, I was too excited to open those braids the following morning! When I did, I was so in love with the result. I had these big soft pretty curls that looked as if I were naturally curly. I couldn't believe it! For the entire week I kept my hair out, and that's So not a norm for me. My hair was literally so Soft and bouncy! I was absolutely in love! I experimented with a few styles, nothing fancy. For the most, I either did a high messy bun or half-up half-down style.

  I'll definitely be doing a lot more braid-outs. I also plan to try different options like bantu knots, twist-outs, pin curls, flexi rods, etc. All of these techniques I have tried already, but now I'll work on perfecting them. I feel so much more free and happier with my hair like this. It suits me well because I'm not a person who loves having perfect hair. Messy buns and loose waves have been my go-to everyday and special occasion styles for a while (Except if I have a performance, then I'll go all out). By the way, haha, by the second week of washing, I happened to flat iron my hair and that didn't go well. I felt so restricted, it didn't have much movement. I couldn't stand having my hair up against my scalp; and from the time I saw hairs breaking off to style it, I co-washed it within 4-5 days. It's immobility could be due to the fact that I tried a shea butter pre-poo treatment and didn't shampoo it out properly. 

Anyway! I've found my new do! I'm gonna try to use these protective styles as much as possible now.

 

Til next time. Xoxo, Shanz