Protective Styles: Travel and Emergency Hair Kit

I can't tell you the number of times I've been at work or out somewhere and received a call to go out to dinner, movies, etc. One look in the mirror and my first response should have been, "heck nah! have you seen my hair?!" I've left wherever I was early to rush home and try to do something to my hair so I look more presentable. The last time I couldn't go home and spent about $10 in "emergency" hair care items. It was at that point that I vowed never to be caught unprepared like that again, if I could help it. So I decided to create my Travel & Emergency Hair Kit (I will have to think of a cuter name for it). Here is the beginning of my kit...

The purpose of this kit is to have a few things on hand that I can leave in my car, take into work or just have on hand to freshen or restyle my hair. This kit isn't complete, but here's an upclose look at its contents:

• Bobby and hair pins (in plastic baggie)
• Aloe Vera gel
• Stay Sof Fro (good ol' fashion afro sheen) used for smoothing down edges
• hair clips (to section hair or move out of way)
• Paddle brush
• Boar brush (for smoothing)
• Rattail comb (for parting)
• Hair elastics
• Oil mix (EVOO, Ultimate Best oil, Nature's Shine)
• Scarf for smoothing edges (not shown because it was being washed)

There are a few things that I want to add to the kit

• Phony Bun
• Phony pony
• Half Wig (my ol standby, the Outre Ursula)
• Hot Rollers
• Flat Iron

This will be in my trunk starting tomorrow...never will I be unprepared again in a hair emergency...:)

Protective Styles: Today's Protective Style

Here is what I'm wearing today. I am going to clarify, DC and wash tonight in preparation for relaxer this week (at 12 weeks). I didn't feel like doing anything to it and it's really time for me to minimize the manipulation to it (it was looking a little dry today) so I threw it up in a ponytail. Thanks to Stay Sof Pro (good ol' Afro Sheen), aloe vera gel and the scarfing method, my edges don't look too bad, I just need an edge-up BADLY!

I'm wearing the Freetress Drawstring Aster ponytail....

Protective Styles: How to Fake a Fringe

It's Judy Time is one of my fave YT hair and makeup gurus! Remember the style I posted with Keisha Knight Pulliam? This is a way to pull off the bang without cutting your own hair. You can cover the pins and hair with the braid. I really like this neat hair trick...

Protective Styles: Rihanna Inspired Classy Updo

Another easy do I love. I love that in theory these super elegant do's should take less than 10 minutes to do. I am going to try this do this week...hopefully I will have energy to do a video tutorial!

Protective Styles: Elegant and Formal Angelina Jolie inspired hair-do

I love this do! Depending on your length, this would be considered a PS. I am going to see if I can duplicate this with a phony pony to achieve the length in the tutorial but also to make it a true PS.

Protective Styles: LHCF Hairstyle

The style below is courtesy of fellow LHCFer Janaq2003

• First, do a french braid on the side and make a ponytail at the end and wrap it around.


• Second, take some yaki braid hair and do a three-strand braid.


• Third, wrap the braid around ponytail and secured it with pins.

I think this style is elegant and chic! I can definitely see it with a long maxi dress in the summer, a very bohemian look!

Protective Styles: Keisha Knight Pulliam

Rudy is all grown up....as is evident by this grown-up updo she wore to the NAACP Awards this year. I love this updo and think it would be perfect for many a special event. The braid surrounding the curly ponytails makes it a bit more youthful without losing its class.

If you don't want to cut your bangs, I think you can make a clip-in bang using a scrap piece of track hair. Clip it in far enough back that you can cover the track with the braided piece surrounding the updo. I'm going to try that and see if it works...I'll let you know!

Protective Styles: Twisted Bun Tutorial Video

One of my favorites!!!!!! This is great on SL length hair and longer. DLewis has one of the fullest ones out there...Check it out on her blog.

http://thehairofdlewis.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-bun-for-last-week.html

I'm so used to rocking my phony bun I've never tried to actually do this do with my own hair. I'm probably 2inches shorter than Caisha, but it could still work (especially if I add hair jewelry).

This is a great quick protective style for workouts, brunch with friends, running errands, etc. Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Protective Styles: Phony Pony Style

Simple, classic elegant do. If you have the length for it, you can recreate the style with a braidout.

For those of us that need some "help" use a phony pony to achieve the desired look. Perfect for a night out on the town (as pictured by Rihanna) or for a Saturday out running errands.

5 Minute Natural Hairstyle

I think this is a great protective style, not just for naturals, but also for relaxed hair wearerers...especially if you are trying to stretch your relaxer. Great weekend and workout do! Enjoy!

Protective Styles: Protect Your Protective Style: Synthetic Wig Care

I use half-wigs as my protective style. Especially on days when I want to wear my hair down but for whatever reason my own hair isn't cooperating.



But since using half-wigs, I've noticed they get a bit old for the wear and the ends start looking ratty and fuzzy. So I just became resigned that I would have to purchase half wigs every so often. Then I came across a thread on wig care on LHCF and just had to post some suggestions here!

• Soak hair in baking soda and water to remove excess oils (usually from your natural hair)
• Spray a bit of oil sheen or wig spray on hair and brush thru
• Once hair is dry (usually overnight), test a section (bottom back of wig) and lightly iron (see next bullet)
• If test section is ok, iron hair on low heat with a pillowcase on top to tame ratty ends
• Or you can lightly blow dry on low heat for a similar effect (still test a section)

This is the link to the original article with the wig care advice.

This may not work for all synthetic wigs, but it's worth a try before you purchase another one. I will test it out this weekend and let you know the results!

Protective Styles: A Most Favorite Bun

So I've been labeled...yes I'm a hairophile. I stare and covet people's hairstyles. I totally blame LHCF for that...enablers! LOL

Well while working the other night, this girl walked in with the CUTEST BUN EVER!!!!! It was so full, cute and modern. Fit her face perfectly! It was effortless chic I tell ya! And those are the looks I'm beginning to love. Ones that look like you just randomly put your hair up, but somehow it turned out uber-chic. But I'll let the pic speak for itself....

She told me that she simply wrapped her hair and pinned in place. *sigh* alas I'm not sure it would be so easy for me , but as soon as I figure out a way, this will be one of my do's!

P.S. The front is a bang she pinned to the opposite side of the bun (almost like a mini hump).

Protective Style: Relaxed But Twisted

I know this was worn to a movie premeire, but this is cute do even for running errands on Saturday. I would probably do the front a little differently. I don't think I look all that great with a middle part. I think it would work best on freshly washed and flatironed hair or on a rollerwrap.

• Flat iron entire head first (optional if you are minimizing heat usage).
• Part hair in the middle and pull out two 1/2-inch pieces of hair to frame the face.
• Tie the rest of the hair into a low ponytail then separate the ponytail into two sections.
  Take right section and separate again. Twist one piece and use pins to secure to head.
• Wrap the second piece around the first and pin to head, creating a bun.
• Repeat on left side.

Protective Style: Classic 1940s Do with Modern Edge

The first time I saw this online, I immediately loved it! Perfect for a rollerset. I look forward to duplicating it one day soon!

• Part hair heavy to left or right side.
• For the bun, first pull hair into a low pony tail.
• To create the illusion of extra full long hair wrap a coiling foam piece around ponytail.
• Take strands of hair and wrap around the foam, pinning each strand randomly into both the actual foam and your hair.
• Keep it tight but a little messy for a sexy feel.

Protective Style: Cute Messy Updo

This style is perfect for a braidout or a rollerset. It's a great way to add a day or two to your do before you wash.

• The night before, braid hair or dry roll hair to get soft wavy texture.
• Beginning at the top of your head, pull back hair section-by-section in the shape of a half moon to create a pompadour. Use the width of your brow to measure how far the pompadour should spread (the width is generally from 3/4 of the way into each brow).
  Loosely twist and pin the sections of the pompadour to the top of your head and smooth the front lightly, using a teasing brush.
• Lightly slick sides back and start pinning hair directly into a "Mohawk" running down the back of your head. Twist and pin random pieces to create different textures.
• Finally, at the bottom section, make two ponytails side by side.
• Wrap and twist ponytails lightly into semi loose low buns, using bobby pins and hair pins to secure for an edgy modern look.

Protective Style: The Ever-Popular Bun

When people begin to think of protective styling, the ever-popular bun is usually at the top of everyone's list. On LHCF, there are a couple of bunning challenges...one to last for a whole year. Unfortunately, I can't bun for a whole year. I can barely bun for a whole week....I'd go hairstyle crazy! I love to change my hair almost as frequently as I change my clothes (LOL). But there is definite value to bunning and for my niko's cousins that can do it for that long, I salute you!

To keep you motivated, here are some buns I like...

One of the best bunners out there is my fellow LHCFer, DLewis. Her blog is full of ideas on different ways to wear your buns. It's hard to get totally bored bunning with her ideas.

There are days when I love the sleekness of buns. I feel regal and sophisticated, especially with a sleek outfit, perfectly applied makeup, the right jewelry and big ol' sunglasses (smile).

No autographs please! LOL

Protective Styles: What Is Protective Styling?

I started this blog to highlight protective styling and give those of us who do it or want to try it a gallery of hairstyles to choose from.

As someone who is trying to grow my hair and incorporate more healthy hair care practices into daily styling, one of the first concepts I was introduced to on LHCF was protective styling.

So what is protective styling?

There are a few variations on the definition (regarding use of heat mainly) but essentially most people would agree that protective styling is essentially a style that protects the ends of your hair from the air and environment and prevents it from rubbing against clothing.

Where some different interpretations come in concerns the use of heat, especially direct heat. Some are liberal in their interpretations and think that as long as your hair is up that it's protective styling, even if you use heat. Stricter interpretations say no heat.

The goal of protective styling is to retain growth and give your hair the best possible circumstances under which to grow and thrive. Since most hair afficionados agree that heat can damage hair (especially with prolonged use), most people believe that no heat is part of protective styling.

So now that the definition of protective styling is clear as mud (LOL), let's get to styling!!!!