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!