**2010 Braid Challenge**........sign-up here

[nakialovesshoes]

My mom was in town & redid my beehive cornrows for me on Monday. I was surprised she could even do this style. But she told me that people used to actually wear their hair like this back in the day.

She was surprised to learn that people use this style for the base for a sew-in.

Guess we were both learning from each other. Seems I'm still a few months off from BSL - at least another 2 months.

I'm getting bored with my current wig so it's probably time to either get some tree braids or find another wig. Well I'll have this set in until February 4th. I took a picture with my length tee before my mom braided my hair. I'll post comparison pics next month.

 

[mstar]

Aww sorry that's happened to you but don't fret, I had a similar thing happen after wearing a tight corn row for several weeks. I used Mega-Tek on my bald spot and it filled in within a few short weeks. I still use it a few times a week and the hair there has caught up with the rest of my edges, now you can't tell I ever had a bald patch. Give it a go!

Thanks for the encouragement, Jozze! But I'm afraid the bald spot was just the beginning. I got my first BKT yesterday, and seeing my hair straightened has really exposed some additional damage.

My stylist discovered a small chunk of hair in my crown that is only 1 inch long...the chunk of hair is about exactly the size of a braid. There's also been a lot of breakage at my hairline and the top portion of my head...there are tons of flyaway strands that stick straight up because they're so short. Wearing my hair natural and in braids hid all of this damage from me. I take REALLY good care of my hair, but the damage is typical of long-term braids, unfortunately.

This might all have happened recently--the last time I got my whole head braided, my braider seemed distracted and upset, and she braided WAY too tight (I didn't notice until after I got home and my head was throbbing.) She also made some unkind comments about my natural hair, and suggested I get a relaxer to make it easier for her to braid. This is the first time this has ever happened--she's usually very good, and I've always trusted her to take good care of my hair. But all it takes is one bad experience to cause a setback.

I don't know where to find a new braider I can trust. So I might just get a sew-in for a while. I will take your advice and try Mega-Tek, though. Thank you again for the tip.

 

[Jozze]

Thanks for the encouragement, Jozze! But I'm afraid the bald spot was just the beginning. I got my first BKT yesterday, and seeing my hair straightened has really exposed some additional damage.

My stylist discovered a small chunk of hair in my crown that is only 1 inch long...the chunk of hair is about exactly the size of a braid. There's also been a lot of breakage at my hairline and the top portion of my head...there are tons of flyaway strands that stick straight up because they're so short. Wearing my hair natural and in braids hid all of this damage from me. I take REALLY good care of my hair, but the damage is typical of long-term braids, unfortunately.

This might all have happened recently--the last time I got my whole head braided, my braider seemed distracted and upset, and she braided WAY too tight (I didn't notice until after I got home and my head was throbbing.) She also made some unkind comments about my natural hair, and suggested I get a relaxer to make it easier for her to braid. This is the first time this has ever happened--she's usually very good, and I've always trusted her to take good care of my hair. But all it takes is one bad experience to cause a setback.

I don't know where to find a new braider I can trust. So I might just get a sew-in for a while. I will take your advice and try Mega-Tek, though. Thank you again for the tip.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. This is why I never let anyone touch my hair. I think learning to do it yourself is the only real way to ensure that these kinds of things don't happen in the future.
Since your hair is damaged getting a sew-in now might make the situation worst because a weave isn't completely stress free on the hair...the thread alone could cut into your fragile hair.
I suggest you try babying and strengthening your hair for several weeks or even a month until it has recovered enough to withstand a sew-in. Whenever my hair is in bad condition I gently cornrow my hair and wig it for a few weeks. I co-wash ever other day with Aubrey Organics HSR moisturising conditioner, I add MT the days between co-washing and seal with my fav oils.
Once a week I clarify with a baking soda rinse followed by a jamilia henna gloss followed by my own DC mix -find recipe below.

"Jozette's 911 DC mix"
2 tbsp AO HSR
1 tbsp Shea butter
1 tsp jojoba oil,
1/2 tsp japanese camillia oil,
1/2 tsp coconut oil,
1 tsp raw honey,
1 tbsp 99.9% aloe vera gel,
2 tsp rhassoul clay,
1/2 tsp seaweed powder,
1/4 tbsp alma powder and
1/4 lotus powder.
I mix these ingredients up and apply it to damp hair then sit under the steamer for 20 -30 minutes. If you don't have a steamer use a hot towel wrapped around the head or a hood-dryer while hair is wrapped in cling flim- whatever works for you.
Afterwards, I cling film my hair, wrap it in a silk scarf and put my warmest woolie hat on top of this and sleep in it. Rinse next morning which is usually a Saturday.

BTW, I do all of this while my hair is still in cornrows or twist keeping hair manipulation low.
My hair is protein sensitive so I only do a protein DC once a month.

Give it a go and let me know what you think. I really hope this helps your hair recover. It's saved mine many times!

@NJoy -Sorry you're going through a similar thing -learn to braid your own hair to be safe.
Try co washing everyday until your braids loosen up but if your braids are really uncomfortable I would remove them because as you can see if braids are put in too tight it can serious damage your hair. Personally, I feel it's just not worth the risk but that's just my opinion.

 

[msbettyboop]

Checking in for January. Got my braids in a few weeks ago. My hair is cornrowed in front. Will be keeping them in until mid Feb. I wash every week with diluted shampoo and DC with Lustrasilk herbal cholesterol cream with carrot oil. Pictures attached.

ETA - after taking these out I'm giving my scalp and hair a rest until end of March before putting in braids again.

 

[msbettyboop]

Thanks I was wondering about the cost. I will give it a try see how it works. BTW what type of braids do you wear? I'm looking for pics of styls that wont be damaging to my edges.

TIA

My braid pictures are in my posting No 364. They're a bit tinier than usual but I've loosened and redone a couple of them and there's no matting so far.

 

[NJoy]

What helped me out with fresh braids are getting in a hot shower and letting that water hit them as though you are in a water fall! It will get heavy when wet, but once they are dry they will not feel so heavy. And believe it or not it definitely loosens them up immensly! It works for me all the time. As a matter of fact I look forward to doing it once a week on fridays!

Just hang in there and don't give up so easily! Rome was not built in a day you know! You can do it!

Thanks! Today's a better day. Gotta say, when I wash my hair, it DOES feel good, especially when I put Dr Miracle Oil on my scalp. That tingle feels awesome on a freshly washed scalp!! Also, I've changed the moisturizer that I put on the braids and my hair (and the braids) feel so much better. I'm at peace now. Just moisturized and sealed my braids and it's looking good. Whew. Spazz out is over. :Blush2:

 

[Maracujá]

I got my hair braided yesterday, I'll post pics asap.

 

[Jozze]

UPDATE: Here are my braid pix. HHG

 

[Chemetria]

I am so sorry I am so late but I'm just checking in I got my hair braided on the 3rd I had 4 got bout the challenge till my cousin reminded me so I'm just checking in I jut have my hair braided back and I been wearing my wigs

 

[softblackcotton]

My first fresh set of braids put in yesterday. They were a bit tight yesterday, but they feel much better today. My braid regimen will model after the Crown and Glory methods which consist of:

1) Wear braids for 4-6 weeks at a time.
2) Daily Moisturize with African Royal Braid Spray with Tea Tree Oil.
3) Oil Scalp with Wild Growth Oil and Peppermint Oil (Like the smell) Daily in the morning (don't want greasy sheets and pillows!)
4) Wash scalp at least 2x a week with baking soda and ACV.
5) DC braids 2x a week with Cream of Nature Extreme Moisture until I run out.
6) After wash and DC spray with Infusium 23 Strengthening Formula only after washing.
7) Between braids I will leave my hair out for about a month will baggy my natural hair braids under a wig/hat. Will DC once a week with protein conditioner followed by moisturizing conditioner 2x a week for a month.
8) After a month, I will get it rebraided.
Additional: Protein Shakes Daily, Multi-vitamin, Odorless Garlic, Evening Primrose, Flax Seed Oil, and trying out HF37.

 

[purplepeace79]

checking in
in week 3 of my kinky senegalese twists
I redid the first row last week
I'm trying to make these last another two weeks

 

[purplepeace79]

I have been wearing my hair in braids underneath my wig until I get my sis to do my hair in micros. I have a question before I get them done. For the ladies that get micros what spritz do you use on your braids to help them stay? I hate pump it up! It dries out my hair and makes it itch like crazy. I need your suggestions. I want a spritz that does not have any alcohol. TIA

Juices and Berries from Oyin Handmade has become my new best friend. Keeps my braids feeling moist and soft all day. No itches. On my scalp I used Qhemet biologices tea tree and grapeseed pomade. I use that once every 7-10 days, then wash and reapply.

 

[Firstborn2]

I'm still in braids, I've been cowashing 2x a wk since the weather is still hot, but unfortunately my braids are frizzy, they've only been up for 13days, I don't think I'm going to make it for 6wks with this set.

 

[757diva]

I would love to join since I'm in braids mainly anyways. I am putting my braids in this week. Here is my starting point with a twa

 

[orangepeel]

I need to find a good video that teaches cornrows. Does anyone have a good video they can link me to? I just want the ability to do something different in between single braids.

 

[ycj1]

Late tonight I wanted to take down a couple of my braids mainly in the front and the sides to do a length check and to freshen them up, here are my pics of my length check which I am pleased with. The first pic is from my bc in Dec 08 and the other two are from tonight! Pls excuse the close up of the last pic, it looks like you can put a fist up my nose.

 

[NJoy]

Good morning, ladies. Definitely having to rebraid a few that are starting to look a little ratty. I wonder if my braids are sliding down. It looks like I have mega ng but, I doubt I have THAT much growth in only 10 days. But hey. Ya never know. i'll see if I can tell when I redo a few today. Wishing you all a great day!

 

[Jozze]

Good morning, ladies. Definitely having to rebraid a few that are starting to look a little ratty. I wonder if my braids are sliding down. It looks like I have mega ng but, I doubt I have THAT much growth in only 10 days. But hey. Ya never know. i'll see if I can tell when I redo a few today. Wishing you all a great day!

I'm in the same boat too...it must be all that daily spraying, co-washing and moisturizing! I think I'm going to have to rebraid entire the top and front before the end of the week...

 

[NJoy]

I'm in the same boat too...it must be all that daily spraying, co-washing and moisturizing! I think I'm going to have to rebraid entire the top and front before the end of the week...

Yeah, and as I look at the condition of all the braids, I'm going to have to redo more than I wanted. I can't take it. I might have to drop out of the braid challenge and take out the braids altogether. Plus, I feel like I'm wasting a lot of products on the synthetic hair. Hmmm.... what to do? what to do?

 

[Jozze]

Yeah, and as I look at the condition of all the braids, I'm going to have to redo more than I wanted. I can't take it. I might have to drop out of the braid challenge and take out the braids altogether. Plus, I feel like I'm wasting a lot of products on the synthetic hair. Hmmm.... what to do? what to do?

Actually, I have been considering doing yard braids instead because they last longer and hold moisture way better than synthetic hair. Have a look at these: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=435072

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

Ive had my braids in for just over 2 weeks. I redid the front row but other than that it is still looking good. I'm looking to stay in for at least 7 weeks. Am liking them at the moment but i know when i hit week 4 i will be getting impatient to have them out.

 

[NJoy]

Ok, I couldn't hang. I started rebraiding a few and then decided to just take them all out. I have no skills in wearing braids longterm. I'm doing a deep conditioning now and may rebraid but, I doubt it. Good luck, braidies ~ er, I mean, ladies. :-D

 

[destine2grow]

Just to update I am no longer wearing braids under wigs. I am now wearing micros. I washed and dc my hair yesterday!

 

[scooby's wife]

I am having a hard time keeping moisture in my twist during the day... at night I can baggy and seal in the am with Olive Oil... but that is not working so swift. It is mad cold here in the Dirty South and the dry heat at work is not helping .. any suggestions ladies ?

 

[Firstborn2]

Njoy sorry it's not working for you, I totally understand, I'm sick of braids already and I still have 11 1/2 mos to go. I want MBL this year so I will continue to wear the braids, I don't want any set backs.

 

[DarkHair]

I'm in. I'm getting my sew-in on tomorrow mornting.

 

[lovelyone80]

two weeks tmrw. I will wash my hair this weekend and DC.
Oyin store is back open so I will be going there on Sat to restock.

 

[jcdlox]

Okay, I think I'm in! I've had braids in since Dec 26th for a trip and I love them. I was thinking about wearing them through the winter, and maybe again during summer when I do alot of running. I'm curious, how long is considered a break and still be within the rules?

This will be my first challenge, be gentle with me

 

[nubiennze]

Well ladies, I guess I can officially join you: I've finally installed my cornrows in preparation for extensions of some sort--I'll find out soon enough exactly how they'll come out, lol--so I'm posting my starting pics.

Sorry for the quality; I was too drowsy/lethargic to break out the HD cam, connect to PC, edit, etc. so I just grabbed the camera phone as it was closest to me.

 

[ashessehsa]

I'd already had my braids (box braids w/extensions) installed when I signed up for the challenge in December. I guess I got a jump start . I wish my camera was working so I could post pics. I dyed my hair before I installed my braids to chart my new growth. Well, ladies, I just took out my braids and I have a little more than an inch of new growth!! I'm so excited. My hair usually grows with braids, but with all of the information that I've gained from lurking and interacting, I see a vast improvement.

I'm going to let my hair breathe for a week or two before I get my micros back. I am soooo excited for this challenge!!