HAIRY Dilemma!!! Please Help!!! Pic Heavy...

[afrofaithful]

Ok...I'm new here but have been natural for awhile. I haven't had a relaxer for about 3/4 years?? Anyways I stumbled across this site and decided I should grow my hair out healthily. I've always been into healthy natural hair but now that I'm in the military I can't handle it anymore!!!

I just recently joined the AF and my hair is beginning to drive me CRAZY! I could deal with it when I was a civilian because my grandmomma did my hair , and I miss her dearly. I would always wear a press and curl and just wrap it and it would last about 2 wks with minimal maintenance but I was heat happy!

(I'm sick of this bob I ALWAYS wear!!!)

Anyways long story short I had braids because I couldn't deal with my head but now my edges are thin and I don't want to constantly wear buns b/c I need to give edges a break! What hairstyles do you suggest? I've been DCing like a maniac, I cowash at least 2-3x/wk, I think my reggie is pretty solid but I don't know any good protective styles that make me feel good about my hair and I'm beginning to become discouraged...

Does anyone have any suggestions? Here is a pic of my fro...

I don't even think it's enough to bun b/c it's too curly and poofy! I don't know what to do I'm almost to the point of relaxing again . I really would rather just get braids again but my poor poor edges...

This is how I've been wearing it...

Is this a protective style? IDK! erplexed But I don't really like this. I want to have a style that's beneficial and one that I like!

Please HELP!!! Any suggestions or anything is greatly appreciated, products, ideas, ANYTHING!!!

thank you...

 

[Sonye93]

Hmmm, why not the 'fro? It's beautiful! It looks really nice on you. I don't really have any suggestions, but you'd be surprised with what you can do. The simplest styles may be the best looking ones.

 

[chebaby]

your fro is so beautiful.

 

[ThickHair]

You have beautiful skin.

I would suggest two strand twist. You can wear them up or down and they can be styled so that your hair can comply with military standards.

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

Your hair texture is pretty. The fro, twists and braids are nice. I wouldn't buy additional products if you have a solid reggie

I agree with ThickHair...your skin is beautiful

 

[PPGbubbles]

have you looke into doing a southern tease bun? it works well on shorter lenths

I also like your braided puff!

For convenience I braid or flat twist my hair all the way back, then I gather the ends into a low bun... This style allows my to be low maintianence during the week and on weekends I have an awsome braidout/twist out

thats all I can think of 4 now

 

[wavezncurlz]

I like your fro and the braided puff. Do you have any restrictions on hairstyle in the military? I'm not familiar with the codes.

 

[Hair2Here]

your fro is so beautiful.

You have beautiful skin.

I would suggest two strand twist. You can wear them up or down and they can be styled so that your hair can comply with military standards.

I agree with THickHair, you do have pretty skin. As you obtain lenght (if this is your goal), you will be able to do even more creative styles with your hair.

I've been a natural for 10 years. My favorite hair style is a wet-n-go ponytail. I had thin edges as well from wearing a lot of braids. But I started wearing my wet-n-go pony and bag each night with a good moisturizer (i.e. H. Silky 14n1 or Carefree Curl Instant Moisturizer) and my thin edges are coming back very well. I'm extremely happy as I thought I had lost them forever. My hair does well when it is moisturized and bagged each night. I've been wearing a ponytail since Sept. 09. After I shampoo my hair and dc, I spray it well bag it up and in the morning, I let it dry a little then slick it back with EcoStyler Gel and a little Carefree Curl Activator. (BTW it makes me look as if I have some good hair too!

It looks as if you have a nice hair texture. You could do wonders with it. I've read some naturals use the Carefree Curl Activator and Gel to tame their twists when they do them.

I would suggest tapping in the minds of any natural on this site for great ideas. The ladies on this site are absolutely wonderful and have helped me a great deal since I joined in September, 09.

Hope this helps (HTH) and Happy Hair Growing (HHG)

 

[sharifeh]

your hair and skin are really pretty!

 

[ThePerfectScore]

I love your afro!!! Its amazing! I want my hair to look like your fro pic!

 

[LivinMyLifeLikeItsGolden]

love your curly locks!!!

 

[bludaydreamr]

Your hair is very pretty, and I agree with the two strand twists; it's a good PS.

 

[likewtr4chklit]

From other military stories I've read on here, you would be better off getting yourself a couple nice wigs while wearing your hair in several loose twists underneath. Buns, ponytails, twists, and braids will pull on your edges.

 

[afrofaithful]

I like your fro and the braided puff. Do you have any restrictions on hairstyle in the military? I'm not familiar with the codes.

Yes. You can't have more than 3 inches of bulk to a pony/bun. Bangs, frontal hair can't touch your eyebrows, and it can't interfere with hats...and the wearing of them which is not helping my edges either...

thank you everybody for your input!

 

[ms.blue]

your fro is beautiful!!!

 

[locabouthair]

Avoid any style that will put tension on your edges.

 

[likewtr4chklit]

Yes. You can't have more than 3 inches of bulk to a pony/bun. Bangs, frontal hair can't touch your eyebrows, and it can't interfere with hats...and the wearing of them which is not helping my edges either...

thank you everybody for your input!

Oh my that's a lot of restictions. A hat over a combless wig might not be too bad on the edges. Either way I hope you find a solution that suits you.

 

[Leesh]

Hi There! and Welcome! This site has links to some Fabulous sites for Natural Styles, browse thru, I'm sure You will find it helpful:

http://www.afrohair.com/styles/natural/

 

[afrofaithful]

Ok! So where would I get nice wigs from online or in the DC area I've only been here about a month so I don't know too much about the area?

 

[Leesh]

Ok! So where would I get nice wigs from online or in the DC area I've only been here about a month so I don't know too much about the area?

Here are a couple that I know of, very nice stock:

http://www.blackhairspray.com/Default.asp
http://www.hairsisters.com/ver2/http://www.blackhairspray.com/Default.asp


http://www.hairsisters.com/ver2/

 

[Nonie]

I LOVE ALL YOUR DOS!

As far as protective styling, you could still wear the cornrows and puff but instead of the puff being your hair, you plait that too into square plaits (<---easy to undo when you want to wear your own puff) and then cover them with a phony puff. That way you're leaving your hair alone (minimal manipulation) and therefore reducing likelihood of breakage.

I'm wearing a phony puff here:

This is my own puff:

 

[Fhrizzball]

coils, cornrolls. french braids, twists, braids with no extensions, braid or twist out, etc. Your hair is lovely though. Perhaps even rollersetting it can work. The only rollerset that works for my hair is curlformers though andthey can be kinda pricey.