BlackDiamond21
New Member
Hi everyone,
So I just wanted to put out there my detailed experience in case anyone is wondering how to do it and/or what to expect:
I put my hair in about 10 cornrows to the back with about 14 in the front (I blended two braids into one 2x so I could have part and a bit fuller look in the front). I used Proclaim Gel to cornrow my hair and smooth out the end of my braids. I then gathered all the braids and made one braid. I took that 1 blend of braids and laid it against a cornrow and sewed it down with a bit of thread and a weave needle. After that I used Wild Growth Oil on my scalp in between the braids.
I bought about 6 packs of Freetress Brazilian hair. I used almost all of it (5 3/4 packs) and the hair came out VERY FULL - Diana Ross full
. Not what I was going for, so I know next time to have less braids for this type of hair. I ended up filling 5 braids all the way from the front to the bottom on each side of my head. In the middle/back, on about 5 braids I have no crocheted in hair, just cornrows. As I said the hair is full, so you cannot even see that I have no hair on the middle bottom half of my head.
I did an Apple Cider Vinegar soak with warm/cool water with all of the hair. I soaked 4 packs in about a half full sink of water and about 1.5c of ACV. Then with the other 2 packs I used about 1c of ACV. I also mixed in a bit of ION Clarifying Shampoo in the water while the hair soaked. After 15 mins of soaking I rinsed the hair and gently twisted out any excess water.
I then put the hair on my bathroom door one package at a time and used my blow dryer on low/warm to dry the hair. Thankfully this hair is heat resistant.
Then as I grabbed up a couple of pieces at time I slathered Proclaim Curl & Wave Conditioning Activator Gel on the hair before crocheting it in. This helped it from becoming frizzy and tangling as I worked it in. I did try not to use it when I was being lazy and quickly learned that is not a good idea. I would recommend not breaking up the pieces it comes in. They are so small there is no reason to try to seperate. Just crochet in 1 or 2 pieces at a time.
Since having them in (it'll be a week on Thurs) I have not had a lot of issues. I use S Curl Activator Spray (first time EVER using it and BYE BYE CARE FREE GOLD - I'm an S Curl woman now!) on my scalp and to moisturize my hair every other day. I use Bonfi Oil Free Wig Spray on the Freetress. That stuff is
! I also use it on my wigs when I wear them in the winter. I have done a little bit of trimming due to tangles but I think that is because I have not been spraying it down with Bonfi regularly.
My biggest success
with this was the ACV soak. Almost a year ago I tried doing crochet braids. I had them done on 125th in Harlem, w/ Freetress hair for about $100 and had to take them out within 48 hours because I broke out in a rash all over my neck, ears and scalp. It was horrible!!! Now I know that I HAVE TO do the ACV in order to wear this hair because I am VERY allergic to the alkaline coating.
I will be posting pics to my Fotki journal soon. I hope this helps someone and good luck everyone!
Of course, let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.
BD21
P.S. Next time I hope to use Freetress Bohemian hair (Freetress is cheaper in the stores, then on Clairhair or Hairsisters, by me but no one had it in stock when I went shopping on 125th) with about 6 braids and see what happens.
I also hope to keep my hair in this style (crocheted) as long as possible to stretch my relaxer past my normal 10-12 weeks. I plan to take this out in about 2-3 more weeks, protein DC when I take my braids down, let my hair breath for 24-48 hours and put some more in again.
So I just wanted to put out there my detailed experience in case anyone is wondering how to do it and/or what to expect:
I put my hair in about 10 cornrows to the back with about 14 in the front (I blended two braids into one 2x so I could have part and a bit fuller look in the front). I used Proclaim Gel to cornrow my hair and smooth out the end of my braids. I then gathered all the braids and made one braid. I took that 1 blend of braids and laid it against a cornrow and sewed it down with a bit of thread and a weave needle. After that I used Wild Growth Oil on my scalp in between the braids.
I bought about 6 packs of Freetress Brazilian hair. I used almost all of it (5 3/4 packs) and the hair came out VERY FULL - Diana Ross full
. Not what I was going for, so I know next time to have less braids for this type of hair. I ended up filling 5 braids all the way from the front to the bottom on each side of my head. In the middle/back, on about 5 braids I have no crocheted in hair, just cornrows. As I said the hair is full, so you cannot even see that I have no hair on the middle bottom half of my head. I did an Apple Cider Vinegar soak with warm/cool water with all of the hair. I soaked 4 packs in about a half full sink of water and about 1.5c of ACV. Then with the other 2 packs I used about 1c of ACV. I also mixed in a bit of ION Clarifying Shampoo in the water while the hair soaked. After 15 mins of soaking I rinsed the hair and gently twisted out any excess water.
I then put the hair on my bathroom door one package at a time and used my blow dryer on low/warm to dry the hair. Thankfully this hair is heat resistant.
Then as I grabbed up a couple of pieces at time I slathered Proclaim Curl & Wave Conditioning Activator Gel on the hair before crocheting it in. This helped it from becoming frizzy and tangling as I worked it in. I did try not to use it when I was being lazy and quickly learned that is not a good idea. I would recommend not breaking up the pieces it comes in. They are so small there is no reason to try to seperate. Just crochet in 1 or 2 pieces at a time.
Since having them in (it'll be a week on Thurs) I have not had a lot of issues. I use S Curl Activator Spray (first time EVER using it and BYE BYE CARE FREE GOLD - I'm an S Curl woman now!) on my scalp and to moisturize my hair every other day. I use Bonfi Oil Free Wig Spray on the Freetress. That stuff is
! I also use it on my wigs when I wear them in the winter. I have done a little bit of trimming due to tangles but I think that is because I have not been spraying it down with Bonfi regularly. My biggest success
with this was the ACV soak. Almost a year ago I tried doing crochet braids. I had them done on 125th in Harlem, w/ Freetress hair for about $100 and had to take them out within 48 hours because I broke out in a rash all over my neck, ears and scalp. It was horrible!!! Now I know that I HAVE TO do the ACV in order to wear this hair because I am VERY allergic to the alkaline coating. I will be posting pics to my Fotki journal soon. I hope this helps someone and good luck everyone!
Of course, let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.
BD21
P.S. Next time I hope to use Freetress Bohemian hair (Freetress is cheaper in the stores, then on Clairhair or Hairsisters, by me but no one had it in stock when I went shopping on 125th) with about 6 braids and see what happens.
I also hope to keep my hair in this style (crocheted) as long as possible to stretch my relaxer past my normal 10-12 weeks. I plan to take this out in about 2-3 more weeks, protein DC when I take my braids down, let my hair breath for 24-48 hours and put some more in again.
Some of us like instant gratification 
, so I think I took the lack of response personally when I should not have. 
thank you so much! 
