Twist/Braid/Bun for Growth Challenge (7/1/2012 - 9/30/2012)

[NappyNelle]

Leslie_C I did this pre-poo on dry hair. I'm so sad I never tried to twist my hair while transitioning. I'm sure yours look very cute.

 

[nickmack]

Is anyone keeping their twists/braids in for more than a week? If so, are you re-doing the perimeter weekly/bi-weekly?

 

[Evolving78]

shortdub78. Is it humid where you are? Do tell, what is this crap you have in you hair?

Caramelangel247 and LilMissRed. Hi y'all .

nickmack. That's a good question. I don't know, hoping one of the styling gurus in this challenge will enlighten.

it is very humid! and the crap was conditioner from Monday! but i finally rinsed it out and used the blow dryer on cool to dry. i didn't comb or brush while using the dryer, just my hand gliding down the hair.

 

[MsDee14]

Is anyone keeping their twists/braids in for more than a week? If so, are you re-doing the perimeter weekly/bi-weekly?

I keep mine in for 2-3 weeks at a time. I don't re-do the perimeter unless it looks really bad. A little bit of aloe vera gel or shea-butter and scarf helps keep the frizz at bay.

 

[kinkycurlygurl]

When I wore mini twists I kept them in for 5 weeks. I just treated them like loose hair and stuck with my reggie. Also, I wrapped them around my head at night and covered them with my sleep bonnet, that really kept them frizz free and gave them a nice curve so they framed my face well. Thanks again Naptural85.

 

[NappyNelle]

Is anyone keeping their twists/braids in for more than a week? If so, are you re-doing the perimeter weekly/bi-weekly?

nickmack I keep mine in for 3+ weeks, and I don't redo the perimeter. However, when my hair was shorter, I would redo the front portion.

 

[isawstars]

FINALLY! Pitchassss!

And my question for y'all is... do I need to good trim? I haven't had a legit (professional) trim since November 2011. Since then I've been trimming my hair in twists with $20 hair cutting shears from Sally's... I recently did a lazy trim on May 30th... I wasn't as thorough like I normally am... And my ends are kinda frizzy/rough, thin (IMO) and occasionally stick to hair while in twists. I have some close up pictures of my ends attached to this post.

So, do I need a professional trim or should I just upgrade my shears? I really don't want to cut again... it seems too soon sigh.

 

[MeowMix]

That's a good question. I've just been dusting too and my ends are kind of similar to yours. IMHO your ends look good. They have good thickness to the very tips.

It can be risky going to the salon. I'm voting to keep DIYing.

 

[JassyMo]

FINALLY! Pitchassss!

And my question for y'all is... do I need to good trim? I haven't had a legit (professional) trim since November 2011. Since then I've been trimming my hair in twists with $20 hair cutting shears from Sally's... I recently did a lazy trim on May 30th... I wasn't as thorough like I normally am... And my ends are kinda frizzy/rough, thin (IMO) and occasionally stick to hair while in twists. I have some close up pictures of my ends attached to this post.

So, do I need a professional trim or should I just upgrade my shears? I really don't want to cut again... it seems too soon sigh.

I don't think you need a trim but dusting should be enough. IMO

 

[Leslie_C]

Ok ladies, as promised here are my results from my twists on transitioning hair (5.5 months post)..

Now keep in mind, I am not good at doing hair AT ALL lol...some of the elaborate styles pictured I will probably never be able to do. Im shocked these came out pretty decent and not too scalpy. So I know they are plain and nothing to write home about, but Im super proud of myself


Do you guys wash your hair in twists and if so how? Im assuming washing with two textures would cause them to unravel (I already had to redo some this morning just from them coming unraveled on their own overnight)...Ill probably just try it on the day before Im going to take them down anyway as a trial. Ill try to put the small twists into a handful of large twists and band them toward the ends and cowash them.

 

[MeowMix]

Leslie_C. Shoot your hair looks good. You are good at doing hair and the headband...to die for.

NappyNelle, Hey thanks for letting me totally stay up in your thread.

 

[MsDee14]

Leslie_C They look great!!! You have a lot of new-growth! You also have the cutest headbands.

 

[Leslie_C]

@Leslie_C. Shoot your hair looks good. You are good at doing hair and the headband...to die for.

@NappyNelle, Hey thanks for letting me totally stay up in your thread.

MeowMix Thanks chica! Dont sleep on the dollar tree for headbands lol! I collect scarves too...I catch a large lot on ebay cheap every once in a while and most of them are even 100%silk!

@Leslie_C They look great!!! You have a lot of new-growth! You also have the cutest headbands.

MsDee14 Thanks so much, especially for answering my questions and it was you who inspired me to actually try them on transitioning hair...I thought they would look horrible on me, but you rock them so well I decided to try and Im really happy with the results.

An added bonus is the hair stays so moist. 24 hours without any added moisture now and my hair feels ultra moist/soft. I struggle with dryness so Im pumped! Im going to bantu knot them tonight. and I might try half up half down tomorrow. I work 12 hour shifts the next 4 days...so I plan to keep them in until Monday and maybe longer depending on how they hold up. They are still trying to unravel on me so I dunno...I guess I need to do them smaller next time and/or find something really tacky to hold them together. Im sure beeswax would work, but Im afraid that would cause buildup and breakage on the ends. I used plain shea butter. I did get some perm rods today to try to help the ends stay together as well.

They took me forever to do too...please tell me I will get faster in time lol. It took me almost 4 hours and they werent even very small at all lol.

 

[jprayze]

Ok so Im a bad challenger...I wore my hair in a ponytail today, not a bun and I kept swinging it around. Back to buns tomorrow, I promise!

 

[MsDee14]

Thanks chica! Dont sleep on the dollar tree for headbands lol! I collect scarves too...I catch a large lot on ebay cheap every once in a while and most of them are even 100%silk!



Thanks so much, especially for answering my questions and it was you who inspired me to actually try them on transitioning hair...I thought they would look horrible on me, but you rock them so well I decided to try and Im really happy with the results.

An added bonus is the hair stays so moist. 24 hours without any added moisture now and my hair feels ultra moist/soft. I struggle with dryness so Im pumped! Im going to bantu knot them tonight. and I might try half up half down tomorrow. I work 12 hour shifts the next 4 days...so I plan to keep them in until Monday and maybe longer depending on how they hold up. They are still trying to unravel on me so I dunno...I guess I need to do them smaller next time and/or find something really tacky to hold them together. Im sure beeswax would work, but Im afraid that would cause buildup and breakage on the ends. I used plain shea butter. I did get some perm rods today to try to help the ends stay together as well.

They took me forever to do too...please tell me I will get faster in time lol. It took me almost 4 hours and they werent even very small at all lol.

Leslie_C
You're welcome!
Yes, that's why I love them. It's so much easier for me to moisturize my hair and it stays that way for a while. You can also treat them like your loose hair and do various styles. Because of twists, my transition is a breeze.
Yeah..beeswax probably would work, but for the same reason you mentioned..I stick to shea-butter.
The perm rods should help though.
YES! It will get faster with time. trust me

 

[jprayze]

The bun is back today, but my hair is really thin on the edges and it's getting harder to disguise it. I'm pretty sure that the thinning/hair loss is due to my meds. Waiting for my dr appts to change my med.

 

[gvin89]

Hey Ladies! I'm here...just installed a new set of twists. I actually twisted stretched hair for a little more length. This was my first time using this method and it turned out great. I can pull them back into a banana clip or wear them loose...lot of styling flexibility. I hope to keep them 2 weeks but will Cowash 2-3 times a week an m&s my thirsty hair daily. I will be back with pics...

 

[gvin89]

I did another flat twist updo on Sunday. Meh, it's aight. I had something way more intricate in mind, but my fingers were not cooperating. So.....I did something simple.

Your hair looks great bajandoc86! My styling life would be a tad easier if I could learn how to flat twist my own hair...I can never get them to stay but I can do them on my dd.

 

[MsDee14]

The bun is back today, but my hair is really thin on the edges and it's getting harder to disguise it. I'm pretty sure that the thinning/hair loss is due to my meds. Waiting for my dr appts to change my med.

jprayze Are you using anything for your edges? My edges aren't as thick as I would like them to be either.

 

[gvin89]

Don't think I officially joined....

1. What is your primary style? Twists
2. What is your style maintenance regimen? co wash 2-3 times a week/moisturize and seal daily
3. Are you natural, relaxed or transitioning? natural
4. What do you hope to achieve from the challenge? retain length and healthy hair
5. After wearing your hair out will you restyle after 2 days or 3 days? Generally wear a twist out for 2 days before restyling

 

[nickmack]

Ok ladies, as promised here are my results from my twists on transitioning hair (5.5 months post)..

Do you guys wash your hair in twists and if so how? Im assuming washing with two textures would cause them to unravel (I already had to redo some this morning just from them coming unraveled on their own overnight)...Ill probably just try it on the day before Im going to take them down anyway as a trial. Ill try to put the small twists into a handful of large twists and band them toward the ends and cowash them.

Hey Leslie_C - first of all your twists look REALLY nice! Good job.

Second of all, I washed my twists two days ago. I plaited (braided) several twists into multiple sections and secured the ends with Goody ouchless ponytail holders. I pre-pooed using Chicoro's moisture-drenched pre-poo recipe and then I washed my scalp with a little black soap, rinsed about 4 times under the shower to make sure there was nothing left on my scalp, and that was it! Added a condish to the length of my twists, sealed with castor oil - and I was all done.

I made sure to undo my ponytail holders and then pull sections of twists taught before pinning them down (so that they'd dry with the roots stretched)

 

[nickmack]

Thanks NappyNelle, kinkycurlygurl and everyone else who answered my question on re-doing the perimeter! I ended up redoing the front of my hair...and then the edges...and that was more or less it! My twists look refreshed and happy. More importantly, my SCALP is happy! YAY!

I have decided that these twists will not be coming out until the end of July. I'll keep using the cleansing method outlined in my previous post each week, and then redo the front/back/sides as needed. I also check through to make sure there's no loose hair - I noticed about a 1/2" wide section of untwisted hair yesterday (WHERE did it come from?! ) and added it to a neighbouring twist.

I should also add that I'm staying away from heat (unless using my Hair Therapy Wrap) and combs for the duration of this challenge. Keeping the twists in has made it very easy to avoid both; whenever I redo a twist, I simply finger-detangle. Makes my life very easy.

Oh, and that Chicoro Moisture-Drenched Pre-Poo left my twists feeling like HEAVEN.

 

[jprayze]

@jprayze Are you using anything for your edges? My edges aren't as thick as I would like them to be either.

I made a mix of JBCO, MN, and peppermint oil. I've been using it for about a month. It's helping with overall growth, but I really haven't seen a change in my edges yet. I don't think I see a change until I get off this med.

 

[JassyMo]

Checking in: Still in braids... I haven't needed to touch them up or anything like that, washed once since putting them in. Wearing a scarf at night helps maintain them very well w/ hardly no frizz. Here's some pics

 

[MsDee14]

Checking in: Still in braids... I haven't needed to touch them up or anything like that, washed once since putting them in. Wearing a scarf at night helps maintain them very well w/ hardly no frizz. Here's some pics

Wow..they are still VERY neat!!!

They look great!

 

[Victoria44]

The only thing I worry about when in mini twists is constantly retwisting the ends. I do it everyday, and I can't keep my hands out my hair looking for more that have unravelled. Does anyone else have to retwist the ends a lot? And do you think it will eventually cause splits from manipulation?

 

[-PYT]

Victoria44 I worry about the same thing. That's the one thing I hate about mini twists. Feels like it defeats the purpose of being low manipulation after a while I just stopped caring.

 

[Victoria44]

-PYT I need to get to that point where I just don't care lol. I really just can't stop smh

 

[NappyNelle]

So, do I need a professional trim or should I just upgrade my shears? I really don't want to cut again... it seems too soon sigh.

isawstars I don't think you need a trim, dusting, or new shears at all. Your ends look normal to me. Do you seal? Perhaps that will stop the frizzy/rough feeling that they have. Oh, and thanks for sharing your pitchas. Your hair is cute!

Now keep in mind, I am not good at doing hair AT ALL lol...some of the elaborate styles pictured I will probably never be able to do. Im shocked these came out pretty decent and not too scalpy. So I know they are plain and nothing to write home about, but Im super proud of myself

Do you guys wash your hair in twists and if so how? Im assuming washing with two textures would cause them to unravel (I already had to redo some this morning just from them coming unraveled on their own overnight)

Leslie_C Your hair looks great!! No more negative talk about plain styling; be proud of your newly found skillz! You have lots of growth for nearly 6 months post, and your headband is super cute. I'm one of the lonely people that can't fully wash my hair in twists. They continue to unravel, want to mesh together, etc. (That doesn't stop me from cowashing them every once in a while though )

NappyNelle, Hey thanks for letting me totally stay up in your thread.

MeowMix This is YOUR thread too! Thanks for keeping it updated and answering questions all the time.

Leslie_C They look great!!! You have a lot of new-growth! You also have the cutest headbands.

MsDee14 I totally agree.

MeowMix Thanks chica! Dont sleep on the dollar tree for headbands lol! I collect scarves too...I catch a large lot on ebay cheap every once in a while and most of them are even 100%silk!

MsDee14 Thanks so much, especially for answering my questions and it was you who inspired me to actually try them on transitioning hair...I thought they would look horrible on me, but you rock them so well I decided to try and Im really happy with the results.

Leslie_C Dang... gotta go back on ebay. SMH. lol LHCF is always making me spend money I don't have. Awwww, MsDee14 is a transitioning inspiration! How sweet.

The bun is back today, but my hair is really thin on the edges and it's getting harder to disguise it. I'm pretty sure that the thinning/hair loss is due to my meds. Waiting for my dr appts to change my med.

I'm right there with you jprayze. I try to stay positive about it, massage my oils into those areas and pray that my hair turns around. When I first started on my meds last year, I lost A LOT of hair. Thankfully, it thickened back up fairly quickly, so I'm hoping for the same results this time around.

Don't think I officially joined....

Welcome back gvin89!

Checking in: Still in braids... I haven't needed to touch them up or anything like that, washed once since putting them in. Wearing a scarf at night helps maintain them very well w/ hardly no frizz. Here's some pics

JassyMo Those are beautiful braids. I want some! *whines*

The only thing I worry about when in mini twists is constantly retwisting the ends. I do it everyday, and I can't keep my hands out my hair looking for more that have unravelled. Does anyone else have to retwist the ends a lot? And do you think it will eventually cause splits from manipulation?

Victoria44 Everyday? I believe we have similar hair, and I know that would be too much for my strands. I also get unraveling at the ends (and full unraveling in the back, at the sides, near the temple...) and castor oil 2-3x a week on my ends keeps them 'together' without causing knots. I'd rather oil my ends and let them curl, than try to retwist them constantly.

 

[JassyMo]

Wow..they are still VERY neat!!!

They look great!

Thankyou... I am soo excited to find a scarf that actually stays on lol. I'm like wow I just found this amazing scarf at 25 im never getting rid of it.