The Lazy Way Box Braids: Official Coily Girl Demo

 Start with cleansed, conditioned, stretched hair. This hair was stretched and air-dried first by using 4 plaits. I let them air dry for about 1 hour while I folded some laundry.

Next, each of the 4 plaits were undone and then made into about 4 plaits, totaling approximately 12 to 15 total stretched out plaits. Doing this on air dried hair elongated the coils--resulting in more length to start her box braids with.


While plaiting smaller to stretch, I lightly moisturized her hair with the Eden Body Works Hair Milk. It's a great, creamy leave in product with lots of oils. Taking one of the 15 plaits, I made even smaller box braids, which stretched the hair out even longer. These are the box braids that she will wear this week. I can guess that 

I did approximately 60 box braids throughout the entire head. 


  Why I call this a lazy way box braids is simply because I stop halfway down the hair shaft. Her hair measures over 19'' in length. Doing her box braids as small and as many as I planned to, would take longer than the 1.5 hours that this took. Probably just double the time. I think this process saved me about 1 hour.





After doing a section with 1/2 of the hair shaft left loose, I gathered it into a section and dampened it with water before braiding the whole loose section into 1 plait. I continued his process until I had about 5 or 6 sections with the loose ends placed into a big plait (as shown above).

RESULTS:

Water Only Provides Extreme Definition on Coily Hair

Some things to note about this process:

•  Keep the loose hair moisturized. It is important that the hair from root to ends stay moisturized, but it is especially important to keep the ends moisturized, since they are left loose. Loose hair tends to get dry quicker. I USE WATER TO RE-MOISTURIZE (EVERY NIGHT). The water re-activates the leave in that I used on wash day. The leave in that was used is full of oils (allowing me to skip the sealing with oil step).
• Nightly, moisturize and re-plait the loose ends. It takes me about 10 minutes or less to re-plait her loose hair into about 6 plaits. Satin Scarf or Pillowcase will help keep the frizzies away.
• This style lasts longer than your average braid out. Her hair gets frizzy quickly because it is fine hair. We plan to re-braid the hairline only after co-washing her hair this weekend. We're going to use this styling for another week.

Braidout and Box Braids: Coily Hair

Two Strand Twists HEAT FREE Tousled Curl Styling

Two Strand Twist can make a Nice Bob Style

The luxury of a get-up-and-go hair texture gives me a little bit of time to carefully select a lip color and maybe pencil in (or try to) some eyebrows (for those of us who never had any eyebrows). I can't say it enough "You gotta love Two Strand Twists"!!! I experimented with a new technique (new to ME) LOL for creating curls, body, and simply just allowing me to get my hair up off of my neck without putting it in a scrunchy! Because I did this on 2 strand twists (and not loose hair), it required some assistance as far as hold goes.

Of course I had to use some bobby pins and hair spray to help out, but in the end it was well worth the extra 5 minutes. Add an accessory and you're done. I used a pearl headband this time, but this will go well with a nice vintage hair clip on one side for added drama. More about this look to come, as I'm editing a video on how I did these curls on my two strand twists. Soon to come.......

Two Strand Twists curl easily for body and style (Heat Free)

Mastering the Braidout: Natural, Relaxed, Texlaxed, Transitioning

BRAIDOUTS: HOW-TO'S FOR RELAXED, TRANSITIONING, AND NATURAL HAIR

Natural Hair: Braidout on Flat Ironed Hair

BRAIDOUT ON FLAT IRONED HAIR

All mysteries aside, this texture is similar to relaxed hair--but not. Flat ironed hair will define well with a braidout, but will not hold the crinkled texture for long. HOW I GOT THIS LOOK: Used a water based leave in and did about 15 braids throughout the head. It wasn't difficult. THINGS TO NOTE: You can use a water based product on flat ironed hair--but you don't want it to be too watery. You'll need a little water in your leave-in product for the hair to properly "set". However, putting water straight up on this heated texture will revert the hair. So, keep it CREAMY, not WATERY. I only put product on my hair for this braidout on Day 1. After that, I simply re-braid nightly (less braids). 

BRAIDOUT ON TRANSITIONING HAIR

This is the most creative I had to get in order to get a good looking braidout on my hair!

With puffy roots (the unprocessed hair) peeking through, and the relaxed hair uncompromising, I really had to decide on product AND technique. I was known to play with products during my transition, which is important. I had to find out what my hair responded to. I often used creamy leave in--like the Bronner Bros creamy leave-in (I forget the name). So long as it was creamy and not watery, I gave it a try. HOW I GOT THIS LOOK: Fresh washed/conditioned hair. Product from root to ends (your product of choice). Most importantly, I had to accept the fact that my most perfect braid out while transitioning was accomplished with braids and a roller at the end of each braid (to match up the 2 different textures). It didn't match up completely, but it masked the difference a bit.  

Braidout on Transitioning Hair

The more braids: The smaller the waves

 RESULTS:

BRAIDOUT ON NATURAL (UNPROCESSED) HAIR

This picture was taken while I was transitioning, but I cut off all of the relaxed hair from my "bang" section. It gave me a good chance to experiment, and learn before my entire head was "all natural". Because I was working with such a small section, it wasn't as intimidating as a whole head of hair!

I did twists on freshly washed, deep conditioned hair. The results were phenomenal. I recall that I barely used any leave-in. Mostly it was the fact that I had recently used Cassia Obovata to deep condition my hair, and it was soft, pliable, and easily defined. I know I used oils, but I can't recall the leave in. I have been very limited in my leave-in use (even since I was transitioning). I don't think the leave in or "styler" is the answer to defined hair.

One of my Favorite Transitioning Hair Styles

THE FORMULA FOR BRAIDOUT/TWISTOUT DEFINITON

BRAID HAIR WHILE SOAKING WET: 
RESULTS: Tightly defined waves/crinkles. Lots of shrinkage. Long lasting texture. Great shine.

BRAID HAIR WHILE MOSTLY AIR DRIED:
RESULTS: Mildly defined waves/crinkles (hair needs maximum water for "set". Mild shrinkage--less definition, more length. May need to re-braid nightly, as the texture will not hold long. Luster/Shine will depend mostly on the product used.

Braidout on Stretched "Natural" Hair

BRAIDOUT ON STRETCHED HAIR (UN-PROCESSED) RESULTS: Loose texture. Lengthy. Will Revert Easily.


BRAID HAIR IN SMALL SECTIONS:
RESULTS: Smaller crinkles, longer lasting definition

BRAID HAIR IN LARGE SECTIONS:
RESULTS: Large Waves, Definition does not last long. Will need to use product to hold definition.


BRAID HAIR ON BLOW DRIED TEXTURE: 
RESULTS: Soft waves, Definition will not stay for long. Elongated=Length. Will Revert Easily.

Braidout on "Natural" Hair with Products

 BRAID HAIR ON NATURAL COIL/CURL TEXTURE (WITH WATER): 
RESULTS: Strong Definition, Lots of Shrinkage, Lots of Shine, Long Lasting Waves.

BRAIDOUT ON RELAXED/TEXLAXED HAIR (50% AIR DRIED): 
RESULTS: Strong, Defined Waves/Crinkles. Long Lasting Definition. Shine/Sheen. Will show some length.

Braidout on Texlaxed Hair 50% Air Dried (used Oil)

Braidout on Wet Coils Using Oil Only

I Lost 7 Pounds in a Few Weeks! A Coily Girl's Freedom to Sweat

The Coily Girl's Exercise/Fitness Regimen & Dedication

The one and only Shauna Robinson pictured above is one of my motivations to continue my workout regimen. I currently walk 4 miles a day (about 5 days a week). I started out doing the 4 miles a day EVERY DAY for TWO WEEKS! The first few days were torture. My body felt like it had been run over by a Mac Truck. By day 4, my body stopped aching, and was excited to get the endorphin rush. 

Most runners laugh at walkers (I know I did). I was a dedicated runner for years, but running put a toll on my body. I think it taxed my heart too. I found out that brisk walking will work up a nice sweat--especially after walking 4 miles. What happens is the constant, steady pace can put you into burn mode, and then it becomes easier to tackle the fat cells. 

 For sure, by the end of my 4 mile trek, my hair is DRENCHED. I just rinse/co-wash my hair every night. I won't do a wash n go at night, because I don't like to sleep with wet hair. I can usually throw some braids in, after air drying for about 20 minutes (without product). Air drying without any products for a little bit ensures that the hair dries faster. After a 20 minute air dry, then I'll put whatever product I choose to use (which is just usually some oil--olive or avocado oil).

In the morning I have a nice wavy texture. Mostly, I will bun that wavy texture. Low manipulation styling is the way to go during the week. I hope to capture some of that legendary length that one's supposed to achieve while doing cardio (due to the stimulated circulation or something or the other). I don't know why I'm referencing it as if I don't believe it. I've witnessed phenomenal growth during the times I am physically active.

I think that it's been easier for me to handle my hair while having a consistent workout regimen. Part of that is because my hair is at a length where I can simply pull it back after a washing/conditioning session. Shorter/cropped lengths of coily hair would also be easy as well (I would think). The hard length is the "in between" lengths, where it's not long enough to pull back or bun--but yet not short enough to style wash n go on a cropped cut. I went through that in-between stage, and it seemed to pass REAL fast.

 I've been walking 4 miles a day now (for going on 2 months). I am consistent at 5 times a week. I have dropped 7 pounds, and want to drop another 3 pounds before the holidays. I am currently toning with weight resistance.

My eating habits have changed now that I actually dedicate 1 hour a day to my physical fitness. I have reduced/eliminated my wheat intake. That means breads, pasta, etc. I'm careful with rice. I may eat some brown rice, but I've substituted more greens (salad) for less rice. Not because I have to, but my body feels better this way. It's not as sluggish/full and uncomfortable. I got this tip from reading "Eat Right For your Type". I've read it like 10 times. It's my reference that I love to talk about with doctors, nurses, anyone who will listen. I plan to do a post about this book, it's pretty amazing.

My efforts have been rewarded by smaller dress/jean size :o) That's always a plus. But it's not just about that. It's about taking the time to take care of myself. We often fail to take care of ourselves because we are too busy taking care of others. We also

fail to address our heart healthy physical activities due to the hassle we tend to have to go through with our hair. I remember vividly how much of a hassle it was to care for my relaxed hair after any kind of fluid hit it! Forget about the pool. Forget about sweating! Heaven forbid a little rain hit it.

This new found freedom with my hair has allowed me to walk in the rain not worried about a thing. I jump into the pool at random. I'm now free to sweat daily. I will reach my fitness goals, unhindered by my hair.

Check out this book (if you can find it in the library, bookstore, or order it online). Basically, it tells you exactly what to eliminate from your daily eating--in order to lose weight. This is the only "weight" information book that I've read that actually works (and trust--I've read them all LOL).