Protective Styling Saved My Life

One day leaving a Home Depot Garden Center, it began to rain. The sales associate at door asked "Do you needed a bag for your hair?" which was in an coiled undo. I replied "Nah, I'm good, the rain will just give me a new hairstyle. Thanks rain." The cashier was puzzled and then said "But all black women cover their hair in the rain." I responded, "Not all, I'm natural so not afraid of a little rain." Then I laughed out loud and casually strolled to my car. This was day that it dawned on my that Protective styles saves lives. *Laughs hysterically*

In the world of natural hair, locs, dreads, dreadlocks and length checks protective styling is quintessential to keeping your crown healthy. How so you ask? Protective styles help with growing your hair as well as keeping the hair full and healthy. These designs will keep your crown styled while eliminating the need for heat from flat irons and dryers, combing, and it also keeps your hands out of your head. (If you are anything like myself, when my hair is down my hands are constantly in it, love the way it feels)

What are protective styles?

Well there are a plethora of protective styles including but not limited to: braids, 2-strand twist, updos, flat twist, Bantu knots, and etc. Some designs will use extension or braiding hair, while others designs will use just your hair.  You are natural or loc’d so why not try as many as possible. In the line of styling and being creative go ahead and mix and match you may come up with something that unique to your individual style. I embrace creativity, even someone who will rock locs, braids, finger waves, and a sew in all on one head! LOL

Types of Hair Extensions

Synthetic Hair

Synthetic Wig

Marley Hair

There are a lot of styles that hair can be added to your own natural hair to give you amazing looks.  Synthetic hair is the least expensive and comes in bulk loose

Bulk Loose Braiding Hair

Afro Kinky Hair

, machine weft tracks, and wigs. Most synthetic hair is processed with chemicals such as vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride and made from monofilament fibers or a combination of two or three polyfilament, fibers, acrylic, nylon and /or polyester. Vinyl Chloride is a highly toxic, flammable and carcinogenic. Combining chlorine, ethylene and air produces it. A drawback to using synthetic hair is that the chemicals can cause allergic reaction /irritations of the skin with an onset of itching and bumps (if this happens remove hair immediately and treat inflamed areas with witch hazel and tea tree oil). This hair cannot be heat styled, colored, is not free flowing, lacks versatility and looks shiny like plastic. The benefits of this type of hair is that you can wear right out of the package and it holds up during inclement weather by resisting frizz and drooping (Woop Woop can you say weather proof, saving black women's lives since the 1920's!) *crack up laughing*.  It has a use life of approximately 3-4 months.

Human Hair

Human Hair Different Curl Patterns

Human Hair Loose

Afro Kinky Loose Bulk Hair

Hair Hair Tip Extensions

For those who enjoy the comforts of wearing, literally, someone else's hair on their head, This hair comes from humans and in an array of curl patterns from straight to overly curly and is higher priced. (Perfect for those allergic to synthetic and great for those that consider themselves too good for synthetic hair, LOL) There are several countries that are most prominent in the collection and sale of human hair: China, Indonesia, Brazil, India and Malaysia.  Human hair comes in bulk loose, weft – machine weft or hand tied, wig, clip in, & tips. Remy human hair is considered to be the premium choice (high class) for human hair. Remy refers to the cuticles still being intact and runs all in the same direction. With Remy hair you will have tips on one end and roots on the other. Virgin hair has never been processed, curled, colored, relaxed or permed. While Yaki hair is made to resemble relaxed African hair. The drawback of human hair is that it is not ready to wear and must be shampooed /conditioned before installing (Must wash those cooties out before applying to your head), requires maintenance, sometimes will frizz or curls will fall during inclement weather &; will shed.  The benefits of human hair is that with proper maintenance it can have a use life of a few years (definitely worth the extra cost), its versatile, looks natural, can be heat styled, colored and is free flowing. (Allowing you to take a bundle pack and give it a totally different look to switch up your style)

Human Hair Blend

Blended hair is comprised of human and synthetic hair. It’s not as versatile as human hair but not as stiff as synthetic hair. This hair won’t hold curls for long and may even burn with high heat styling. Blended hair is usually mid priced (for the cost conscious hair buyer) and has a use life of about 9-12 months. Drawbacks of this hair: sheds heavily (oh noooo its a tumble weave, lol) and usually will have more breakage from simple combing and brushing; also it may be colored with inconsistent results.  The benefits are that it last much longer than synthetic, minimal frizzing during bad weather, heat styled on low heat setting, slight color ability, and has slight movement and looks somewhat natural.

Updos

Braided Updo with Braiding Hair

2 Strand Flat Twist

Braided Cornrows

Hello Queen, your style royally represents your individual flare, giving you a sense of confidence with an instant boost to the self esteem. These are styles where the hair is braided or twisted up and off the neck. You may have hair/locs down in the front but mostly the hair/locs is completely styled into a design, which frees you from hair woes when headed out.  Styles may consist of French rolls, buns, designer ponytails and etc. Style will also combine flat twist, two strand twist, braids coils and etc. Usually updos will last 2-4 weeks depending on your activity level and how well you care for it. Maintenance is easy, at night just a mist of natural oils for moisture and wrap up with silk or satin scarf. Then in morning unwrap and brush your edges (if needed) and you are ready to head out. (Thanking the style Gods!!!)

Braids, 2 strand twist and faux locs

Yarn Locs

2 Strand Individual Twist

Loc Extensions Set on Pipe Cleaners

Styles that will hang and can be styled into other designs, These styles takes sections of your natural hair/locs and is braided, twisted or wrapped with your hair or by adding extension hair or not with real locs. Say bye bye to flat irons, curling wands/irons and hello to get up and go styles. You can pull into ponytail or bun to get off neck and out of way. This style can be left in for 4-12 weeks, but keep in mind that the longer its left in it can cause hair to matte or begin loc’ing process (Uh ohhh, matted hair and breakage).

Protective Styles are excellent yet cute and fun ways to prevent your hands and tools from breaking off hair. Not to mention the ease of maintenance and upkeep for these styles. Who doesn’t like get up and go styles? No fuss styling, is great for cutting down your get ready to head out time. Which will leave you more time to figure out your outfit, shoes, accessories and makeup (now look at you gorgeous, I see you looking fierce!). Prevent breakage and assist with growth by utilizing protective styles as a way to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.

Natural Hair Sucks in Media/ Hollywood

Natural Hair in Media/Hollywood

I don’t watch too much television, as I am not impressed with the images that are presently being portrayed on the screen. On the days that I do find myself watching T.V., I have seen an influx of natural hair queens & kings on the screen. But to my dismay these women and men, in my opinion, are not representing our beautiful natural styles to the upmost. I say this because most of the time when I see a black queen or king on the screen their natural hair is just blah, or just sitting there, doing nothing.

I had a conversation with a talent scout for T.V. and movies and was unfortunately advised that many of our natural men and women are at the mercy of a hairstylist who has no knowledge of natural hair.  They are intimidated by it and have no clue as to what to do with “this hair”. Now these stylists are well decorated and have years of training and styling under their belts. They are great at what they do, just not natural hair. So in an effort to tame this “unruly hair” they just grab some mousse and apply it to the hair then spray with shine mist and taaaahdaaaah, camera ready.  (NOOOOT)

In this day and age where naturals are everywhere, why haven’t the television and movies employed some natural hairstylist to be on set to give life to such gorgeous hair? Why continue utilizing the same techniques that don’t work for natural manes? I would like to see some diversity on the screen when it comes to our natural kings and queens. Hell, if I have to volunteer my services I would. We can’t continue to allow our men and women to be disrespected on the big or small screen by stylist that have no clue as to what to do with our hair. There are plenty of talented stylist such as myself and many others that can give life and pizzazz to natural coifs.

The main reason you see so many weaves and wigs on television and movies is because, the stylist that are on set only have talent for straighter hair textures. Its sad when you know someone is natural but yet every time they are on screen you see them in a wig or weave. Sometimes they are not the best wig or extensions install. Matter of fact there is one producer that reigns in black movies and because the budget is so cheap for hair many of the actors or actresses hair look a H.ot A.zz M.ess (HAM). I’m like dude can you at least extend the hair budget so the hair can at least look be-weavable! LOL :-D 

Even Halle Berry

had an awful wig on in the movie “The Call”

directed by Brad Anderson distributed by TriStar Pictures with studios by Troika Pictures, WWE Studios and Stage 6 Films. They had a $13 million dollar budget but opted for a $20 wig from the local beauty supply store in the hood. IJS LMAO

Kimberly Elise Big Beautiful Natural Hair

Kimberly in For Colored Girls in a wig

Viola Davis gorgeous TWA

Viola in synthetic wig

Anywhoooo, I just want to see a much better job of natural hair styles in movies and television. Like I said before, I would be willing to volunteer my services at least once to ABC, NBC, UPN, BOUNCE, TBS, FOX, Tyler Perry Studios, LionsGate, Code Black, Screen Gems and etc. (I know a shameless plug, but hey, why not? LOL) :-) So no matter if its natural hair or locs, we as a community of locstars and naturalistas want to see more diversity on the big and small screen with more amazing hair styles that represent us in a phenomenal light! Oh and by the way some of us Natural hairstylist can style all textures of hair, no one trick ponies over here, because it is easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.