Hair Extension Styles for Summer Glamour 2013

This is the second post with ideas for easy, nearly care free glamour during these scorching days of summer.  

Summertime poses extra challenges as women with natural ethnic hair attempt to stay beautiful and cool; for example, say swimming and most women cringe at the thought of maintaining their beautiful hair style. If you're like me, you've had problems with uneven hair due to wearing "too tight braids," wigs, perms and other things that we do to damage our hair as we chase beauty. If you have problems with uneven edges with say, a longer hair length towards the back of the head, here's some nice ideas that I came up with to volumize uneven hair safely without incurring any additional damage or breakage.

Natural looking extensions with #30 highlights

Natural Hair braiding: Picking your extensions

What I usually do is scout through some hair styling magazines to get ideas and then I try to replicate them within my ability to braid in extensions.  What I usually find is that water weave blends in nicely with my hair as the texture, when braided, has a kinky/curly look.  The color I opt for is usually  1B with #30 blended in highlights. (I've gotten many compliments with this mix). This blends in with my hair.  Now depending upon your desired look, you may select a different hair texture and color).

Preparation

Next, I go home, wash and condition my hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. (If you had hair, cover with a plastic caps for deep conditioning). For extra moisturization, I also use shea butter to aid in  blasting dryness. After that, I meticulously part my hair and braid in the extension.  I only braid to the ends of my own hair.  The look is seen in the photo.  This look will usually last for about three weeks to one month.  For maintenance, I usually apply Dr. Miracle's 'Growth Serum". So Far, I am pleased with the results as my hair is growing in nicely.

To remove, be careful about pulling the hair.  Apply conditioner or shampoo to ease braids out.  (I don't like to braid too tightly because this invites breakage). 

Then, when finished, try massaging the hair.  Shampoo and condition and you're ready to do it all again.

Natural Hair Care for the Dog Days of Summer

Many women with natural hair are wondering how to stay beautiful and cool during this extended heat wave. With temperatures over 90 degrees for six successive days, it can become quite challenging.

Well, if you are like the growing numbers of women who opt for natural hair, one of the easiest and most versatile style is goddess braids.  You can rock your natural locks with braids of all colors, without the worry of actually coloring and damaging your hair. And, what's more, you have the styling freedom of going with or without bangs; small braids-medium braids all the way to jumbo goddess braids. The sky is the limit

This is color  #30 hair for highlights with
1b color.

Here are a few hair care tips though to keep in mind while you stay beautiful and cool.

Natural Hair Care Tip #1: start with squeaky clean hair

For starters, wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo; then condition.  Usually, such shampoos can double for conditioners.  While the hair is still wet, apply conditioner to hair.  If it is badly damaged, cover with a plastic cap for deeper conditioning.  Allow the conditioner to remain in hair.  Dry and prepare to braid.

Apply a small amount of shea butter to your hands and massage generously into the hair. This is great for maintaining moisture in your hair.  (Depending on hair condition, you might want to clip your edges).  This is great for eliminating split ends and for promoting growth. You should have selected your hair.  It is now time to begin braiding. 

Hair Braiding

If you are proficient at braiding, you have the styling option of doing whatever you wish.  If not, you can proceed to the African Hair braiding salon of your choice for the professional braid.

I like the simple goddess braid with the part down the middle of the head with one large braid on either side of the head.  I then usually pick a pack of water weave hair in bulk to augment the volume of my bangs.   What I get is a style similar to the one in the next photo.  I've gotten many compliments; and, it is an easy "do it yourself" style. Finally, I gather the two long hanging braids and fashion them into a bun. Ta-da. you have a style that should last at least 7-10 days.

Benefits of this style are that it is easy to remove.  Very little breakage occurs when removing the braids. Once you've removed your hair, you are ready to wash and perform the entire process again. Just be gentle and add shampoo or conditioner for those difficult spots. Don't pull or tear as this cab cause breakage.

In a few weeks, you should notice nice growth with very soft and well moisturized hair.