Protective Styling

Like most naturals, I don't like doing my hair on a daily basis. I have to wear a protective style or I will get extremely lazy. Since November of last year I have been wearing various protective styles. I have done random length checks but protective styles have saved my hair. Between work, school, personal and family circumstances I have not have time to style my hair free.

Why protective styling? I have 5 good reasons for protective styling.

1. Low Maintenance
2. Retains Growth
3. Time Savers
4. Keeps Hair Soft
5. Versatile

The three styles that I have been going to are: high buns with Marley or Kanekalon braiding hair, Senegalese Twists, or sew ins. Ask of these styles allow my hair to grow naturally without all of the pulling, straining, bobby pins, headbands, or all of the other things is natural sistas like to use in a daily basis.

Not only do these styles save me time and save my hair, they're very easy to maintain. With the bun I take it down and wash my hair once a week or once every two weeks and put it back up. With the Senegalese twists I clean my scalp with with a water and tea tree oil mixture. Some people wash their but I personally don't like to because mine get really frizzy. With the sew ins I wash it every two weeks just like my own hair. With all of the styles I oil my scalp with my oil mixture.

Here are a few pictures of me wearing my protective styles!

Water: The Ultimate Moisturizer

Time: seconds

Frequency: Everyday to every few hours

What is Spritzing?

Spritzing is the term that many naturals use when referring to refreshing or moisturizing their hair. It is a practice that should be added to your daily regimen. Notably, the best thing that can be in your spray bottle is good ol' water. It is the most accessible substance on the planet and it's no question why it's good for the natural sista! If I must break it down....planet Earth is made up of approximately 70% water and the human body is comprised of 55-78% water. Need I say more?! If I must...since the body is made up of nearly 55-78% water we MUST drink 1 to 7 liters of water per day to avoid becoming dehydrated. So if our bodies need H2O to stay hydrated, then our hair needs it as well.

Why is it Important to Spritz?

Spritzing your hair with water (or water mixtures) can be very beneficial to your hair. As I have learned on this natural hair journey, watering your hair (like a plant) is the only way your hair will get moisturized. It is the ONLY moisturizer...so natural sistas: IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WATER IN IT, IT IS NOT MOISTURIZING YOUR HAIR! The only other things that will penetrate your hair shaft (never aa good as agua) are the beloved olive oil and coconut oil. Spritzing or watering your hair helps to keep the hair moisturized, nourished and healthy. I use many variations of water spritzes while others just keep it simple with the water.

What's in My Spray Bottle?

Firstly, let me start by mentioning that the spray bottle will become your BFF! It's so easy to use and if you're mixing different things you can just give it a little shake and you have all the goods combined in one convenient place :)

Rosewater Spritz

This is a new spritz that I'm trying. Although it comes in its own spray bottle, I like to be complicated and create my own concoctions. I filled a small spray bottle approximately 1/3 full with rosewater, then I added a few drops of rosemary oil (like 10), a few drops of castor oil, and filled the bottle up with water. Initially what got me to buy the rosewater is how divine it smells and then I got home and did a little research. I found out that the pH of rosewater is close to the pH of hair in its optimal state, so it helps to repair the porosity. This in turn allows the hair to retain the proper amount of moisture and the cuticle will remain smooth.

Everyday Tea Tree Tingler

Just to wake my strands up and to stimulate my scalp, this is my go to spritzer! I absolutely LOVE Tea Tree Oil and I feel as though my life would be neglected without it...so I use it in everything! This mixture leaves my hair so moisturized and my scalp so stimulated!

 

1-Spray Bottle

7oz.-Water

1 tbsp-Castor Oil

1 tbsp-EVOO

1tsp-Jojoba

20-40 drops-Tea Tree Oil

 

Anything that I'm missing out on Chic Sistas? Please let me know what's in your spray bottle! XO

Tea Tree Oil-I Wouldn't Dare Live Without It!

If you do not know by now, I mix tea tree oil with absolutely everything!
It is a natural antiseptic and it is also known to stimulate hair growth. It is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as Narrow-leaved Tea-tree which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia.When used correctly it will clean the impurities from your scalp and treat and eliminate dandruff. Tea tree oil stimulates hair growth not only by increasing the health of the hair follicles but also because the oil boosts overall health and immune system stimulation.

It is an essential oil...
Tea tree oil is an essential oil and it should be diluted because it is extremely strong. Before using directly on the scalp or skin it is recommended to do a skin test using only a few drops of tea tree oil. By mixing the tea tree oil with one of you favorite carrier oils you will quickly fall in love with this oil.

Why I love it?!
I love the tea tree oil because it naturally cleanses my scalp. Since it is an antifungal/antibacterial it relieves my scalp of any impurities. Before I started using the tea tree oil on a regular basis, my scalp was always really itchy and I would experience dandruff. After approximately a week of using the tea tree I did not have anymore of those problem. In addition to treating my itchy scalp and dandruff, it has also been known to treat cradle cap, baldness, psoriasis and much, much more!

How I use it...In just about every mixture that I make I add the tea tree oil.
To Seal Moisture > Shea Butter Mixture: Shea butter, EVOO, Few Drops of Tea Tree Oil
Clarifying Shampoo > Giovanni's Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo
Deep Condition > Giovanni's Triple Treat Invigoration Conditioner
Moisture > Water Mixture:Water, Few Drops of Tea Tree Oil, EVOO
Treatment > Castor Oil Mixture: Castor Oil, EVOO, Few Drops of Tea Tree Oil

Just a few drops is VERY effective! Just add a couple drops to your shampoo and/or conditioner and you will be amazed. XOXO-Chic Sista