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by Nicole Harmon of HairLiberty.org

Summer is approaching and for many naturals, that means switching it up and trying out new styles. Straightened styles are an option but because heat styling should be used at a minimum, it’s important to get as much wear out of them as possible. Here are 4 ways to make your straightened styles last longer:

1. Use products that promise humidity protection

The hair at your roots is usually the first to revert back to curly because it absorbs the most moisture whenever you sweat, take a hot shower, or go outside in humid weather. Back in the day, all we had was grease, but now hair care companies make “humidity protection” and “anti-frizz” products that prevent reversion by covering your hair with a lightweight protective film. To prep your hair for straightening, shampoo, deep condition, apply a leave-in conditioner and then a styling cream or foam that promises to “block humidity” or keep your hair “frizz-free”. Try Hair Rules Blow Out Your Kinks or Living Proof Straight Styling Cream.

2. Choose a “flexible” hold hair spray or skip it

A good hair spray can lock your hair in place better than any other product, but you don’t want it to be too stiff or sticky. Choose a hair spray that says “flexible”, “workable”, or “natural” hold like Nexxus Comb Thru. Always spray from as far away as possible for the best results. To get the most days out of your straight hair, skip hair spray altogether.
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Finding the right style is an essential part of a successful natural hair regimen. It’s important that you feel good about your hair on a daily basis, and have a couple go-to styles that you can easily pull off. Here are 5 questions that will help you find the right go-to style for you.

1. What styles can you manage with your level of ability?

Not everyone can do a fancy updo, some can only manage a basic puff. Get an idea of what you can and cannot manage, and limit your styling options to looks you can easily pull off.
Easy styles: Wash and Go, Puffs, Simple Buns, Ponytails
Medium difficulty styles: Twists, Curlformers, Twist-Outs, Braid-Outs, Roller Sets, Roll and Tuck Styles
Difficult styles: Updos, Cornrow Styles, Flat Twist Styles, Braid or Twist Extensions, Protective Weaves and Half-Wigs

2. Based on your styling ability, will you need the assistance of a natural hair stylist?

If the extent of your styling knowledge is knowing how to wrap hair at night, then you might need the assistance of a natural hair stylist. To save money go for styles that you can keep in for at least three weeks.
Salon Style Options: Twists, Updos, Cornrow Styles, Flat Twist Styles, Braid or Twist Extensions, Protective Weaves and Half-Wigs

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After our recent post on African threading, reader Barbara L decided to give it a try but added her own twist! Check it out:

I was immediately intrigued upon reading of this age old protective style technique and wanted to try it myself but with an American twist. I wanted to be as authentic as possible so I purchased thread at an African hair shop as opposed to using weave thread.

For my take on this technique, I also purchased a C-curve weave needle.

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By Geniece of Beautifully Made

It’s the first of the month.  Your hair is dry and ready for a wash. Your next few weeks will be jam packed and the last thing you need is to spend a lot of time doing your hair. Still, you want to stick to your goals for healthy hair and length retention. What, oh what is a girl to do? Here, is how I care and protect my hair over the course of a month. For those of you with coily kinks like me I hope this regimen will assist you in some area of your hair care journey. I tweak this regimen from month to month depending on the weather, my schedule or mood but in general this is how I care for my type 4 kinks and coils.

When it comes to styling I make the decision based upon how much time I have for maintenance during the week. In colder months I will style my hair in protective styles for at least 4 consecutive weeks. Now that the weather is warmer and my hair can stand to be a bit more exposed I may follow a styling regimen as follows:

I currently wash my hair every 2 weeks but I think for most of us once a week is the norm. Most of my time is spent detangling. This is one part of my monthly regimen I don’t want to overlook or rush through. Dividing the hair in about 10 large twisted sections, I coat each section with oil and conditioner then detangle. First I detangle with a wide tooth seamless comb,  then with a wide tooth detangling comb with interlocking teeth. I retwist each section after detangling. Leaving the hair in the twisted sections I wash the hair using diluted non-sulfate shampoo. I find using a bottle with a nozzle (like a color applicator bottle) to be really helpful in getting shampoo on the roots. After each section is cleansed I will apply my Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa conditioner only to the length of the large twists.  I’ll rinse most of the conditioner out but intentionally leave a bit in to assist in styling later on.

Week 1

After washing, divide each of the 10 twisted sections I used to wash the hair in half and re-twist. I will have 20 twists when all done. This size is large enough so that it won’t take all night to twist (only about an hour including adding a leave in and light butter) but small enough that it’ll allow me to create a cute twisted up do.

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By Fran of Heyfranhey.com

I’ve figured out that hair growth, for me at least, means keeping my hair in a protective style more often than not. If you were to track my hair regimen for an entire month, you’d find me in twists or braids 3 weeks out of the 4. I sort of look at the wash & go style as a “cheat” week, where I know it’s doing absolutely nothing to keep my hair healthy but I get to show off my hard work!

When my hair is in twists (or braids), I’m a lot better at keeping my hair detangled and moisturized.

I simply unravel each piece every few days and finger comb to ensure my hair is knot free. I add more product as needed. However, with a wash & go, my hair is completely exposed to the elements. That free-ness is fun but way harder to keep moisturized since I’m usually more concerned with the “look” of the style than my actual moisture levels. To be honest, my wash & gos look so much better when they’re super messy and even a bit dry. That day before wash day, when it’s time to let the style finally go, is always the best hair day! Anyone else feel that way? Now you understand why I don’t do this often!

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