DIY : Kinky Straight Blow Out Wig

Revisiting my favorite texture of all time... kinky straight. This time I constructed my own wig with two 16 inch bundles and a 12 inch lace closure. I'm back to lace closures permanently because they are lower maintenance and way better for everyday wear in comparison to frontals. This time I got a bigger closure; regular closures are 4" x 4" and I got a 5" x 5" closure. I bleached the knots on the closure and also tinted the lace with black tea to match my scalp. If you've never tinted your closure, try it... it makes a difference!

I straightened the hair (not bone straight) to a yaki texture, to show you the difference in volume between the natural blowout state and tamer straight state. It can get even sleeker than this.

Natural state

Flat Ironed state

The best thing about kinky straight hair is you do not need a gazillion bundles for a full look. I used 2 bundles and it's full. If you want a natural density 1.5 bundles is sufficient. 

The kinky straight texture looks great in its natural state but even better and more glam when curled. If you're new to natural textured extensions I'd suggest you start with kinky straight because it's very low maintenance. 

I've also worn kinky curly/coily hair extensions (that match my type 4 hair in its natural state). Coily extensions are great because you can blend seamlessly with no heat, but they are higher maintenance.

Have you ever tried natural textured hair extensions? What's your favorite texture? I would love to read your comments!

DIY : Chloe & Halle Inspired Crochet Goddess Faux Locs Frontal Wig

After a somewhat traumatic experience with the take down of my individual goddess locs, I've decided to opt for crochet locs. I love Chloe & Halle's natural locs so I wanted a similar look. There are many brands of crochet locs on the market but I really wanted locs that had a natural texture and lustre, similar to natural locs.

What I used
I used crochet locs and a lace frontal. I got straight pre-looped crochet locs and curled them to get the look I'm going for. For the lace frontal, I bleached the knots and tinted the frontal to match my skin. I decided to make a locs wig for more versatility. It turned out great considering this is my first attempt at a custom locs wig.

Finished Wig

I wore this wig on my vacation in Spain. These locs are the perfect vacation style!

This wig is really convenient, I love that I can put it on and take it off as I please. You get way more wear out of the locs with the wig compared to when you install them on your head. The wig is very low maintenance. I used got2b ultra glued gel to lay the frontal down.

Faux Locs are my favorite protective style!!

DIY: 360 Lace Frontal Wig + The Truth about Got2b Gel

I was hesitant to try a lace frontal because I was terrified of the line of demarcation. I wanted to do a 4 month protective style challenge with none of my hair left out, so I finally got one. I decided to get a lace frontal wig cap because all you have to do is sew in your bundles and viola you're done!

I decided to try a Light Yaki texture which resembles relaxed hair. I got a 12" lace frontal wig cap and 3 bundles of 12" Light Yaki Hair. The bundles were black and the hair on the lace frontal was brown so I had to dye it. I also bleached the knots on the lace frontal.

Pros of lace frontal wig cap

Wig making is easy and faster.

Cons of lace frontal wig cap

1) Size; it was too big for my head so I cut a part off on both sides of my ears so it fits better.
2) Less parting room unlike a regular lace frontal.

Styling my Frontal
The first day I wore my lace frontal wig I was so conscious because I felt everyone could see the line of demarcation. With time, I became better at applying the lace frontal using Got2b Ultra Glued and the blasting freeze spray.

The gel makes your wig lay flat. I have an elastic band attached to my wig but with that alone, it doesn't lay as flat. I recommend using Got2b gel, unless your frontal is sewn down. This gel is truly the lace frontal savior.

Got2b Gel Claims

1) You get up to 3 days hold with this gel and spray. This is kind of true. Using both the gel and freeze spray I got several days hold but I had to do small touch ups on some areas of my frontal. This claim only holds true if you keep water away from your hairline.

2)You need both the gel and the spray. No! The gel on its own provides good hold but using the gel + spray gives a stronger hold. I do not recommend wearing this for days on end without washing it off. I only use the gel+freeze spray together on special occasions or when I go on an overnight trip.

How I apply Got2b Gel + Freeze Spray

I apply a thin layer of the gel on my hairline (optional: followed by the freeze spray). I wait for a minute then I apply my wig (optional: you can use a blow dryer to make it stickier, but I don't). Try not to touch the gel with your fingers, I use the back of a comb to press the lace down into the gel. Finally, I tie it down with a satin scarf.  The key to getting it to stick is to TIE IT DOWN for at least 10-15 mins.

The Truth about Got2b Ultra Glued Gel

Applying and washing off the gel daily is messy and leaves a residue on the lace.

The gel is not waterproof, so if you work out, sweat or it rains your frontal will lift. The gel is better suited for a cooler climate. It will not hold in summer and I don't recommend it for vacation if you intend on swimming or visit somewhere tropical.

The gel is clear but if you use too much, it can appear shiny and the freeze spray can leave a white residue if you use too much.

The Truth about Lace Frontals

• Lace frontals look flawless on instagram pictures  and YouTube videos, but in reality you have to put in ALOT of work to hide the line of demarcation. 
• Frontals are high maintenance & better for special occasions not everyday wear. Lace closures are much more low maintenance and suitable for every day wear.
• You need some baby hair to hide the line of demarcation.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Kinky Curly/Coily Clip In Extensions for Type 4 Natural Hair

I'm currently obsessed with natural textured clip ins. After wearing kinky straight clip ins daily for 5 months, I had to add kinky curly/coily clip ins to my collection. Clip ins have helped make my natural hair journey more blissful. With natural hair clip ins, I can experiment and do things to them that I would never do to my hair e.g. color, applying excessive heat etc.

I have multitextured type 4 hair (4a/4b in my crown, 4b in the middle, 4c on my sides and nape). I got only one set of clip ins. Before you separate your clip ins make sure you wet them and co-wash with a moisturizing conditioner. NEVER try to separate, comb or attempt to detangle curly hair when it's dry.


One set of 16" Clip Ins

To blend, I twist my leave out, super easy!!

These are by far the best extensions I've worn, they blend seamlessly texture wise (there is a slight color difference, my hair is black & the extensions are a dark brown color so I'll dye the clip ins). 

Have you tried natural textured hair extensions?

Heatless Ways To Blend Natural Hair with Kinky Straight Clip In Extensions

I've always had an issue with applying heat to my hair. Now I'm newly natural, my fear of heat is magnified because I don't want heat damage on the part of my hair I leave out.

So although my transitioning hair blended flawlessly with kinky straight extensions without heat, the far along I go on my journey the thicker my new growth is and it doesn't blend as seamlessly. So I've had to find ways to blend my hair without using heat. I wouldn't say the blending is 100% seamless but it's good enough.

Method 1 - African Threading
Section your hair, wrap the thread around your hair. The closer you wrap, the more stretched your hair will be. I have worn this hair everyday for 2 weeks. The two pictures were taken a week apart.

Week 1: How my hair blends with the hair when it is freshly washed and air dried.

Week 2: How the hair looked later on in the second week. On that day I brushed the my hair with a paddle brush. It was a rainy, windy day so my own hair got a little poofy but even then it still blended quite well.

Week 1

Week 2

Method 2 - Flat Twists
When I don't thread my hair. I do a flat twist on each side of my head and pin it back. This is my go-to hairstyle; easy, fast and great for rainy days when you know your hair will poof and frizz.

I take my clip ins out everyday. I've only slept in them once (during an overnight trip). If you're going to sleep in them I suggest you un-clip the clips closest to your edges to avoid tension while you sleep.

I'm in love with this hair. The older it gets the more natural it looks. It's low maintenance, minimal shedding and tangling.

No one has asked me if I am wearing a weave, they all think it's my hair. If you're transitioning or natural, and looking for a texture that is easy to blend with your hair, this is the texture for you.

Please note: All pictures were taken on casual days when I was on holiday from college. If I had a special occasion to attend, then I'll obviously style my hair more. Curl my clips ins, apply some edge control to my edges etc. 

Kinky Straight Clip in Extensions for Natural Hair

My love affair with Kinky Straight Hair Extensions started 2 years ago with my Kinky Straight Lace Front Wig . Since then no other texture compares. It blended perfectly with my hair when I was transitioning with no heat. I just did my big chop 2 weeks ago after transitioning for 1 year and 2 months so I'm now 100% percent natural. I'll probably have to blow dry my hair for it to blend flawlessly now.

This is my first time trying clip ins. I watched many Youtube videos on clip ins for natural hair and I finally took the plunge. I got kinky straight extensions in 14 inches. This texture resembles natural hair when it is blow dried aka blown out. 

Before shampoo & condition                           Closer look at the wefts & clips                  

   

                                                     

I'll  have to dye the hair to a 1b color because it is a dark brown color. One fear I had with clip ins is that the clips would snag and get caught up in my hair. If you take your time putting them in and taking them out they do not snag.

I got one set of clip ins which had 8 pieces and it gives me a natural density which I like.

I know some people hate the crimps. I left the hair to air dry after washing it. To get rid of the crimps, instead of letting it air dry, blow dry. If you want more sleekness, follow with a flat iron.

If you want this texture check out companies like Big Chop Hair, Kinky Curly Yaki, My Natural Hair Extensions, Her Given Hair etc. 

Next post will be my an initial review and how to blend your hair without heat.

DIY: IVY Flip Over Method Virgin Brazilian Full Wig FAIL!

I made my first flip-over wig using IVY's Flip Over Method. I used 3 bundles of Virgin Brazilian Loose Wave Hair (14,16 and 18 inches). 

First Look 

 I braided my hair and sewed the wig down to a perimeter braid.

You can see my leave out is way coarser than the weave (i am transitioning).

I tried to blend using a flat iron but I was scared to apply the amount of heat needed to blend my hair with the weave. It was very silky and i wasn't willing to damage my hair for the sake of blending.

First wash

First time i washed my hair i used the Alumine Soy & Baobab Oil conditioner alone to cowash and I let it air dry. Still struggling with blending.

2nd Wash using full range of Alumine products 

Before I wash my hair, I  comb with a wide tooth comb starting from the tips and working my way up towards the roots. This gets rid of any snags or tangles.

I used the products in this order (from left to right)

I used a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to dry the hair to about 50%.
I was left with soft, defined, moisturized curls. 

This is my hair fully dried. You can see that the entire line of products defined my waves/curls even more than when I use the conditioner on its own.

My final review on the alumine products I used is that they are really good. I give them two thumbs up! My reasons are that my hair was soft and tangle free throughout the week. I did not have to apply argan oil to moisturize my hair at all. My morning routine is simple, i wet my hair run it through my hair and scrunch and I am done. At night i simply sleep with my hair in a pineapple. I wash my hair every Sunday.

The flip over method only works if you can blend your hair or are willing to use a lot of heat to blend your hair with the extensions seamlessly. As for the extensions itself, I absolutely love it, it is low maintenance but next time I will install with a lace closure. Since I am going natural (I am currently almost 1 year post relaxer) I have decided I will only wear silky textured extensions with a closure or I may stop wearing silky textured extensions all together.. we'll have to wait and see.

Stay blessed dolls xx