Make a Lace Frontal Look Natural with No Glue

Lace front wigs never look right on me. I had to turn the lace front wigs I have purchased in the past, into u-part wigs and wear my own leave out to make them look believable. But my opinion on lace front wigs may soon change...I was on YouTube a few weeks ago and I saw a video that caught my interest, see for yourself:
           

            
I have worn lace closures in the past and I love them. The difference between a lace frontal and a lace closure is that a lace frontal covers the entire front of your head from ear to ear. It is supposed to offer more versatile styling options, so you will be able to wear your hair in a ponytail with no hair left out. I have never considered one until now because most people apply it with glue and once I see or hear the word glue , i am OUT!! It is good to know that it can look somewhat realistic without glue. This is also a great protective styling option.

My thought is that if I make the wig myself with my own frontal I will like it better than the lace front wigs I have purchased in the past. I am seriously considering purchasing a lace frontal once I am done wearing protective styles. If or when I do I will do a detailed review on my purchase to let you know if the lace frontal lives up to the hype.
Lace front wigs were replaced by the popularity of U-Part wigs, Lace closure full wigs and Flip over wigs but I lace frontals may become a trend, we'll have to wait and see...

What is your opinion on lace frontals?

DIY Protective Styles : Marley Hair vs. Yarn Twists vs. Box Braids

I've been wearing protective styles since August 2014. I've worn crochet braids with Marley hair, yarn twists and box braids; I did all these styles on myself for the first time. I normally pay to get them done but I'm enjoying the process of doing my own hair.

Crochet Braids with Marley Hair

I used 2 packs in a color 1B. I cut the hair in half. Kept this style for a month and a half. 

Pros: Versatile styling, no hair left out.
Cons: Hair is very dry (I used a cream moisturizer to soften it). It's a hassle curling it while it's on your head because you have to dip it in hot water (I burnt my fingers a few times). If you want this style it's better to make a crochet wig.

                              
Yarn Twists (My favorite protective style, so far)
I used 100% acrylic yarn (7-9 strands per twist). Kept this style in for a month.
Pros: Cheaper than braiding hair, easy to put in, take out. I experienced less breakage than box braids.
Cons: Burning the tips & heavier than box braids (especially when wet).

Box Braids

I used 2 packs of Xpression braiding hair in a Color 2. I am currently wearing this style, I plan to wear it for 2 months. 

Pros: Lasts for a long time, low maintenance & versatile styling

Cons: Takes a long time to put them in and take them out. More breakage than yarn twists.

My favorite protective style is Yarn Twists because they are easy to install, and take down is easy & super fast. 

What's your favorite protective style?

4 MONTH REVIEW : KINKY STRAIGHT BLOW OUT WIG

I wore this kinky straight wig everyday from January- April.I turned it into a v-part wig and left very little of my own hair out.

CONS

• It sheds A LOT... clumps of hair come out at a time especially when washed.
• It tangles. Best way to minimize the tangling is do regular deep conditions. 

PROS

• I NEVER had to apply heat to my leave out to blend. Easiest blending ever!! I have type 4 natural hair (I was 9 months post relaxer in April).
• Holds curls well, when it is curled in its natural state. 
• Really versatile!! You can do so much with this hair styling wise. 

I  wore this hair curled 95% of the time. Unfortunately I didn't flat iron it because I didn't have the patience. I apologize for the lackluster pictures, I promise to up my picture game in future posts.

Natural State (no heat applied at all, washed & air dried) before I turned it into a v-part wig

Curled with Big Bendy Rollers 

My part is not as defined because this was at the end of my day. Considering it was winter (snowy/windy conditions) this hair held up very well all day.

Curling Wand Curls

Combed out week-old Wand Curls  

My final verdict is that this was a good tester unit to try this texture out without having to splurge. This texture is going on my list of must have hair extensions due to how effortlessly it blends with my own hair. You'll not understand the hype about kinky straight textured hair extensions until you try it for yourself. I'll be investing in some wefts for sure. If I can find kinky straight, coarse yaki or italian yaki wefts with minimal shedding and tangling.. my hair life would be made!! 

I've been wearing braids and twists as protective styles since May and will continue until the end of the year.

Hope you all had a wonderful summer :)

Which of the above styles is your favorite?

BEST AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS FOR KINKY STRAIGHT HAIR EXTENSIONS

Kinky Straight/Coarse or Italian Yaki textures imitate and act like African American Hair, they should not be treated with TLC accordingly. Use the same products you use on your regular silky Brazilian, Peruvian, Malaysian and Indian etc. hair extensions.

What You Need

1) Moisturizing Conditioner

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner

OR

Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner

2) Hair Serum 

One n' Only Argan Oil

OR

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Morroccan Sleek Oil Treatment

OR

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum

I apply a few drops of serum after cowashing as a leave in conditioner. I prefer applying serums to wet hair and air drying. The only time I apply a drop of serum to dry hair is after I flat iron, curl or blow dry.

3) Heat Protectant
If you want to flat iron your kinky straight hair extensions bone straight and keep it straight and sleek, this works great.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector

OR

Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray for curling etc. 

Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray

FIRST LOOK : KINKY STRAIGHT LACE FRONT WIG

I haven't worn this wig out and will not wear it out until I thin and layer it. I didn't do any blending or styling, the picture shows the wig in its natural unaltered glory. My first impressions are that; I feel it's too much hair and it overwhelms my face. I also wish I bought a 14 or 16 inch, I didn't expect the 18 inches to be so long. It's a lot of hair y'all!!!

Purchased HERE

This is the wig in its natural state. All I did was shampoo, condition and air dry. I put it on just for the picture, no styling whatsoever. Excuse my deer in the headlights expression lol 

PROS

1. Beautiful texture. Matches my own hair perfectly (I'm 6 months post relaxer).
2. Color matches my own hair. Also the color didn't run excessively when I shampooed & conditioned the wig.
3. True to length.
4. True to the picture on aliexpress.

CONS

1. It shed excessively when I washed it. It sheds when you finger comb. It sheds a lot!
2. The wig is too thick especially around the hairline.

Now my issue is I don't know how to thin or layer wigs. I'll be on YouTube all day today, trying to find some helpful tips.

 Hope I can successfully thin and layer it without ruining it. Fingers crossed*

SHOW & TELL: KINKY STRAIGHT LACE FRONT WIG

I received the kinky straight lace front wig that I purchased from aliexpress today, about a week and a half after I placed my order. Communication with them was satisfactory, I made a request for a lighter density because I did not want the normal 130% density and also asked for combs. Only one of my requests was granted; the wig came with combs but they sent me 130% density. I am overwhelmed by this hair.. it is way too full.

First impressions before shampooing and conditioning the wig

• It has a strong processed smell. 
• It is true to length.
• It is quite soft. I like the texture, it really looks like blown out African American Hair. I am also happy I got a Color 1, it is the same color as my own hair.
• It is way too full and definitely not wearable out of the pack. I have no experience thinning out or layering wigs so I am very worried. 
• It has about 3 inch lace parting in front. When you part the wig, the part is not very visible because of how dense it is, so i will need to tweeze the part.

Pictures Straight Out of the Pack: 

After I took pictures, I wet it and once the hair got wet it tangled. When shampooing, I used my fingers to distribute the shampoo throughout,  it shed a lot. After I rinsed off the shampoo, applied a moisturizing conditioner and used a wide tooth comb to comb through, clumps of hair came out. Things are off to a rough start with this wig. I am going to deep condition it overnight and rinse the conditioner off in the morning.

I should have a new post of me wearing the wig in the next few days. If you have any other questions about the wig, please post them in the comment section below.

NEW HAIR : KINKY STRAIGHT LACE FRONT WIG

I used to wear synthetic lace front wigs years ago before I started wearing Virgin hair extensions and I am not fond of them at all because the hairline does not look realistic without me leaving some hair out. Fast forward 3 years later...ask me why I just purchased a new lace front wig?! Well I really want to invest in hair extensions that resemble Natural African American hair but good quality wefted hair in this texture is quite the investment. So I figured a more affordable purchase would allow me decide if this texture is worth the splurge. This is my first aliexpress hair purchase.

Purchased HERE

I saw two Youtube reviews on this wig before I  decided to purchase it:

My Wig Specs

• Color 1
• 18 inches
• 3 inch lace front parting
• Medium Cap
• Medium Brown Lace
• 130%  Density

The density is one thing I am really concerned about because I have no experience thinning out wigs. I requested a lighter density and I hope they grant my request *fingers crossed* 130% density is way too much for this texture imo.

I will do a detailed show & tell post once I receive the wig.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope everyone has a fantastic year :)