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

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*